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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent

THE Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWA) is organising a nationwide march to the United States Embassy in Harare against illegal sanctions that were imposed on the nation by Western countries as they have crippled the economy. 

Speaking during a meeting with the war veterans association leadership from Matabeleland South Province at the Gwanda District Club yesterday, the Deputy Minister for Defence and War Veterans Affairs, Cde Victor Matemadanda, said the date of the march would be announced in due course but all Zimbabweans were encouraged to attend.

He said the illegal sanctions were the cause of economic challenges faced by the nation and it was high time people demanded to have them removed.

Cde Matemadanda said the march would be held under the theme, ‘’Zimbabwe United Against Sanctions.” 

“The purpose of my visit here is to tell you about the march we are organising. Every Zimbabwean has been affected by sanctions and we have to march to the American Embassy in Harare where we will not ask but tell them to remove the sanctions. This event will be the mother of all marches. It’s not only for the Zanu-PF party but it’s for all Zimbabweans. 

“We want all unemployed graduates to come in their gowns, artisanal miners, the ill people who can’t afford to buy medicine, grandmothers who are looking after orphans, doctors who are demanding a raise, various political parties and everyone who is affected by the state of our economy which is caused by illegal sanctions to march to the American Embassy and state their case. Right now we are conscientising people so that when the date is announced people will be ready,’’ he said.

Cde Matemadanda said President Mnangagwa was working on efforts to revive the economy but the sanctions had been imposed deliberately in order to financially disable the President and his Government.

He said as long as sanctions remained, it would be difficult to address the welfare of Zimbabweans, war veterans included. Cde Matemadanda said all political parties and their leaders were expected to participate in the march and advocate for sanctions to be lifted in order to prove that they were concerned about the welfare of Zimbabweans.

“I know that as war veterans you have issues concerning your welfare but I want us to look into the cause of our problems and try and address it. Our main problem is sanctions and Nelson Chamisa and Tendai Biti recently asked America to extend these sanctions. President Mnangagwa has done enough to have the sanctions lifted such as holding free and fair elections but they have not been removed as the Western countries want their puppets to rule the country. America has no history of bringing peace into any country as they only bring pain and suffering. They want us to surrender our independence in order for them to remove the sanctions but we won’t yield as we know the blood and sweat that was shed in liberating this country,’’ he said.

Cde Matemadanda urged Zimbabweans to desist from blaming the President and his Government for the challenges they were facing as they were caused by Western countries.

He said former president Robert Mugabe had crippled the country’s economy during his reign and now President Mnangagwa was trying to revive it.

He urged Zimbabweans to support the efforts of the President and his Government by participating in the march against sanctions.

Cde Matemadanda called on war veterans that had strayed to other political parties that had enticed them with false promises to return to Zanu-PF as it was the ideal party.

He urged war veterans to desist from wasting the sweat and efforts of their struggle by straying to opposition parties as they were not concerned with their welfare.

Cde Matemadanda also urged all war veterans to play an active role in developing the nation and not only appear when it was time to reap the benefits.

He urged war veterans’ leaders to go to the ground and mobilise as much people as possible for the march. 

– @DubeMatutu