Harare – A faction within the war veterans’ community has dramatically escalated tensions within the ruling Zanu PF party, declaring their intention to “lead the onslaught” against President Emmerson Mnangagwa and demanding his immediate resignation.
The announcement was made at a press conference in Harare on Friday by Andrease Mathibela, the leader of a faction of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veteran Association. Mathibela stated that the association had consulted with Zimbabwean citizens, who overwhelmingly agreed that Mnangagwa should step down from his position.
“Maybe our presser today is the last. We want to address the elephant in the room as quickly as possible. It may be in a week or two, the pressure will be on,” Mathibela told reporters, signalling a looming confrontation with the President.
Mathibela made it clear that his association stands firmly behind Geza, whom they described as “our rabble-rouser,” and had strategically positioned him at the forefront of their campaign.
Mnangagwa is currently facing growing discontent among Zimbabweans, who are increasingly frustrated by the country’s persistent economic challenges. Mathibela accused Mnangagwa of failing to curb rampant corruption, which he said was bleeding the economy and plunging ordinary citizens into poverty.
The war veteran leader issued a two-week ultimatum to Mnangagwa, warning that if the President failed to address the nation’s grievances, the people would take to the streets in protest against poor governance.
“So obviously, the government is not serious about addressing the crisis (that) it has created itself,” Mathibela said.
“So, when we look, as citizens of this country, when we look at any crisis, we ask: What is the root cause? Then we deal with the root cause.”
Mathibela emphasised that the war veterans were acting on the mandate given to them by the Zimbabwean people.
“I am here, on behalf of all veterans and members of the public, ordinary people. We were quiet, while all these other noise makers were trying to be relevant. Guess what? We were busy consulting,” he stated.
“Just like what we did during the liberation struggle. We were working with the masses. We were working with the chiefs. We were working with the mass media, spirit mediums, I would say. And they have told us, that all veterans, you put your government there, sort it out.”
“That is the challenge they have given us. They say you put this government, you sort it out. And very true, we will definitely sort it out. I am happy that the nation, at large, which is the suffocating victims of this crisis, has said ‘We will go with you veterans, every step of the way’.”
“They have told us, in no uncertain circumstances, that this time around, we must lead the onslaught, where the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe must step down immediately. And we are in agreement. We have reasons which we can explain throughout the night, until the following morning.”
Mathibela further alleged that Mnangagwa and his government were unnerved by the growing dissent among war veterans and were attempting to appease them with empty promises and material inducements.
He announced that war veterans aligned with his faction would boycott the planned interface with Mnangagwa, dismissing it as a desperate attempt to quell their rebellion.
The escalating conflict between this faction of war veterans and President Mnangagwa presents a significant challenge to the stability of Zanu PF and the country as a whole. With the war veterans vowing to “lead the onslaught” and the threat of mass protests looming, Zimbabwe faces a period of heightened political uncertainty.
