Watch: Third Term Extension crisis: Govt fires back at hypocrite War Vets critics blocking the bid

By Staff Reporter

INFORMATION Minister Jenfan Muswere has fired back at War Vets attempting to block President Emmerson Mangagwa’s bid to obtain a third term of office arguing the same people were at the forefront of crafting the agenda.

The War Vets grouping fronted by Blessed Geza teared into the third term bid over the weekend   urging Mnangagwa to leave office as soon as possible as they accused his administration of running the country down.

But in a lengthy address beamed on State television, ZBC, Tuesday night Information Minister, Jenfan Muswere singled out Geza for attack describing his vitriol as unwarranted and a display of hypocrisy.

Muswere said government was not amused by the bitterness, indisciplined and “reactionary and unmerited polemic sentiment” shared by the war veterans seeking to undermine Mnangagwa.

“We are concerned about the extent to which these individuals, while purporting to be members of the ruling party (and) bona fide members of the war veterans fraternity, are not using legal and relevant structures to discuss their grievances.

“It is unfortunate that these individuals have also played to the whims of demonising the President for reasons best known to them.

“What is surprising is that such individuals, including Cde Blessed Geza, was one of the lead proponents of Resolution Number 1 of the 21st National People’s Conference, which underscores the need for the President to remain in office until 2030. Cde Geza was among the conference delegates who lobbied for that resolution to be passed.

“Therefore, it is surprising that today he is turning his back on a resolution he helped create. It is unfortunate that the bitterness he suffered from the 2018 primary election defeat is now causing him to go as far as rewriting the history of the President,” said Muswere.

The lnformation minister claims Geza’s statement was surprising, especially considering that the Second Republic respects war veterans.

“This sense of self-contradiction and hypocrisy goes against the principles of basic honesty we expect from senior citizens and genuine war veterans.

“This charade is very disappointing considering the magnitude of economic transformation that Zimbabwe has enjoyed under the leadership of the President His Excellency Cde Dr Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa.

“Section 84 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe obliges all State institutions and progressive Zimbabweans to recognise Rights of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle.

“These architects of our national liberation include those who fought in the War of Liberation; the virtuous gallant Sons and Daughters of the Soil who assisted the fighters in the war of liberation; and anti-colonial visionaries who were imprisoned, detained and restricted for political reasons during the liberation struggle. Through their unflinching resolve, independent Zimbabwe was born.

“Pursuant to this clear constitutional position, the Second Republic, under the revolutionary leadership of the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Cde Dr E.D. Mnangagwa has championed a deliberate welfare support for the veterans of the liberation struggle,” said Muswere.

War veterans, Muswere added, were recognised by establishing a stand-alone ministry to cater for their welfare. Zanu PF has also set up a parallel wing of ex-freedom fighters.

This, Muswere claimed, was to ensure the total inclusion and participation of veterans of the liberation struggle in the economy.

“The actualisation of this constitutional recognition of this important class of distinguished patriots has been facilitated by the establishment of a standalone ministry which caters for the socio-economic needs of veterans of the liberation struggle.

“For the first time, four decades after the attainment of Zimbabwe’s independence, the Second Republic strengthened the constitutional recognition of the veterans of the liberation struggle by ensuring that the ruling Zanu PF now has a stand-alone War Veterans’ Wing,” said Muswere, adding Mnangagwa had championed over 8,000 developmental projects since assuming office in 2017.