War vets vow to stop ED 2030 move
WAR veterans chairperson, Ethan Mathibela, says it does not make any sense to try and bar retired army generals from eyeing the presidency, adding a spirited campaign for President Emmerson Mnangagwa (pictured) to remain in office beyond his constitutional two terms must be resisted.
He said the third term bid by Mnangagwa’s loyalists was unconstitutional, and pushed by a ‘few corrupt people singing for their supper.’
Mnangagwa is serving his second and last term which is meant to end in 2018 in line with the constitution.
Some Zanu PF provincial structures such as Masvingo and Midlands, and in the youth league, have said they want Mnangagwa to remain in office until 2030 to allegedly fulfil his vision.
A constitutional amendment via a referendum is needed to extend his term, but with the incumbent not benefitting.
Sources say there would be an attempt to postpone or de-harmonise the polls to by-pass the constitutional constitution.
Mnangagwa recently said he will retire when his term ends, but this has not stopped his loyalists from saying they will beg him to remain in office.
“The president has clearly stated that he is no longer available for the office beyond 2028 because he wants to rest, and that we give a full praise,” Mathibela, who is the chairperson of the Zimbabwe National War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), said in an interview on Friday.
“What we should be looking at now is his replacement so that we see their capabilities while there is time...
“For those that continue to advocate his continued position in government, we know they have their selfish personal interests and I can guarantee you that these are the people that we have to confront.
“They must know that we are coming for them.”
Mnangagwa, like the late former president Robert Mugabe, has not chosen a successor.
Mugabe was forced out of office in a 2017 coup.
At the time, his loyalists were pushing that he remain in office despite his advanced age.
Former first lady, Grace, went as far as suggesting that Mugabe will rule from the grave
Reports indicate that Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is next in line for the presidency having emerged as a frontrunner to succeed Mnangagwa.
Other reports have said Mnangagwa and Chiwenga had a gentlemen’s agreement that the former army general succeeds him when he completes his term
Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa last week said there was no such agreement, and said Mnangagwa’s successor will be chosen via an open contest.
Mutsvangwa said there is ‘no godly anointment in Zanu PF.’
Mathibela also said retired army generals had a right to campaign for the presidency.
“Anyone who has the potential to change our lives for the better must be supported,” he said.
“We have so many people, who can do that including generals because they are the ones, who went to war and fought for us.
“If they can bring freedom to this country, what can stop them from running this country?
“It doesn’t make sense to try and bar generals from eyeing the office.”
The military remains active in Zimbabwean politics.
The late army general, Vitalis Zvivaanshe, is known to have declared that the army would never let anyone without liberation war credentials lead the country.
Early this month, Zimbabwe National Army commander, Anselem Sanyatwe, said ‘command voting’ may be used to ensure that Zanu PF remains in power.
Mathibela said foisting Mnangagwa’s third-term bid under the cover of alleged popular support within the ruling party was undemocratic.
“That is nonsense. We are not into that business,” he said.
“People are giving the impression that people are supporting it, yet it is not.
“It’s a minority, who are always singing for their supper for other corrupt ends.
“We have ordinary citizens who have a different view of the goings on, and they are not amused.”
He said Mnangagwa cannot be anointed into office by his loyalists.
“We must debate about who is going to take us forward,” he said.
“We know capable leaders, who are even better.
“We must identify our own who we feel are capable of bettering the lives of ordinary people.”
War veterans were instrumental in Mugabe's removal from office.
It all started with a Blue Ocean document where the ex-combatants were complaining about the state of affairs in the country and the then First Lady manoeuvres to seize control of the fractured ruling party.