Zanu PF Bulawayo Provincial Chairperson Jabulani Sibanda has urged war veterans to unite and address their grievances collectively, stating that the world is at a crossroads with growing uncertainty surrounding the intention of Western powers.
Speaking at the launch of the Presidential War Veterans Fund and the Village Business Unit (VBU) empowerment programme for war veterans from Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South, at Stanley Square in Makokoba, Bulawayo, on Saturday, Sibanda highlighted the critical role of war veterans in stabilising the country’s political and economic future.
Sibanda’s remarks come at a time when a group of war veterans has called for President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s resignation, citing allegations of nepotism, corruption, and economic mismanagement.
The veterans, led by Blessed Runesu Geza, a former liberation fighter, expressed regret over Mnangagwa’s rise to power in 2017, arguing he has failed to fulfill the promises made during his ascendancy.
Former ZPRA fighters in Bulawayo also warned against any attempts to extend Mnangagwa’s term beyond constitutional limits, cautioning that such actions could lead to instability.
During his address, Sibanda called for reconciliation among war veterans, urging leaders of various associations to reach out to those with grievances.
“A tree grows in two directions. There is a direction that you see, the leaves and flowers, which provide fresh air and nests for birds. Then there are the roots, which grow underground, searching for water and providing stability. The independence of the tree that you see comes from the roots, and in this case, the war veterans are the roots. War veterans are struggling,” he said.
Sibanda pointed to global political shifts, particularly in the United States, as justification for Zimbabwe’s war veterans to stand together.
“Look at the world today. Look at America, a country known as a democratic state. Look at what they are doing today, they are expelling people who are not Americans as if they have been captured. Look at their policies,” he said.
“Now they want to take Gaza in Palestine to be part of America. This means we have returned to the 19th century, where everything is done through military power. Donald Trump says America must be superior in strength, but he does not say whether that strength is supporting truth or not.”
The Zanu PF provincial chair warned that Africa’s former colonial rulers were regrouping, necessitating unity among liberation war veterans.
“There is no time when we must come together more than the present. If war veterans have problems, this is the time for (Cephas) Ncube (National Chairperson of War Veterans), (Douglas) Mahiya (Zanu PF Secretary for War Veterans) to unite war veterans in all places,” Sibanda said.
“This is the time for you to go around, talking to all war veterans at an association level. Ncube must engage with them, even if they belong to different associations, and make them see the task ahead of us. If war veterans come together, then our country will come together.”
Addressing the political divisions within Zanu PF and the grievances of some war veterans, Sibanda cautioned against divisive rhetoric and internal strife.
“Let’s stop this thing of saying ‘down with so and so’ (phansi lobani) without having sat down with them to ask, ‘Comrade, what is your challenge? What is wrong?’” Sibanda said.
He referenced Zimbabwe’s 2008 election crisis, which saw the ruling party losing the first round of the presidential elections to the opposition.
“In 2008, we lost elections. We came third with 42 percent, Tsvangirai was second with 47 percent, and the constitution was first. It said that when there are more than two candidates, the winner must have 51 percent. Tsvangirai did not reach 51 percent, and that is why we had a rerun,” he said.
“To say that we denied Tsvangirai the chance to rule is a lie. He was fought for by the constitution that governed us.”
Sibanda urged war veterans to take responsibility for engaging with disgruntled members and resolving internal disputes.
“If a war veteran sees a problem, if a party member sees a problem, they must come to the party. If it’s war veterans, Ncube, we task you to meet with the associations. We moved as war veterans uniting people after they voted the wrong way. We spoke to them, and we won elections in 2013,” he said.
“So war veterans have the power to engage with people across the country. Go and meet with the associations, go and meet with everyone who is outside.”
Expressing concern over global political changes, Sibanda warned Africa’s wealth and resources could once again become targets for exploitation.
“The Whites are coming back. Trump has withdrawn from United Nations institutions. Tomorrow, they might leave the UN and use their strength to recolonise Africa. This is the time to unite. The danger ahead of us is serious, and it’s our time as war veterans,” he said.
“From today, war veterans, you cannot get sick or die because as Africa, with plenty of resources, the situation we are facing from those countries with nuclear weapons, injections and everything, we are in trouble. This is the time to support each other.”
Sibanda urged political leaders within Zanu PF to resolve their differences for the sake of national stability.
“You comrades in the politburo, please be like the tree’s roots. Go and solve your issues. If everyone solves their issues, then we can move forward. If a war veteran has erred, approach them so there is harmony,” said the Zanu PF provincial chairperson.
“Some people believe in a type of politics where you step on water, and it splashes away, never returning to the pond. But eventually, that pond will dry up. We must unite every war veteran, regardless of their association. Look at how the world is standing and then address our problems together.”
Sibanda also called on the government to extend support to individuals who assisted liberation fighters during the war, including war collaborators.
“We thank the President for introducing a programme that remembers war veterans. But we also ask that those who helped war veterans, those who cooked, the chimbwidos, be remembered as well.”
Concluding his address, Sibanda reiterated the need for unity among war veterans to safeguard Zimbabwe’s sovereignty.
“All you war veterans who are seeing a different view, I note what you are seeing. Let’s come together and discuss things. We must unite so that we can become strong and the enemy will never overrun us otherwise we will be separated and it will be easy for the enemy to overrun our revolution,” he said.