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Noah Pito in Hurungwe
The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) Hurungwe Chapter has said it will stand guided by the principles and ideals of zanu-pf.

Speaking during a Press conference in Karoi last Thursday, Information and Publicity Secretary for ZNLWVA (Hurungwe Chapter), Cde Anthony Zunzanyika, said it was time the nation knew that the fallout between zanu-pf and some members of the association’s national leadership was unrepresentative of the majority of war veterans, particularly those in Hurungwe.

“The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association constitution clearly states that it is an affiliate of the zanu-pf party,” he said.

“People must realise that zanu-pf recognised this relationship by giving the war veterans a secretariat in the Politburo which is headed by Cde Sydney Sekeramayi.

“The zanu-pf Government has also recognised the war veterans through the establishment of a line ministry dedicated to the welfare of the war veterans, including war collaborators, ex-detainees and ex-restrictees.

“As Hurungwe veterans of the liberation struggle, we are very grateful that we are recognised. As such, anyone who claims to be a member of ZNLWVA, but does not subscribe to the ideals and leadership of zanu-pf is not one of us. We also recognise His Excellency President Mugabe as our patron.

“This is in our constitution and will remain so unless and until the constitution is amended to the contrary.

“All statements that have been given through the media by some sections of the leadership of the association have to be taken in the context of their individual relationships with zanu-pf. Such statements do not at all represent our position as Hurungwe war veterans.”

Cde Zunzanyika said war veterans in Hurungwe subscribed to the numerous platforms the party has always presented them to address their grievances.

“We fully support the party and subscribe to all its rules and regulations,” he said.

“We also respect the constitution of the party and anything done to the contrary is not expressive of our position as veterans of the armed struggle.

“There are some people (in Hurungwe) who have sought to derive political mileage from the present political scenario and attempted to paint all (war) veterans with one brush as rebels and turncoats. We don’t take this kindly.”

As war veterans, Cde Zunzanyika said, his association deplored the level of corruption in the district, particularly in the area of land redistribution.

He said many people, especially the “weak and unconnected” had lost their land to the powerful people from both the party and the public service.

“We fought the war to liberate the nation and not a section of the nation,” he said.

“We know these people and we have the evidence. We have made our concerns known to the relevant authorities over the last 12 months and we are still engaging with them on the matter.

“If all fails we will not hesitate to throw the issue into the public domain.”

Cde Zunzanyika hailed the state of food security in the district, saying his association was very happy with the advent of Command Agriculture, which ensured a bumper harvest.