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Cde Matemadanda

Walter Nyamukondiwa Chinhoyi Bureau
Zanu-pf has championed people-oriented policies that leaders should highlight at gatherings instead of alarmist and reckless statements that scare away investors, a war veterans’ leader has said.

Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association secretary-general Cde Victor Matemadanda last Friday said leaders should not distort the history of the party by projecting it as heartless and unforgiving.

He was addressing freedom fighters from Mashonaland West province.

“These people are not doing us any good, right now we need investment. Leaders should say things that inspire confidence in the common man in the street and not statements that scare away investors,” said Cde Matemadanda.

“If we have someone being told that they will lose their farm, even if they have offer letters what message are we projecting to someone who was contemplating applying for land?”

Cde Matemadanda said Mr Temba Mliswa should not be a subject at rallies as he was no longer a member of the party but focus should be on policy issues that have traditionally endeared the party with the masses.

He said war veterans are solidly behind the First Family and warned that elements bent on separating them with their commander would not succeed.

“We do not want people who distort the history of the party. zanu-pf has a history of rehabilitating members that is why we have the commissariat department. If we had not been considerate and accepting that, people do make mistakes during the war, people like Rugare Gumbo would not have returned home,” he said.

zanu-pf National Consultative Assembly member Cde Jimayi Muduvuri called on party members to close ranks, shun factionalism and rally solidly behind the First Family in preparation for the 2018 harmonised elections.

“Our message is that people should shun factionalism. There should be no more talk of G40 and Lacoste. We have one party and one leader who is President Mugabe and his wife Dr Grace Mugabe. If we do not do that, we are not going anywhere as a party,” he said.

The Zimbabwe Liberation War Collaborators Association vice chairperson Cde Josephine Gandiya said freedom fighters could speak for themselves when they have problems with their commander President Mugabe without other people doing for them.

“We cannot have people saying freedom fighters no longer want President Mugabe when we can say it ourselves. We are not moulded cows that cannot speak for themselves. We will stand by our President,” she said.