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Wallace Ruzvidzo Herald Reporter
War veterans are now part of Zanu-PF high level structures after being upgraded from an affiliate and officially incorporated as a full wing during the just-ended 18th Annual National People’s Conference in Goromonzi last week.

The war veterans’ wing will be incorporated into the party’s constitution and President Mnangagwa said their inclusion as a full wing will bring impetus to party mobilisation and ideology.

War veterans have been an integral part of Zanu-PF and have been instrumental in campaigning over the years.

Speaking to The Herald, Zanu-PF National Political Commissar Cde Victor Matemadanda, who is also the Deputy Minister for Defence and War Veterans Affairs, said war veterans will cease to participate as affiliates, but as part of the main body of the party, with direct influence.

Cde Matemadanda said war veterans bring with them a wealth of experience necessary to take the revolutionary party forward.

“The major take away for war veterans at the conference is that they now become part of the Zanu-PF body and they are no longer participating as affiliates, but as part of the party’s structures,” he said.

“They are now part of the main body. Their influence now comes to the party directly and not as stakeholders anymore and they bring with them needed experience.”

Cde Matemadanda said war veterans will play a major role in the party’s restructuring, mobilisation and recruitment.

He said war veterans will work towards ensuring that party and Government policies were well understood by the people as they were now part of the party’s “implementing machinery”.

“We have got a vigorous restructuring exercise, mobilisation and recruitment of new members, so unlike in the past when they were mainly on the sidelines of party business they will be at the forefront,” said Cde Matemadanda.

“They will play a major role in the restructuring of the party, mobilisation of party members and recruitment of new members to the party and they will also have to make sure that Government and party policies are well understood.

“War veterans have now become implementing machinery of the party and government.”