A press conference organised by war veterans at the Bulawayo Media Centre on Monday was disrupted by a group of youths claiming to represent an organization called Youth Connect, in front of journalists and police officers.
The war veterans, who intended to address governance issues and announce a march against corruption, tribalism, and economic decline, accused the youths of being “hired hands” and “state agents” attempting to deny them press freedom.
The veterans stressed that their actions were not partisan but aimed at achieving the political and economic freedom they fought for during the liberation struggle.
The press conference, which was to be addressed by Andreas Ethan Mathibela, leader of a faction of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), and Buster Magwizi, spokesperson for the ZPRA Veterans Association, was interrupted when the youths claimed to have booked the venue for their meeting.
The war veterans questioned the legitimacy of Youth Connect, accusing them of disrupting their event on behalf of the state. Said Magwizi:
<blockquote>
We came to the press club to address journalists, thinking democracy is there in Zimbabwe, and people are allowed to speak. But if the law enforcers say stop, they should tell us the reason.
We went to war, shed our blood for this country, for you guys to be here today. We are not here to trouble each other. Better for you to kill us, shoot us.
We saw you outside; we know you guys. No-one is quite a secret here. We know that you are state agents. You guys are precipitating violence.
</blockquote>
Mathibela warned the youths that their actions could have serious consequences. He said:
<blockquote>
You could be protected by a clique of individuals, but you are not safe. If it’s like this, then let war start. You’re now going to inherit our shadows. If you don’t kill us, you must know what is coming to you.
</blockquote>
Outside the venue, the situation worsened when one of the youths grabbed Mathibela’s cap. This led to a quick reaction from the crowd, and the youth was quickly restrained and handcuffed by police, who then took him away. Said Mathibela:
<blockquote>
We want proper governance. We have a leadership that is corrupt, nepotic, and tribalist. They have created a dynasty.
We are not insulting anyone; we’re not engaging in partisan politics. We don’t belong to a political party. We’re war veterans.
The reason we went to war was simply to help Zimbabwe attain political and economic freedom.
</blockquote>
During the confrontation, the youths remained defiant, with one of them heckling Mathibela. After the incident, some of the youths were observed receiving US$10 each from some men involved in the disturbance.
More: <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/chaos-as-war-veterans-press-conference-disrupted-by-state-agents/">ZimLive</a>

Pindula News

War veterans were holding a meeting, but a group of young adults interrupted. The veterans wanted to talk about fixing problems in Zimbabwe. They accused the young people of working for the government to stop them. The veterans fought for freedom in the past and want the same for the country now. The situation got worse outside, and the police had to step in. The veterans say they are not trying to cause trouble and just want things to be fair in the country.

War Veterans' Press Event Interrupted At Bulawayo Media Centre

Andreas Ethan Mathibela, the leader of a faction of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), has denounced the recent elective congress held by Christopher Mutsvangwa’s faction in Gweru on October 12, calling it a “nullity” and divisive.
The faction held an elective congress in Gweru, which resulted in Mutsvangwa’s defeat, with him receiving only 11 votes.
Instead, Cephas Ncube from Bulawayo was elected as the new chairman with 294 votes, followed by Albert Ncube of Matabeleland North with 90 votes, while Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Mozambique, Victor Matemadanda, came in third with 75 votes.
Speaking during a press conference at the Bulawayo Media Centre on Tuesday, Mathibela asserted that Mutsvangwa’s faction was composed mainly of ZANU PF War Veterans League members, and not bona fide ZNLWVA members. He said (via <a href="https://cite.org.zw/mathibelas-war-vets-reject-rival-congress-as-invalid/">CITE</a>):
<blockquote>
The Mutsvangwa faction went ahead and conducted a so-called elective congress, which, in my view, was hastily arranged. Almost 100 per cent of those present were ZANU PF War Veterans League, members.
They chose what I would call a puppet executive, obviously against a court order. To me, this congress is a nullity.
There is a court order that prevents splinter groups from usurping the authority of the ZNLWVA as a whole. 
Our organisation, ZNLWVA, is a national organisation that represents over 75 per cent of existing war veterans.
We exist by reason of a constitutional provision of the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
High Court Judge, Justice Philda Muzofa, ordered the three ZNLWVA factions led by Mathibela, Mutsvangwa, and Elias Marashwa, to reach a consensus on the legitimate leader of the association and report their final decision to the court by October 21, 2024. Said Mathibela:
<blockquote>
We always reiterate our issues pertaining to the three factions before the Zimbabwean courts in Chinhoyi, the learned judge alluded to our squabbling and said it was not worth it and advised us to sit at the table. My so-called faction welcomed that order because it was an order.
We were given that before the 21st of this month (October) we should have sat down and reasoned around the best ways we can work together and I can only speak on behalf of my faction.
We have already sat down and we have reasoned that we are willing to go for the congress. This is the reason in the interest of unity it is not the first time.
Minister of Veterans – Monica Mavhunga, and Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare – July Moyo, represented by Lovemore Matuke, invited us for the same reason, to sit and find a day to do the congress because we represented the same constituency.
Guess what, the Mutsvangwa faction didn’t even attend, they undermined the authority of the government.
Midway, the Marashwa faction walked away, also openly disrespecting the authority of the government.
</blockquote>
Mathibela said his faction remained in the meeting and proposed to rerun the elective congress, stating they wanted to unite veterans rather than remain in “factious deployments.”
He said many wanted him to condemn Mutsvangwa, Mahiya, Matematanda, and Ncube, but said it was more important to address the “elephant in the room.”
Mathibela accused the Mutsvangwa faction of abandoning the interests of war veterans in favour of personal gains, as they are “political appointees” who want to “please their appointer.”
He expressed hope that the factions would eventually come together for an elective congress that represents all war veterans.
Mathibela called for dialogue, urging his counterparts to sit down and work towards a unified congress. He is hopeful that they will agree to hold the elective congress that caters to all war veterans.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

The leader of one group of war veterans in Zimbabwe doesn't agree with another leader's recent election. He thinks it was not fair and caused division. A court has ordered the leaders to agree on who is the real leader by a certain date. The leader who disagrees says he wants to unite all war veterans and have a fair election. He thinks the other leader only cares about their own benefit and not the veterans. He wants everyone to talk and work together to have a fair election for all veterans.

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