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Mugabe Using War Vets to Scare Off Internal Opposition

SW Radio Africa (London)

NEWS
22 October 2007
Posted to the web 22 October 2007

By Henry Makiwa

The ongoing pro Mugabe marches by war veterans are scare tactics aimed at
warding off opposition from the ageing despot's closest critics, a former
fighter of the liberation struggle has said.
Many observers also accuse Mugabe of assembling youths and supporters of the
ruling party, who never fought in the 1970s liberation struggle, to masquerade
as war veterans.
On Monday a leading member of the independent Zimbabwe Liberation Platform,
Muchapera Muhondo, said Mugabe is using the violent reputation of war veterans
to strike fear into potential rivals, ahead of the ruling party's special
congress in December. He added that Mugabe will use "both the stick and the
carrot" to get the much needed votes from Zanu PF's provincial governors to
secure the ticket to stand for yet another term in office.
War veterans loyal to Mugabe have been holding rallies and marches around the
country since August. Addressing a rally in Bindura on Saturday Jabulani
Sibanda, chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans'
Association, said ZANU PF should only choose a new leader after Mugabe's death.
But Muhondo dismissed Sibanda as a pawn on Mugabe's chessboard.
He said: "Sibanda, Chinotimba and all that lot don't seem to know what's
happening. Their time for change has come both within Zanu PF and outside it,
yet they can't seem to read it. There are some like (former security chief
Emmerson) Mnangagwa who really feel they can wrestle control of the party from
Mugabe but it will not be easy. Mugabe is using these war vets to scare off
some challenge already, and then he will also buy out some with perks and
favours. He is not going anywhere that easily." Observers have also noted that
Mnangagwa could still back Mugabe if pressured.
There has been growing speculation that a faction within ZANU PF led by former
army commander Solomon Mujuru could spring a surprise at the party's December
congress by nominating a challenger to Mugabe.
The Mujuru faction is said to be mobilising behind the scenes for former
finance minister Simba Makoni or Vice-President Joyce Mujuru to take over from
Mugabe.

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