War Veterans Demand Transparent Succession Debate Beyond ZANU-PF Control

War Veterans Demand Transparent Succession Debate Beyond ZANU-PF Control: Zimbabwe’s war veterans have reignited the long-standing succession debate. According to Andrease Mathibela, leader of a prominent faction, this conversation must extend beyond the control of ZANU-PF.

Mathibela made these remarks during a press conference in Bulawayo, stressing the need for a national dialogue. He argued that the process should ensure that a future leader emerges who can rescue Zimbabwe from its entrenched economic woes.

The war veterans’ call for change isn’t merely symbolic; it’s rooted in deep frustration. Decades of systemic corruption and shady tender dealings have left the veterans disillusioned. Mathibela’s concern is that the independence they fought for remains elusive as state resources continue to be syphoned off through dubious channels.

His argument becomes sharper when addressing the political chaos within ZANU-PF. The lack of a clear succession plan, Mathibela contends, threatens to unravel the party from within. This internal disorder could lead to a national crisis, which he believes could have been avoided had party seniority been respected.

For Mathibela and his followers, the state of affairs represents a betrayal of the principles they fought for. The ruling elite, he suggested, continue to exploit Zimbabwe’s wealth without accountability, making leadership appear like a criminal enterprise. This perceived corruption fuels the distrust the veterans feel toward those in positions of power.

One of the most glaring examples, according to Mathibela, was the recent war veterans’ congress. The event, he claims, was orchestrated by a “puppet executive” determined to uphold President Mnangagwa’s 2030 vision, often dubbed the ED2030 mantra. But for many war veterans, this congress only highlighted the widening gap between the leadership and the grassroots.

The congress was allegedly designed to protect the interests of the elite while excluding the veterans from any meaningful participation. In Mathibela’s eyes, it was a clear attempt to lock the war veterans out of the corridors of power.

Beyond politics, Mathibela touched on another issue close to the hearts of many war veterans: land. The land reform program, once the flagship of Zimbabwean nationalism, has become a contested battleground. He criticized the government’s new policy of selling land, a move that many veterans see as the antithesis of their liberation struggle.

Most war veterans don’t own land. And now, the prospect of land being sold off raises fundamental questions about who truly benefits from these reforms. Mathibela likened it to boarding a bus headed for Mutare, only to find out it’s going to Masvingo—misled and misinformed.

This sense of betrayal echoes throughout the veteran community, who see themselves as the rightful custodians of Zimbabwe’s revolutionary ideals. They fought for a future where all Zimbabweans would share in the country’s wealth, yet they now feel sidelined by the very people who claim to carry forward their legacy.

Mathibela’s speech signals a growing dissatisfaction among Zimbabwe’s war veterans, who still view themselves as the guardians of the nation’s ideals. They refuse to engage in mere politicking, but instead demand concrete changes. Their call for open discussions on succession, free from party interference, underscores a deep frustration with the current state of governance.

The veterans want a leader who is a unifier—someone who doesn’t just pay lip service to anti-corruption rhetoric but genuinely acts against it. The hope is for a leader who can rebuild Zimbabwe’s shattered economy and restore faith in its institutions.

As Mathibela pointed out, the veterans’ frustrations extend beyond political leadership to economic policy as well. The veterans’ rejection of the new land policy signals their broader discontent with the current administration’s priorities. They fought for a Zimbabwe where land was a shared resource, not a commodity to be sold off to the highest bidder.

Mathibela’s speech raises critical issues that will resonate with many Zimbabweans. The country faces an uncertain future, both politically and economically. And as the veterans’ grievances suggest, unless the ruling elite confront these issues head-on, the promises of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle may continue to remain unfulfilled.

In this context, Mathibela’s call for an inclusive, transparent succession process could be a vital step forward. He’s not just advocating for a change in leadership; he’s pushing for a leader who will embody the ideals that Zimbabwe’s veterans fought for decades ago. Whether or not ZANU-PF listens, however, remains an open question.

The Zim Bulletin