A group of war veterans who have joined the Zimbabwe People First (ZPF) apologised to the nation last Saturday for helping their former party, Zanu-PF to rig general elections since year 2000.
Speaking during a ZPF meeting at Mucheke hall, the Masvingo chairperson of Freedom Fighters, Frank Badza told hundreds of party supporters that Zanu-PF used war veterans to beat people in order to win elections.
Badza said war veterans were the most abused by Zanu-PF as they were usually enticed into harassing, maiming and even killing opposition supporters during election time. He however, regretted that he was once part of a system which denied people a chance to choose their own leaders in a democratic way.
“I did not kill anyone but I am sure some of our comrades were involved in killing opposition supporters. Let me tell you the truth, war veterans were at the heart of Zanu-PF election rigging over the past sixteen years – it’s not a secret that Zanu-PF never won an election since 2000.
“On behalf of all war veterans who have seen the light, I want to appeal to Zimbabweans to forgive us,” Badza told hundreds of supporters who listened in disbelief.
Badza was infamous for actively participating in Zanu-PF activities before his Damascan moment which saw him following Joice Mujuru whom he described as a peace lover.
Some war veterans who spoke to TellZim News on the side-lines of the same meeting echoed Badza’s sentiments.
All the speakers who had a chance to address the gathering confessed that Zanu-PF used them to rig elections.
Former Zanu-PF politburo member and firebrand politician of the Mugabe-must-go fame told people that the farms which they got during the land reform programme were not going to be taken from them.
“No one will take farms from you; that will not happen. Land belongs to the nation not to Zanu-PF,” said Mavhaire.
Mavhaire added that army generals and top security officers were supporting ZPF party.
“We have the support of army generals and other senior officers in the security sector. Our meetings are cleared by the police and we are inviting any peace lover to join our party as we continue to build our structures,” said Mavhaire.
The meeting was also attended by former Minister of State for Masvingo Province Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, Retired Colonel Kudzai Mbudzi, former MDC-T legislators and academics among others.
TellZim
