War veterans are still behind their leader Christopher Mutsvangwa who was suspended from the Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front together with his wife, Monica, this week.
Veterans’ spokesman Douglas Mahiya said the organization was saddened by Mutsvangwa’s suspension but this also gave it time with him.
“It affected us somehow spiritually, like in an army when the commander is probably at a battle and gets shot. The soldiers’ spirits will be down. However, tinoti isusu unogona kukava datya asi unoribatsira kuyambuka rwizi. When people talk about war veterans, they see a certain animal whose mother is unknown,” he was quoted by The Herald as saying.
Mutsvangwa and his wife were suspended for three years for, among other things, insulting the First Lady Grace Mugabe.
Mahiya said despite the fall-out, war veterans were still behind President Robert Mugabe, the organisation’s patron.
“We are not happy. We are so sad, our spirits are so dull because of the political developments that took place yesterday (Thursday). However, in spite of all the persecution, the travail, tribulations and destitution of war veterans, we take these challenges and remain fully behind our patron who is also the commander-in-chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces and First Secretary of ZANU-PF President Mugabe.
“We remain fully behind him. We take this opportunity as well to announce that the bond that is between us and our patron is as was before, undisturbed. It will remain as it is and our patron the icon of our revolution together with our late Vice President Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo,” he said.
