By James Gwati- A faction of disgruntled former liberation war fighters has escalated its campaign demanding President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s resignation, intensifying internal divisions within the ruling Zanu PF party.
Despite Mnangagwa having more than three years remaining in his second and final term, the war veterans insist his departure is necessary to resolve the country’s political and economic crises.
At a press conference in Harare on Friday, the faction’s leader, Andreas Mathibela, stated that consultations with Zimbabwean citizens had reaffirmed the need for Mnangagwa to step down.
“Maybe our presser today is the last. We want to address the elephant in the room as quickly as possible. It may be in a week or two, the pressure will be on,” Mathibela declared.
He emphasized that the war veterans’ association fully backed their frontman, Geza, describing him as “our rabble-rouser” and reiterating their determination to hold the government accountable.
“So obviously, the government is not serious about addressing the crisis it has created itself. As citizens of this country, we ask: What is the root cause? Then we deal with the root cause,” Mathibela said.
He further argued that, just as during the liberation struggle, the veterans were engaging with traditional leaders, spirit mediums, and the masses, all of whom were urging them to take decisive action.
“We were quiet while all these other noise makers were trying to be relevant. Guess what? We were busy consulting. Just like during the liberation struggle, we were working with the masses, with the chiefs, with the mass media, and with the spirit mediums. They have told us that all veterans must sort this government out.”
Mathibela claimed that Zimbabweans had given them a mandate to lead an offensive demanding Mnangagwa’sresignation.
“The nation, which is suffocating under this crisis, has said, ‘We will go with you veterans every step of the way.’ They have told us, in no uncertain terms, that this time around, we must lead the onslaught, where the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe must step down immediately. We are in agreement, and we have reasons we can explain throughout the night until morning.”
The latest push by war veterans reflects deeper factional tensions that have plagued ZANU PF for decades.
The party has remained fractured since the removal of former President Robert Mugabe in the 2017 coup, which was orchestrated by Mnangagwa’s Lacoste faction with significant backing from the military.
However, once in power, Mnangagwa’s administration has been marred by growing discontent within the ruling party’sstructures, particularly among war veterans and security elites who feel sidelined.
The latest developments are reminiscent of past factional wars, including the bitter rivalry between Mnangagwa and former First Lady Grace Mugabe’s G40 faction, which sought to block his rise to power.
While Mnangagwa initially consolidated control after Mugabe’s ouster, signs of discontent within the security establishment and party stalwarts have been growing.
Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, the former military commander who played a pivotal role in Mnangagwa’s ascent, has been at the center of speculation regarding a possible leadership challenge.
Reports suggest that Chiwenga and his allies within the military and war veterans’ ranks are growing increasingly frustrated with Mnangagwa’s governance and failure to manage the country’s worsening economic situation.
The ongoing war veterans’ rebellion could signal a broader realignment of power within ZANU PF, with Mnangagwa facing mounting pressure from various factions.
The discontent within the party is further exacerbated by accusations of corruption, economic mismanagement, and failure to honour promises made to key constituencies, including war veterans.
Mathibela also dismissed the recent announcement by Paul Tungwarara, an investment advisor to Mnangagwa, offering war veterans US$1.5 million and housing benefits.
The faction leader ridiculed the promises, referring to the proposed houses as “Tungwararas” and questioning why only war veterans were being targeted while other groups that contributed to Mnangagwa’s rise were left out.
“Why should only war veterans benefit? What about the ordinary citizens who fought alongside us to bring this government into power? This is another desperate attempt to buy loyalty, but we see through it,” Mathibela scoffed.
The rejection of Mnangagwa’s overtures suggests that the faction is determined to pursue its agenda, adding another layer of complexity to Zimbabwe’s already volatile political landscape.