ZIMBABWE’S WAR VETERANS UNDER ATTACK AS TENSIONS RISE

The political situation in Zimbabwe is getting worse. The government is now going after war veterans who are speaking out. One of the main targets is Andreas Ethan Mathibela, the chairman of the Zimbabwe National War Veterans Association. He has been labeled as “a person of security interest” by the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO). This means the government sees him as a threat.

The CIO is Zimbabwe’s state security agency. It is run by a State Security Minister and falls under the President’s Office. The CIO has sent instructions to immigration officers around the country, telling them not to let Mathibela leave the country. They say he is a wanted man.

Mathibela is one of the few war veterans who have dared to speak against President Emmerson Mnangagwa. He is demanding that Mnangagwa steps down because he has failed the country. This is a bold move because Mnangagwa and his allies are known for not tolerating dissent.

The tension is not just between the government and war veterans. There is also a fierce power struggle within ZANU PF itself. President Mnangagwa and Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga are locked in a bitter fight for power. Their factions are now openly clashing as the race to control the country’s leadership heats up.

The call for Mnangagwa to step down is not just coming from Mathibela. Another war veterans leader, Blessed Geza, has called for a popular uprising to remove Mnangagwa from power on 31 March. This has created a tense and dangerous situation. Geza’s call for an uprising has sparked fear of violence and chaos.

War veterans were once some of Mnangagwa’s strongest supporters. They helped him rise to power after Robert Mugabe was ousted. But now, many of them are fed up. They feel betrayed because the promises made to them have not been fulfilled. The economic situation in the country is still dire. The veterans, who once fought for liberation, are now struggling to survive.

The government’s move to go after Mathibela shows how desperate Mnangagwa’s regime has become. Instead of listening to the grievances of the people, they are trying to silence those who speak out. But this strategy could backfire. The more the government tries to suppress the war veterans, the more resentment will build up.

Zimbabweans are watching closely as this drama unfolds. Many people are frustrated with the lack of progress since Mnangagwa took over. Life has not improved for the average citizen. Jobs are scarce, prices are high, and basic services are failing. The government’s focus on crushing dissent instead of fixing the economy only makes people angrier.

The fight between Mnangagwa and Chiwenga adds another layer of tension. It shows that even the top leaders in ZANU PF do not trust each other. This division could weaken the party and open the door for opposition forces to gain ground.

But for now, Mnangagwa is doing everything he can to stay in power. He is using the state security apparatus to intimidate his opponents. The question is whether this strategy will work or just make his position weaker.

Many Zimbabweans are fed up with living in fear and struggling to make ends meet. They want change, but they are unsure how to get it. The call for an uprising on 31 March is risky. It could lead to more violence and repression.

The war veterans who once fought for Zimbabwe’s freedom are now being treated as enemies of the state. This shows how far the government has strayed from its promises. Instead of honoring those who fought for liberation, they are being targeted for daring to speak the truth.

It remains to be seen whether the government will succeed in silencing Mathibela and other dissenting voices. But one thing is clear: the tension in Zimbabwe is reaching a boiling point. The people are demanding change, and the government’s attempts to suppress dissent may only fuel the fire.

The world is watching to see what will happen on 31 March and beyond. The fight for Zimbabwe’s future is far from over.