Zimbabwe's ruling Zanu-PF expels embattled war veterans and 5 others

Zimbabwe’s ruling Zanu-PF party announced the expulsion of nine members including four leading members of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), who are facing charges of insulting the president.

The four, Victor Matemadanda, Douglas Mahiya, Headman Moyo and Francis Nhando, had been sacked according to the party’s secretary for administration Ignatius Chombo, who was addressing journalists after a top party meeting in the capital Harare.

All four are facing charges of undermining the authority of the president, following their alleged involvement in the release of a communique that sought to withdraw support of the war veterans for president Robert Mugabe. The government described the communique as ‘traitorous and treasonable.’

‘‘I can confirm that Headman Moyo, Victor Matemadanda, Douglas Mahiya and Francis Nhando are out. They are no longer members of Zanu-PF,’‘ Chombo is quoted by the state run Herald newspaper.

According to the paper, a legislator for Chimanimani West area was also expelled. Engineer Munacho Mutezo was not spared because he failed to defend himself before a disciplinary committee headed by vice president Phelekezela Mphoko.

The party announced that the names of four other expelled members would be announced today after they had been officially notified of the party’s decision. In the case of the legislator, the party said it was going to hold a by-election to replace him.

The Zanu-PF government has in the recent past faced a number of anti-government protests from different quarters. The agitations are largely against the worsening economic conditions in the country.

The most recent one was by unemployed graduates and a group denouncing a government plan to introduce bond notes in the face of dollar scarcity. The government has failed to pay salaries of workers due to cash shortages.