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War Vet leader Joseph Chinotimba

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HARARE – Zimbabwe Liberation War Veterans Association (ZLWVA), vice chairman, Joseph Chinotimba, has blasted Tourism minister Walter Mzembi for accusing him of tarnishing the country's image by leading fresh land invasions.

Mzembi told a National Economic Forum recently that Chinotimba and other war veterans, who are currently invading farms, were discouraging potential investors as the inclusive government battled to secure crucial financial lifelines.

But in a hard-hitting statement on Tuesday made available to RadioVOP, Chinotimba said Mzembi had no right to reproach him, as he was a newcomer in ZANU PF.

"The Honourable Minister should be reminded that war veterans, of late, have not been getting their pensions and schools feels for their children and these issues have not be addressed despite several efforts on our part,” said Chinotimba.

“As learned as he is, I would have expected him to be professional by engaging war veterans and try to give constructive ideas and solutions to their plight than to try and please his audience at the conference by attacking me,” he said.

Chinotimba reminded Mzembi that war veterans played a leading role in repossessing land from the whites.

“And I am in no doubt that the honourable Minister Mzembi is one of those who immensely benefited. For Mzembi to try and be a good boy today at the expense of war veterans’ welfare is very unfortunate and unexpected from a man of his competence. If the truth be told the Honourable Minister Mzembi is the least qualified to preach to the war veterans because he is just a young guy in the party who surfaced after the death of Cde Zvobgo.

Is Mzembi aware that there are hundreds if not thousands of war veterans who are reeling in poverty around the country? he said.

Chinotimba said he was very angry that Mzembi told the media not to cover him or war veterans.

“Maybe Mzembi believes he is the only one who should be given media coverage because he is unique and superior. Being a son-in-law to a foreign land does not make the Honorable Minister peculiar.” Mzembi is married to a Cuban national.

Chinotimba warned that war veterans would march to Mzembi’s office to have their problems solved because “he knows it all when it comes to repair the country’s battered image. “One again, let me give a stern warning to the Honourable Minister to stop attacking me and war veterans.”

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