Zimbabwe: punishment for war veterans

Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe addressed a rally of his supporters at the headquarters of the ruling ZANU-PF party in Harare on Wednesday.

In an unprecedented attack on his leadership earlier this month, a group of Zimbabwe independence war veterans accused him of "dictatorial tendencies." The members of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) executive had said earlier they would stay away from Wednesday's rally.

But according to a DW correspondent, a "sizeable number of former fighters" turned up for the meeting.

Mugabe said he wanted the war veterans to select a new leadership, claiming that Western countries have infiltrated it.

He also said he wanted those previously loyal veterans who had criticized him to face severe punishment.

"The punishment will be hard," he said.

The ZNLWVA issued its allegations of corruption and economic mismanagement by Mugabe after a seven-hour leadership meeting, on July 21.

Their statement was greeted by surprise because the war veterans, who were involved in the seizure of white-owned commercial farms, are traditionally staunch Mugabe allies.

Mugabe said an investigation was underway "to establish the authors of the document."

Protesting pastor

The war veterans' criticism of Mugabe came as public anger over inflation, unemployment and other hardships was spilling over onto the streets.

One indicator of the level of recent public frustration at Zimbabwe's dire economic plight was the speed with which an evangelical pastor Evan Mawarire sprung to fame by posting videos critical of the government on social media, showing himself draped in Zimabwe's national flag.

Mugabe had a stern rebuke apparently directed at the 39-year-old preacher. "Zanu will not tolerate any nonsense that is done in the name of religion so keep to your religious side, once you begin to get involved in politics, you are getting into real trouble," the Zimbabwean leader said, according to a live blog posted by the government-owned newspaper The Herald.

Mawarire was arrested and charged with treason, a crime that carries up to 20 years in jail, having inspired a mass 'stay away' by public and private sector workers in early July. It was the biggest act of civil disobedience against Mugabe in a decade.

In court, the magistrate threw out the charge and released Mawarire, who now lives in neighboring South Africa.

Mugabe's successor

Because of Mugabe's advanced age, there is inevitable discussion over who should succeed him.

Senior members of the ruling ZANU-PF are positioning themselves for the post-Mugabe era. Two factions have emerged one linked to Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and the other to Mugabe's wife, Grace.

Wilf Mbanga, founder of the newspaper The Zimbabwean, told DW that war veterans were pushing for Vice President Mnangagwa to take over.

"They know this is the endgame. Mugabe is on his last legs," he said.

Despite the nationwide anti-government protests, Mugabe insisted he would not step down as long as the party wanted him to serve. "If I still have the energy and still have life, I will continue," he said.

On Wednesday, seven armed men stormed the home of war veteran spokesperson Douglas Mahiya and held his family hostage. The incident was reported to the police.

Privilege Musvanhiri in Harare contributed to this report