The Sunday News
Robin Muchetu, Senior Reporter
A MEMBER of the war veterans Council of Elders Cde George Mlala has said he is not apologetic for anything that has been going on among war veterans, and the responsible minister got it all wrong.
Last week at a regional war veterans meeting in Bulawayo, other war veterans openly heckled Cde Mlala saying he was a divisive person who must be weeded out of the association.
However, the Minister of Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators, Political Detainees and Restrictees, Rtd Col Tshinga Dube said during the fracas that Cde Mlala had “repented” and was ready to work with the war veterans again, while pleading with the crowd to stop attacking Cde Mlala.
“I am not happy about that. I never spoke about repentance to him. I am not apologising for anything because I have not rebelled. Rebels are the ones who should apologise and we can have them rejoining us,” said Cde Mlala.
He alleged Rtd Col Dube was using State funds to defy the President’s directive by having links with Cde Chris Mutsvangwa, who was fired from party and Government.
“Tshinga must stop this. He must stick to his mandate which is to administer issues of welfare of the war veterans instead of meddling over leadership of the association. War veterans are the ones who should talk about who they want to be led by,” he fumed.
Cde Mlala added that another member of the Council of Elders, Cde Mandi Chimene also did not “apologise.”
“When and where did she apologise? Apologise for what? He (Minister) must avoid saying such statements,” he questioned.
On the attack made on him by other war veterans last week Cde Mlala said he was not shaken.
“I am not moved by that, why did they not confront me after the meeting if they had burning issues to ask me about.
“They were just a group of mobilised collaborators. If they do not want me why was I given a place to sit on the high table,” he asked.
Cde Mlala said he was still going ahead with the programme to set up of structures in Matabeleland North and Mashonaland West.
