He told war veterans gathered outside his party headquarters this afternoon that he’ll be the people’s leader for a long time.
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“Police have taken in Matemadanda for questioning over the communique and statements made by the war veterans last week and it’s investigations are under way”, police spokeswoman Charity Charamba said Thursday by phone from Harare, the capital.
Douglas Mahiya, information secretary of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), was detained on Wednesday over a statement the association issued last week attacking Mugabe’s rule.
“So keep to your religious side and we will respect you, once you begin to interfere with our politics you are courting trouble, you are courting real trouble, we know how to deal with our enemies who have been trying all along to bring about regime change in the country”.
Supporters dressed in ZANU-PF colours, some holding portraits of Mugabe, sang and danced at the party headquarters in response to a call to demonstrate their unwavering support.
At the rally, the 92-year-old leader threatened to punish the dissenting war veterans. “I live there”, he said.
The war veterans’ criticism of Mugabe came as public anger over inflation, unemployment and other hardships was spilling over onto the streets.
Starting in 2002, the veterans led the government-backed seizures of white-owned commercial farms, in what Mugabe said was a reversal of imbalances from the colonial era.
Mugabe has over the years accused the British government of funding local opposition groups seeking to remove his government.
Relations between Harare and most western countries became strained in 2002 after the United States and European Union imposed sanctions on Mugabe and his Zanu PF allies over allegations of human rights abuses and election rigging.
President Mugabe declared that he was still well and strong, thus still capable of leading the country.
The ruling party is divided into factions that support Mnangagwa and First Lady Grace Mugabe, however some war veterans say she should not succeed Mugabe because she has no history in the party.
“…Unless he pulls the proverbial rabbit out of the hat, the future of Mnangagwa’s political career in ZANU PF looks bleak”, Magaisa said.
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“As long as the party still wants me to serve and if I still have the energy and still have the life and the blessings of God, I will continue”, he said.
