JOSEPH CHINOTIMBA -LED FARM INVASIONS
He threatened to drive all whites away if Gono is ousted.
"Kana zvikanzi Gono ngaabve is maWar Vet totiwo varungu ngavaende. They should leave this country," Chinotimba shouted at the top of his voice drawing attention of the newsroom.
War veterans have immensely benefited from the RBZ and Gono's policies at a time Zanu-PF needed protection when it was falling out of favour with the masses.
The future of the unity government hangs in balance considering that the RBZ governor's issue is one of the most pertinent issues that warrant the country getting or not getting donor aid.
Under the Global Political Agreement signed between Zanu-PF and the two MDC formations, there should be a new governor and Attorney General - the two posts Zanu-PF has refused to cede.
Chinotimba said the central bank chief had done nothing wrong warranting the vilification he is getting.
He said war vets were also demanding three posts for Provincial Governors.
"We want three posts allocated to us because we fought the war and we will fight so that we are allocated the posts.
"The three leaders should realise our importance and this is our position and we want the posts," Chinotimba said.
Freedom fighters are the latest group to lend their support to Gono after President Mugabe on Monday said the central bank chief was not going anywhere which was echoed by Zanu-PF stalwarts and service chiefs.
“Indeed, we support and give praise to the words echoed by our wise leader and Head of State R.G Mugabe at the funeral of the RBZ Governor’s brother that Dr Gono will stay put in his job because he did not do anything worth the vilification which he is currently going through,” said Chinotimba.
“Without mincing words, as war veterans, we throw out full weight behind the RBZ Governor and we take pride in the fantastic job he did at a time the country was reeling under the western imposed illegal sanctions.”
“As fresh from the bush as we were, war veterans did not call for the removal of anyone from office. Despite having fought and defeated our former oppressors, top civil service posts continued to be occupied by whites,” said Chinotimba.
Freedom fighters did not call for higher posts notwithstanding that they wanted them, because they realised that the important goal for the struggle was to bring freedom for the generality of the people, he said.
“In view of the above, it is very amazing to see that some of those in the inclusive government are targeting individuals for their own personal gains and to please those who are outside. Why are we preaching the gospel of national healing yet we are not demonstrating it practically,” he said.
