THE leader of the Children of Zimbabwe War Veterans Association (COZWA) has accused Zanu PF of sponsoring a parallel entity to undermine and destabilise the organisation which is known for being critical of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration.
COZWA leader Munyaradzi Shoko made the claims after government launched the presidential empowerment scheme for the shadowy Children of Zimbabwe Liberation War Veterans Association (COZLWVA).
At the launch held in the Midlands province early this week, COZLWVA was presented with a seed capital of US$500 000 to kick-start entrepreneurial ventures.
Shoko said the new association was heavily influenced and embroiled in Zanu PF’s internal power struggles.
“When we formed this organisation in 2008 in Mutare, Dangamvura, Manicaland province, our major objective was to create opportunities,” Shoko explained.
“It was not politically-affiliated and we stand by that until today.”
He alleged that Zanu PF’s discontent with COZWA’s stance led to the formation of a rival faction to advance the party’s agenda.
“Zanu PF is now sponsoring that parallel organisation through Zvigananda,” Shoko claimed.
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“They are launching an empowerment scheme to provide these children with money as a way to destroy COZWA.”
The rival organisation has reportedly appointed Emmerson Mnangagwa Junior its patron, a move Shoko views as the promotion of dynastic leadership within the party.
“Our fathers did not fight for Mnangagwa or Zanu PF, but for the country,” Shoko said.
“We are standing firm in our commitment to the people of Zimbabwe.
“COZWA is for the people and we stand for the people.”
Shoko alleged that suspected Zanu PF members were obstructing COZWA’s grassroots outreach programmes.
Zanu PF director for information Farai Marapira, however, said Shoko’s claims were not true.
“We are a massive, colossal party. We are empowering everyone in the country and those allegations of destabilising any organisation are not true,” he said.
The new presidential scheme added to similar initiatives spearheaded by Presidential Adviser on Special Projects Paul Tungwarara.
Observers said the initiatives was meant to buy support for a controversial plot to extend Mnangagwa’s term of office from 2028 to 2030.
