Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association
Encyclopedia
Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) is a Zimbabwe
an organization ostensibly made up of veterans of the 1970s bush war against the government of Ian Smith
. In 2005, the government looked into ways to make members of the organization part of the army of Zimbabwe.
. All veterans became members by default.
ZNLWVA was a non-entity in the politics of Zimbabwe for more than fifteen years after it was founded. That changed when Chenjerai Hunzvi
became its chairman in 1997. The organization successfully pressed the government and all its members were awarded gratuities of Z$50 000 (equivalent to US$4000).
At the turn of the century, members of ZNLWVA, notably Joseph Chinotimba
led the invasions of white owned commercial farms with tacit approval from the government of Robert Mugabe
, which became known as the Third Chimurenga. These invasions were often led by a war veteran but consisted mainly of youths too young to have participated in the independence war.
. In all elections since 2000, the members of the ZNLWVA, commonly known as 'war vets' have spearheaded election campaigns for ZANU-PF. They have become instrumental for Zanu PF in suppressing the opposition by herassment intimidation and violence and act often together with Zanu PS's youth formation.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
an organization ostensibly made up of veterans of the 1970s bush war against the government of Ian Smith
Ian Smith
Ian Douglas Smith GCLM ID was a politician active in the government of Southern Rhodesia, the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, Rhodesia, Zimbabwe Rhodesia and Zimbabwe from 1948 to 1987, most notably serving as Prime Minister of Rhodesia from 13 April 1964 to 1 June 1979...
. In 2005, the government looked into ways to make members of the organization part of the army of Zimbabwe.
History
The ZNLWVA was formed after Zimbabwe's independence in 1980. It was mainly formed to look into the needs of the demobilized combatants of the bush war, mostly members of ZANLA and ZIPRAZIPRA
Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army was the armed wing of the Zimbabwe African People's Union, a political party in Rhodesia. It participated in the Second Chimurenga against white minority rule in the former Rhodesia....
. All veterans became members by default.
ZNLWVA was a non-entity in the politics of Zimbabwe for more than fifteen years after it was founded. That changed when Chenjerai Hunzvi
Chenjerai Hunzvi
Chenjerai "Hitler" Hunzvi served as Chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association beginning in 1997.-Early life:...
became its chairman in 1997. The organization successfully pressed the government and all its members were awarded gratuities of Z$50 000 (equivalent to US$4000).
At the turn of the century, members of ZNLWVA, notably Joseph Chinotimba
Joseph Chinotimba
Joseph Chinotimba is a Zimbabwean political figure. He rose to prominence during the invasions of white owned commercial farms that started after the 2000 referendum in Zimbabwe. He is widely regarded as a militant ZANU-PF cadre with unquestionable allegiance to the old guard of the ruling party...
led the invasions of white owned commercial farms with tacit approval from the government of Robert Mugabe
Robert Mugabe
Robert Gabriel Mugabe is the President of Zimbabwe. As one of the leaders of the liberation movement against white-minority rule, he was elected into power in 1980...
, which became known as the Third Chimurenga. These invasions were often led by a war veteran but consisted mainly of youths too young to have participated in the independence war.
Instrument for ZANU-PF
ZNLWVA has a close alliance with ZANU-PF, the ruling party, and by extension the government led by Robert MugabeRobert Mugabe
Robert Gabriel Mugabe is the President of Zimbabwe. As one of the leaders of the liberation movement against white-minority rule, he was elected into power in 1980...
. In all elections since 2000, the members of the ZNLWVA, commonly known as 'war vets' have spearheaded election campaigns for ZANU-PF. They have become instrumental for Zanu PF in suppressing the opposition by herassment intimidation and violence and act often together with Zanu PS's youth formation.
Leaders
| Time period | Name |
|---|---|
| 2001-incumbent | Jabulani Sibanda |
| 1997–2001 | Chenjerai Hunzvi |
| 1990s | John Gwitira |