War Veterans, Zanu PF Activist In Fierce Fight Over CAB3

By Staff Reporter
Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 (CAB3) has sparked fresh divisions in Buhera, with war veterans declaring they will not bow to a directive by Zanu PF activist and Murambinda Town Board committee member Tatenda Chinoda Dhege, who suggested that those opposed to the controversial Bill should not benefit from council land allocations.

The standoff has exposed growing tensions within Zanu PF ranks, as some war veterans accused Chinoda of overstepping his authority by attempting to dictate who should qualify for residential and commercial stands.

Speaking at the weekend, one war veteran dismissed Chinoda’s remarks and vowed that they would not be intimidated because of their position on CAB3.Government

“Tatenda Chinoda is just a small boy who does not understand the dynamics of politics in Zimbabwe. He cannot tell war veterans what to do or who deserves land. We fought for this country and we will not be threatened because we have different views on CAB3,” said the war veteran.

The remarks came after Chinoda urged Buhera Rural District Council to exercise caution when considering applications from war veterans, arguing that some belonged to factions opposed to Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3.

“There are different groupings of war veterans. There is a mainstream group that works with government structures, but there are also splinter groups. We must be very careful when handling applications because some of these groups are opposed to CAB3,” Chinoda said.


He added, “There may be leaders from splinter groups. Some of them are saying they are against CAB3. So we must be careful, otherwise we may be seen as a council that is anti-CAB3.”

The remarks have triggered criticism from some war veterans, who argue that access to council land should not be determined by an individual’s political position on CAB3. They insist that all applicants should be treated equally under the law and according to the council’s established procedures.

Efforts to obtain an official response from Buhera Rural District Council were unsuccessful.

A council official declined to comment on the matter, saying, “We are not allowed to comment on the issue, go to the Minister’s office or call the affected parties.”

The controversy comes as debate over Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3 continues to divide political figures, civic groups and former liberation fighters across the country, with the proposed changes remaining one of Zimbabwe’s most contentious political issues.