Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association

Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) is a Zimbabwean 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.^[1]

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 ZIPRA. 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.

Instrument for ZANU-PF

ZNLWVA has a close alliance with ZANU-PF, the ruling party, and by extension the government led by Robert Mugabe. 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. ^[2][3]

Leaders

References