WAR VETERANS LEADER HUNTED BY CIO AS POLITICAL TENSIONS RISE IN ZIMBABWE

Zimbabwe’s political scene is becoming more dangerous. The Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO), a state security agency, is now closely watching Andreas Ethan Mathibela, leader of the Zimbabwe National War Veterans Association. The CIO says Mathibela is a “person of security interest,” which means he is now being followed closely by the government.

The CIO is controlled by the Minister of State Security under the President’s Office. They have already informed immigration officers around Zimbabwe that Mathibela must not leave the country. According to the CIO, Mathibela is a wanted man. This means the government is actively looking to capture or arrest him if he tries to move outside Zimbabwe’s borders.

Mathibela’s problems began when he started speaking strongly against President Emmerson Mnangagwa. As a leader among war veterans, Mathibela has openly criticized Mnangagwa, calling him a failure. He says Mnangagwa has completely failed Zimbabwe and must step down immediately. Mathibela’s boldness is rare, and it has angered the government, putting him directly at risk.

But Mathibela is not the only one speaking against Mnangagwa. The ruling party, ZANU PF, is divided. There is a big struggle within ZANU PF between President Mnangagwa’s group and Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s group. Both groups want control of ZANU PF, and both groups want power. This fight is becoming dangerous and has divided ZANU PF supporters into two angry factions.

Because of these deep divisions, Zimbabwe’s political climate is becoming heated. Recently, another war veterans leader, Blessed Geza, has publicly called on Zimbabweans to rise up and remove Mnangagwa from power on 31 March. Geza’s call for a popular uprising has increased political tensions, making the situation even more explosive. Many people in Zimbabwe now fear what will happen next.

For many years, war veterans were the backbone of ZANU PF. They fought for Zimbabwe’s freedom, and after independence, they supported the ruling party loyally. But now, these same war veterans are angry at how Mnangagwa is running the country. They say he is ignoring the suffering of ordinary Zimbabweans. Because of this, they have become his strongest critics.

The government’s decision to target Mathibela shows just how serious these tensions have become. By labeling Mathibela as a threat to national security, the CIO is clearly trying to silence him and other critics. They do not want war veterans or anyone else speaking against the President openly. Mathibela now faces the danger of arrest or even worse. His situation highlights the challenges faced by anyone brave enough to speak openly against Mnangagwa and ZANU PF.

Many ordinary Zimbabweans are watching these developments with concern. They fear violence and instability as political tensions rise between Mnangagwa’s group and Chiwenga’s supporters. Zimbabweans have already suffered enough under poor economic conditions, high unemployment, and endless poverty. The political fighting makes these problems worse, increasing the hardship for everyone.

The call by war veterans for Mnangagwa to resign is a big warning to the ruling party. War veterans have great respect and influence, and when they turn against ZANU PF, it shows deep problems within the government. This also tells Zimbabweans that the ruling party is weak and divided. Zimbabweans are tired of suffering and want real solutions, not just fighting among politicians.

Now the CIO’s hunt for Mathibela adds fuel to the fire. People in Zimbabwe and around the world will watch closely to see what happens next. Zimbabwe stands at a dangerous crossroads. The coming days and weeks will decide if the country moves towards peace or plunges deeper into conflict.