When you shake the baobab, be certain you can withstand what falls from it – retired army generals tell Mliswa in latest correspondence
BARELY a day after being cautioned by a former army general, Temba Mliswa has again been warned by Air Marshall (Retired) Henry Muchena not to go in over his head in ongoing, questionable attempts to extend President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s stay in power.
Mliswa was earlier this week told off by Lieutenant General (Retired) Winston Sigauke, who boldly declared that his proximity to soldiers did not make him one and warned him not to misread his relationship with those in power.
He has been going all out in defence of Mnangagwa’s seemingly divisive agenda, campaigning for the amendments and labelling those against it.
In his letter, Muchena, who represents former army generals, war combatants and former senior civil servants against Mnangagwa’s attempts to amend the Constitution, told Mliswa to stand guided, be warned and never to repeat his inflammatory and contemptuous statements.
Mliswa had said former army generals and war veterans against Mnangagwa’s agenda were bitter, unemployed men among other statements shared on his social media platforms.
“Your recent utterances and video attacking retired senior army Generals and civil servants in the aftermath of our correspondence on Amendment Bill No. 3 to The Clerk of Parliament are not only irresponsible but they are dangerous,” said Muchena.
“Let it be made unequivocally clear, from the onset, that we will not tolerate partisan narratives and unfounded attacks under the guise of political commentary or grandstanding for cheap political mileage or pieces of silver.
“The men, women and institutions you so casually disparage are pillars of national stability, and any attempt to undermine their credibility for personal or political mileage will be met with the seriousness it deserves.
“You are getting ahead of yourself. We served and continue to serve this country and the Party ZANU PF with distinction on battlefields, in offices of state, in the barracks and in the corridors of governance.
“To reduce our principled engagement to bitterness born of unemployment is beneath contempt. The same spirit that we fought a War, for nothing in return, is the same spirit that lives in us. This should be a teachable moment for you.”
A faction within Zanu PF, backed by what Vice President Constantino Chiwenga describes as Zvigananda, is reportedly funding the campaign to have Mnangagwa hang onto power beyond his constitutionally mandated period.
Sources within the ruling party reveal that his term extension is meant to shut the succession door on Chiwenga and ensure one of his favourites takes over.
Cash-rich Kudakwashe Tagwirei is the frontrunner.
It is the faction being vigorously campaigned for by Mliswa, himself a former Zanu PF provincial chairperson.
Added Muchena: “We do not take that lightly, and we advise you not to repeat it ever. Stand guided.
“We take the greatest exception to your tone and to your threats. We will not take that lying down.
“When you shake the baobab, be certain you can withstand what falls from it.
“We wore the uniform with pride, served the flag with honour. Once a soldier, always a soldier-loyal to the flag, faithful to the uniform and indebted to the people, for life.” _*NewZimbabwe*_
