Zimbabwe veterans leader held over Mugabe communique

By John Cassim

HARARE, Zimbabwe (AA) – A spokesman for the Zimbabwe Liberation War Veterans’ Association, Douglas Mahiya, was arrested on Wednesday for drafting a communique calling for the resignation of President Robert Mugabe.

According to a Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition statement on Wednesday evening, Mahiya was arrested by Harare Central Police when he went to make a report, that his home just outside the capital had been raided by seven armed men who took his family hostage.

Mahiya has been identified as part of a group of so-called ‘rogue’ war veterans within the ruling Zanu-PF party which seek Mugabe's resignation to make way for his deputy, Emerson Mnangagwa, believed to be leader of a faction within the party, popularly known as Lacoste.

Mahiya's arrest took place a few hours after the 92-year-old Zimbabwean leader declared he would crack down on rogue elements in his party.

Mugabe made the remarks Wednesday afternoon in Harare at Zanu-PF headquarters, while addressing hundreds of party supporters who had thronged to show solidarity with their leader.