A newly-born Zimbabwean group of war veterans is demanding for twenty percent of the seats in Parliament, because they fought for the country’s independence, The Zimbabwe Gazette can reveal.

Grace Mugabe - Mwana Wevhu- The Revolutionary Council Patron

Speaking in Harare on Thursday, the group chairman, Chris Pasipamire said as war veterans, they should be respected and given a ‘formal’ platform to air their views, plights and comments.

“Therefore, we urgently demand for 20 percent of the seats in Parliament. They should be given to us without hesitation.”

“We fought for this country’s independence. Zimbabwe’s freedom did not come on a silver platter. Neither did it come by pencil. Blood was shed. We sacrificed our lives for the happiness now being enjoyed by many,” he said.

In the first round of the election, Mugabe lost to Tsvangirai in a disputed election, as the MDC claimed their president won by more than 50 percent of the vote thereby evading a run-off.

“We certainly need our members to be MPs and Senators. I certainly see no reason why we cannot do that,” said Pasipamire.

On Thursday, there were also reports of US and UK diplomats who were briefly detained in Bindura.

Armed war veterans are reported to have attempted to beat-up the diplomats who locked themselves up in their vehicles as the crowd charged. The war veterans managed to assault a Zimbabwean driver, with one of the embassies. The diplomats fled in vehicles and were chased by the police who caught up with them.

Pasipamire said his body also demands for a percentage stake in farms.

“We are currently looking forward to working with the Land Committee to see this happening.”

The group of war veterans also joins other ex-combatant associations in promising to take up arms and defend "the revolution, land, and its resources" if Mugabe loses the run-off to MDC’s Morgan Tsvangirai.

It says Tsvangirai and his western friends have caused a lot of suffering in the country, especially through sanctions in which t is against this background that Mugabe lost in the March 29 presidential election.

According to SW Radio, the attempted beating of diplomats is to be raised at the United Nations Council. US ambassador to Zimbabwe, James McGee said Zimbabwe has become lawlessness whereby its own people take the law into their own hands.

Recently, Mugabe threatened to kick McGee out of the country for defying police orders not to enter into rural areas including a hospital where victims of ZANU PF violence where admitted.

The Revolutionary Council concluded by clearing Mugabe’s name indicating it is some government officials who are corrupt, in which the body is going to fight corruption in the country, especially in the ruling ZANU PF government.

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