ZANU-PF youth leader says they are solidly behind Mugabe – ED responds

The Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front youth leader Kudzai Chipanga today dismissed threats by Zimbabwe Defence Forces chief Constantine Chiwenga to step in to stop counter-revolutionaries from taking over the country saying the youths are prepared to die defending President Robert Mugabe.

“Defending the revolution and our leader and president is an ideal we live for and if need be, it is a principle we are prepared to die for,” Chipanga said.

He was the first senior ZANU-PF official to comment on the statement by Chiwenga which has rocked the country following the firing of former Vice-President Emerson Mnangagwa.

“Conniving and conspiring to overthrow a constitutionally elected government is a crime in this country and anywhere in the world,” Chipanga said.

He also said while the youths had great respect for the military, the bulk of the statement from Chiwenga was his personal opinion and not of the defence forces.

He said this was demonstrated by the absence of police, prison service and intellgence chiefs at Chiwenga's press conference.

Chiwenga was flanked by the army chief and the acting air force chief when he made his statement.

Chipanga also called on Chiwenga to account for the $15 billion missing from the Marange diamonds saying he cannot have his cake and eat it.

In response to Chipanga’s statement, the person tweeting as Mnangagwa said: “kusairira mbwanana kumakarwe… what a pity”

Below is Chipanga’s full statement:

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