By Fanuel Chinowaita | The Wasu Post
Mutare – Vice President General (Retired) Constantino Chiwenga has delivered a strong warning against corruption and greed, calling on Zimbabweans to remain true to the values of the liberation struggle that brought independence to the nation.
Speaking in Mutare today at the official opening of the 22nd ZANU PF Annual National People’s Conference, Chiwenga said the sacrifices made during the liberation war must continue to guide the moral, political, and economic direction of the country.
“The liberation war was fought so that every Zimbabwean could enjoy the fruits of independence. It was never meant to benefit individuals or small groups,” he said, stressing that corruption and moral decay were a betrayal of the revolution.
He said holding the conference in Manicaland was symbolic, as the province played a critical role during the liberation struggle. Mutare served as a gateway through which thousands of freedom fighters crossed into Mozambique to wage the war of independence.
Chiwenga recounted the suffering endured by combatants — from hunger, disease, and attacks by wild animals to aerial bombardments — saying many perished namelessly, but their sacrifices were driven by the dream of a just and prosperous Zimbabwe.
“The struggle was not fought by the fighters alone,” he added. “It was a people’s war, supported by every home, every village, and every family. That unity must continue to define us as a nation.”
The Vice President said Zimbabwe’s development must remain rooted in the revolutionary values of unity, sacrifice, and shared prosperity. He emphasized that the current generation has a duty to carry forward the vision of the liberation heroes by building a people-centered economy under the national development plan, Vision 2030.
“The wealth of the nation must empower all citizens. Our task is to build an economy that produces, innovates, and ensures that no Zimbabwean is left behind,” he said.
Chiwenga’s remarks come amid growing public concern over corruption and the concentration of wealth among powerful business elites, especially in the mining sector. The Vice President has often been seen as a strong advocate for transparency and accountability in governance and resource management.
He urged both party members and government officials to lead by example, maintaining integrity and selflessness in service to the people.
“Our heroes fought not for themselves but for future generations. We must honor their sacrifices by upholding integrity, unity, and commitment to national development,” he said.
Chiwenga concluded by calling for continued unity under the slogan, “one party, one people, one destiny,” reminding delegates that Zimbabwe’s progress depends on the same collective spirit that won the country’s independence.