Youth Secretary Absalom Sikhosana of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe's ZANU-PF party on Friday dismissed charges by a newly formed liberation war veteran organization that Mr. Mugabe and his inner circle are to blame for Zimbabwe’s economic woes, asserting that Western sanctions have been the root of the decline.
Sikhosana said Zimbabwe can recover from 10 years of economic decline if the West would only lift the targeted sanctions on Mr. Mugabe and the ZANU-PF hierarchy which he said have caused suffering in the country.
His response came as Basten Beta, a retired army colonel, and his top aides in the veterans group were said to be in hiding after receiving threats from ZANU-PF supporters for their broadside against the president.
VOA Studio 7 was unable to reach Beta for comment.
Sikhosana told VOA Studio 7 reporter Gibbs Dube that he is not aware of any threats by ZANU-PF supporters or any arm of government against Beta and his splinter veterans group.