Veterans of Zimbabwe's liberation war should remain disciplined and fight against elements bent on reversing the country's independence, Zanu-PF Mashonaland East provincial chairman Cde Ray Kaukonde has said.

He was addressing war veterans, detainees and collaborators in Marondera on Monday.

Cde Kaukonde urged party members to respect traditional and church leaders.

"The war veterans were guided by principles that promote discipline and this is what we expect when they represent the party," he said.

Cde Kaukonde said war veterans should be the first line of defence against imperialist forces.

"They should safeguard the gains of our independence. They should make sure that Zanu-PF wins as was the call from our leaders during Zimbabwe's liberation struggle.

"We do not expect to be infiltrated by the enemy when we have war veterans in all our structures even at cell level."

Cde Kaukonde urged war veterans to contest for party positions and Parliamentary seats.

"There are prospective candidates using war veterans for their campaigns and we are asking Zimbabwe's liberators not to be used. You know the party, its ideologies but you let others exploit you to gain advantage over you."

The Zanu-PF provincial chairman said the war veterans should be disciplined.

"They fall under the Defence Ministry so war veterans should emulate their commanders. General Chiwenga, Air Marshal Parrence Shiri and even Major General Zimondi, who are from this province, are disciplined war veterans. These should be emulated," he said.

Cde Kaukonde said the war veterans should promote unity within Zanu-PF.

"They should lead in maintaining unity within the party. They should lead the campaigns within party structures."

He said the provincial leadership would take disciplinary action against those bent on causing disunity in the party.

"We do not want pretenders in the party. We are principled and we do not expect people to cause disunity among our people," he said.