The ManicaPost
Cletus Mushanawani
News Editor
AS Manicaland joins the rest of the country in commemorating Heroes’ Day on Monday, the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA)’s Manicaland Chapter has hailed the recently concluded registration of all veterans of the liberation struggle, saying the move will go a long way in economically emancipating them.
Following the signing of the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Act early this year, the Government is working on establishing a register of veterans of the liberation struggle.
These include war veterans, non-combatant cadres, political prisoners, detainees and restrictees.
President Mnangagwa recently launched the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Economic Empowerment Programmes and Vetting Exercise.
He commended war veterans for displaying unflinching patriotism during times when the country was under siege from agents of regime change.
President Mnangagwa announced the launch of one of the empowerment vehicles being championed by the Government — the War Veterans Investment Corporation, a holding company wholly-owned by war veterans through the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Board.
The company has seven subsidiaries — Veterans Agricultural Company, Veterans Mining Company, Veterans Financial Services, Veterans Health Services, Veterans Tourism Company, Veterans Property Development Company and Veterans Security Company.
In an interview, Manicaland provincial war veterans’ chairman, Cde Gift Kagweda hailed the high turnout recorded in the province during the registration exercise.
“The broad definition of liberation war veterans to include collaborators, non-combatant cadres and ex-detainees should be hailed as we have thousands who contributed towards the liberation of this country.
“Many untrained cadres were holed up in training bases at Doroi and Chibawawa in Mozambique up until independence in 1980 and their zeal and determination to take up arms to liberate the country should be recognised.
“Manicaland’s proximity to Mozambique where ZANLA Forces were executing the war from resulted in the province having more collaborators and ex-detainees.
“The province was a transit base for all liberation fighters whether going to the front in Zimbabwe or the rear in Mozambique and this resulted in the recruitment of collaborators to assist in the carrying of artillery, war material and medication into the country as well as the injured to Mozambique. All these people are heroes in their own right,” he said.
Cde Kagweda said the registration and vetting of all veterans of the liberation struggle will see their membership benefitting from a lot of projects that will be initiated to empower the gallant sons and daughters of the nation.
“Veterans of the liberation struggle played a crucial role in ensuring the country’s independence, freedom and sovereignty. We are happy to note that Government is committed to economically empower our membership.
“Together with our children, we have a lot to contribute towards the total emancipation of Zimbabweans and attaining Vision 2030. As the torch-bearers of the liberation struggle, we should remain resolute and use all productive means to spur economic growth.
“We should fully utilise all available resources to economically emancipate ourselves. We should not always wait for freebies as we are also part and parcel of the nation’s development agenda,” he said.
On ex-detainees, Cde Kagweda said: “Almost all the seven districts in Manicaland had keeps and restriction camps, a move that was aimed at deterring people from giving both material and moral support to the freedom fighters. This also resulted in the high number of those who were detained or jailed for political reasons.”
Cde Kagweda urged children of liberation struggle combatants to be wary of individuals who are trying to divide them using money and misinformation.
“Our children should continue carrying our legacy into the future. They should not be misled by opposition elements and economic saboteurs bent on rejoicing in other people’s misery.
“These detractors resort to violence and demonstrations to achieve their own personal gratification at the expense of development and our hard earned independence,” he said.
