Lovemore Kadzura
Post Reporter
GOVERNMENT is prioritising the welfare of the veterans of the liberation struggle so that they live comfortable lives that are in tandem with the supreme sacrifice they made to liberate the country from the yoke of colonialism, a Cabinet Minister has said.
Addressing war veterans at the Manicaland Provincial Inter-District War Veterans meeting held in Mutasa District last Friday, Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs Minister, Senator Monica Mavhunga said Government is working round the clock to address issues affecting war veterans such as health care, school fees for their children and land.
“The issue of war veterans’ welfare is a top priority especially when it comes to health care. Most comrades are now of advanced age and easily susceptible to illness. Government is taking care of war veterans’ health issues despite insufficient funds being released by the Treasury. We are pushing the issue of medical aid to be availed to all war veterans.
“On school fees, Government is working tirelessly to clear arears with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. We are also in talks with them so that our children are not turned away for not paying fees. Your children will not be send home because of the delay in the processing of the fees.
“We call on war veterans to encourage their children to register and apply for Government scholarships. Even on employment in Government agencies such as Zimbabwe National Army, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services, Zimbabwe Republic Police and other departments, your children stand a high chance of being considered.
“We are working with the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries and Rural Development to sort out the land issues being faced by war veterans, especially to do with boundaries. The Land Commission has handled 192 land disputes, and 129 were resolved. 642 war veterans who are occupying land without papers should have their offer letters and permits by mid-May,” she said.
ZANU PF secretary for war veterans in the Politburo, Cde Douglas Mahiya, applauded President Mnangagwa for initiating programmes to economically empower war veterans such as bore drilling, houses and cash which he said will change their lives for good.
“When President Mnangagwa assumed office in 2017, he established the War Veterans wing in the party due to his vison to uplift and protect their interests in the party. Previously war veterans just existed as an association only, and in his wisdom, President Mnangagwa saw it fit for us to be an integral part of the party.
“This has made it possible for our issues to be heard and resolved promptly in the party. There is now a Presidential War Veterans Fund which was mobilised by President Mnangagwa himself and is being distributed as cash. This was in response to our concerns we raised to him and our desire to have income generating projects. Each province was allocated US$150 000.
“By June, every province should have received its allocation of this interest free loan. There is also a house building programme for war veterans which was launched in Manicaland, but condemned the initial model. We have improved the type of the houses as evidenced by the one we launched in Murehwa. Every war veteran will have a house built for them. This in on top of a borehole for each war veteran,” said Cde Mahiya.
ZANU PF Manicaland provincial chairman, Cde Tawanda Mukodza said war veterans in the province are firmly behind the call for President Mnangagwa to serve up to 2030.
“War veterans in this province are disciplined, and they are fully behind Vision 2030, and are satisfied with President Mnangagwa’s leadership. The party and war veterans in Manicaland are moving on the same page,” said Cde Mukodza.
