News / Local
All set for Mugabe, war vets indaba to be held tomorrow
06 Apr 2016 at 16:23hrs | Views
All is set for the historic Zimbabwe Liberation War Veterans Association extra-ordinary general meeting with their patron, President Robert Mugabe to be held at the City Sports Centre beginning tomorrow.
The majority of the 10 000 war veterans, who are expected to attend the meeting, have already started converging at the City Sports Centre in Harare to finalise the thematic reports to be presented at the main meeting.
A ministerial committee comprising Zanu-PF Secretary for War Veterans Dr Sydney Sekeramayi, the Minister of State Security Kembo Mohadi and the Minister of Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators, Ex-Detainees and Restrictees Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube were at the venue to assess progress.
"Accreditation of the participating delegates went on well in all provinces except Harare but the grey areas have since been rectified," said Minister Dube.
He however added that thematic meetings which were expected to be held this morning were delayed as some delegates had not yet arrived due to transport hitches.
"The transport challenges have since been rectified and all delegates are now expected to be in Harare by end of the day and the thematic meetings are expected to proceed as planned," noted Minister Dube.
Dr Sekeramayi said all other logistics are now in place and the association is set for the indaba.
Issues to be discussed include the party ideology, welfare issues and economic empowerment of the war veterans.
The country has more than 34 000 surviving war veterans and their representatives will attend the historic meeting.
Meanwhile, some war veterans said what they want from the government and all Zimbabweans is respect, economic empowerment opportunities and priority to their welfare.
Despite having sacrificed limb, arm and even lives, the war veterans believe more still need to be done by the government and Zimbabweans to improve their livelihoods.
Andy Mhlanga and Edward Mayanga said most war veterans are living a life of lack and expect government to provide them materially.
They said opportunities to include them in the economic set up should also be opened up for them.
Victor Matemadanda noted that the government must prioritise war veterans' welfare by allowing them the right to have a stake in controlling Zimbabwe's resources.
Douglas Mahiya said they would like Zimbabweans and the government to show them respect and look into their welfare, especially payment of hospital fees, and their children's school and college fees.
The war veterans also demanded mining concessions to improve their welfare.
They asked for the review of their pension so that they are above the poverty datum line.
The majority of the 10 000 war veterans, who are expected to attend the meeting, have already started converging at the City Sports Centre in Harare to finalise the thematic reports to be presented at the main meeting.
A ministerial committee comprising Zanu-PF Secretary for War Veterans Dr Sydney Sekeramayi, the Minister of State Security Kembo Mohadi and the Minister of Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators, Ex-Detainees and Restrictees Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube were at the venue to assess progress.
"Accreditation of the participating delegates went on well in all provinces except Harare but the grey areas have since been rectified," said Minister Dube.
He however added that thematic meetings which were expected to be held this morning were delayed as some delegates had not yet arrived due to transport hitches.
"The transport challenges have since been rectified and all delegates are now expected to be in Harare by end of the day and the thematic meetings are expected to proceed as planned," noted Minister Dube.
Dr Sekeramayi said all other logistics are now in place and the association is set for the indaba.
Issues to be discussed include the party ideology, welfare issues and economic empowerment of the war veterans.
Meanwhile, some war veterans said what they want from the government and all Zimbabweans is respect, economic empowerment opportunities and priority to their welfare.
Despite having sacrificed limb, arm and even lives, the war veterans believe more still need to be done by the government and Zimbabweans to improve their livelihoods.
Andy Mhlanga and Edward Mayanga said most war veterans are living a life of lack and expect government to provide them materially.
They said opportunities to include them in the economic set up should also be opened up for them.
Victor Matemadanda noted that the government must prioritise war veterans' welfare by allowing them the right to have a stake in controlling Zimbabwe's resources.
Douglas Mahiya said they would like Zimbabweans and the government to show them respect and look into their welfare, especially payment of hospital fees, and their children's school and college fees.
The war veterans also demanded mining concessions to improve their welfare.
They asked for the review of their pension so that they are above the poverty datum line.
Source - zbc
