War vets demand $1 billion in gratuities

Zimbabwean war veterans-often seen as rowdy and President Mugabe's shock troopers in any election-have demanded $1 billion in fresh gratuities and diamond mining claims in Marange, it emerged yesterday.

The ex-combatant's representatives Shadreck  Makombe and retired major-general Richard Ruwodo said their 50 000-strong members wanted $20 000 each, and gem mining concessions in the east.

With Zimbabwe's war veterans treated as a reserve force under Emmerson Mnangagwa's defence ministry, the bunch yesterday hinted a separation and the formation of their own ministry in line with regional trends or countries like Namibia.