News / National
War Veterans Congress dates set
24 May 2024 at 03:27hrs | Views
The much-anticipated congress of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) is set to take place from June 14 to 16, with preparations well underway.
The previous congress was held in 2013 in Masvingo, where Christopher Mutsvangwa and his executive were elected to lead the association. Although ZNLWVA is constitutionally required to hold a congress every five years, this schedule was disrupted by pressing issues such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the Zanu-PF congress and conferences, and the harmonized elections held last year.
In preparation for the congress, ZNLWVA's executive, led by Political Commissar Joel Mureremba, is traveling across the country to inform members about the event. Zanu-PF Secretary for War Veterans, Douglas Mahiya, confirmed the dates and remarked, "The preparations are underway. Everything is progressing well, but the names of candidates contesting the chairmanship have yet to be announced. All positions are up for grabs."
Mureremba noted that President Mnangagwa, the patron of the association, directed them to prepare for the elective congress.
Mahiya clarified the distinction between the War Veterans League and the ZNLWVA, explaining that the former is an organ of Zanu-PF consisting of former liberation fighters, while the latter is an affiliate of the party. "The ZNLWVA is not represented in the party but serves as a pressure group, whereas the league has a fully-fledged Secretary in the Politburo. The role of the War Veterans League in the party is to mobilize war veterans to participate in the socio-economic, political, and cultural activities of the party."
He further explained, "Before the New Dispensation, war veterans had taken a back seat in political issues. The league now ensures their active participation in politics and oversees programs and projects for war veterans. It is responsible for protecting the interests of the party and defending its leadership."
Programs to benefit war veterans are being developed, including the establishment of a war veterans family trust. There are about 35,000 surviving war veterans in the country.
The previous congress was held in 2013 in Masvingo, where Christopher Mutsvangwa and his executive were elected to lead the association. Although ZNLWVA is constitutionally required to hold a congress every five years, this schedule was disrupted by pressing issues such as the Covid-19 pandemic, the Zanu-PF congress and conferences, and the harmonized elections held last year.
In preparation for the congress, ZNLWVA's executive, led by Political Commissar Joel Mureremba, is traveling across the country to inform members about the event. Zanu-PF Secretary for War Veterans, Douglas Mahiya, confirmed the dates and remarked, "The preparations are underway. Everything is progressing well, but the names of candidates contesting the chairmanship have yet to be announced. All positions are up for grabs."
Mahiya clarified the distinction between the War Veterans League and the ZNLWVA, explaining that the former is an organ of Zanu-PF consisting of former liberation fighters, while the latter is an affiliate of the party. "The ZNLWVA is not represented in the party but serves as a pressure group, whereas the league has a fully-fledged Secretary in the Politburo. The role of the War Veterans League in the party is to mobilize war veterans to participate in the socio-economic, political, and cultural activities of the party."
He further explained, "Before the New Dispensation, war veterans had taken a back seat in political issues. The league now ensures their active participation in politics and oversees programs and projects for war veterans. It is responsible for protecting the interests of the party and defending its leadership."
Programs to benefit war veterans are being developed, including the establishment of a war veterans family trust. There are about 35,000 surviving war veterans in the country.
Source - the herald
