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War veterans seek funding for exhumation, reburial exercise
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ZANU-PF has called on the Government to prioritize resources for the exhumation and reburial of veterans of the liberation struggle, with a dedicated committee set to spearhead the initiative. This decision follows a directive from the party's 21st Annual People's Conference to ensure that fallen comrades receive proper burials.
The Secretary for War Veterans, Douglas Mahiya, announced plans to form a committee of war veterans and traditional chiefs to lead the exhumation efforts, stating, "We must be allowed to participate fully…to ensure those comrades who perished during the liberation struggle are accorded decent burials. No person other than those who participated in the liberation struggle should be at the forefront."
In addition to appealing to the Government, Mahiya said that war veterans would establish a fundraising committee to source funds for the initiative, especially if government resources fall short. He noted that many veterans are buried in historical liberation battle sites in Mozambique, such as Tete, Chimoio, and Tembwe.
Further resolutions from the ZANU-PF conference include fast-tracking the vetting process for unregistered war veterans, publishing the names of liberation struggle veterans, ensuring prompt payment of gratuities, and issuing recognition awards. Mahiya also highlighted the need to protect war veterans from land evictions and development projects that may displace them.
To preserve the memory of the liberation struggle, the Government is also being urged to establish provincial museums and an autobiography center dedicated to recording and sharing the stories of war veterans. Additionally, ZANU-PF has emphasized the renaming of streets, schools, and public buildings after liberation heroes and the rebranding of provinces to remove colonial names, which Mahiya described as symbols of division within the nation.
These initiatives underscore ZANU-PF's commitment to honoring Zimbabwe's liberation war veterans and reinforcing national identity through the preservation and recognition of the country's revolutionary history.
The Secretary for War Veterans, Douglas Mahiya, announced plans to form a committee of war veterans and traditional chiefs to lead the exhumation efforts, stating, "We must be allowed to participate fully…to ensure those comrades who perished during the liberation struggle are accorded decent burials. No person other than those who participated in the liberation struggle should be at the forefront."
In addition to appealing to the Government, Mahiya said that war veterans would establish a fundraising committee to source funds for the initiative, especially if government resources fall short. He noted that many veterans are buried in historical liberation battle sites in Mozambique, such as Tete, Chimoio, and Tembwe.
To preserve the memory of the liberation struggle, the Government is also being urged to establish provincial museums and an autobiography center dedicated to recording and sharing the stories of war veterans. Additionally, ZANU-PF has emphasized the renaming of streets, schools, and public buildings after liberation heroes and the rebranding of provinces to remove colonial names, which Mahiya described as symbols of division within the nation.
These initiatives underscore ZANU-PF's commitment to honoring Zimbabwe's liberation war veterans and reinforcing national identity through the preservation and recognition of the country's revolutionary history.
Source - The Herald
