War vets fume over delayed vetting process

War veterans have expressed frustration over continued delays in concluding the vetting process, noting that four years have passed without the publication of the names of successfully accredited cadres.

The concerns were raised in Parliament following a report from the Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs, Security and War Veterans Affairs on a petition submitted by the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association regarding amendments to the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Bill.

Chivi Central legislator Exevila Maoneke presented the report, citing section 8(8) of the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Act, which stipulates that "on the conclusion of any vetting exercise and in any case not less frequently than twice a year, the names of persons who have been identified as veterans of the liberation struggle shall be listed and published in the Government Gazette and be deemed to be provisionally accredited within a period of 30 days after such publication, at the end of which period (subject to any appeal in terms of section 9) the person so listed shall be deemed to be finally accredited as a veteran of the liberation struggle in the appropriate category."

Veterans told the committee that delays in publishing the lists have left many cadres living in poverty, with some suffering from unmanaged health conditions due to advanced age, while others have died from various illnesses.

Albert Tagiwa Chikondo, secretary for Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs, acknowledged that the vetting exercise had taken longer than anticipated, largely due to engagements with Treasury. He confirmed, however, that the exercise had been completed and that the ministry was ready to publish the names in the Government Gazette to allow for public representations in line with the law.

The War Veterans League and Detachment Commanders voiced their support for the petitioners, highlighting the inordinate delay as a serious concern.

The committee noted that the ministry was in breach of section 8(8) of the Act by failing to publish the vetted lists in 2022 and 2024, preventing veterans from accessing their benefits and official recognition.

Petros Sibanda, secretary-general of the Zipra Veterans Association, told Southern Eye that numerous issues affecting war veterans remain unresolved, including access to land and housing, despite constitutional provisions. "With other sectors, we see a lot of statutory instruments being implemented very fast, but it's a different case with our ministry," he said.

In response, the committee recommended that the 2026 national budget allocate resources for the payment of lump sums to all war veterans, non-combatant cadres, and war collaborators who have successfully passed vetting and are published in the Government Gazette. The committee said this could be implemented in phases but urged that all payments be completed before December 31 next year.