War veterans to benefit from duty-free vehicle imports

The Government has allocated 1 000 hectares of irrigation land to war veterans in Matabeleland North province as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the welfare of former freedom fighters. Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Richard Moyo, disclosed this during an interface meeting last Friday between the Minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs, Monica Mavhunga, and the veterans' community at the Lupane Town Board hall.

"This land is at the Gwayi-Shangani Lake corridor. The allocation is meant to empower the veterans in appreciation of their selfless sacrifice as they fought to bring majority rule," Minister Moyo said.

Minister Mavhunga announced that the Government is also finalising a duty-free car import scheme for war veterans. "The Attorney-General's Office is finalising legal instruments to provide for duty-free vehicle imports, tax relief, and tollgate exemption for our war veterans," she said.

She further emphasised the Government's commitment to preserving the liberation struggle legacy through the identification, exhumation, and reburial of fallen heroes and heroines. This process involves multiple ministries and stakeholders, and President Mnangagwa has approved the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee and a Liberation Heritage Fund to expedite the work and maintain burial shrines both within and outside the country. Minister Mavhunga noted that spouses and dependants of declared heroes and heroines are also entitled to statutory benefits, though awareness campaigns have been introduced as many beneficiaries were previously unaware of their entitlements.

Despite these initiatives, the War Veterans Association in Matabeleland North has yet to receive its share of the Presidential War Veterans Support Fund, which allocated $200 000 to each province in June. Provincial war veterans league chairperson, Sonny Mguni, told Minister Mavhunga that delays in disbursement were affecting veterans' livelihoods. "The province has resolved to seek clarity on the causes of the delays and the possible solutions in place to accelerate facilitation of the promises," he said.

Mguni also noted that promised bicycles for veterans in rural areas, critical for mobility, have not yet been delivered, and construction of houses under the housing scheme has not started, with no confirmed implementation dates. He added that only a demonstration borehole has been drilled to date.

The interface meeting was attended by Minister Mavhunga's deputy, Headman Moyo, Nkayi North legislator and Politburo member Sithembiso Nyoni, as well as Zanu-PF Central Committee member Fati Mpofu.