Delays in payment of newly vetted war vets worrying

Outspoken ex‑ZIPRA cadre Max Mkandla has raised concern over government delays in paying war veterans and war collaborators who were vetted three years ago, questioning why the process has stalled.

Mkandla said thousands of "revolutionary‑minded sons and daughters of the soil" who underwent vetting have not received any payments to date.

"We are now in 2026, in the first quarter of the year, after the Government vetted war veterans who are now known as Non‑Combatants, yet some of these lately vetted combatants were locally trained and integrated into the Army straight from different assembly points," he said.

He questioned why the government has remained silent on the matter.

"To our surprise, on this issue of vetted veterans, the minister responsible is quiet and the newly appointed Director of War Veterans is also silent about the recognition and payment of vetted war veterans, as well as their welfare in Parliament or other departments," Mkandla said.

He added that some of the vetted individuals have been classified under the Chimbwido/Mujiba category, but there is still no clarity on when they will be honoured and paid.

"Some of these comrades have since passed away, and some are not feeling well right now. Where is Mthuli Ncube, the Minister of Finance, and the Minister of War Veterans?" he asked.

Mkandla noted that senior war veterans who currently receive benefits only succeeded after mass demonstrations led by figures such as Chenjerai Hunzvi, Margaret Dongo and Andrew Ndlovu.

"May this Government move forward together with everyone, as said by the President," he said.

He urged authorities to revisit the issue of vetted non‑combatants and vetted war veterans.

"We have witnessed ex‑political prisoners being respected and vetted as war veterans too. The nation is looking forward to seeing this second republic honour its people by paying them," he said.