News / National
Cash strapped Zimbabwe to reward more war vets
08 Nov 2015 at 07:44hrs | Views
Government requires US$4 million to complete a fresh vetting process of former liberation fighters who were left out in the previous screening exercise in 1997.
The exercise has seen 700 000 individuals being vetted this year while an additional 300 000 will be vetted by March next year to put closure to the programme.
Deputy Minister of Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators, Political Detainees and Restrictees; Rtd Colonel Tshinga Dube yesterday told delegates attending the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Collaborators Association 15th national Conference in Masvingo that the genuine ex-combatants, ex-detainees and collaborators will receive medals from Government as part of the recognition of their efforts during the war.
He said war veterans will also be given uniforms which they will don during all national events.
"The Ministry is working very hard to ensure that as war veterans we are recognised for the duty we played towards the liberation of this country," said Rtd Colonel Dube.
"The vetting exercise is being slowed down by lack of funding and as we speak, Government requires about US$4 million to complete the vetting process.
"So far we have vetted about 700 000 individuals and we expect that by the end of the vetting process in March next year we would have vetted 1 million people.
"After the exercise, Government shall provide medals to all war veterans while we are also working towards providing you with uniforms.
"These uniforms will be worn during all important national events such as Independence Day and Heroes day."
The vetting exercise comes after the Zimbabwe National Army called for the re-screening of war veterans after a realisation that there were some former freedom fighters who were not benefiting from the War Veterans Fund.
During the vetting process, trained cadres are expected to have two war veterans who were vetted in the first exercise and found to have genuinely participated in the liberation struggle to vouch for them.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail on the sidelines of the event, Zilwaco national Chairman Cde Pupurai Togarepi said Government needs to do more to improve the welfare of participants of the liberation struggle.
"We recognise President Mugabe's efforts to help improve our welfare by establishing a fully fledged ministry to deal with our welfare," said Cde Togarepi.
"It shows seriousness on the part of our leadership in terms of looking after the welfare of former freedom fighters."
He said the organisation had established the Zilwaco Trust which is geared to transfer the legacy of the liberation struggle to children of former liberation fighters.
"The trust is meant to transfer the legacy of the war to all our children so that even 1000 years from now people will know that this country was won after a protracted war of liberation."
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs (Masvingo) Cde Shuvai Mahofa, members of parliament and several affiliated organisations also attended the event.
The exercise has seen 700 000 individuals being vetted this year while an additional 300 000 will be vetted by March next year to put closure to the programme.
Deputy Minister of Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators, Political Detainees and Restrictees; Rtd Colonel Tshinga Dube yesterday told delegates attending the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Collaborators Association 15th national Conference in Masvingo that the genuine ex-combatants, ex-detainees and collaborators will receive medals from Government as part of the recognition of their efforts during the war.
He said war veterans will also be given uniforms which they will don during all national events.
"The Ministry is working very hard to ensure that as war veterans we are recognised for the duty we played towards the liberation of this country," said Rtd Colonel Dube.
"The vetting exercise is being slowed down by lack of funding and as we speak, Government requires about US$4 million to complete the vetting process.
"So far we have vetted about 700 000 individuals and we expect that by the end of the vetting process in March next year we would have vetted 1 million people.
"After the exercise, Government shall provide medals to all war veterans while we are also working towards providing you with uniforms.
The vetting exercise comes after the Zimbabwe National Army called for the re-screening of war veterans after a realisation that there were some former freedom fighters who were not benefiting from the War Veterans Fund.
During the vetting process, trained cadres are expected to have two war veterans who were vetted in the first exercise and found to have genuinely participated in the liberation struggle to vouch for them.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail on the sidelines of the event, Zilwaco national Chairman Cde Pupurai Togarepi said Government needs to do more to improve the welfare of participants of the liberation struggle.
"We recognise President Mugabe's efforts to help improve our welfare by establishing a fully fledged ministry to deal with our welfare," said Cde Togarepi.
"It shows seriousness on the part of our leadership in terms of looking after the welfare of former freedom fighters."
He said the organisation had established the Zilwaco Trust which is geared to transfer the legacy of the liberation struggle to children of former liberation fighters.
"The trust is meant to transfer the legacy of the war to all our children so that even 1000 years from now people will know that this country was won after a protracted war of liberation."
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs (Masvingo) Cde Shuvai Mahofa, members of parliament and several affiliated organisations also attended the event.
Source - Sunday Mail
