Story by John Nhandara
GOVERNMENT continues to roll out empowerment programmes for veterans of the liberation struggle, with war collaborators being the latest to benefit from such initiatives.
This comes after war collaborators from the country’s 10 provinces converged at the Harare City Sports Centre this Saturday for an interface meeting with government and ZANU PF officials, where empowerment initiatives and national development programmes took centre stage.
The gathering also saw participants expressing support for the proposed Constitutional Amendment Number Three (CAB3) Bill, with many citing ongoing empowerment programmes as evidence of government’s commitment to improving the welfare of liberation war veterans.
“We have benefitted from a lot of programmes; therefore, the President must continue up to 2030,” one of the collaborators said.
“These empowerment programmes are not only benefiting us as war collaborators but also many other people. Matebeleland South has already endorsed CAB3 and it is because of such initiatives like these,” another added.
Presidential Empowerment and Investment Advisor, Dr Paul Tungwarara linked the Constitutional Amendment Number Three Bill to the stability required for economic growth and broader empowerment initiatives.
“We want your support for development. President Dr Emmerson Mnangagwa believes that no one must be left behind as we march towards Vision 2030. Now we have a duty to build our country by supporting CAB3. Empowerment cannot happen in a country that is constantly pursuing elections,” he said.
The significance of war collaborators in the country’s development agenda was also underscored.
“This gathering is important because it reinforces the connection among our veterans of the liberation struggle in line with the country’s development agenda. You are the bedrock upon which Zimbabwe stands. We thank you for supporting CAB3, reaffirming your role in our revolutionary party ZANU PF,” Harare Metropolitan Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Senator Charles Tawengwa said.
ZANU PF Secretary for Economic Development and Empowerment, Cde Sithembiso Nyoni, said war collaborators deserve recognition for the sacrifices they made during the liberation struggle.
“They walked the talk. They participated in the liberation struggle, took care of our cadres, sacrificed their lives; that is why they must be recognised. I want to thank His Excellency for recognising you. You must make sure that ZANU PF is unshaken.”
ZANU PF Secretary for War Veterans Affairs, Cde Douglas Mahiya, commended the war collaborators for their support of CAB3.
“I was happy when I saw you holding placards in support of CAB3. That is the way to go. The purpose of the party is to manufacture political power for the benefit of the people. That is why the war veterans league has said the President must rule up to 2030,” he said.
Government has in the past rolled out several empowerment programmes for veterans of the liberation struggle that include the War Veterans Empowerment Fund and the War Veterans Housing Scheme, as part of broader efforts to improve their welfare and economic participation.
