Story by Providence Maraneli
GOVERNMENT is intensifying efforts to preserve and honour the country’s liberation history through the identification, exhumation, and reburial of fallen heroes within and beyond Zimbabwe’s borders.
The welfare of liberation war veterans remains a key government priority, with the Ministry of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs aligning empowerment programmes to the broader national development agenda.
Addressing veterans of the liberation struggle at the Matabeleland South War Veterans Interface in Gwanda this Saturday, the Minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs Senator Monica Mavhunga, said the ministry is in the process of amending the three war vets statutes to align them with evolving socio-economic realities.
“The Ministry administers three key Acts of Parliament, namely: The Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Act, The National Heroes Act, and The War Victims Compensation Act. The Ministry is currently in the process of amending these three statutes to align them with emerging needs and evolving socio-economic realities. The amendments seek to ensure that the Veterans’ community receives enhanced and comprehensive benefits in keeping with the government’s thrust of leaving no one and no place behind.
The process of identification, exhumation, and reburial is complex and involves several ministries and stakeholders. It is therefore appreciated that His Excellency the President Dr E. D. Mnangagwa, approved the setting up of the inter-ministerial committee and liberation heritage fund to expedite the speedy identification, exhumations and reburials of our fallen heroes as well as the maintenance of heroes’ shrines within and outside the country,” she said.
“Addressing welfare issues and economic empowerment for Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs is one of the resolutions made during the last ZANUPF conference held in Mutare last month. Again His Excellency the President Cde E.D Mnangagwa a War Veteran himself has initiated several empowerment programs for Veterans such as the Presidential War Veterans Fund, Presidential Veterans Housing scheme and the Presidential Farming Equipment for Veterans, Presidential empowerment Fund for Children of War Veterans all these are meant to change the lives of Veteran,” Acting Chairperson Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and War Veterans Affairs, Honourable Kelvin Mutimbanyoka said.
The local leadership is convinced that the prioritisation of veterans of the liberation struggle welfare is in line with the Second Republic’s mantra of leaving no one and no place behind.
“The implementation of the quota system for war veterans in mining, land, and residential stands is a broader strategy targeted at securing a dignified future for the war veterans,” ZANU PF Matabeleland South Provincial Vice Chairperson, Cde Albert Nguluvhe said.
“We are grateful for the various empowerment projects that have been put in place in Matabeleland South,” Matabeleland South Veterans League Chairperson, Cde Alfred Moyo said.
Prior to the indaba, the ministers laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Matabeleland South Provincial Heroes Acre.
