Story by Memory Chamisa
GOVERNMENT efforts to improve war veterans welfare continue to gather momentum, with Binga District receiving US$40 000 for the implementation of life-changing projects.
War Veterans, ex-political prisoners, Detainees, and Restrictees from Binga District of Matabeleland North gathered at Ndaliyoka Shopping Centre for the launch of the district’s Presidential War Veterans Fund.
The intended beneficiaries are expected to apply for the revolving fund through their district structures.
The liberation stalwarts could not hide their joy.
“We are grateful to the President for remembering us, and we assure him of our unwavering support. Everyone will benefit from this fund, and it will leave a legacy for generations to come,” a war veteran said.
“We saw this launch being done to other provinces, and we were just wondering when our turn would come and the day is here. We are more than happy for this recognition by His Excellency. Thank you Mr President,” another added.
“What more can one ask for, our President is a listening man who has people’s interests and this launch is testament to that concern. We promise not to abuse the funds but will see to it that the funds are used wisely and that transparency prevails,” another war veteran said.
The ZANU PF leadership in the province lauded President Emmerson Mnangagwa for his vision of empowering liberation stalwarts.
“We are not stopping. We are going to reach out to every war veteran so that they benefit from the scheme. We are certainly leaving no one and no place behind. This scheme is here to stay, and we are carrying out the President’s programmes, which are key in modernising and industrialising our country,” Presidential Business Advisor, Dr Paul Tungwarara said.
ZANU PF Secretary for the War Veterans League, Cde Douglas Mahiya said the initiative is part of a broader strategy to promote social justice and rectify historical imbalances faced by war veterans.
“The Presidential War Veterans Fund has been cascaded to the country’s 10 provinces to ensure every war veteran benefits. Not only that, the President has also approved that every war veteran should receive a borehole at their homesteads just to support them. Binga is one of the areas that had been behind with development, but since the coming of the Second Republic, the district has witnessed immense development that will continue until we are at par with other districts.
“President Emmerson Mnangagwa has since approved the allocation of urban land for war veterans. The land will be distributed in various urban areas, allowing veterans to establish homes and engage in entrepreneurial ventures across the country’s 10 provinces,” he said.
Meanwhile, scores of war veterans from across the country’s provinces have benefitted from the ongoing Presidential Borehole Drilling Scheme.
The programme also includes housing and solar power and war veterans from Mashonaland East, Manicaland, and Mashonaland West have already benefitted.
