OPPOSITION MDC Alliance presidential candidate Nelson
Chamisa yesterday dangled lump sum pensions and decent living conditions for
veterans of the country’s 1970s liberation war if they support him in the
forthcoming elections.
Chamisa said the war veterans would be compensated
according to their contribution to the liberation struggle.
The MDC-T leader and MDC Alliance presidential candidate
also said that his rival and Zanu PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa was in a panic
mode, hence his recent unbudgeted for salary concessions to restive civil
servants and war veterans to win their votes in the upcoming general elections.
Addressing supporters at Bambazonke business centre in
Marange, Mutare West constituency, Chamisa said Mnangagwa only agreed to meet
war veterans and address their concerns last week after they threatened to dump
him ahead of this year’s general elections.
But he said his government would dole out hefty lump sum
packages for war veterans and urged them to dump the ruling, which he accused
of only paying lip service to their concerns when facing elections.
“Our war veterans are not going to starve in our presence
because we appreciate what they have done to this country and, as a country, we
are going to ensure that they get what they deserve as gallant sons of this
great nation,” he said.
“We are going to pay them a decent lump sum pension
according to their contribution to the liberation struggle. Mnangagwa is
engaging war veterans because he fears election defeat.”
Mnangagwa on Friday met thousands of war veterans in
Harare, where they demanded immediate review of their $206 monthly pension and
raised concern over their alleged sidelining in the just-ended Zanu PF primary
elections.
They also demanded duty-free motor vehicle import
facilities, tollgate exemptions, as well as free parking in all urban centres
and Mnangagwa said he would look into some of the issues raised.
The government has also succumbed to pressure from civil
servants and awarded a 10% salary increment across the board.
In 1997, war veterans got away with a lump sum of ZW$50 000
gratuity each after they cornered then President Robert Mugabe, a development
which severely bled the economy after $17 billion was diverted to pacify the
former fighters.
In his address, Chamisa also said he was confident of a
resounding victory against Mnangagwa, claiming he was surrounded by “good
advisers such as former Finance minister Tendai Biti and constitutional lawyer
advocate Eric Matinenga, who would make his government stronger”.
“Some people are saying that I am young, but I am
surrounded by good advisers. They will always advise me. Why should people of
Chiadzwa wallow in poverty amidst this greatest avalanche of resources?” he
said.
“It’s clear robbery. This is the reason why people are
saying that there are no diamonds because they were stealing. When we get into
power, there will be clear monitoring of the precious stone.”
Chamisa said Mnangagwa had nothing new to offer to the
electorate because of his association with the Mugabe administration.
“Mnangagwa alleges that he is new and has something to
offer, but he has been part of Mugabe administration’s for the past 38 years.
He was Mugabe’s lieutenant and he was part of the looting team.” Newsday
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