WAR veterans from Bulawayo and Matabeleland South provinces
have urged Government to address their grievances once and for all as they are
tired of empty promises that have been made over the years without action.
Speaking during public hearings held at Luveve Hall in
Bulawayo and Jahunda Hall in Gwanda by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on
Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services yesterday, war veterans said their
welfare issues have always been clear and what they required now was
implementation.
The war veterans said they have nothing to show for their
sacrifices and hard work, which brought independence.
They said they hope that under the New Dispensation,
Government would finally put in place effective policies to cater for their
welfare
The war veterans also said they were suffering from chronic
illnesses which they developed during the liberation struggle but were failing
to get quality health care services. They said there was a need for a fund to
be allocated through the Ministry of Health and Child Care to cater for medical
expenses and enable them to access health care services outside the country.
“The plight of war veterans is known and there is nothing
new to talk about. For now we want action from the Government. We’re tired of
the promises that have been made since 1980.
“In 2016 we presented a war victims commission document,
outlining all our challenges to the former President Robert Mugabe. President
Mnangagwa and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga also have the document as well
as Parliament. The War Veterans Bill is also clear about what the Government
should do,” said Cde Dumisani Sibanda during the Bulawayo hearing.
He said the War Veterans Act contains everything about the
freedom fighters, hence it was time for implementation not further hearings.
Cde Douglas Ndlovu said it was unfortunate that 39 years
after independence, there were some war veterans who were not receiving paltry
allowances available for them because they were yet to be vetted.
“While we appeal to the Government to increase our
allowances from RTGS$240, others are not receiving anything because they were
not vetted yet they fought for this country and endured the suffering that was
brought to us by the liberation struggle.
“In 1997 we were vetted but the exercise was not completed.
In 2013 it was resumed but still some war veterans, ex-detainees and war
collaborators were left out. Others have died without receiving anything and
their families are suffering,” said Cde Ndlovu.
War veterans in Gwanda said there was a need for their
pensions to be reviewed in order to be in line with prevailing economic
conditions.
They also said a medical fund must be set up to allow them
access to quality health care services.
Cde Seni Ncube from Gwanda District said war veterans were
not benefiting from economic activities in their areas as expected.
“It was announced that war veterans should be allocated 20
percent of all economic activities but this isn’t happening.
“We have mining projects, housing projects, agriculture
projects among others, which are ongoing in the province but war veterans are
being excluded from them.
“War veterans have
to benefit from these projects as they are the people who fought to ensure
access to these resources,” she said.
Speaking during the same meeting, Cde Efias Takawira, also
from Gwanda District, said war veterans have been communicating their
grievances to Government over the years and nothing tangible has been
done. He said there was a need for war
veterans to be allocated houses which could be paid for in instalments.
Chairperson of the Committee Retired Brigadier Levi
Mayihlome, who is also Umzingwane Member of Parliament, said the committee was
on a fact finding mission to gather concerns of war veterans across the
country.
He said the committee was going to compile its findings and
then present them in Parliament. — @pamelashumba1 Chronicle
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