At a Press
briefing in Harare yesterday, the Minister of Veterans of the Liberation
Struggle Affairs, Monica Mavhunga, confirmed the move and outlined the
processes currently underway to revive the suspended compensation system under
the War Victims Compensation Act (Chapter 11:16).
“Following the
identification of doctors by the Ministry of Health and Child Care who will sit
as a medical board and conduct assessments, the ministry is set to resume
payments for war victims’ compensation claims that were suspended as a result
of the Chidyausiku Commission of Inquiry in 1998,” said Minister Mavhunga.
She said the
Government remained committed to addressing the welfare of injured freedom
fighters, especially as the country prepares to commemorate Heroes Day and
Defence Forces Day on August 11 and 12, respectively.
“War victims
are entitled to artificial limbs and clothing allowances if there is excessive
wear and tear to clothing as a result of the use of the limbs,” she said.
“They are
further entitled to medical expenses in relation to declared and accepted
injuries, and to vocational training in order to improve their capacity to look
after themselves.”
So far, 557 war
victims have accessed statutory benefits such as assistive devices, medical
care and clothing allowances.
Minister
Mavhunga also clarified that those who had previously commuted their pensions
would still be eligible for other benefits.
“I should
emphasise that war victims who previously commuted their pensions are still
eligible for statutory benefits, excluding pension, such as medical benefits in
connection with declared and accepted injuries,” Minister Mavhunga said.
To ensure wider
access, the ministry will launch awareness campaigns this year to inform war
victims about their entitlements and how to claim them.
The resumption
of payments marks a turning point following the 1998 suspension that stemmed
from widespread mismanagement within the War Victims Compensation Fund.
The Chidyausiku
Commission, led by the late Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku, was appointed in
1997 after anonymous letters and media exposés revealing that undeserving
individuals, including high-ranking officials, were exploiting loopholes in the
system to pocket huge pay-outs.
Then, Public
Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Florence Chitauro told the
commission that the Act governing the fund was riddled with weaknesses,
administrative failures, and lacked clear parameters for who qualified.
She admitted
that the underfunding of the War Veterans Fund led many ex-combatants to seek
support through the War Victims Fund, which was originally intended to
compensate civilians and fighters injured during the liberation struggle.
Between 1991 and 1997, about Z$1,5 billion was disbursed, with Z$450 million
paid out in just the final year before the suspension.
With a new
framework now in place, the Ministry of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle
Affairs hopes to restore dignity and support to genuine war victims. The
resumption of the compensation scheme comes as Zimbabwe prepares to honour the
sacrifices of its freedom fighters in next month’s national commemorations.
Herald
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