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move by war veterans to demonstrate against him over their monthly pension payouts.
Addressing journalists in Harare yesterday, Minister Biti said he was not afraid of anyone and would not resign from his post.
Hundreds of former liberation fighters, drawn form various provinces countrywide, stormed Minister Biti’s offices on Wednesday accusing him of incompetence and presiding over the demise of the economy. They also called for his immediate resignation.
But Minister Biti yesterday said he could not meet the demands of the war veterans.
“There is no just reason that can justify this predatory behaviour,” he said.
“I will not bow down. We are not afraid of anyone. We will continue to do our job as we have been assigned to do.”
War veterans are getting US$130 as a monthly pension payout while the poverty datum line is pegged at US$596.
The Minister said a Cabinet decision was needed to award a pension increment to the ex-freedom fighters.
“The pensions are pegged as a percentage of the salary of a warrant officer in the army. This means that pensions for ex-combatants cannot be reviewed unless salaries for army personnel are increased,” he said.
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The war veterans failed to meet Minister Biti as he was said to be attending a Cabinet meeting.
The former liberation war fighters, including the disabled, sang revolutionary songs and waved placards denouncing Minister Biti.
Some of the placards read: “President Mugabe Zimbabwe needs a new Finance Minister”, “Biti has failed and must go” and “You have refused to pay farmers — You must leave office.”
The war veterans also castigated the minister for failing to prioritise the civil servants’ salaries and working conditions.
Three months ago, the war veterans petitioned Minister Biti and the latter agreed to address their plight, but nothing has materialised to date.
The war veterans said most of them were farmers and Minister Biti was not releasing funds for the grain they delivered to the Grain Marketing Board.
Those injured during the liberation struggle are also seeking compensation.
Various sectors accuse Finance Minister Biti of failing to prioritise allocation of resources.
Biti has also declined to increase civil servants salaries despite numerous petitions to do so.
Online Reporter