Defend Zanu-PF values, Mahiya tells war veterans

VETERANS of the liberation struggle must take the lead in promoting and upholding the values of Zanu-PF and individuals who violate these will be expelled, secretary for War Veterans in the Politburo, Cde Douglas Mahiya, has said.

He was speaking at the recent launch of the borehole and housing scheme under the Presidential War Veterans Fund in Tinde, Binga District, Matabeleland North Province.

He told the well-attended gathering that it was the responsibility of war veterans to safeguard the Zanu-PF principles and protect the party against its detractors.

Hundreds of war veterans, widows, villagers and members of the ruling party witnessed the handing over of a solar powered borehole with two 10 000-litre water tanks to the community of Ndaliyoka Village, Ward 18 in the Tinde area.

Every war veteran in Binga District, like in the rest of the country, will benefit from the borehole and housing scheme, which was officially launched in Harare and is spreading across all the provinces in Zimbabwe.

“It’s the duty of every war veteran to defend the values and principles of Zanu-PF. Anyone who chooses not to respect the constitution of the party ceases to be a member,” said Cde Mahiya.

He however said war veterans have the right to air their grievances but must do so using the right channels and those concerns will be taken up to the leadership of Zanu-PF.

“We have seen some individuals trying to destroy Zanu-PF in the name of war veterans and we are saying that must stop forthwith. War veterans have the responsibility to protect the interests of the party and its leadership. We are therefore all expected to do just that,” said Cde Mahiya.

He hailed the borehole and housing scheme under the Presidential War Veterans Fund, which he said is meant to improve the lives of the veterans of the liberation struggle.

The launch of the Presidential Borehole and Housing Scheme in Binga was hailed by local communities as a solid confirmation of the Second Republic’s commitment to improving rural livelihoods and delivering on President Mnangagwa’s promises.

When the President visited Binga in 2022 he poured his heart out for the community once regarded as marginalised, and pledged to drive transformative projects to ensure the district becomes part of his administration’s inclusive development agenda.

Since then, Binga has continued to be the centre of attention as Government, despite limited fiscal space, continues to roll out of development projects that cut across infrastructure, farming, transport, education, entrepreneurship, housing and basic service delivery, among others.

War veterans in Binga District also benefitted from a US$40 000 revolving fund to start income generating projects.
Beneficiaries of the revolving fund are expected to pay back the money without interest to enable the fund to continue disbursing loans to war veterans.