adminNqobile Tshili Chronicle Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees, and Restrictees’ Association (ZEPPDRA) last week conducted a fresh vetting exercise for its members who were left out in the previous exercise.ZEPPDRA national secretary general Cde Douglas Ndlovu yesterday said about 52 cadres were successfully vetted in Bulawayo since the start of the programme on Tuesday.
“The turnout was low maybe because members did not know that vetting was taking place. We are calling for non-vetted members to approach our offices so that they can be assisted,” he said.
“We will engage government to extend the vetting period and members should register with their local offices. We expect those who have been vetted to start receiving their allowances from the social welfare department for their contributions during liberation war.”
Scores of un-vetted members thronged Zanu-PF Bulawayo offices, Davies Hall, last week to participate in the exercise but few benefited from rural provinces.
ZEPPDRA vice-national chairman Rev Eliah Masiyane said the vetting process was a national programme and urged all concerned members to take advantage of it.
“They fought for independence and should be recognised for that. Some of them lost everything because of their participation in the war,” he said.
Excited ex-detainees who had been just vetted said it was an honour to be recognised for their contribution.
“I was in in Zapu and got arrested on May, 1, 1978. I spent four months at Stops Camp,” said 78-year-old Handwell Ndlovu.
Some complained that although the process was noble, it had taken too long as some of the members died before benefiting.
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