Chronicle Editor
Yoliswa Dube-Moyo, Mat South Bureau Chief
THE Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Loan Scheme is now operational as Government moves to improve the welfare of ex-combatants while at the same time reducing pressure on the fiscus.
Government has also put in place systems to operationalise the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Fund investment vehicles that are expected to generate resources to cater for the welfare of war veterans.
President Mnangagwa launched the investment vehicles in June this year and these are expected to generate income for the Fund which is then invested into different projects to benefit war veterans.
One of the empowerment vehicles is the War Veterans Investment Corporation, a holding company wholly owned by war veterans through the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Board.
The company has seven subsidiaries: Veterans Agricultural Company, Veterans Mining Company, Veterans Financial Services, Veterans Health Services, Veterans Tourism Company, Veterans Property Development Company and Veterans Security Company.
The operations of the Veterans Investment Corporation are expected to generate inflows into the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Fund.
Speaking during a meeting with war veterans from the province in Gwanda on Saturday, Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Board chairman Retired Major-General Gibson Mashingaidze said the primary role of the Veterans Investment Corporation is to engage in activities that will grow the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Fund so that more benefits can be disbursed to war veterans.
“The Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Loan Scheme is now operational for the first time. In order to grow the scheme, the Board resolved that the scheme be pension based.
The scheme is administered by POSB until we establish our own banking institution. I am aware that the maximum loan amount is inadequate but this will be reviewed from time to time as the scheme grows,” said Rtd Major General Mashingaidze.
He said a total of 205 753 applicants had so far registered in preparation for vetting.
“The inclusion of Non-Combatant Cadres and War Collaborators in the Act implies that there is need for vetting of these comrades in order for them to receive legal recognition.
The vetting exercise should commence as soon as funds are availed. We intend to put closure on the vetting of War Veterans and Ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees by urging all those who did not register to come to vetting centres that will be published in due course,” said Rtd Major General Mashingaidze.
He said in terms of Section 12 of the Act, war veterans are entitled to a basic monthly pension, education benefits, medical cover, 20 percent of land gazetted for resettlement and funeral grants.
“Veterans and their children are also entitled to education benefits at Government schools or educational institutions and in the event of them or their children attending school at non-governmental institutions, they are entitled to educational benefits equivalent in amount to the fees payable at Government schools or institutions.
In addition, veterans, their spouses and children are entitled to full medical cover in the event of illness.
In the unfortunate occurrence of death, families of deceased veterans are entitled to funeral grants. Finally, Veterans of the Liberation Struggle are entitled to 20 percent of land gazetted for resettlement,” said Rtd Major General Mashingaidze. – @Yolisswa
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