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Minister Mnangagwa told guests who attended the colourful event on Tuesday that accommodation remained a key basic need that also contributed immensely to the development of a nation.
“I want to inform this gathering that Zimbabwe as a nation is a signatory to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which should be achieved by the year 2015.
“These are meant to spur development by improving social and economic conditions of our people and the Zimbabwe Defence Forces Benefit Fund is playing its part in the fulfillment of the MDGs through the provision of housing since its inception way back in 1988,” he said.
“As the army, we thought it was not proper for us to leave everything to the Government and we decided to set up this housing fund.”
Minister Mnangagwa said the Benefit Fund was a nationwide programme benefiting all members drawn from the defence forces.
He urged the beneficiaries, who are all members of the ZDF, to desist from the temptation of disposing their houses in a bid to raise quick money.
“Please take note; these houses are for your families. Do not dispose them as a way of making quick money. Remember that the few dollars so raised may be blown in a matter of minutes while a house in your possession is an asset for life. I urge you to develop them fully to the specification that you want and in conformity with the Gweru City Council by-laws,” said Minister Mnangagwa.
He commended the management team of the benefit fund for moving a rung up in the provision of accommodation, from a culture of handing over stands with slabs only to beneficiaries to handing over houses.
He said handing over core houses allowed beneficiaries to move in immediately once the official hand-over ceremony was concluded.
“Beneficiaries will then complete their houses over time. This way, we mitigate the accommodation challenges facing most of the members and their families,” said Minister Mnangagwa.
He paid tribute to the Midlands Governor, Jason Machaya for providing land in cities and towns in the province to ZDF Benefit Fund for the construction of members’ houses.
He also expressed gratitude to the Nehosho community for accommodating and welcoming the ZDF Benefit Fund in their area.
“It is my conviction that you will live in harmony with the ZDF members who from today will be your neighbours. They are members of a disciplined army, integrate them into your community. And to you the beneficiaries, I challenge you to be good citizens who obey the laws of the land and not to parade your profession as a soldier even when at home,” said Minister Mnangagwa.
Speaking at the same event, Governor Machaya said the province’s local authorities were prepared to avail more land to the ZDF and other citizens for the development of residential stands.
He said his office had already set aside 1 000 stands in Shurugwi and Zvishavane for ZDF Benefit Fund members.
“Let us all remember that the biggest beneficiaries of such programmes are the children. Tribes are born and prosper from a family set-up whose members live in a house.
“Children need a house for them to grow and there are certain countries that are at war where children are born in the bush. We want to, therefore, to thank His Excellency, President Mugabe for bringing peace to our country. Our country has peace and this brings about development,” said Governor Machaya.
Present at the handover event were, ZDF commander General Constantine Chiwenga, Zimbabwe National Army commander, Lieutenant-General Philip Sibanda, Midlands Provincial Administrator Ms Cecilia Chitiyo, senior army and Government officials as well as the Benefit Fund’s beneficiaries.
Online Reporter