War vets fume over fees delays

Chronicle Reporter
WAR veterans in Bulawayo are crying foul over delays in the payment of school fees for their children by the government, which are still outstanding from third term last year. War veterans are entitled to tuition fees payment as part of their benefits for participating in the liberation struggle that brought independence in 1980.

Cde Luke Mpofu, the Bulawayo provincial war veterans’ spokesperson, yesterday said most ex-combatants were struggling to pay fees from their monthly gratuity of $160.

He said about 5,000 former freedom fighters in the city would meet on Sunday to discuss the issue.
“We are very much concerned about our welfare issues. As it is we’ve not received money for 2013 third term school fees and we’re struggling,” he told Chronicle.

“We have organised a meeting in Entumbane, eMaplankeni, to discuss these issues.
“We want to map the way forward and about 5,000 war veterans in the city are expected to attend the meeting.”

Cde Mpofu said war veterans would use the Sunday meeting to come up with a programme of action towards tackling socio-economic problems facing people in the city.

“The meeting starts at 9AM and all war veterans affiliated to Bulawayo province should come. The senior leadership will address us,” he said.