Online Reporter
Lovemore Kadzura
Mutare Bureau
WAR veterans have praised the Second Republic, led by President Mnangagwa, for prioritising their welfare through various socio-economic programmes aimed at empowerment.
Speaking on the sidelines of a meeting with war veterans from Manicaland in Mutare yesterday, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) national chairman, Cde Cephas Ncube, said the Government is committed to addressing their concerns.
He noted that the Second Republic has opened doors for war veterans, ensuring that their grievances receive prompt attention.
Cde Ncube said his executive team is undertaking a nationwide tour to gather insights into the challenges faced by war veterans, which will be presented to the national leadership for resolution.
“As the national association for war veterans that was endorsed and ordained by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, we are moving around the country meeting war veterans,” he said.
“We are meeting face-to-face to hear their concerns and challenges they are facing in their day-to-day life.”
Cde Ncube said the era of national executives imposing decisions on members is over, as they are now engaging directly with comrades to understand their needs.
He also stressed that while solutions may take time, their relationship with the Government is strong.
“The issue of our welfare cannot be discussed and solutions proffered overnight. It will be attended to and solved as we go,” Cde Ncube said.
He expressed appreciation for the opportunity to present their issues to the national leadership and their patron, President Mnangagwa.
Cde Ncube said there has been an influx of programmes tailored for war veterans from various sectors.
“We will continue to push for more presentations and appeals to the President for more programmes for us,” he added.
In addition to advocating for better welfare, Cde Ncube called for increased representation of veterans in Government.
“At the same time, we do not want to be cry-babies, but it is our time to demand quotas in areas such as Parliament or in Government departments — we must get it,” he said.
President Mnangagwa has given them a mandate to engage with all ministries related to war veterans’ welfare, and they are actively working on this initiative, said Cde Ncube.
“We are in the process of doing that and we have already met some ministries and departments. Some things might take long to materialise, but we are on the right track,” he said.
Manicaland provincial chairman for the association, Cde Taimon Musendo, echoed these sentiments, saying that initiatives such as housing construction, borehole drilling and solarisation of homes will not only empower veterans but also restore their dignity in their communities.
“Our welfare in the past had been neglected, and comrades are happy that now there is some tangible action to improve our socio-economic standing,” he said.
Cde Musendo praised President Mnangagwa’s vision, noting that it has been well received among their members.
He said the village solarisation programme launched by the Government would benefit every war veteran.
“As comrades, we should benefit whilst still alive, so that we can leave something for our children and grandchildren, who will emulate us.”
Cde Musendo also spoke about a housing project set to launch in Buhera district, emphasising that every comrade will have a house constructed for them.
“There is also the ongoing borehole drilling scheme for our members. We call upon those implementing the programme to move with speed.”
