War vets League to unlock opportunities for members

Remember Deketeke, Herald Correspondent

THE War Veterans League yesterday resolved to work towards unlocking economic opportunities to improve their welfare, particularly through the implementation of the War Veterans Family Wealth Trust.

Addressing journalists at the organisation’s fourth national executive meeting at Zanu PF Headquarters in Harare, the ruling party’s Secretary for War Veterans, Cde Douglas Mahiya, said the trust would address issues affecting war veterans.

“The Americans, the British that were here took our land and got security from the Commonwealth to be able to unlock the funds necessary for the development they achieved over the period they colonised Zimbabwe.

“The War Veterans Family Wealth Trust should unlock the economic synergies available to tackle the welfare of war veterans when they are alive. Even if they are dead, their children will take over so this trust is meant to look after war veterans as they embark on their individual programmes,” he said.

Cde Mahiya said the Second Republic had declared readiness to assist war veterans in terms of economic empowerment.

“As such, our department is already working with relevant Government departments and stakeholders to operationalise the trust.

“All war veterans should be able to put in place an income generating project for themselves,” said Cde Mahiya adding that trust would not only benefit them, but also generations to come.

Cde Mahiya said the trust was expected to economically empower more than 60 000 families of war veterans at an average of about $600 000 per project.

The War Veterans League was determined to turn former freedom fighters into entrepreneurs who would contribute significantly to the Gross Domestic Product.