Online Reporter
Fungai Lupande
Mashonaland Central Bureau
WAR veterans in Mashonaland Central Province have secured 270 hectares of prime land in Mazowe, earmarked for a multi-million-dollar real estate and tourism development project.
In an interview, Cde Richard Chirongwe, who is spearheading the project, said they intended to use the land as collateral security.
The land surrounds Jumbo Dam in Mazowe and is located just 10 kilometres from the new administrative capital in Mt Hampden.
This site has been designated for the development of a high-end tourist resort centre, similar to Mazvikadei in Zvimba.
The land, which is in proximity to Prince Charles Airport, will accommodate golf resorts, holiday homes, shopping malls, hotels, a wellness centre for war veterans, and low-density suburbs.
“The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has allocated us this land, and all the paperwork is in order,” said Cde Chirongwe.
“AFC Bank has been tasked with assisting in the development and management of this project. Once we obtain the title deeds, the land will be accessible to investors.”
Cde Chirongwe expressed gratitude to President Mnangagwa and the relevant Government ministries for their support.
“Blood was shed for Zimbabwe to be free, and many sacrificed their lives for a better future. We are pleased to see the vision that freedom fighters had coming to fruition,” Cde Chirongwe explained.
“This development follows the establishment of the War Veterans Family Wealth Trust in 2024.
“The trust was created to help war veterans access financial assistance by providing collateral.
“The objective of the trust is to help war veterans secure collateral. It acts as a guarantor for them.
“We will train all war veterans on legal matters and how the trust operates, ensuring everyone benefits in groups according to provinces.”
The trust also extends to the families of war veterans for perpetual succession. This allows each family to create its own trust that will benefit directly from the fund.
A database detailing the living conditions of all war veterans has already been compiled.Drawing from his experience with a credit and savings society, Transcoop, Cde Chirongwe said he took inspiration from India.
“At Transcoop, members contribute one dollar each per day into a pooled account that can then be used as collateral to borrow from a bank,” he said.
“I adopted this concept for war veterans, focusing on acquiring urban land with title deeds to provide security.”
Cde Chirongwe also revealed that the trust has been offered land in Victoria Falls for a memorial village, and land in Nyanga for another project.
Negotiations are underway for land in Chitungwiza’s WaterView for an information centre to help families trace missing loved ones.
In addition to real estate, war veterans are pursuing agricultural projects to complement the Presidential War Veterans Revolving Fund.
Cde Chirongwe said they are creating agricultural hubs for beneficiaries of the Presidential fund.
“We are collaborating with the Agricultural Marketing Authority and ZimTrade to identify markets for produce, ensuring that war veterans plant for an existing market,” he said.
There are also plans for a housing scheme that will feature semi-detached twin houses, with one unit serving to pay off the loan while the family occupies the other.
Taking advantage of the 20 percent quota for stand allocations by local authorities, the trust plans to service blocks of stands.
Cde Chirongwe said they plan to construct memorial hospitals for war veterans injured during the liberation struggle.
The War Veterans Family Wealth Trust is now registered and actively bidding for agricultural inputs and chemicals.
“We are working diligently to build assets for our fund,” said Cde Chirongwe.
“We received a PRAZ certificate for hiring farming equipment. The President has also provided us with tractors on a zero-deposit basis, which we will hire out through AFC Bank. “Furthermore, we are negotiating with a Chinese company to supply trucks using our collateral security.”
Through these initiatives, war veterans aim to secure financial independence, honour their sacrifices, and build a lasting legacy for their families.
