The Sunday Mail
Robin Muchetu
Government could soon increase monthly allowances of war veterans from roughly US$200 to US$500 following a review of their funeral cover from US$800 to US$2 000. Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators, Ex-Detainees and Restrictees Minister Colonel (Retired) Tshinga Dube revealed this at a meeting organised by the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association (Bulawayo Province) in Entumbane yesterday.He said: “The pension you are getting is too little. We are advocating that it be increased to at least US$500, which will enable you to get a little more than you are getting now. We know the US$500 is also not enough, but it will go a long way as some of you are getting just over US$100 each month. It has been agreed that the funds for assisting in the burial of a war veteran be increased from US$800 to US$2 000 so that burial is done in a proper manner. This has already been agreed upon and will start immediately.”
The minister also said: “It is a wise idea to have funds in provincial coffers for the smooth flow of activities. When everything is done in Harare, there can be delays, especially when we are dealing with death. Death does not give warning; it comes suddenly and people need the money immediately.” Regarding classification of veterans, he said, “Before, we had different categories that were called collaborators, restrictees and ex-detainees, widows and so on, but that has changed. We will all be recognised as veterans of the liberation struggle so that we encompass everyone under that title despite the role you played during the war.
“Some people who were refugees and cooks are being looked down upon yet they played a pivotal role in the war. We have some who never trained due to the limitation of resources, but they had roles that they played and they must be respected.”
He also spoke on rogue veterans.“When people defect from a grouping, they should look for a new name and not use our name and cause problems. Joice Mujuru is no longer with Zanu-PF and is now going under a new name; not Zanu-PF. These defectors must find a new name for themselves. We know that they are being sponsored by other forces.” The veterans told their minister that they were being sidestepped on critical programmes such as housing, and advocated employment quotas for their children at schools and health institutions.
