War veterans to get solar boreholes, houses

Trust Freddy

MORE than 1 000 rural-based veterans of the liberation struggle will benefit from the newly launched Presidential War Veterans Rural Housing Scheme, which is geared towards complementing other schemes underway.

The programme is aimed at providing decent housing for war veterans while ensuring they benefit from solar energy schemes.

Each war veteran will also have access to a solar-powered borehole at their home.

Special Presidential Investment Adviser to the United Arab Emirates Dr Paul Tungwarara spearheaded the launch at Dewedzo High School in Makoni West, Rusape, Manicaland province. As of yesterday, eight solarised boreholes had been drilled at war veterans’ homes in Manicaland within 48 hours as part of a pilot project expected to be expanded nationwide.

Manicaland province also received US$150 000 from the War Veterans Fund.

The overall fund is expected to grow to US$10 million by June 2025, with each province set to receive US$1 million.

Makoni West Member of Parliament Dr Jenfan Muswere, who is also the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, hailed President Mnangagwa’s leadership and initiatives geared towards improving the welfare of war veterans.

“Due to President Mnangagwa’s excellent leadership, the land is now being transferred into the hands of the black majority, and with the introduction of the title deeds scheme, we now have security of tenure, which enables us to access loans from banks,” he said.

“As Government, we are finalising the vetting of war veterans, and this process shall take a bit of time so that we can ensure that everyone who participated during the war receives the war veteran status, in line with the good job that they did during the war.”

Dr Tungwarara made assurances that all war veterans’ welfare programmes would continue running concurrently.

“Together, let us forge a future where our war veterans are celebrated and their contributions are recognised as integral to our national identity,” he said.

“Let us remember, as His Excellency reminds us, that nyika inovakwa nevene vayo.

“This initiative aims to improve the lives of our war veterans, with an initial allocation of US$150 000 per province, and the fund is interest-free, enabling our war veterans to embark on projects that stimulate our economy.”

Minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs Senator Monica Mavhunga said: “We are very happy about this Presidential borehole drilling scheme because this programme allows war veterans to embark on different income-generating projects, and the surrounding community will also benefit from these projects.

“Although this programme may have started late, we are glad that our President has initiated it, and now we are receiving water, loans and war veterans are undertaking various projects.”

She also reaffirmed war veterans’ support for the resolution to extend President Mnangagwa’s term to 2030, emphasising that veterans of the liberation struggle are beneficiaries of his leadership.

ZANU PF Secretary for War Veterans, Ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees in the Politburo Cde Douglas Mahiya said: “War veterans are truly excited; the President has remembered the war veterans, and we wish for this to continue to happen because this did not happen over the past 40 years, and it is happening now.

“That is why war veterans, Cde President, you are not going anywhere because you still need to do a lot for the war veterans.

“He needs to continue drilling boreholes, building houses for war veterans and supporting the welfare of war veterans.”

Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Advocate Misheck Mugadza was optimistic that the schemes would boost agricultural yields.

“Our province mainly relies on agriculture, so with these boreholes, it means war veterans are now embarking on agriculture full throttle, because water is very critical in their production.”

During the event, 200 war veterans received food hampers and US$200 each.