The government committed itself to assisting war veterans in paying tuition fees, but has not yet released the funds.
Many veterans say they have not had any educational assistance since 1998, alleging that funds destined for them are being looted at the Social Welfare Ministry.
Amounts vary according to the fees of educational institutions, but the government is supposed to reimburse beneficiaries of the system who use their own money to pay fees.
Andrew Ndlovu, who once attempted to take over the leadership Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), complained over the late release of the funds.
I am one of the few beneficiaries and our children are being chased away from school for not paying fees as the funds are yet to be released. There have to be changes of the system where schools deal directly with the Ministry and let our children attend lessons, said Ndlovu.
We have submitted forms for educational assistance but the Ministry has been quiet as to when they are releasing the funds, arguing that they want to first reach a specific number before they disburse them.
Spokesperson of the ZNLWVA Bulawayo chapter, Velaphi Ncube, agreed: Some of our comrades’ children have dropped out of school altogether.
He said that even when the government did provide fees, the amount was a small percentage of what was needed.
Nicholas Goche, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, said: If the war veterans have complaints…they should approach me and not papers, as they do not pay them.
In November 1997, under the late Hitler Hunzvi, the government bowed to pressure from the liberation war fighters and awarded them gratuities and monthly allowances.
The release of the unbudgeted funds by the government saw the local currency tumbling against major currencies in what became known as Black Friday.
Post published in: News