They presented their demands to self-styled war veteran leader, Douglas Chitekuteku, and Zanu (PF) District Coordinating Committee Member, Gudo.
“We children of former gallant fighters equally deserve special preference and should be entitled to government gratuities and a monthly life pension scheme. Our parents fought in the armed struggle for their children to live comfortable lives. We need the pension package soon,” said one of the members.
Chitekuteku assured them that government would address their demands but not without conditions.
“True, you deserve what you are asking for but you must meet part of your obligation as off-spring of former freedom fighters. Never support the MDC as doing so would be betrayal of what your parents fought for. Be Zanu (PF) for life and your demands would receive a favourable response from government,” Chitekuteku told the restless group.
Those present also asked government to give them special preference regarding job opportunities, saying they were ‘better humans’ than those whose parents did not participate in the armed liberation struggle for Zimbabwe’s independence.
Gratuities awarded to war veterans by the Zanu (PF) regime in the mid 1990s were accused by economists of plunging the country into an economic abyss. War veterans received unbudgeted Z$50 000 gratuities and continue to benefit from monthly pensions. Many of the beneficiaries were war veterans of questionable credentials.
Post published in: Zimbabwe News