Representing the Trust at a parliamentary hearing on war veterans’ affairs recently, MDC-N President Welshman Ncube said it was time the confiscated assets were returned to their rightful owners.
“It is disturbing to learn that ZIPRA veterans continued to live in poverty while some people were benefitting from the confiscated assets. If the assets are returned to us, they will help to restore our fortune,” Ncube told the Portfolio Committee on Defence chaired by Glenview Member of Parliament Paul Madzore.
The Mugabe government confiscated farms and other assets belonging to ZIPRA during the Gukurahundi military campaign. Madzore told the house that his committee would only take note of the concerns and submit them to relevant government departments for action. “As a committee we do not have immediate answers but I will forward your issues to responsible offices for response,” he said.
Director of the war veterans department in the ministry of defence, Retired Brigadier Ruwodo, said the issue of the confiscated assets was sensitive and being looked into from a political point of view.
“The issue of the ZIPRA owned property is considered political and is being treated as such,” Ruwodo told parliament. ZIPRA immovable properties such as farms, hotels and houses were grabbed by the Mugabe administration as it claimed arms caches were discovered at the farms and other property.
Pressure on Mugabe to surrender the properties to ZAPU mounted following the disengagement of ZAPU from the ZANU-ZAPU unity accord signed between the two former liberation parties in December 1987. Seized properties including 13 farms owned by ZAPU are reportedly being leased to top government officials.
Post published in: News