Retired Major Chester Chizama, a former ZIPRA commander, said even after the government gazetted the War Veterans Act in 1997 to improve the lives of war vets, the combatants were still living from hand to mouth.
“In 1997 the war vets received Z$50 000 each. But that was only a teaspoon considering that the funds came after a 17 year vacuum. Even if they are still getting pensions they are struggling to make ends meet,” he said.
The former ZIPRA commander said the trust was targeting all war veterans as well as post independence retired veteran soldiers.
Chizama said after 1980, the ex fighters were either absorbed into the military or dispersed. Compensation for them did not match their expectations.
“Some war vets hadn’t gone to school when they left for the war and after independence it was difficult for them to be employed as they had no educational qualifications. Some tried to engage in various projects but only a few were successful,” he said.
The retired major said even though some war vets received land they had few farming inputs therefore affecting their output.
“The war vets had little or no machinery and as one may know with farming it’s what you put in that matters. For example some war veterans have 30 to 40 hectares, but they only manage to till an acre which is not enough for them personally and is also inadequate for the country’s economy,” he said
“We are currently engaged in the mobilisation of resources. We have international friends who can help us raise funds such as the American Veterans Association, the Russian Veterans Association, the Chinese Veterans Association, the British Veterans Association and the West Germany Veterans Association,” said Chizama.
“Our aim is to open offices at every province and reach to district level. We are also seeking professional people to run the trust. We are going to advertise for the post,” he added.
Post published in: Zimbabwe News