President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reportedly directed that 258 former ZIPRA combatants who were unfairly dismissed from Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) in 1983 be compensated.
The former ZIPRA fighters were fired at the height of Gukurahundi under unclear circumstances.
Two of their comrades were allegedly shot dead at a parade by one of their commanders.
Speaking at former ZIPRA cadres’ meeting held in Bulawayo on Saturday, former ZIPRA commander and ZANU PF politburo member, Tshinga Dube, said:
May I once more applaud His Excellency for solving the problem of those comrades who were unjustly dismissed from ZNA in 1983.
Now, their problem has been solved after almost 40 years and I hear they will be compensated for 40 years’ salaries and also registered into the pension office.
Kutonga kwaro; we must thank H.E. for keeping his promise to say no one will be left behind.
I wish to point out a very brave and consistent young man Duke Moyo and his 258 colleagues who fought their case until victory.
Dube also revealed that Mnangagwa has promised to return the properties seized by the government from the ex-combatants during the Gukurahundi atrocities. He said:
Most comrades who approached the President were told that the government was willing to hand over the properties provided that we go through Vice President (Kembo) Mohadi.
The former ZIPRA fighters contributed their demobilisation payouts and managed to purchase various properties across the country but the properties were seized by the government following the alleged discovery of an arms cache on some of ZAPU’s farms. | NewZimbabwe.com