120 000 More War Veterans Vetted, To Receive Govts Payouts
The government has vetted more than 120 000 ex-combatants, including ex-detainees so that they can receive monthly pay-outs and other related benefits in recognition of their role during the country’s 1970s liberation war.
According to a statement released by Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri, seen by NewsDay, the Government rejected applications from 11 330 aspirants classified as war collaborators, non-combatant cadres and detainees.
Those who were rejected failed to meet a legal requirement that one should have been 16 years by 31 December 1979 for consideration. Part of the statement read:
A total of 207 103 applicants registered for vetting in 2021 and 150 434 were vetted in 2022, leaving a balance of 56 669.
Statistically, this means that 72% of veterans of all categories were vetted, implying that another 28% remained outstanding.
The major problem with this analysis is that there are some veterans who did not register in 2021, but turned up for the vetting exercise.
Similarly, there are other veterans who registered but did not turn up for vetting.
She said the approved war veterans will be gazetted for 30 days before they are accredited as liberation struggle veterans.
In 1997, war veterans pressured the government to pay them $50 000 in gratuities and other benefits for their role in the liberation struggle.
However, war collaborators and non-combatant cadres were left out.
More: Pindula News
