Laboratory Technician (Harare)

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 <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200009868/120-000-more-join-war-vets-gravy-train">NewsDay</a>, 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:
<blockquote>
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.
</blockquote>
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: <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

120 000 More War Veterans Vetted, To Receive Govts Payouts

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has conferred Liberation War Hero status to two war veterans from Bulawayo Province who both died last week.
Both Themba Mlala (65) and Rogers Ngugama Hlabano (91) died on June 23 at Mpilo Central Hospital.
Hlabano will be buried on Thursday, 30 June at Maraposa village, Umguza under Chief Deli, Matabeleland North Province.
Mlala, whose war pseudo name was “Simon Mabhatshi”, will be buried at Ngombane village under Chief Mabhikwa, Lupane over the weekend.
ZANU PF Secretary for Administration Obert Mpofu has requested the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Mischeck Sibanda to make the usual arrangements for burial and payment of benefits to both families.
Meanwhile, another war veteran Mafukanyika Dube (64) has died.
Dube died on 26 June at his Pumula South suburb in Bulawayo.
Dube, whose war de Guerre name was “Sihle Khumalo” will also be buried at the weekend at Chibako village under Chief Bhango in Matabeleland South Province.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/three-war-veterans-die-in-bulawayo/">Chronicle</a></h4>

Three War Veterans Die In Bulawayo

Forty (40) war veterans who were arrested in central Harare on Tuesday for protesting paltry pension payouts are being charged with inciting public violence.
Following the arrests at Africa Unity Square, some of the ex-combatants were taken to Harare Central, Highlands, Rhodesville and Borrowdale police stations where they are still being kept.
The war veterans intended to march from Africa Unit Square to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s office where they would submit a petition detailing their grievances.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLRH) said they are being charged with inciting public violence. ZLHR said:
<blockquote>
ZRP are charging 40 former liberation war veterans with participating in gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of the peace or bigotry as defined in section 37 of the Criminal Code.
ZRP accuses the former freedom fighters of singing “revolutionary” songs after they allegedly refused to comply with a directive to only allow 5 of them to hand over a petition detailing their grievances against the Government at Munhumutapa building and parliament.
The 40 war veterans are still detained separately at Harare Central, Highlands, Rhodesville and Borrowdale Police Stations
The war veterans are being charged after we wrote a letter to ZRP Commissioner-General demanding their release stating that their arrest was arbitrary and unlawful as they had not been advised of the charge since around 10 am when they were arrested on Tuesday.
We indicated that ZRP’s actions were a violation of the war veterans’ fundamental right to liberty enshrined in the constitution.
</blockquote>
The war veterans are represented by human rights lawyers Paida Saurombe, Blessing Nyamaropa and others.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/40-arrested-war-vets-charged-with-inciting-public-violence-by-singing-revolutionary-songs/">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

War Veterans Arrested In Harare Charged With Inciting Public Violence

War veterans who were arrested in Harare on Tuesday for protesting over paltry stipends said the country has regressed to the Rhodesian era where they were not allowed to freely air their grievances.
The protesting ex-combatants, who are members of the War Veterans’ Welfare Pressure Group (WVWPG) and drawn from across the country’s provinces, accused President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government of neglecting them.
A war veteran from Mvurwi, Obert Hazvinei Machingura, said the former combatants were holding protests because of false promises made by Mnangagwa’s government. Said Machingura:
<blockquote>
We have seen other groups, including the ruling party itself, being permitted to conduct protests, but we are being blocked,” Machingura said.
We have gone back to the (late former Rhodesia Prime Minister Ian) Smith regime. We are not allowed to speak.
Why is it so hard for the authorities to allow us to submit our petition to the President?
We are wallowing in poverty, but we contributed immensely to the liberation of the country.
Some of us lost limbs, relatives and homes to free the country, but what is the reward for that? Nothing.
</blockquote>
Another war veteran, Mildred Chimurenga, who came all the way from Kwekwe, said the arrests were an indication that there was limited freedom of expression in the country under Mnangagwa. She said:
<blockquote>
Government should be committed to improving our welfare the same way we dedicated our lives to the liberation of this country.
We have been reduced to beggars when we deprived ourselves of some freedoms and opportunities to enrich ourselves and chose to go to war. However, only a few are enjoying the benefits.
</blockquote>
MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa said war veterans deserved respect and instead of harassing and terrorising them, the government should address their grievances.
About 40 ex-combatants were detained at Harare Central Police Station after they gathered at the Africa Unity Square to protest over the $16 000 monthly allowances they are getting from the government.
Others were detained at Rhodesville and Borrowdale police stations.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2021/10/war-veterans-dump-zanu-pf/">NewsDay</a></h4>

We Have Gone Back To The Smith Regime - War Vets

MDC Alliance president Nelson Chamisa has called on President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s government to respect fighters of Zimbabwe’s war of independence and address their grievances rather than harass them.
This come after several war veterans were arrested in central Harare on Tuesday for protesting against poor pension stipends.
Chamisa took to Twitter this Wednesday morning to express solidarity with the incarcerated ex-combatants, saying his government will never “ignore or forget” them. <a href="https://twitter.com/nelsonchamisa/status/1453215795639721991">He said:</a>
<blockquote>
AS A PEOPLE’S GOVERNMENT we will never harass, terrorize, disrespect, victimize, ignore or forget our war veterans and liberation heroes.
Their welfare and dignity is and shall be our top priority. All their grievances must be addressed. Stop arresting and harassing our liberation heroes.
</blockquote>
About 40 war veterans were detained at various police stations in Harare, with some taken to Harare Central Police Station, while the rest were taken to Rhodesville and Borrowdale police stations.
The veterans had gathered at the Africa Unity Square to protest over the $16 000 monthly allowances they are getting from the government when police in riot gear swooped on them.
This is the second time the war veterans have been arrested this year.
In August, nine of them were arrested for protesting at Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube’s offices, demanding a review of their pension benefits.
They were, however, released in the dead of night without charge, allegedly following instructions “from the top”.
<h4>More: <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h4>

Chamisa Pledges To Prioritise War Veterans' Welfare

The government and the ZANU PF war veterans wing have buried more than 130 liberation war fighters who were killed by Rhodesian forces in Manicaland in the 1970s.
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Laboratory Technician (Harare)