The government has announced plans to honour the country’s war veterans and civilian collaborators for their role during the liberation struggle against white-minority rule.
According to Lovemore Matuke, the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs in the Office of the President and Cabinet, the government intends to award medals and certificates to these veterans and collaborators.
Addressing members of the Senate last week, Matuke said the government is committed to prioritising the welfare of former combatants and war collaborators as part of this recognition initiative. Said Matuke (via <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/local-news/article/200030001/war-collaborators-to-get-medals-govt">NewsDay</a>):
<blockquote>
This year we expect that indeed we will have a very huge figure and from next year, we expect the war collaborators to also be awarded medals…
All the ministers of State in the 10 provinces will be issuing certificates of appreciation for the role played by the war collaborators as well as other comrades who were not rewarded when the process was done.
</blockquote>
Matuke said the first step will be to register all former combatants. This comprehensive registration process is intended to provide the necessary data to then develop targeted assistance packages for the war veterans.
However, Matuke acknowledged that the provision of this support will be contingent on the “availability of resources” at the government’s disposal.
This caveat suggests the initiative may be constrained by the country’s ongoing economic challenges and budgetary limitations. 
Matuke also said the government will prioritise the maintenance and upkeep of the shrines and memorial sites established to honour the heroes of the liberation struggle. He said:
<blockquote>
The President started with earlier battles such as Phuphu where he visited and showed appreciation for people who fought in that war and ensured that they were given the necessary appreciation.
If you also look at Kangoma in Gutu, Masvingo, the President also went to that area and paid homage to those people who lost their lives as they fought in the liberation struggle.
</blockquote>
After the country’s independence in 1980, the former guerrilla fighters became an influential political force and lobbied the government for greater recognition and benefits.
They continue to wield political and economic clout, often using their liberation war credentials to demand preferential treatment and access to resources.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

The government wants to honor war veterans and civilian helpers for their bravery during the liberation struggle. They will be getting medals and certificates. The government will also provide support to help these veterans. However, the government may face challenges due to limited resources. The veterans played a big role in fighting for the country's independence. They will also focus on maintaining war memorial sites. After independence, these veterans became powerful and continue to demand recognition and benefits.

War Veterans, Collaborators To Get Medals, Certificates - Govt

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said the government is working towards paying war collaborators in accordance with the Veterans of the Liberation Act.
In a speech read on his behalf by Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga at the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Collaborators Association (ZILIWACO) national conference in Nyanga on Saturday, President Mnangagwa said:
<blockquote>
I am aware that those who successfully passed the vetting process are looking forward to receiving what is due to them in accordance with the Veterans of the Liberation Act.
My Government is working on all those issues so that all issues pertaining to this category of veterans of the liberation struggle are constitutionally completed.
The level of patriotism and political astuteness of war collaborators has to be rewarded.
War collaborators did what a lot could not do in a heartfelt expression of love for their motherland.
</blockquote>
Mnangagwa also pledged to avail resources to ZILIWACO for them to effectively campaign for ZANU PF ahead of the 2023 general elections. He said:
<blockquote>
I am fully aware of the campaigning programmes that you as an association have undertaken throughout the country such as ZILIWACO for ED mass mobilisation for the 2023 harmonised elections.
I have received your requests for resources as we move a gear up campaigning for the elections.
Due consideration will be given to the requests and you shall be informed in due course.
</blockquote>
The conference was attended by ZILIWACO members from the country’s 10 provinces. It ran under the theme: “ZILIWACO Celebrating the Successful Vetting of War Collaborators.” | <a href="https://www.sundaynews.co.zw/war-collaborators-to-get-payouts/">The Sunday News</a>

Mnangagwa Pledges Payouts For War Collaborators

Zimbabwe Liberation War Collaborators have been told they can’t get the same benefits as the War Vets but were promised new benefits, The Sunday Mail Reports.
Addressing collaborators who are said to be above 10 000 ED said the govt may not afford to compensate them but it would reward them.
<blockquote>We know that you wanted compensation, but if we go for compensation, no one will want to be left out. But once you are done with your vetting, we have a window of funds that we have arranged for you. There are three or so that have been set up.
We are going to fund these projects for you to empower yourselves. These funds are not for individuals, so you need to set up groups and identify what you can do. We will not forget what you did and we will reward you</blockquote>
War collaborators is another wing of people who played a tremendous role during the war.
More: <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/no-compensation-but-new-benefits-for-war-collaborators">The Sunday Mail </a>

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