Source: Govt queries war vets population | The Herald October 12, 2016
Nqobile Tshili Bulawayo Bureau
Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators and Ex-Political Detainees Minister Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube has queried the number of registered freedom fighters, saying it has remained static even though a number of them have died over the years. Rtd Col Dube told Bulawayo journalists last Friday that ex-freedom fighters’ figures could be much lower.
“We’ve 34 000 registered war veterans, but with the way they are dying at a very fast pace and old age, it’s difficult to ascertain their numbers. We also have 5 000 detainees and restrictees,” said Rtd Col Dube.
He said his ministry was struggling to register war collaborators as the verification process was proving to be difficult.
Rtd Col Dube said he was not in a position to reveal the amount of money the Government was spending on war veterans’ allowances each month as it varies per individual.
He said war veterans allowances depended on the extent of injuries suffered during the country’s war of independence.
“I can’t tell you how much each one gets from the war veterans pension. It depends on the percentage of incapacitation. Some were five percent others 20 percent and others lost all their legs they are given about 80 percent,” he said.
COMMENTS
Looks like the number is now going down fast. Last month the Herald reported 43 000, so that’s 9 000 died in a month. At this rate of decline they’ll all be dead before 31st January. Lucky for Bob that’s he’s not a real war vet.
It seems that all is not in order in that Ministry with that very long name overseen by our Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube.
War Veterans, War Collaborators and Ex-Political Detainees are dying at a fast rate according to Dube, but he also states that strangely their numbers are standing still.
Come on Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube, surely this makes even you smell a big rat.
But why should it? From the last paragraph you seem to think that veterans of our Struggle have more than two legs, as you say that ex fighters who have “lost all their legs” get a 80% pension.
What about the poor souls that lost only two legs. Do they get less than 80%?
Tshinga Dube’s stats. are weird!!
Cde Tshinga you do not trust your Auditors….to my side i believe the figure for Warveterens is correct….they have long live like their Patron RG Mugabe and you too Comrade Dube…..how old are you?….i believe you are part of the same grade…Warveterans must live to 90 Years than to die early….if one one is dead..as a Minister do a follow-up to cancel his allowances…..than to keep guessing to how many they are…that nonsense….that means your Ministry is corrupt…..do a follow-up to every file regarding your Warveterans….