Fungai Lupande-Mashonaland Central Bureau
Liberation war veterans in Mashonaland Central have received a major empowerment boost after the Government stationed a permanent borehole drilling rig in the province and released a combined US$150 000 for war collaborators, non-combatants, ex-political detainees and restrictees.
The drilling rig will be operated as a commercial enterprise by provincial war veterans, with proceeds from borehole drilling being channelled into a locally managed fund for their benefit.
Speaking during the handover ceremony yesterday, Presidential Adviser on Investment Dr Paul Tungwarara said the rig would remain in Mashonaland Central instead of being moved between provinces.
This gives war veterans permanent access to the equipment while creating an income-generating asset.
“The rig will move around the province, drilling boreholes at war veterans’ homesteads,” said Dr Tungwarara.
“When it drills at a war veteran’s homestead, they will charge for the service and issue an invoice. The proceeds will be paid into the fund for the benefit of war veterans. So, it is a commercial enterprise that has been given to the war veterans.”
He said the income generated would be pooled into a fund managed locally for the benefit of war veterans.
The rig will initially drill boreholes for war veterans on a beneficiary list prepared by the provincial leadership, with the programme expected to expand to other provinces.
“We started with Manicaland, where we left a rig. Today we have come to Mashonaland Central and left another rig. We will continue to other provinces until all provinces have received one,” he said.
Dr Tungwarara also announced US$50 000 each for war collaborators, non-combatants, and ex-political detainees and restrictees, bringing the total allocation for the three groups in Mashonaland Central to US$150 000.
He said additional funds for Mujibhas and Chimbwidos had also been brought to the province for transparent handover to the provincial leadership.
War veterans were also informed that the Government was targeting the construction of 100 houses for war veterans in every province during each Independence anniversary cycle.
Zanu PF Secretary for War Veterans Affairs in the Politburo, Cde Douglas Mahiya, said the provincial leadership should identify land for the housing programme as part of ongoing efforts to improve the welfare of former liberation fighters.
“We want to appeal to our Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution to ensure that sufficient land is identified for the construction of 100 houses. Let the programme commence without delay,” he said.
Cde Mahiya also called for unity among war veterans amid disagreements surrounding the CAA3 process, saying party decisions should be respected and that disputes should not be taken to the courts by individuals seeking to overturn collective decisions.
“Nobody has the authority to say the party held a Camp Three meeting and, because he abstained, it should therefore not proceed,” he said.
Cde Mahiya said liberation war credentials, military ranks or medals did not place individuals above party structures.
“People can come into the party and people can leave, but the party will remain,” he said.
He added that the Government was extending the Presidential Health Assessment Programme to war veterans in Mashonaland Central following its successful implementation in Mashonaland East.
Under the programme, war veterans will undergo medical assessments, with health records maintained at provincial level to enable illnesses to be detected and treated early.
Cde Mahiya also outlined plans for a War Veterans Family Wealth Trust, which is intended to create long-term economic assets and provide funding for income-generating projects that benefit war veterans and their families.
Mashonaland Central War Veterans League chairperson Cde Martin Kwainona welcomed the empowerment package, saying access to water was critical to improving the health and livelihoods of former liberation fighters.
“We have been given a drilling rig and funding for a revolving fund, all as part of President Mnangagwa’s efforts to ensure that the lives of war veterans are uplifted,” he said.
Source: War vets receive major empowerment windfall – herald
COMMENTS