Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. A FACTION of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) has told Zanu PF politicians to respect ex-combatants and stop using them as campaign tools in the raging ruling party’s succession race.
The Andrease Ethan Mathibela-led-ZNLWVA made the statement in response to a pledge by businessman Kudakwashe Tagwirei for funeral cover for ex-combatants.
Tagwirei, who was recently co-opted into Zanu PF’s central committee, made the pledge at a Harare inter-district meeting on Wednesday.
In a statement, the ZNLWVA said ex-combatants did not need funeral cover, but genuine empowerment for their role during the armed struggle.
“The ZNLWVA notes with profound concern, disbelief and indignation the recent utterances by a novice politician proposing funeral policies as a form of empowerment for the gallant veterans of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle,” the statement read.
“Such a proposal is not only misguided, it is an insult, a curse and a direct assault on the dignity of those who liberated this nation.
“War veterans did not sacrifice their youth, their futures, their limbs, their health, and in many cases, their very lives, so that one day they could be ‘empowered’ with burial schemes.”
Tagwirei’s pledge emerged at a time when war veterans have pleaded with the government for improved welfare and recognition.
For several years, party loyalists, chiefs and legislators have received high-end vehicles as well as other luxury assets such as mansions and property while ex-combatants wallow in poverty.
“We fought for freedom, land, sovereignty, justice, and generational dignity. To reduce this monumental legacy to a funeral policy is to trivialise the liberation struggle and belittle its heroes, both living and departed,” Mathibela added.
“We, therefore, openly condemn and vigorously scorn such reckless statements.
“They represent a dangerous misunderstanding of the liberation ethos, shocking disrespect for national history, a failure of political maturity and leadership, distortion of what empowerment truly means, and a betrayal of the sacrifices made during the Second Chimurenga.”
Mathibela urged the government to prioritise the welfare of war veterans by providing access to health and medical support activities, land title deeds and full inclusion in local economic opportunities, among other incentives.
“No serious, patriotic or informed leader, new or old, should ever propose such a degrading initiative. War veterans are nation builders, not charity cases waiting for burial handouts,” he said.
“Real empowerment includes: land securitisation and title deeds, access to health and medical support services, decent pensions and regular upward review, income-generating projects and business capitalisation.
“A funeral policy is not one of them.”
The government has been condemned for making empty promises, as the welfare of war veterans continues to deteriorate
“Respect for war veterans is a constitutional, moral, and national obligation,” he said.
“Offering funeral policies as empowerment is unacceptable, disrespectful and must never be.”
Tagwirei announced that Harare war veterans and their spouses would be covered by funeral policies valued at US$2 500 each.
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