We’re Tired Of Empty Promises Made Since 1980 - WAR VETS

War Veterans from Bulawayo and Matabeleland South provinces have accused the government of making empty promises as it is not implementing promises that were made since 1980 when the country attained independence.

This came out during public hearings that were held at Luveve Hall in Bulawayo and Jahunda Hall in Gwanda by the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services on Monday. Speaking during the Bulawayo hearing, Dumisani Sibanda said:

The plight of war veterans is known and there is nothing new to talk about. For now we want action from the Government. We’re tired of the promises that have been made since 1980. 

In 2016 we presented a war victims commission document, outlining all our challenges to the former President Robert Mugabe. President Mnangagwa and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga also have the document as well as Parliament. The War Veterans Bill is also clear about what the Government should do.

These sentiments were also shared by Douglas Ndlovu who urged the government to expedite the vetting process so that all war veterans can start receiving the RTGS$240 allowance. Ndlovu said:

In 1997 we were vetted but the exercise was not completed. In 2013 it was resumed but still some war veterans, ex-detainees and war collaborators were left out. Others have died without receiving anything and their families are suffering.

War veterans also requested the government to review their allowances in line with the current economic realities. They also requested to be allocated 20% of all economic activities as they were earlier promised.

More: The Chronicle