By Advent Shoko
A weekend meeting of war veterans in Murambinda, Buhera, descended into chaos after reports of widespread looting overshadowed the launch of the War Veterans Housing and Borehole Presidential Scheme.
The event, held at Murambinda growth point in Manicaland province, was attended by top government and ruling party officials, including ZANU PF national secretary for war veterans Douglas Mahiya, Veterans of the Liberation Struggle minister Monica Mavhunga, Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister Moses Mugadza, and ZANU PF provincial chairperson Tawanda Mukodza.
The scheme is designed to benefit former political prisoners, ex-detainees, restrictees, widows, dependants of national heroes, and war collaborators. However, sources at the launch said the distribution of bicycles and food hampers degenerated into disorder when crowds reportedly overpowered organisers and helped themselves to the items. An eyewitness said:
“War veterans had started queuing so that the bicycles and food hampers could be distributed, but it was too late because there was massive looting. Even young people who attended the launch became part of the looting, while war veterans were elbowed out.”
The allegations sparked anger among some veterans, who felt disrespected at a programme meant to honour them.
Minister Mugadza, however, downplayed the reports, telling NewsDay that the event had gone smoothly. He said:
“I was told about the looting this morning, but when we left the place everything was going on smoothly. The bicycles were many and all the war veterans received them. Everything went on well. What happened was just a minor thing, and the good thing is everyone benefited. Remember, this is a growth point.”
The incident may be an indication of worsening living standards in rural Zimbabwe, where droughts, weak markets, and poor access to farming inputs have deepened poverty. With peasant farming as the main livelihood, many households struggle with food insecurity and low incomes, leaving them dependent on state welfare schemes and vulnerable to desperation-driven actions.
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