The demands by war veterans for more payouts and parliamentary representation are absurd and tantamount to holding the country to ransom.
NewsDay Editorial
The liberation war fighters’ contribution to the independence of Zimbabwe from the settler regime is by all means a sign of patriotism, dedication and bravery.
But their latest demands paint them as mercenaries who remain ungrateful for what the a gave them back in 1997.
In 1997 the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe was forced to print money in order to fund their $50 000 gratuities.
On Friday, November 14 that very same year, currency markets ground to a halt after the Zimbabwe dollar crashed spectacularly against the greenback. The day that is now known as “Black Friday” marked the start of Zimbabwe’s economic problems that have dragged on for more than a decade.
With crucial elections fast approaching, Zimbabweans should possibly brace themselves for more demands from the former fighters.
According to their leadership, the war veterans want between 21% and 30% of seats in Parliament and gratuities of $18 000 each and a government ministry to cater specifically for their needs. They also demand that the new constitution should accommodate their demands.
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The timing of their demands raises a lot of questions. Why now just before the referendum and elections?
Notwithstanding the fact that this economy in its fragile state cannot afford to fund such demands, their shopping list is uncalled for. The demands by war veterans came on the day Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai reportedly implored President Robert Mugabe during their traditional Monday meeting, to take decisive action against their leader Jabulani Sibanda.
Sibanda has been accused of terrorising villagers around the country, ordering them to vote for Zanu PF in the forthcoming elections.
“We implored him to take very decisive action against one Jabulani Sibanda. I think he is a lone ranger,” Tsvangirai told journalists after his meeting with Mugabe.
“I think the war veterans themselves would like to have respect and dignity.”
We also ask why taxpayers should reward people like Sibanda who continue to torment villagers throughout the country in a bid to force them to vote for Zanu PF.
The war veterans remain closer to our heart for liberating us, but if their demands are anything to go by, one can be forgiven for thinking that they never had the national interest at heart.
The former fighters must also be reminded that not so long ago, they were at the forefront of “barbaric” land grabbing of once productive farms under the guise of economic empowerment.
What has become of those farms dolled out by their Zanu PF party?
Instead of complaining about money, the war veterans must be told to be productive at their farms. Their proposed venture into the lucrative diamond industry should never be granted on political lines or else they will again fail to produce anything.
What gives them confidence that they can succeed in the capital-intensive mining sector after failing to produce at farms?
