A ZANU PF female MP broke down in tears yesterday during debate on the welfare of war veterans, saying most former freedom fighters were struggling to take care of their young children from their meagre $175 monthly stipends.
VENERANDA LANGA
Annastancia Ndhlovu, who got into Parliament through female proportional representation, become emotionally charged over the issue and briefly brought Parliament to a standstill as she struggled to overcome her emotions.
Acting Speaker Melody Dziva (Zanu PF proportional representation MP) later said: “This is a very emotional topic and that is why the MP has been deeply moved.”
MPs are advocating for an upward review of the stipend.
Bindura South MP Remigious Matangira (Zanu PF) also added his voice onto the emotive issue saying: “There is no way one would not cry. She would cry because it touches our hearts. We have been selfish filling our bellies at the expense of our sons and daughters. Where did we get those things that make us rich? Did we have those things before independence? We should look after those who gave us independence.”
Another Zanu PF MP Goodluck Kwaramba said the role of women who participated in the liberation struggle should also be recognised.
“It was difficult for girls during the war because we missed our menstrual periods due to poor diet. We could not even indulge in sex and we had no sanitary pads to use during menstruation. We fought side by side with men and shared everything. However, when we came back home no one cared about war veterans and the word ‘war veteran’ meant poverty,” Kwaramba said.
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Makonde MP Kindness Paradza (Zanu PF) read a letter written by a war collaborator, Locardia Mutamirepi, who expressed similar sentiments. Bubi MP Clifford Sibanda (Zanu PF) said government should find ways to ensure war veterans had shares in insurance companies and other State firms.
