VETERANS of the liberation struggle have urged the government to urgently address their welfare and empower them to participate meaningfully in Zimbabwe’s economy, rejecting donations such as bicycles and food hampers as inadequate recognition of their sacrifice.
In his address during an interface with Veterans of the Liberation Struggle minister Monica Mavhunga held in Bulawayo at the weekend, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association chairperson Ethan Mathibela said the former fighters felt disrespected by what he described as token gestures.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently donated bicycles to veterans of the liberation struggle.
“As we speak, you bought chicken for us. We should be the ones entertaining you. You should have empowered us so that we are the ones giving you those pieces of chicken,” Mathibela said.
He reminded the gathering of the sacrifices made during the liberation struggle, which he said were aimed at achieving political and economic emancipation.
Mathibela said veterans wanted structural empowerment rather than donations.
“Issues that have a statutory obligation can be solved in two ways. Politically, we must support the welfare of the war veterans; we do not want to get financial assistance from individuals,” Mathibela said.
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“We want to generate our own wealth that is replete all over the country. We want to participate in the main economy, not donations of bicycles; that does not show respect for us.
He added that veterans were still largely excluded from land ownership.
“Ninety percent of the war veterans do not own land. We want our land for free without any strings attached,” Mathibela.
“We cannot be told to pay a price for our land that we fought for. Land is our heritage as the black majority. The sacrifice that we made for this land is sufficient.”
Mathibela accused political actors of using donations to divide war veterans.
“Our leaders are tribalists. Help us minister not to be perceived as people who are not compliant by being denied an opportunity to discuss our welfare issues, yet others receive favours,” he said.
He said veterans wanted direct engagement with Mnangagwa through the ministry and called for broader consultation in future meetings, including the involvement of Finance minister Mthuli Ncube.
He also criticised disparities in State benefits, alleging that senior officials are receiving preferential treatment in vehicle allocation while war veterans are sidelined.
In response, Mavhunga said the government remained committed to addressing veterans’ concerns within available resources, stressing that empowerment efforts were underway.
“On issues of empowerment, we cannot deny anyone who can come and donate something to us, like bicycles. These did not come from the government; it was a donation from an individual,” she said.
She said the government had established medical boards in collaboration with the Health and Child Care ministry to restore dignity to those injured during the liberation struggle.
“In June 2025, President Emmerson Mnangagwa launched empowerment schemes for the veterans community to buttress veterans’ income-generating projects. A total of US$6m was extended to the veterans community,” she said.
Mavhunga urged unity among veterans, saying outstanding issues requiring legal reform or statutory instruments will be addressed progressively.
She also said the government was finalising the gazetting of vetted veterans eligible for gratuities, subject to the availability of funds, adding that the vetting process was ongoing.
