There is growing discontent among senior military officers and some retired army personnel who say benefits they are entitled to after leaving the force are being weaponised against those who do not tore the line.
Sources last week told The Standard that some disgruntled ex-officers in the army had flagged the inconsistencies in the way benefits for retired army and air force officers contained in Statutory Instrument 257 of 2020 and are cited as the State Service (Pensions) (Uniformed Forces) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020 (No. 17) are being managed.
The sources also told The Standard that these benefits were being denied to some retired officers on political grounds.
“These benefits have been weaponised and are denied to some of the retired members because of internal politics that is affecting the forces these days,” the source claimed.
According to the SI, a potential beneficiary who is a commissioned officer shall be entitled to be promoted to the next higher rank six months before such retirement or discharge.
A potential beneficiary who is a commissioned officer — of the rank of colonel or group captain or equivalent ranks in the other uniformed forces — shall also be entitled to be promoted to the next higher rank of brigadier general or air commodore.
These are entitled to the provision of residential accommodation, including the free transfer of ownership to the beneficiary of a state residence they already occupy.
According to the SI, if the beneficiary was not occupying a state residence on the date of his or her retirement, the free transfer to the beneficiary of a single equivalent private residence on not more than 3000 square metres of land, acquired or constructed on their behalf at any place of their choice in Zimbabwe within two months of retirement.
The beneficiaries also receive a sedan vehicle of the same kind as a serving commissioned officer of the same rank as the beneficiary is using.
They also receive a pick-up vehicle which is less than two years old at the date of retirement or may acquire both vehicles at 3% of the residual value of the vehicle.
In case of death, their spouse is entitled to buy both vehicles at the same residual value.
A commissioned officer of the rank of lieutenant colonel or wing commander or the equivalent ranks in the other uniformed forces is also entitled to residential accommodation or free transfer of a single private residence on not more than 2 000 square metres of land, acquired or constructed for their benefit across Zimbabwe.
The benefits also include a pick-up vehicle which is less than three years old at the date of retirement and may acquire the vehicle at 3% of the residual value of the vehicle.
A major or squadron Leader would be promoted to the next higher rank of lieutenant colonel or wing commander six months before such retirement.
Benefits include the provision of residential accommodation or free transfer of a single private residence on not more than 1000 square metres of land and a pick-up vehicle which is less than three years old at the date of retirement.
A captain or fight lieutenant, or lieutenant or air lieutenant is entitled to be promoted to the next higher rank of Major or Squadron Leader or captain or flight lieutenant.
They also get residential accommodation through the free transfer of a single private residence on not more than 750 square metres of land.
Non-commissioned officers such as warrant officer Class 1 or Master technician would be promoted to the next higher rank of captain or Flight Lieutenant and are entitled to the free transfer of a single two-bedroomed private residence on not more than 500 square metres of land.
A potential beneficiary who is a non-commissioned officer of the rank of a warrant officer class 2 or equivalent is promoted to the next higher rank and receives a single two-bedroomed private residence on not more than 300 square metres of land.
A retired senior army official said may former top military officials were dying paupers after failing to get their benefits because of their perceived political allegiances.
“The regulations are not being applied fairly,” he said. “A lot of our comrades are dying in abject poverty after leaving service because they were denied these benefits provided for under S1 257.
“The benefits are now being used as a political tool and this should stop.”
The Zimbabwe Defence Forces had not responded to enquiries by the time of going to print.