Pressure is mounting on members of the Zvimba East Veterans Investment Company (Zevic) to put aside their differences and unite ahead of this year’s Heroes Day commemorations, as the organisation begins implementing a Presidential Support Scheme for Liberation War Veterans aimed at empowering veterans with vehicles to enhance their contribution to national development.
The call for unity comes amid deepening divisions within the war veterans' investment vehicle, which has in recent years been rocked by governance disputes, leadership wrangles and a series of court battles that have slowed operations and delayed projects intended to benefit members.
Sources familiar with developments told Standard People that there is growing concern among stakeholders that continued infighting risks undermining opportunities now emerging through ‘government-supported empowerment programmes.
“There is increasing pressure from various quarters for Zevic members to reconcile and move forward as one organisation,” a source said.
“This is a time when the country will be celebrating the sacrifices made by liberation war veterans, and it would be unfortunate for divisions to overshadow that recognition, especially when programmes designed to empower veterans are beginning to take shape.”
The renewed calls for reconciliation come as Zevic rolls out a vehicle empowerment programme under the Presidential Support Scheme for Liberation War Veterans.
The initiative, being facilitated in partnership with Chryjeep Motors, is expected to improve mobility for veteran leaders while strengthening the implementation of Zimbabwe's National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) and laying the foundation for NDS2.
The first JAC T9 Double Cab 4x4 was recently presented for inspection at Zevic’s head office at 43 Dan Judson Road in Harare, signalling the start of the programme's first phase.
According to Zevic officials, the initial beneficiaries include retired colonel Jowel Muzhamba Khumalo, retired major Joe Chimonyo, Elina Chasi, Agnes Siyakurima, Deliwe D Muvhuti, Michael Changadzo, Clifford Rutsate and veteran leader Cde Nasho.
Zevic principal director Israel Gada said the programme formed part of the government's broader efforts to empower liberation war veterans and enhance their participation in national development.
“Our liberation war veterans played a pivotal role in securing Zimbabwe's independence,” Gada said.
“Through the Presidential Support Scheme, they are being equipped with the tools they need to continue contributing to national development in line with NDS1 and the forthcoming NDS2.”
Zevic CEO Chimonyo said the vehicles were not personal rewards, but operational tools that would enable veteran leaders to better coordinate development programmes within their communities.
“These vehicles are tools that will enable us to monitor projects, engage communities and effectively implement programmes that contribute to the country's development agenda,” he said.
Chimonyo added that beneficiaries would undergo a vetting process to ensure the scheme benefits committed veterans who uphold the values of unity, discipline and service.
The emergence of the empowerment programme has reinforced calls for Zevic members to resolve their internal differences and refocus on the organisation's founding mandate.
Some members believe the forthcoming Heroes Day commemorations provide an ideal opportunity for the organisation to demonstrate unity in honour of the values that guided the liberation struggle.
Meanwhile, Chryjeep Motors said its partnership with Zevic reflected its commitment to supporting government programmes by supplying reliable vehicles that will strengthen the operational capacity of veteran leaders involved in community development.
The company said the collaboration is intended to support Zimbabwe's economic transformation by enabling institutions implementing national development programmes to operate more effectively.