WAR VETERANS have expressed concern over the delay in concluding the vetting process, arguing that it has been four years without publication of the names of successfully vetted cadres.
The revelations were made in Parliament recently following a report of the Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs, Security and War Veterans Affairs on the petition from the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association regarding the amendment of the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Bill.
The report was presented by Chivi Central legislator, Exevila Maoneke, who indicated that section 8(8) of the Veterans of Liberation Struggle Act provided that “on the conclusion of any vetting exercise and in any case not less frequently than twice a year, the names of persons who have been identified as veterans of the liberation struggle shall be listed and published in the Government Gazette and be deemed to be provisionally accredited within a period of 30 days after such publication, at the end of which period (subject to any appeal in terms of section 9) the person so listed shall be deemed to be finally accredited as a veteran of the liberation struggle in the appropriate category."
According to the report, the petitioners expressed concern over delays in concluding the vetting process, indicating that cadres continue to live in abject poverty, many with unmanaged health conditions due to advanced age, while others have succumbed to different illnesses.
Albert Tagiwa Chikondo, Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs secretary, admitted that the vetting exercise has taken longer than expected, mainly due to engagements with Treasury.
He confirmed that the vetting exercise was completed and the ministry was ready to publish the names in the Government Gazette to allow for representations from members of the public in terms of section 8(8) of the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Act.
The petitioners’ position was supported by the War Veterans League and Detachment Commanders, who expressed concern over the inordinate delay.
The committee noted that the ministry was in breach of section 8(8) of the Act by failing to publish in the Government Gazette the lists of successfully vetted cadres despite finalising vetting in 2022 and 2024.
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This delay obstructs veterans from accessing benefits and official recognition.
Zipra Veterans Association secretary-general, Petros Sibanda, told Southern Eye that several issues concerning war veterans remain unresolved.
“We forwarded a petition, among other things, like the land quarter system because war vets have no accommodation, money…these are things that are there in the Constitution, but the implementers are taking too long to act," he said.
"With other sectors, we see a lot of SIs being implemented very fast, but it’s a different case with our ministry."
However, the committee recommended that the 2026 national budget prepared by the Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion ministry should set aside resources to be channelled towards payment of a lump sum to all the war vets, non-combatant cadres and war collaborators who successfully passed the vetting process and were published in the Government Gazette.
This can also be implemented in a phased approach, but the ministry should ensure all veterans receive their lump sums before December 31 next year, the committee said.
