By Innocent Sibonginkosi Ncube
Zim GBC News Editor
BULAWAYO – In a powerful Heroes Month statement, the ZPRA Veterans Association has accused the government of abandoning liberation struggle ideals, leaving veterans in poverty while failing to empower ordinary Zimbabweans.
The association issued five urgent demands for “correction and realignment” on the 45th anniversary of independence.
“Who Enjoys the Fruits of Our Sweat?”
Marked by raw candor, the statement laments the plight of surviving fighters and war widows:
“Many surviving veterans live in poverty, without access to the land they fought for… Widows and orphans remain marginalised, while the broader masses face unemployment and poor housing. One wonders who enjoys the fruits of such sweat?”
Deputy Publicity Secretary Moyo Joakim declared.
He went on to bemoan commemorations “empty” without tangible change, condemning current practices as “trivialisation and insult to the costly revolutionary commitment.”
Five Demands to Government
- Land Reform: Prioritize land allocation with quotas for veterans and fallen heroes’ families, rejecting “hodge podge” distribution. Demanded review of title deeds system rooted in “1930s Land Tenure Act that dispossessed people and caused the war.”
- State Welfare: Guarantee pensions, healthcare, housing, and owed payments. Amend constitution for parliamentary quotas for veterans: “Veterans were political enablers for all. Their party use is unfair.”
- Economic Inclusion: Ensure fair participation for all citizens regardless of party affiliation.
- Accurate History: Preserve unbiased liberation history acknowledging both ZPRA and ZANLA: “Current narratives elbow out ZPRA’s contribution… reducing Zapu-ZPRA to nominals.”
- National Healing: Address historical injustices to achieve true unity.
Call for National Reckoning
The statement invoked the bloodshed from Francistown to Chimoio camps, stressing liberation was fought for “a free Zimbabwe where land, dignity, and equality would belong to ALL.” It urged leaders to admit error:
“It is time to accept we have erred, tell the people, and seek their unbribbled participation in renewal.”
Joakim closed with a rallying cry:
“The blood that won our freedom must yield a harvest for all. Empower people and you unleash unlimited transformative effort.”
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