By Sharon Chimenya
MASVINGO — The government is taking decisive steps to empower veterans of the liberation struggle by strengthening support programs and expanding the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Fund, according to a senior government official.
Speaking recently in Masvingo, Minister for Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs, Monicah Mavhunga, said the ministry is calling on war veterans who own farms and mines to seek expertise from its project department so they can be truly empowered.
She said the ministry has eight farms across the country and several mining grants, which they are working on to ensure these contribute to the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Fund.
“Let me express my sincere appreciation to His Excellency, the President, Cde Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa, for establishing a dedicated ministry responsible for the welfare and economic empowerment of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle,” she said.
“His visionary leadership did not end there; he further made available strategic assets in agriculture, mining, and tourism to the veterans, and authorized the establishment of the Veterans Investment Holding Company (VIHC) to operationalize these assets. The ultimate goal is to generate sustainable income that directly benefits the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Fund.”
Minister Mavhunga added, “We have assets that the government allocated to us: eight farms, eight grants, and several small mines. We were also allocated an area for cage fishing at Lake Tugwi Mukosi and given three permits. Two permits are already being used by local war veterans, and the other is managed by the Veterans Investment Holding Company (VIHC) to raise money that will benefit everyone.”
The Ministry of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs was also allocated land in Nuanetsi, Mwenezi, where they are facing challenges with people who have illegally settled there. However, the issue is being resolved.
At Nuanetsi, the company is finalising joint ventures for cattle ranching. Once operational, these projects will significantly contribute to the provincial GDP, create employment opportunities, and, most importantly, improve the welfare of the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle, she said.
“We plan for all our farms to have title deeds, and this is being processed. The same applies to the mining sector; we are working on obtaining the relevant documents so that it does not affect us when we look for investors,” she said.
“We also encourage war veterans with farms and mines to come and seek assistance from our projects department, so they can be trained and become self-reliant. That way, when most are empowered, only a few will still need financial assistance to send their children to school or pay their medical bills.”
The Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Fund was established under the VLS Act, and it is meant to support the welfare of veterans of the liberation struggle.
“This fund receives money from the Treasury, but because the Treasury is stretched, having to provide for all ministries and other programs, we often end up receiving a small amount, while other ministries also get small allocations,” Minister Mavhunga said.
“The fund assists with the welfare of comrades. We also appeal to those who have money, or who have gained opportunities because of our liberated country, to assist us by contributing to the fund. Additionally, the President said that by placing these assets, we should have a company (VIHC) to manage them properly.”
