Harare– The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association is lobbying government to increase payouts to surviving spouses and to dedicate 2 percent of all domestic investment to a fund for veterans and their dependants.
Delegates made the demands at the ZNLWVA’s first Annual General Meeting since 2024, held in Harare yesterday, saying the current welfare system fails to reflect the realities faced by ageing fighters and their families.
Members argued that when a veteran dies, household costs do not fall proportionately.
“The shops they used to buy from remain the same, groceries remain the same, it is just one plate removed from the table and the salary is cut in half,” said one delegate.
Data presented at the AGM showed veterans currently get about US$153 monthly, with surviving spouses receiving only 50 percent of that amount.
Because basic expenses remain unchanged, delegates resolved that widows and widowers should be paid either the full pension or no less than 75 percent. They also called for expanded support for children and other dependants of liberation war veterans.
On long-term funding, the meeting proposed that government ring-fence 2 percent of local investment for the welfare and economic empowerment of veterans and their families. Delegates said this would provide a more stable financing base than relying solely on monthly pensions.
ZNLWVA National Chairman Cde Moffat Elias Marashwa told the meeting that the association was already in talks with government over the “very paltry” pension. He said the organisation was also seeking medical aid cover for members as the chimurenga generation ages.
“The veterans of the chimurenga war are getting older,” Marashwa said. He explained that the association was moving away from cooperative projects to a family-based model, to ensure economic initiatives continue to benefit veterans’ households as younger relatives take over responsibilities.
The AGM further urged sustained government support for veterans in land allocation, mining, agriculture, and access to equipment for income-generating ventures.
Delegates stressed that welfare programmes must cover not just the veteran but the entire family unit that depends on them.
Leadership used the meeting to update members on efforts to rebuild and restructure the association following its re-registration as a Private Voluntary Organisation.