$6M FOR WAR VETS

Treasury has released US$6 million to the Ministry of War Veterans, War Collaborators, ex-Political Detainees and Restrictees to attend to pressing needs such as the payment of fees for children of war veterans.

Addressing the Bulawayo chapter of the war veterans inter-district meeting that was initially set for last week but was called off under unclear circumstances, National Chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, Cde Christopher Mutsvangwa, said the release of the funds will help his ministry to deal with some urgent needs of the war veterans.

Cde Mutsvangwa, who is also the minister responsible for war veterans war collaborators, former political detainees and restrictees, also said that the vetting of war collaborators will be done soon and will also include non-combatant members who also participated in the war of liberation.

On issues to do with the economy, Cde Mutswangwa said war veterans want to be involved in the drought mitigation measures by being part of the food procurement and distribution network so that they sustain themselves.

He also said his ministry is also working hard to lure foreign direct investment into the country as part of their contribution to rebuilding the economy.

Cde Mutsvangwa further stated that they are working with Umkhonto Wesizwe war veterans of the ANC in South Africa on joint venture projects to empower former combatants.