Published: 15 hours ago

About 39 000 former combatants and ex-political prisoners, detainees, and restrictees have successfully passed the national vetting exercise and will soon receive the promised $50 000 gratuity packages and $2 000 monthly pensions, among other benefits.

According to the latest figures, 4 000 applicants claiming to be war veterans were rejected during the screening process, while the number of disqualified ex-political prisoners, detainees, and restrictees was not immediately available.

Authorities said most of those turned away had undergone military training after February 29, 1980 — the cutoff date for recognition as a liberation war veteran. Only those trained between January 1, 1962, and February 1980 are eligible for the compensation.

Of the 39 000 approved beneficiaries, approximately 35 000 are confirmed ex-combatants, with the remainder being former political prisoners, detainees, and restrictees. During the 1980 ceasefire period, an estimated 35 000 guerrillas moved into assembly points monitored by Commonwealth forces, forming the initial basis for official recognition.

Government is set to begin payments for gratuities and pensions from January next year. However, ex-political prisoners, detainees, and restrictees will not receive direct financial packages or pensions but will benefit from alternative assistance schemes, including medical aid, education, resettlement, income-generating projects, and funeral assistance.

Chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans' Association, Dr. Chenjerai Hunzvi, expressed confidence that the vetting process had successfully identified genuine beneficiaries.

The nationwide screening is being conducted by 10 provincial teams, each comprising nine members — four war veterans, two Zimbabwe National Army officials, and one representative each from the President's Office, the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, and the Zimbabwe Republic Police.

Dr. Hunzvi added that as the process nears completion, the number of registration centres will be reduced to streamline operations. In Harare, the centres will be scaled down from 10 to four, while other provinces and districts will see similar reductions.
- The Herald