By Political Reporter- War veterans, once heralded as the bedrock of Zanu PF’s political machinery, are reeling from neglect as the government fails to meet their welfare needs.
Critical funds for medical bills and educational support for veterans’ dependents have been withheld by the Treasury since September 2024, plunging the Ministry of Defence and Veterans Affairs into a financial crisis.
Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs, Veterans of the Liberation Struggle, and Security, Albert Nguluvhe, painted a grim picture of the veterans’ plight in his 2025 post-budget analysis report.
“The Ministry owes ZWG10.25 million to medical service providers, while unpaid surgeries amount to ZWG6.52 million. The annual costs for dialysis and chemotherapy alone are ZWG11.18 million and ZWG3.03 million, respectively,” Nguluvhe reported.
The budget for veterans’ healthcare in 2025 stands at ZWG121.84 million—only 40% of the required ZWG312.83 million.
This allocation is projected to run out by May 2025, leaving the majority of veterans, most of whom are above 63 years old, without essential age-related healthcare services.
Educational benefits for veterans’ children are also underfunded.
The Ministry allocated ZWG137.22 million for 2025, far below the ideal ZWG315.25 million.
Most of these funds—ZWG110.98 million—will be used to clear 2024 arrears, leaving only ZWG26.26 million for 2025.
This is insufficient to cover even one school term.
“The Ministry needs an additional ZWG218.78 million to support 6,395 students adequately. Current funding levels only perpetuate the crisis,” Nguluvhe explained,
breaking down staggering arrears for 2024 school fees.
Despite a budget increase to ZWG970.52 million following a Call Circular, Nguluvhe underscored that the allocation remains inadequate.
“This chronic underfunding reflects the government’s failure to prioritize the very people who sacrificed their youth for Zimbabwe’s liberation,” he said.
Petros Sibanda, Secretary General of the ZPRA Veterans Association, expressed dismay over the continued neglect.
“The Treasury must reassess its priorities and adequately fund veterans’ welfare. Many remain unpaid, including those vetted in 2022 who are yet to receive their pensions and gratuities,” Sibanda said.
War veterans have been pivotal in Zanu PF’s election strategies for decades, often mobilized to intimidate opposition supporters and influence rural voting patterns.
Their discontent now threatens to unravel this alliance, with some veterans openly criticizing the government.
“Veterans gave their all for Zimbabwe’s independence. It is a travesty that they are treated with such disregard,” Sibanda concluded.
Source-CITE
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