Farms and mines for war veterans

WAR veterans will soon be authors of their own destiny as Government has allocated them a farm in each province and reserved mining claims for them to venture into sustainable economic development projects, an official has said.

Deputy Minister of Defence and War Veterans Cde Victor Matemedanda (pictured right) said during a recent interview that besides their monthly pensions, the ex-freedom fighters should be empowered to uplift their way of life.

He was visiting Masvingo province for an interface with ex-combatants. “I have brought a message from President Mnangagwa that we have reserved a farm in each province for war veterans so that they can embark on income-generating projects,” said Cde Matemadanda.

“We know that they are getting pensions and they want them increased. That is being attended to, but they should have projects that will sustain even your families after you have died.

“All war veterans will benefit from Government’s programmes meant to improve their welfare despite the fact that some were in their twilight ages.

“We should all contribute to this economy. No one should give an excuse of advanced age, we should all benefit from these projects.

“It does not necessarily mean that if you are given a mine, you will go down into the mine. Government will provide capital and related supporting tools for operational equipment and labour.”

Cde Matemadanda challenged the ex-freedom fighters to come up with proposals for sustainable projects.

He said these should be submitted to his ministry for further management.

“Some had abandoned a soyabeans initiative, but we are saying there is money in such projects,” said Cde Matemadanda. “You can grow a number of cash crops and the Government will help with capacity building and market linkages.”

Cde Matemadanda hailed Masvingo province for garnering the second highest votes for the ruling party after Mashonaland Central in the July 30 harmonised elections.

He took a swipe at some Zanu-PF parliamentarians and councillors who received more votes than President Mnangagwa for deliberate sabotage.

“When Jesus said to his disciples, if you see me you have seen my father, he meant that whatever he did was a carbon copy of what God did,” said Cde Matemadanda. “In the same vein, we cannot have a situation where an MP or councillor receives more votes than the President, that is sabotage.

“I know our President is a forgiving man, but those who are in this situation must ask themselves why such things happened.”

Meanwhile, the Department of Lands has noted with concern that Gutu Rural District Council has moved into State land comprising five large farms without following procedures under its expansion initiative.

The commission said Gutu RDC was also targeting private properties yet the owners had offer letters from Government.

The provincial lands officer, Ms Tendai Mumera, told a commission of inquiry into contentious land issues in Masvingo province last week that the local authority was moving into five farms to the west of the town, as part of its ambitious expansion programme.

The commission of inquiry is being chaired by Justice Tendai Uchena.

Ms Mumera said the farms targeted for takeover by the RDC were Wetlands, Lot 2 Chomufuli and Tura Mura.

Gutu RDC was accused of making developments on the farms without express authority from the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement.