Government Commends War Veterans Association, Calls for Unity and Accountability

In a speech read on his behalf, Minister Ziyambi encouraged the Association to pursue partnerships, investments and commercial ventures that could generate sustainable income and economic opportunities for its members.

By Staff Reporter

Government has commended the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) for its efforts to safeguard interests and welfare of veterans of the liberation struggle, and urged the veterans to unite, strengthen accountability and pursue commercial ventures capable of improving their socio-economic welfare.

The call was made by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Hon Ziyambi Ziyambi, during the Association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Harare last Saturday.

Minister Ziyambi urged members to use the gathering to renew the organisation, strengthen its structures and pursue initiatives that directly benefit war veterans.

He said the Association should remain law-abiding, accountable, inclusive and welfare-focused while operating within its institutional rules and constitutional requirements.

“I urge you to build an Association that is relentlessly law-abiding, deeply accountable, radically inclusive, and fiercely welfare-focused,” he said.

He said the Association belonged to the veterans and should not be driven by competing individual interests.

“This Association belongs entirely to the veterans, not to competing individuals. It must henceforth be governed by institutional rules, clean administration, and an unwavering commitment to constitutional compliance,” said Minister Ziyambi.

Government also reaffirmed the importance of recognising the contribution made by liberation war veterans, with the Minister saying their welfare remained a national responsibility.

He said the Association should focus on practical interventions in areas such as housing, agriculture, mining, small and medium enterprises and cooperatives to improve the socio-economic welfare of veterans and their families.

The Minister encouraged the Association to pursue partnerships, investments and commercial ventures that could generate sustainable income and economic opportunities for its members.

He said the Association should move beyond representation and create practical programmes that empower veterans to participate meaningfully in economic activities.

The Minister also commended the organisation’s leadership for its efforts to revive and strengthen the Association.

“Today we extend our formal and wholehearted congratulations to Cde Marashwa and his committee for their clarity of vision, institutional discipline, and legal diligence in spearheading this vital resuscitation framework.

“By systematically aligning the revival with the strict provisions of the PVO Act, this leadership signals to the entire nation that the Association is prepared to operate transparently, accountably and lawfully,” said Minister Ziyambi.

He called for unity among war veterans, saying internal differences should not undermine the organisation’s ability to represent and advance their interests.

The AGM comes as the ZNLWVA seeks to strengthen its institutional structures and reaffirm its role in representing the interests and welfare of liberation war veterans.

Minister Ziyambi said the renewed Association should build on the legacy of the liberation struggle while creating practical economic opportunities that improve the lives of veterans and their families.