By Staff Reporter
A War Vets leader critical of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s administration has accused the government of neglect arguing that a few individuals are benefitting from the current freebies.
Chairman of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), Andreas Mathibela this week alleged that the government had failed dismally in as far as conserving the legacy of the hard won independence.
The outspoken Vets leader criticized the current habit of donating cars saying such tactics are narrow focused and benefitting only a selected few. He quizzed why such sideshows are being undertaken at a time when critical health services have been sidelined.
“If the government is behind this, I don’t know what they want to achieve. That’s why I hope I am proved wrong.If it is the government that is busy dishing out those vehicles, I do not know what they want to achieve because the majority of Zimbabweans are not benefiting from such gestures. That’s why I don’t believe it is the government. I only hope I am proved wrong,” he said.
Turning on to War Vets ,Mathibela said they had now taken it to help each other after being left in the cold by their own kith and kin running the government.
“That small gesture will go a long way. We will be approaching people for support and we hope they extend a hand.That small gesture will go a long way. It’s a form of appeal. We will be approaching you and we hope you will extend your hand and support the initiative.Maybe about 80 or 90% of us are not anywhere near good leaders. We have done our part. And all we ask for now is just that appreciation for the contribution that we made during our time.
“The average former freedom fighter has nothing to show for it. To be more honest, they have nothing to show for it. Not that we are entitled to a comfortable life, but the reason why we went to war in the first place is to help them attain economic freedom. And that’s what the majority of us have not benefited from up to this day,” he added.
