CHENGETAI ZVAUYA
VETERANS of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle have thrown their weight behind the government’s Covid-19 vaccination programme, an executive member of war veterans’ body has said.
Zimbabwe has embarked on vaccination programme with a target to inoculate at least 60% of the population to achieve herd immunity.
Last month, Zimbabwe received 200 000 doses of Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccines, donated by China. A further 600,000 doses from China is expected this month.
Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association secretary general Victor Matemadanda told Business Times this week that there was high uptake of the Covid -19 vaccine by the war veterans and those serving in the security sector.
Vice President, Constantino Chiwenga, was the first government official to be vaccinated.
“We have mobilised our members to support the roll out programme which was started by President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Vice President Constantino Chiwenga last month and as a result of that programme we have many of our members getting vaccinated who are in the defence forces and the police and ordinary war veterans,” Matemadanda said.
He added: “We really appreciate the efforts being made by the government to vaccinate the nation and we are embracing the programme fully without any reservations as it saves the lives of our people.”
Although Matemadanda could not provide the exact figures, he said his office has received reports from their membership that they were fully participating in the roll out programme.
The war veterans association has over 30 000 members who participated in the war of liberation in the 70’s leading to the country’s independence in 1980.
ZANU-PF Secretary for Health David Parirenyatwa welcomed the gesture made by the war veterans.
“President Emmerson Mnangagwa called out to all the people in the country to fully participate in the roll out programme and in ZANU-PF.
We are also advising our party members not to be left behind but to be vaccinated.
No one is being forced to be vaccinated but it is a recommendation and we are giving to our supporters and I know that the war veterans are fully behind it,” Parirenyatwa said.
