War vets want US$ allowances

CHENGETAI ZVAUYA


Veterans of Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle want the government to
increase their allowances and give them the Covid-19 allowance to match the harsh economic environment.


Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWA) senior executive member Endy Mhlanga said the anticipation of an increment comes after the government reviewed the salaries of civil servants.


Last week, the government announced a 50% salary increment for civil servants. It will also pay US$75 Covid-19 allowance for the next three months. Government will pay pensioners a US$30 Covid-19 allowance for the next three months.


“We understand the government has made a salary increment of 50% to
its workforce and has also given them US$75 as Covid-19 allowance.

Our hope is that this can also be extended to the war veterans,” Mhlanga said.


“We have been pushing for a salary increment of war veterans which has
not been changed since last year and has been eroded by inflation.”


He was confident that the Treasury was going to implement the increment
including the Covid-19 allowance to the war veterans.


Mhlanga said the war veterans were feeling the effects of the economic
meltdown and the Covid-19 restrictions which had inhibited them
from carrying out income generation projects.


“Our members are equally affected by the coronavirus lockdown which
has affected all the sectors of the economy and also welcome the Covid
19 allowance,” he said.


Mhlanga said war veterans are earning about ZWL$1000 per month
and are entitled to school fees of their children and medical aid scheme.


Mhlanga said he was confident that President Emmerson Mnangagwa and
his deputies namely Kembo Mohadi and Constantino Chiwenga was
going to consider as the trio are were veterans.


ZNLWA has a membership of about 35 000 with an average age of 60 years.

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