Q &A:
HON. MUKUPE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Firstly, I want to congratulate the Government of Zimbabwe on clearing the IMF debt arrears – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – My question is directed to the Minister of Welfare Services for War Veterans, War Collaborators, Former Political Detainees and Restrictees. There was an alarming report in one of the tabloids which seems to allude that the war veterans were demanding half a million dollars each. What is Government policy in terms of the financial welfare of the war veterans? I thank you.
THE MINISTER OF WELFARE SERVICES FOR WAR VETERANS, WAR COLLABORATORS, FORMER POLITICAL DETAINEES AND RESTRICTEES (HON. T DUBE): Hon. Speaker Sir, I appreciate the question that has been raised. I also read that in the newspapers but the truth is that you do not have to worry about what everybody says or thinks, it is neither a policy nor anything established. It is just that somebody dreamt that way. You do not have to take the issue seriously. Thank you.
HON. GONESE: On a point of order Mr. Speaker. I think that the Hon. Minister should take this House seriously. I think the question was what is the Government policy regarding the welfare of war veterans. I believe that he should now respond to that question. That was simply a preamble as to what the newspaper reported were the demands of war veterans. The question is very clear and straightforward. I think that the Minister is doing an injustice and a disservice to the people of Zimbabwe by deciding not to respond to the question which to me is straightforward and simply. He should simply tell us the Government policy regarding the welfare of the men and women who fought for the liberation of this country. Can the Minister respond to the question?
HON. DUBE: I think it is common knowledge to all of us here that the Constitution makes it explicitly clear that Government has a duty to make sure that the war veterans get their welfare benefits which include monthly pensions, medical treatment – if there is need, as well as school fees for their children. However, the question of the US$500 000 each has never been an issue. It has never been a Government policy. I believe this august House is consulted before we work out the amount of monies that must be dispatched to the war veterans as pensions. In our normal senses, we do not think that a person can vote for a US$500 000. That is why I did not take it seriously.
However, it is the duty of the Government to make sure that the welfare of the war veterans is catered for. The problems arise when Treasury encountered problems in raising these funds. For instance, recently, we have been having a shortfall of school fees for almost two terms. I am told that Treasury has not been able to raise fees for these children. Treasury will pay the school fees when resources are made available, it is not like Treasury does not want to pay but the money is just not there. I thank you – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
+HON. NDEBELE: Thank you Hon. Speaker. We are now talking about the benefits which are to be given to freedom fighters. They are supposed to receive some compensation and we realise that since 2009, they are now being given an amount of U$73 per month. This is regardless of the degree of injury, for example somebody has 1% and the other one 100%. We know that the compensation is given on a sliding scale according to the degree of injuries. This also depends on the rank which was held by the freedom fighter during the liberation war. Hence, we are saying what is Government policy regarding the compensation on the injuries of our freedom fighters?
+HON. DUBE: Hon. Speaker Sir, thank you for giving me this opportunity to respond to this question. Let me say from the outset, my Ministry is not responsible for assessing the injuries to the freedom fighters. They were assessed by doctors and they gave the percentages. These doctors at times may give somebody 10% or 50%, depending on the injuries and they will be paid accordingly. Of course we have had some doctors who are very unfaithful and untruthful who would certify that a freedom fighter has 100% degree of injury and yet that person will be moving and doing their everyday chores. What we are doing now is to ask for a reassessment of these war veterans so that they receive compensation according to their injuries.
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