By Political Reporter
Government has yesterday appointed a 13-member Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Board to advance the interests of the war veterans.
Announcing members of the Board yesterday, Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri who was flanked by her deputy Cde Victor Matemadanda, said the appointment was done in consultations with President Mnangagwa and his deputies during the process of enacting the War Veterans Act.
The Board which will be led by Major-General Gibson Mashingaidze (Retired) has Cde Irene Zindi, Major-General Evaristo Dzihwema (Rtd), Lieutenant-Colonel Getrude Moyo, Brigadier-General Alex Mazinyane (Rtd) and Mr Lameck Jackson as other members.
Cdes Remigio Makoni, Rido Mpofu, Tinaye Chigudu, Archibald Kufa, Susan Madzivadondo, Lifneth Moyo and Batsirai Musona completes the list of the Board members.
Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri said gender balance and fair regional representation was considered in coming up with the composition of the Board.
“In coming up with the members of the board whose composition has already been outlined by the Secretary for Defence and War Veterans Affairs, issues of gender balance and fair regional representation were considered in line with Sections 17 and 18 of the Constitution.
“Equally, due prominence was given to the appointment of Veterans with critical qualifications that are essential in driving various processes and assignments that the board will be expected to accomplish,” said Minister Muchinguri.
The Minister said the Board’s immediate task is to create an empowerment vehicle for veterans of the liberation struggle.
Minister Muchinguri added that there will be Veterans of the Liberation Struggle (VLS) empowerment vehicle that would be 100 percent owned by a fund controlled by veterans of the liberation struggle.
“Your appointment coincides with the implementation of National Development Strategy 1 (2021-2025) whose thrust is anchored on a transformative and inclusive development agenda. It is critical for veterans of the liberation struggle to play a key role, both as actors and beneficiaries in the new development trajectory.
“To this end, your activities should be informed by and feed into the milestones of NDS 1,” said Minister Muchinguri-Kashiri.
She said that the Board is also expected to play an advisory role to the Minister on the establishment of any scheme in terms of the VLS Act or on any matter relating to any scheme and to administer through the Chief Director, the veterans of the liberation struggle fund.
The Minister added that other functions of the Board would be to address issues relating to rights, benefits and the general welfare of veterans of the liberation struggle.
In his acceptance speech, Major-General Mashingaidze (Rtd) promised to hit the ground running and do his best to accomplish the tasks that comes with his new appointment.
