A newly launched US$1.5 million Presidential War Veterans Fund is aiming to empower Zimbabwe’s liberation heroes, offering interest-free loans for business ventures.
The fund, officially launched last Friday in Harare, has already disbursed initial allocations to three provinces. Harare Metropolitan received US$150,000, earmarked for the Zimbabwe Political Prisoners, Detainees, and Restrictees Association (ZIPPEDRA), as announced by Special Presidential Investment Advisor to the United Arab Emirates, Dr Paul Tungwarara.
“As the Presidential Advisor, I have been sent to inform you that the President is contributing US$150,000 to the ZIPPEDRA Fund for Harare Province, which we are officially launching today,” Dr Tungwarara stated. “This fund will be accessible to all members to start their own projects, and the best part is that it will be interest-free.”
Mashonaland East received a US$100,000 donation, while Masvingo Province received a commitment of US$166,000 from President Mnangagwa. The overall fund, according to Dr Tungwarara, will be reviewed and increased based on the repayment diligence of beneficiaries, ensuring its long-term sustainability.
“The fund will be continuously reviewed and increased based on the honesty and diligence of beneficiaries in repaying the loans, so that others can also benefit,” he explained.
The launch event, organised by Concord for Young Women in Business Global, was attended by several high-ranking Zanu-PF officials, including Deputy National Political Commissar Cde Webster Shamu and Deputy Secretary for Security Cde Tendai Chirau. Cde Shamu praised President Mnangagwa for his commitment to supporting war veterans, highlighting the fund’s potential to significantly improve their economic standing.
President of Concord for Young Women in Business Global, Cde Apphia Nyasha Musavengana, also commended the initiative, pledging to provide financial literacy training to ensure the effective use of the loan funds. She further announced a separate US$100,000 donation to the ZIPPEDRA Women’s Fund, enabling women to access funding without collateral.
“We want to thank Dr Tungwarara for donating US$100,000 to the ZIPPEDRA Women’s Fund through His Excellency. This fund will enable women to access funding for their projects and businesses without collateral,” she said.
The fund’s launch is intended to recognise the significant contributions of war veterans, ex-political prisoners, detainees, restrictees, non-combatant cadres, and war collaborators to Zimbabwe’s development. Their leadership roles at both community and national levels, and their crucial role in mobilising support for the ruling party during the 2023 harmonised elections, are acknowledged by the government.
However, this positive development is overshadowed by a significant challenge to President Mnangagwa’s leadership. A group of Zanu-PF affiliated liberation war veterans has publicly called for his immediate resignation, accusing him of nepotism, corruption, and economic mismanagement.
He further criticised the President’s failure to fulfil promises made since his ascension to power in 2017, citing the lack of decent graves for many fallen comrades and the country’s deteriorating economic situation. He also raised concerns about pervasive corruption and the lack of accountability for those involved.
“Corruption has become a security threat because these people are being protected by Emmerson. So, as war veterans, including masses, we are being asked, ‘Why did you give us this kind of a person? We no longer like him.’ So, we are pleading with you: Leave peacefully. If you don’t, people will use the constitution for you to go.”
Zanu-PF spokesman Farai Marapira dismissed these calls, stating in an interview with VOA: “The party position is clear; the party position is given to clear channels. So, we cannot dignify rogue rantings by responding to them,” Marapira said. “People who speak their mind outside of the party, that’s part of democracy.
Political analysts offer varying perspectives on the significance of the war veterans’ call for Mnangagwa’s resignation. University of Zimbabwe political professor Eldred Masunungure, speaking to VOA, acknowledged the veterans’ genuine frustration with the current state of affairs, noting: “The political clouds are extremely difficult to read under the circumstances, but what is clear [is] they expressed in unambiguous terms their exasperation with the way things have been going on in the last couple of years in the second republic,” Masunungure said. “That is certain. But the outcome of what they are doing, what they are advocating for, that is — in my view — deeply uncertain.”
Harare-based independent political commentator Brighton Chipamhadze highlighted the divisions within Zanu-PF, stating: “As Comrade Geza points out, there are certain individuals benefiting from Mnangagwa’s rule, calling for [an] extension of Mnangagwa’s term,” Chipamhadze said.
“Yet there is also a section of the ruling party which is against Mnangagwa extending his term of office.”
The situation is further complicated by Zimbabwe’s 2013 constitution, which allows for the impeachment and removal of the president by parliament. President Mnangagwa, one of Africa’s oldest heads of state, will be 86 years old in 2028.