Independence Day: War vets not happy over unfulfilled promises

  The government is under fire for allegedly breaking its pledge to build ten cutting-edge memorial hospitals around the nation in honor of veterans of war. In addition to serving former fighters, the facilities were designed to care for detainees, war collaborators, and other interest groups related to their involvement in the armed conflict. The government stated in 2018 that it has established a special purpose vehicle to lead the initiative. It had stated three years prior that it had obtained US$250 million for the project through an Export and Import Bank (Exim Bank of India) credit arrangement.  

  On the project, there hasn't been much progress, though. The Zimbabwe Liberation Memorial Hospitals (Private) Limited said in a statement to commemorate the 44th Independence Day celebrations that ex-combatants were unhappy. According to Fredrick Ngombe, CEO of Hospital, Industrial and Scientific Investments, there isn't enough political will to address the requirements of veterans of war. "The Zimbabwe Liberation Memorial Hospitals (Private) Limited stands in remembrance of the valiant heroes and heroines who sacrificed their lives and the well-being of their families in the pursuit of our liberation," Ngombe stated, as the country of Zimbabwe approaches its 44th Independence Day on April 18, 2024.  

  However, even fifty years after independence, we still find that the welfare of our respected liberation struggle veterans is entangled in a maze of never-ending planning, bureaucratic acrobatics, and programs beset by persistent false beginnings. "This is a depressing truth that violates the ideals they battled for." Zimbabweans were mobilized by Ngombe to demand that the government "uphold the values and sacrifices of both the fallen and the living." He declared, "The welfare of our veterans should not be a historical footnote, but rather a priority realized within their lifetimes."  

  Ethan Mathibela, the chairperson of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association, stated in an interview with NewsDay that the government had not done enough to ensure the wellbeing of veterans of the war. "It has been regrettable more than twice that we submitted the medical service proposal to the government for support. It began with the first republic, according to Mathibela. It was regrettable that the government suddenly changed its mind at the last minute, even though the Cabinet had approved it. Second, it is the same with the second republic. It would appear that veterans' plight is not given much attention. According to Mathibela, former fighters were leading unhappy lives.  

  "You see, 44 years later, when you look at the welfare of veterans, you can safely say that between 80% and 90% of war veterans have nothing to show for it, which is very tragic," the speaker remarked. However, this nation is endowed with an abundance of natural resources that were given to it by God. However, we continue to live in extreme poverty. Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs minister Monica Mavhunga was not returning calls, thus attempts to reach her for comment were unsuccessful.