A South African-based former ZIPRA combatant, Chandagwinyira Chose (whose chimurenga name was Sizwe Jacana), has accused the Zimbabwean government of neglecting war veterans.
He lamented that many Zimbabweans have forgotten the sacrifices made by those who fought against the oppressive Rhodesian regime, paving the way for the country’s independence in 1980. He said:
<blockquote>
It is disheartening to note that some war veterans remain unburied in various countries, including Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia. May their souls rest in peace.
Furthermore, when we, as war veterans, approach politicians to address our concerns and those of the Zimbabwean people, we’re met with harassment.
</blockquote>
Jacana said the current leadership’s “oppressive behaviour,” is reminiscent of Ian Smith’s regime, leading some to believe that colonialism was preferable to the present government.
He said war veterans are not happy with the widespread emigration of Zimbabweans seeking better opportunities abroad. Said Jacana:
<blockquote>
This issue demands urgent attention and we must re-examine our priorities. Let us continue fighting for justice and equality.
</blockquote>
Meanwhile, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has approved the allocation of urban land for war veterans, allowing them to establish homes and businesses in urban areas.
Furthermore, a revolving fund of US$1.5 million was introduced to support war veterans and their widows. This fund is aimed at financing income-generating projects, with each province receiving at least US$150,000.
Promises have been made to install boreholes at veterans’ homes as part of broader efforts to improve their living conditions.
However, some war veterans and activists have expressed scepticism about the government’s sincerity, accusing it of neglect and using these measures as political manoeuvres.
More: <a href="https://newsday.co.zw/southerneye/local/article/200039351/ex-zipra-cadre-laments-neglect-of-war-vets">Southern Eye</a>

Pindula News

A former soldier named Sizwe Jacana is sad because the government is not taking care of war veterans who fought for independence in Zimbabwe. He says some veterans are not even buried properly. He also thinks the government is mistreating the veterans when they ask for help. Jacana says the leaders are acting like the old colonial rulers. The President is giving land and money to veterans, but some people are not sure if it is a true effort to help or just a show. War veterans and activists are worried that the government is not really helping them.

Ex-ZIPRA Combatant Condemns Treatment Of War Veterans

The family of Ignatius Matshotsho Moyo, a war veteran from Brunapeg, Matabeleland South, who went missing in September 2024, has accused the police of misleading them about human bones recently found in Tshingababili under Chief Tshitshi.
Upon visiting the site, the family discovered that the bones had already been buried without proper forensic procedures.
This has fueled suspicions that the remains could be those of their missing relative, contradicting police claims that the remains had not yet been buried.
In an interview with <a href="https://cite.org.zw/family-of-missing-war-veteran-accuses-police-of-cover-up-in-buried-bones-case/">CITE</a>, the missing person’s uncle, Milton Fabion Moyo, said that the family visited the site last Thursday to verify the status of the remains. Said Moyo:
<blockquote>
I specifically went to see the site since they said the bones were secured. We saw the bones had been buried. We were there with the person who had discovered the bones.
There were eight of us who went to bear testimony. I was with other relatives Raphael George Mpofu, Pios Mpofu, David Mpofu, Rudolph Mpofu, and myself.
</blockquote>
The others present included Khulekani Dube, the person who discovered the bones, along with his brother and another relative of the family who lives in the area.
Moyo expressed confusion over the police’s contradictory statements. He said:
<blockquote>
I don’t understand what the police are up to, because when we went there, the bones were still buried, yet they claimed the bones were safe.
</blockquote>
The family said they will now demand an exhumation and proper forensic testing to confirm whether the remains belong to Ignatius, who went missing on September 11, 2024.
Dube, who discovered the remains, also confirmed to CITE that the bones were buried after the police allegedly gave the “go-ahead.” Said Dube:
<blockquote>
I am the one who discovered the bones, and I stay in Tshingababili. I came across the bones when I was gathering the livestock and stumbled upon them.
The Chief said we could bury the bones where I had found them. We went to the police and also went to the scene.
The police said they don’t have a report of a missing person. The police are the ones who gave the go-ahead for us to bury.
</blockquote>
Matabeleland South Acting Police Spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Stanford Mguni, had earlier denied that the remains had been buried, insisting that the police had kept them for forensic examination. He said:
<blockquote>
There is a missing person who was travelling from one village to another. One village falls under one police station, while another falls under a different one in Chief Tshitshi’s area.
For now, I don’t have details on who is missing, as the case is still under investigation, but we do have a case involving human remains that were found.
The police are on the ground, documenting everything and securing the remains for DNA analysis.
</blockquote>
Ignatius went missing after travelling to Bulawayo with his wife to collect remittances from Doves Funeral Services for his late mother, who had passed away in August. After the trip, he decided to return to Mphoengs while his wife stayed in Bulawayo.
Ignatius boarded a private vehicle heading toward Plumtree but got off near Figtree, saying he had forgotten something in Bulawayo. Since then, he has not been seen, leaving his family devastated.
The family now believes that the mishandling of the recently discovered remains is preventing them from finding closure in his disappearance.

A war veteran named Ignatius Moyo went missing in 2024. His family found bones believed to be his, but police buried them without testing. The family suspects a cover-up. They want an exhumation and proper testing. The person who found the bones says police allowed the burial. Police deny this, saying they kept the bones for testing. Ignatius went missing after a trip to Bulawayo. His family is upset and wants closure. They are questioning the police's actions.

Family Of Missing War Veteran Questions Police After Bones Are Buried Without Forensic Testing

The family of Emma Machacha, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zanu-PF">ZANU PF</a> vice-chairperson for Masango district, has been evicted from Koala Farm and dumped along the Harare-Seke Road.
The family was one of the twelve families that were ordered by the High Court to vacate the farm.
Machacha spoke to NewsDay indicating that the families were left stranded. NewsDay quotes Machacha as saying:
<blockquote>
We received a court order to move out last week on Tuesday. We had established our settlements here and have crops and chicken runs. They are now destroying our assets and throwing them on the road.
</blockquote>
Simbarashe Chimbi, a liberation war fighter whose family was among the evicted, told NewsDay that the farm was taken over by the government in 2000 soon after land invasions and parcelled out to several families. Chimbi is cited as saying:
<blockquote>
This farm was given to the people in 2000 after government acquired it. All along, we knew that government owned this farm. The Local Government ministry did not tell us that it had sold the farm to a company called Lilly Investments.
We didn’t know that government was giving out title deeds for farms and yet this white businessman only known as Benjamin managed to acquire one. These people who evicted us are the same people who are now asking us to vote for them.
</blockquote>
The farm, which is located some 13km south of Harare, has reportedly been sold to a company called Lilly Pilly Investments.
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