By Delicious Mathuthu
Gweru, Zimbabwe – Children of Zimbabwe Liberation War Veterans Association (CZLWVA) National Chairperson Phineous Makombe has issued a stern warning against the misuse and politicisation of the newly launched War Veterans Empowerment Fund, emphasizing that the initiative must benefit every child of a war veteran across the country.
Speaking at a press conference in Gweru yesterday, June 9, following the national launch of the fund on June 4, Makombe outlined strict conditions for access to the revolving facility and cautioned against corruption, elitism, and abuse.
“This is not a fund for personal benefit,” said Makombe, adding that “It is a revolving fund meant to alleviate poverty at grassroots level among children of war veterans. Those who receive funds must pay them back to ensure others benefit.”
Makombe stressed that accountability would be a key pillar of the scheme, a departure from previous government programs that, he claimed, were poorly managed and benefited only a select few.
“We will not entertain briefcase groups or self-proclaimed chairmen who try to hijack this initiative for personal gain,” he said.
He made it clear that while the initial disbursement of US$500,000 is significant, it is only a starting point.
“What we do with this first allocation will determine whether more resources are availed. The President is watching to see if we are responsible,” he said.
The fund, according to Makombe, is open to all children of war veterans, regardless of age, tribe, social standing, or whether their parents are alive or deceased.
Beneficiaries will be registered through existing CZLWVA structures in all ten provinces, and proposals will be evaluated for viability before funding is allocated.
“The fund is merit-based. If your business proposal is viable, even if you are asking for US$500,000, and it shows potential to yield returns that sustain the fund, you will be considered,” said Makombe.
He urged applicants to apply in groups or clusters to strengthen accountability and impact, adding that individual applications would also be considered if robust.
Makombe credited President Emmerson Mnangagwa for initiating the fund, describing him as a “listening leader” who had also committed to additional support including residential stands, agricultural machinery, and title deeds for land acquired under the land reform programme.
He also confirmed that the Ministry of War Veterans will oversee the implementation alongside CZLWVA and other stakeholders, with technical input from the Ministry of Youth and other government departments.
“There will be follow-ups, there will be monitoring. This time we are doing things differently,” he said.
Makombe reaffirmed that the empowerment of war veterans’ children is a national priority.
“We must prove that we are capable of building this country, not looting from it. If we succeed, more support will follow.”
The CZLWVA says more than 10,000 people attended the fund’s launch at the Winery Convention Centre last week, and provincial rollouts are expected to begin soon.
