War Veterans Minister Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube has questioned the number of registered freedom fighters, saying it has remained static even though a number of them have died over the years.
Speaking to journalists in Bulawayo last Friday he said,
We’ve 34 000 registered war veterans, but with the way they are dying at a very fast pace and old age, it’s difficult to ascertain their numbers. We also have 5 000 detainees and restrictees.
Dube said he was not in a position to reveal the amount of money the Government was spending on war veterans’ allowances each month as it varies per individual. He said war veterans allowances depended on the extent of injuries suffered during the country’s war of independence.
I can’t tell you how much each one gets from the war veterans pension. It depends on the percentage of incapacitation. Some were five percent others 20 percent and others lost all their legs they are given about 80 percent.
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