BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI
Police have released war veterans that were arrested on Wednesday for demonstrating outside Finance minister Mthuli Ncube’s Harare offices demanding a review of their pensions.
Isso Madzivanyika, Nyasha Manyana, Daphne Kanoti, Shoorai Nyamagondo, Faith Chamanda, Ruvimbo Sphyina Maphosa, Jordan Nderezina, Maron Mabvunzaneyi Mazikana and Wonderful Saburauta had been expected to appear in court on Friday.
However, they were released at midnight, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, which represented them said.
The veterans of Zimbabwe’s 1970s liberation war were charged with participating in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of peace or bigotry.
Police rounded them up after they demonstrated outside Ncube’s offices with placards inscribed “Pay war veterans what they deserve. We are human beings, #Mthuli we are tired of bread crumbs like Lazarus.”
War veterans, who were given huge pay-outs by the government in 1997 for their role in the liberation war, say they are not being compensated enough for the sacrifice.
The government has also given some of the former fighters land and other benefits such as paying schools fees for their children and monthly pay outs.
One of the reasons given by the military for toppling the late Robert Mugabe was that he was neglecting war veterans and side lining them in the ruling Zanu PF.