President Emmerson Dambudzo (ED) Mnangagwa yesterday in Murehwa, through Dr. Paul Tungwarara, the Presidential Investment Advisor, reaffirmed the sacred debt to freedom fighters in Mashonaland East Province by providing war veterans with the Presidential War Veterans Fund, Borehole Drilling, and Housing Schemes.
The event happened in Murehwa Centre on 22 March 2025 and was graced by the Guest of Honour, Cde Douglas Mahiya, the ZANU (PF) Secretary for War Veterans. Also in attendance were Hon Daniel Garwe, the Minister of Local Government; Hon Itayi Ndudzo, the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland East Province; Hon Tatenda Mavetera, the Minister of ICT, Postal, and Courier Services; traditional leaders; war veterans, and the youth, among others.
In his address, Dr. Tungwarara said the gathering was not merely to commemorate, but to rekindle the revolutionary spirit led by the war veterans through action.
“Under the visionary leadership of His Excellency President Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa, whose unwavering commitment to rural development and inclusivity anchors our national progress, today we unveil three transformative initiatives to uplift the lives of our war veterans,” Dr Tungwarara said.
Earlier on, delegates had been led on a tour of a modern, well-furnished house built under the Presidential War Veterans Housing Scheme and donated to Comrade Murambiwa Mujuru whose liberation war name was Comrade Amigo Madenyika.
The house donated to Comrade Mujuru
Comrade Mujuru expressed gratitude to President Mnangagwa, Dr. Tungwarara, and the leadership of war veterans in Mashonaland East and at the national level for the kind gesture.
“I was living in squalor in Macheke. As a freedom fighter, I had resigned to fate, noting that for more than 44 years, I had not been recognised for the sacrifice that made to liberate this country. With this house – furnished with everything including a solar-powered borehole, modern kitchen, state-of-the-art lounge, and bedroom, I will live the life of a king and true veteran of the war for independence. I am grateful to President Mnangagwa, Dr, Tungwarara, and the entire ZANU (PF) leadership,” Comrade Mujuru said.
Under the Presidential War Veterans Housing Scheme, His Excellency is saying no hero who endured the bush war should endure a leaking roof. As a result, he has committed to building modern, dignified homes for the war veterans.
Cde Mahiya said some war veterans were living in dilapidated homes and houses while the majority of Zimbabweans enjoy the fruits of the gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe’s toil, sweat, and blood that gave Zimbabwe freedom.
“His Excellency realised that this is not acceptable and since he walks the talk, he decided to roll out this important initiative to build decent homes for our war veterans. This is social justice and an important initiative that we all acknowledge and applaud our President for bringing change in the lives of our war veterans,” Cde Mahiya said.
Under the War Veterans Fund, President Mnangagwa availed Mashonaland East with USS150,000 in interest-free loans to empower war veterans. This is not charity it is justice. These funds will fuel enterprises aligned with the province’s strengths, for example, horticulture cooperatives among others. The loans are a revolving resource.
The Presidential War Veterans Borehole Drilling Scheme rides on the philosophy that water is life. In a province where droughts once tested the people’s resolve, this initiative will deploy solar-powered boreholes to transform arid lands into green belts. Each borehole will anchor Village Business Units, enabling war veterans to lead irrigation projects, nourish schools, and supply markets in the province and beyond. The scheme was availed by His Excellency under Vision 2030 to improve lives with utmost dedication and unity of purpose.
Hon Garwe said these schemes are not isolated acts of charity.
“They are pillars of Vision 2030, His Excellency’s blueprint to propel Zimbabwe into a prosperous, middle-income economy. When we speak of development, we envision Mashonaland East’s farmers exporting macadamia nuts to global markets, your youth innovating in ICT hubs, and your veterans mentoring the next generation through cooperatives. This province is not a bystander-it is a driver of national progress,” Hon Garwe said.
The Minister also highlighted that the government is committed to regulating vending to restore sanity in cities and towns, adding that doing so will prevent outbreaks of diseases like cholera, typhoid, and dysentry.
