*Govt starts allocating urban stands to war vets* ‼️ *_View, Follow And Forward Our Channel For More Hot Topics_* 👇🏽 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaDpfSeGehEJGxtW140p Government has started allocating urban stands to war veterans, a crucial element of its strategy to promote social justice and address historical imbalances. The programme will be implemented across the country’s 10 provinces, allowing war veterans to establish homes and embark on entrepreneurial ventures. In addition, the stands can be used as collateral for bank loans, offering veterans a pathway to financial empowerment. Last Friday, 63 veterans from the Midlands Province received their title deeds at a ceremony in Gweru presided over by the Minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs, Monica Mavhunga. Addressing the war veterans and Government officials, Minister Mavhunga said the urban land allocation marks a significant step towards improving their livelihoods. “It is with great honour and pride that I stand before you today to preside over this significant handover ceremony of 63 residential stands to our esteemed veterans of the liberation struggle here in the Midlands Province,” she said. Minister Mavhunga said the event highlighted the Second Republic’s unwavering commitment to the welfare and empowerment of liberation war veterans, in line with the national Constitution of 2013 and the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Act, which provide for resettlement benefits as a means of recognising and supporting veterans. “Allow me to extend my sincere gratitude to President Mnangagwa for his visionary leadership in ensuring that veterans receive the recognition and support they so rightly deserve. “Through his guidance, the Second Republic established the Ministry of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs, dedicated to addressing the concerns and welfare of those who sacrificed for the freedom and independence of our great nation,” she said. The Ministry, Minister Mavhunga affirmed, is determined to uplift and empower veterans in all aspects of their lives, recognising that housing and land ownership are fundamental to economic empowerment. “It is in this spirit that we have gathered here today to witness the allocation of stands to you, veterans of the liberation struggle, many of whom have remained without proper housing for years. “This initiative directly targets marginalised comrades who do not have homes, ensuring that no veteran is left behind,” she said. Minister Mavhunga highlighted that the initiative is a crucial component of a broader veterans’ empowerment agenda, aligned with Vision 2030 of transforming Zimbabwe into an empowered upper-middle-income economy by 2030. She said the Government recognises that national development cannot be achieved without uplifting those who laid the foundation for independence. “Therefore, empowering veterans contributes to socio-economic progress, as they are key stakeholders in nation-building,” she said. To achieve this, Minister Mavhunga said collaboration with other ministries will continue, ensuring veterans benefit from their 20 percent quota in all sectors of the economy, including mining, agriculture, and tourism, and receive the necessary support. “This includes linking veterans with investors to capitalise and operationalise projects. Other areas of support include enabling veterans’ access to mining facilities, farming inputs in an orderly manner within their districts with the assistance of their district field officers, as well as access to spaces for vending,” she said. Minister Mavhunga expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Local Government for allocating vending stalls at the recently constructed Mbare Musika Market, noting that while 100 veterans are set to benefit initially, more will be considered as the initiative expands. “The Veterans Investment Corporation (VIC), the Ministry’s investment company, reports to me as the responsible Minister assigned to oversee the administration of the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle (VLS) Fund. “The primary objective of VIC is to generate income for the VLS Fund, which will be disbursed for the empowerment of veterans to improve their livelihoods,” she said. The Government will continue implementing programmes focused on economic empowerment, education, and health services for veterans, fulfilling President Mnangagwa’s mandate to ensure that no one and no place is left behind. Minister Mavhunga said they were grateful to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works for implementing the 20 percent quota directive from Cabinet in the allocation of land and housing to veterans. “In this context, we are here to witness the handover of 106 stands that have been allocated to veterans in various provinces. “However, we have chosen to hold this handover ceremony here in Gweru because the bulk of the stands, 63, are in the Midlands Province,” she said. *Herald*