War veterans in Bulawayo have raised concerns over the distribution of government-donated tractors, accusing authorities of sidelining many beneficiaries after only a fraction of the expected equipment reached the province.
Bulawayo reportedly received only seven tractors, with three units diverted to another province, triggering discontent among local veterans who said the process lacked transparency and inclusivity.
The grievances emerged during an interface meeting between veterans of the liberation struggle and government officials held Saturday at Stanley Square, where frustrations boiled over as details of the allocation process came to light.
Minister of Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Affairs, Monica Mavhunga, confirmed that under a national programme launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, each province was initially allocated 10 tractors as part of broader agricultural support to empower war veterans.
This issue was sharply discussed when Cephas Ncube, a faction chairperson of the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), was called upon to explain the distribution process.
As Ncube attempted to clarify, he was met with audible dissatisfaction from attendees, many of whom said they had neither been informed about the programme nor benefited from it.
“I am here to explain, seven came to Bulawayo instead of 10,” Ncube said.
“The MC and I have tractors, as leadership, I shouldn’t have missed out. We can’t all benefit. Those who received the tractors went to fill in forms at the offices, but how will you get the tractor if you don’t go to the offices? I will not mince my words, we are here for development, not for complaints.”
His remarks appeared to further inflame tensions, as veterans argued the process had not been widely communicated while access to the programme had been limited to a select few.
Some participants questioned why leaders appeared among beneficiaries while ordinary members remained excluded and raised concerns about fairness and accountability in the distribution system.
Minister Mavhunga quickly intervened, distancing Ncube from the shortfall and acknowledging the irregularity in allocation.
“He is not the one who shortchanged you,” she said.
“I will ask what happened to the other three tractors. Under the second batch, the province that took the three will have to return them so we have fair distribution across all provinces. There is nothing that cannot be resolved.”
The tractor programme supposedly forms part of a broader government initiative aimed at improving livelihoods among war veterans through agricultural empowerment and economic inclusion.
According to Mavhunga, the President launched a package of agricultural equipment, including tractors, with the first 100 units distributed to beneficiaries in September 2025.
The initiative also included the rollout of 68 vehicles for the ministry to monitor veterans’ welfare and support economic empowerment programmes.
Despite the ministry’s programmes, the meeting in Bulawayo highlighted implementation gaps that risk undermining its intended impact.
In her address, Mavhunga said the interface meeting was not intended to identify new challenges but rather to provide feedback and strengthen engagement between government and veterans.
“From the outset, allow me to clarify that my visit is not to inquire about your challenges, as these are already well known,” she said.
“This meeting forms part of my national outreach programme, which has covered several provinces. These engagements provide a valuable feedback mechanism to inform our planning and programming.”
She acknowledged the resilience of veterans, noting some had initiated projects individually and collectively despite limited resources.
“I am encouraged by your innovation and determination. Many of you are already implementing initiatives that contribute to your livelihoods and communities,” she said.
Mavhunga also outlined ongoing policy and legislative reforms aimed at improving the welfare of veterans.
The ministry administers three key pieces of legislation, the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Act, the National Heroes Act and the War Victims Compensation Act, all of which are currently under review to align with evolving socio-economic realities.
“The amendments are meant to make sure that the veterans’ community receives enhanced and comprehensive benefits, in line with the government’s thrust of leaving no one and no place behind,” she said.
Mavhunga added the ministry is working toward crafting a comprehensive Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Policy to make sure that veterans’ issues are mainstreamed across all sectors of the economy.
On the issue of vetting and accreditation, Mavhunga said consultations with the Ministry of Finance were ongoing to facilitate the gazetting of vetted lists, in line with statutory requirements.
“I am aware that despite the mop-up exercise, some cases remain outstanding. These will be addressed on a case-by-case basis in collaboration with stakeholders,” she said.