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State gives war vets over US $18 million

    JOHANNESBURG

    President Robert Mugabe’s cash-strapped government had awarded almost US $18 million in unbudgeted funds to war veterans following a 25 percent increase in their tax-free monthly gratuities, ‘The Standard’ reported on Monday.

    The announcement of the increases, backdated to January, was tucked away in a statutory notice on pension reviews published in the Government Gazette two weeks ago, the newspaper said. It added that Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister July Moyo had authorised the increases, together with Finance and Economic Development Minister Simba Makoni.

    According to the report, Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) secretary-general Andy Mhlanga confirmed the increase. “I can confirm that the increments were implemented last week. We had been pushing for that review since the beginning of the year and we are glad that it was finally accepted,” he was quoted as saying. “The comrades are happy with this move and we shall rally behind President Mugabe and the party for it is the one which is looking after our welfare.”

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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