Fees unpaid for a year; war vets concerned

Fees unpaid for a year; war vets concerned

Nevanji Munyaradzi Chiondegwa

The Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA) has expressed concern over the non-payment fees for their children of their children, a statutory provision of the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Act (Chapter 17:12) of 2020.

In a press statement issued by Edward Dube, the ZNLWVA Secretary General on behalf of the association, the veterans of the liberation struggle expressed deep concern regarding the non-payment of fees for the children of war veterans.

The unpaid fees date back to 2023. The ZNLWVA said that the non-fees payment was in breach of the statutory provisions of the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Act (Chapter 17:12) of 2020. Their concern comes as university students covered by the Act are being denied access to essential services such as registration and accommodation.

Cde Dube said that, “The ZNLWVA has made both formal and informal appeals to address this matter, but as of yet, no resolution has been reached. Consequently, students find themselves in a state of dilemma and uncertainty, especially since some universities are scheduled to commence classes this week.”

In the statement, the association urgently appealed to the relevant authorities to prioritize the urgent settling of the fees to ensure that learners are not subjected to unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles, ultimately impeding their educational progress.

Cde Dube said, “Furthermore, the ZNLWVA brings attention to Sustainable Development Goal 4, which calls for the provision of inclusive and equitable quality education while promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. The association urges the authorities to uphold the principles enshrined in this goal and address the current challenges faced by the students.”