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Youth Agenda Trust statement on Heroes and Defence Forces days
Youth Agenda Trust
August 14, 2012

Youth Agenda Trust would like to take the momentous occasion of the commemoration of Heroes and Defence forces days to salute the gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of this country from colonial rule.

As the youth, we take a cue from the heroics of these true patriots, some of whom perished during the struggle, others who perished after Independence and a few others who still remain with us.

We also recognize that these heroes gave their souls for the total liberation of our motherland, that is socio-political and economic emancipation. They fought for one man one vote and for a society that respects the rights, freedoms, dignity of fellow countrymen and sanctity of human life.

We are however disturbed by developments that have been taking place in our country where some true heroes of the struggle have formed an unholy alliance with bogus war veterans who feel that by virtue of having fraudulently received the 1999 payouts, they have become real war veterans overnight.

We castigate in the strongest terms the involvement of these people in national processes particularly in elections where they have (true war veterans) tormented the same villagers who received them with joy and celebration at Independence in 1980.

We urge these "War Vets" to cease forthwith the militarization of a peaceful country such as ours and the recruitment of innocent youth to become a para-military wing of a certain political party but instead enjoy their pensions in a civil manner and engage in national development initiatives.

Lastly, we also want to urge our defence forces not to involve themselves in political party politics where most of the times they have been found sympathizing with one political party at the expense of the image of this country but instead concentrate on reinforcing national security and stability.

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