'Heroes Still Live in Poverty' - ZCTU Takes Aim At Political Elites Over Unfulfilled Liberation Struggle Promi

The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) has accused the political elites of enriching themselves from the country's resources while the majority of Zimbabweans continue to endure poverty, low wages and poor living conditions. In a statement marking the 45th Heroes Day, ZCTU secretary general Tirivanhu Marimo questioned whether Zimbabwe had achieved the aspirations for which thousands of liberation war heroes and heroines sacrificed their lives. Marimo said the prevailing socio-economic conditions, characterised by high levels of informality, poor salaries and widespread poverty, contradicted the objectives of the liberation struggle. "It is a painful contradiction that, more than four decades after independence, many of the very heroes and heroines who sacrificed for this country continue to live in poverty and indignity. Some struggle to access adequate healthcare, decent housing, food and social security. Their circumstances are an indictment of a nation whose freedom was purchased at such an enormous human cost," Marimo said. Follow us on WhatsApp | LinkedIn for the latest headlines He argued that the liberation struggle was not fought simply to change the identity of those exercising political power, but to establish a society where political freedom, economic justice, equality, human dignity and control over national resources would benefit every Zimbabwean. Marimo said Zimbabwe's vast mineral and agricultural wealth had failed to translate into improved living standards for the majority. The country is endowed with significant deposits of gold, platinum, lithium, diamonds, chrome, coal and nickel, alongside extensive agricultural and other productive assets. Despite this wealth, he said Zimbabwe continues to experience high levels of poverty, precarious employment, low wages, inadequate social protection and extreme inequality. "A country cannot legitimately celebrate its mineral wealth while its workers cannot afford basic necessities, pensioners live in deprivation, communities surrounding mineral deposits remain impoverished and public services remain chronically underfunded." Marimo said natural resources should be managed in the public interest and used to improve the lives of current and future generations. "ZCTU firmly maintains that natural resources must be managed in the public interest and for the benefit of present and future generations. Mineral wealth must translate into decent jobs, decent wages, universal social protection, quality healthcare, education, housing, infrastructure and sustainable community development," he said. Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox By submitting above, you agree to our privacy policy . We need to confirm your email address. To complete the process, please follow the instructions in the email we just sent you. There was a problem processing your submission. Please try again later. The ZCTU leader also reminded the country's political leadership that workers played a significant role in sustaining the liberation struggle and should not be treated as mere spectators in discussions about the country's future. He said the sacrifices made during the struggle should continue to guide the country's political and economic direction, particularly in ensuring that national resources benefit ordinary citizens rather than a privileged few. Read the original article on New Zimbabwe . AllAfrica publishes around 600 reports a day from more than 90 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals , representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct. Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica . To address comments or c

Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware of the ongoing debate around the role of natural resources in Zimbabwe's development and potential implications for corporate social responsibility and human rights obligations.

Source: Original reporting via AllAfrica Zimbabwe