The
issue
surrounding
the
return
of
these
properties
remains
emotional,
with
organisations
such
as
the
ZPRA
Veterans
Association
voicing
concerns
about
the
handling
of
the
process.
Nevertheless,
NITRAM
Properties
and
its
board
are
confident
the
properties
will
be
returned
in
line
with
President
Emmerson
Mnangagwa’s
promises.
“There
is
no
reason
for
me
to
doubt
His
Excellency’s
word
that
the
properties
will
be
returned,”
Moyo
stated
during
a
press
briefing
at
the
Bulawayo
Media
Centre
on
Friday.
Moyo
expressed
confidence
in
the
President’s
commitment
to
returning
the
properties,
which
were
confiscated
under
the
Unlawful
Organizations
Act
in
1982.
He
noted
that
a
list
of
the
identified
properties
had
been
submitted
to
the
President’s
office,
marking
a
positive
step
forward.
“If
the
President
had
no
intention
of
addressing
this
issue,
he
wouldn’t
have
accepted
the
list
of
properties,”
Moyo
added.
NITRAM
Private
Limited,
the
investment
vehicle
established
by
former
ZPRA
fighters,
was
funded
through
joint
contributions
from
the
veterans,
who
each
donated
$50
from
their
demobilization
payouts
after
Zimbabwe’s
independence.
These
properties,
crucial
for
the
economic
empowerment
of
ZPRA
veterans,
were
seized
in
1982
and
transferred
to
the
President
in
1987.
However,
the
ZPRA
Veterans
Association
has
expressed
concerns
over
the
committee
appointed
to
oversee
the
return
of
the
properties.
They
accuse
Moyo’s
committee
of
positioning
itself
as
the
owners
of
NITRAM
Private
Limited
instead
of
advocating
for
the
removal
of
the
caveat
on
the
seized
assets.
Moyo
addressed
these
concerns,
explaining
that
the
committee
was
initially
formed
as
an
interim
body
in
2022
before
evolving
into
a
formal
board,
now
led
by
Vice
President
Kembo
Mohadi
and
coordinated
by
Retired
Colonel
Tshinga
Dube.
“The
interim
committee,
established
in
2023,
was
formalised
into
a
substantive
committee
and
then
into
a
board.
This
leadership
was
chosen
by
a
larger
group
of
former
ZPRA
fighters,”
Moyo
explained.
Moyo
assured
veterans
that
the
board
has
identified
around
100
properties
so
far
and
that
the
list
is
still
being
compiled.
He
also
refuted
rumours
that
some
properties
had
been
sold,
blaming
such
accusations
on
detractors
seeking
to
create
division
among
the
veterans.
“There
is
no
truth
to
claims
that
any
properties
have
been
sold.
The
properties
are
protected
by
title
deeds
and
caveats,
preventing
any
sales
without
due
process,”
he
stated.
Moyo
added
that
anyone
found
to
have
sold
the
properties
illegally
would
face
legal
action.
He
noted
that
NITRAM
Properties
is
relying
on
President
Mnangagwa’s
intervention
to
secure
the
return
of
all
assets.
The
board
has
complied
with
all
requirements
set
by
the
President,
including
compiling
an
inventory
and
database
of
prospective
shareholders.
“While
some
comrades
may
feel
the
board
is
not
doing
enough,
we
have
met
all
the
requirements,”
Moyo
said,
noting
that
the
lists
have
been
submitted
to
Vice
President
Mohadi
and
the
board
is
awaiting
further
instructions.
Moyo
urged
patience
among
the
ZPRA
veterans,
acknowledging
their
frustrations
with
the
slow
pace
of
the
process.
“We
appreciate
the
patience
of
our
comrades
as
this
issue
is
being
handled
at
the
highest
levels.
We
are
confident
that
the
properties
will
be
returned
soon,
as
His
Excellency
is
a
listening
President,”
Moyo
concluded.
He
reiterated
the
board’s
commitment
to
resolving
the
matter
during
the
veterans’
lifetimes.