History
The ZNLWVA was formed after Zimbabwe's independence in 1980. It was mainly formed to look into the needs of the demobilized combatants of the bush war, mostly members of ZANLA and ZIPRA. All veterans became members by default.
ZNLWVA was a non-entity in the politics of Zimbabwe for more than fifteen years after it was founded. That changed when Chenjerai Hunzvi became its chairman in 1997. The organization successfully pressed the government and all its members were awarded gratuities of Z$50 000 (equivalent to US$4000).
Around the start of the 21st century, members of ZNLWVA, notably Joseph Chinotimba led the invasions of white owned commercial farms with tacit approval from the government of Robert Mugabe, which became known as the Third Chimurenga. These invasions were often led by a war veteran but consisted mainly of youths too young to have participated in the independence war.
Read more about this topic: Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association
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