He is survived by his wife Ritah, 11 children, and 34 grandchildren.
A veteran nationalist, Kuretu served as ZAPU district chairperson for Mufakose before joining ZANU PF after the 1987 Unity Accord, where he rose to become a member of the National Consultative Assembly.
He led the Zimbabwe Ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees Association as national chairperson from 2005 until his death.
Kuretu’s burial comes against the backdrop of growing frustration among war veterans who feel abandoned by the government they helped bring to power.
Since independence in 1980, liberation war fighters have been repeatedly mobilised—often under the leadership of figures like Kuretu—to campaign for ZANU PF, intimidate opposition supporters, and ensure rural voting patterns favour the ruling party.
However, once elections are over, many of these veterans have been left to struggle with poverty, inadequate pensions, lack of housing, and limited access to healthcare.
Several have died destitute, despite official rhetoric about their role as “the backbone of the nation’s liberation. ”
War veterans have staged protests over unpaid allowances, meagre monthly stipends, and poor living conditions, with some openly accusing successive administrations of exploiting their loyalty during campaigns while neglecting their welfare in peacetime.
Kuretu himself was vocal about these grievances, urging government to deliver on promises of improved pensions, land, and healthcare for liberation fighters.
His death and national hero status have reignited debates about how the government honours veterans in death while failing to meet their needs in life. 🔗 Read Full Article
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