Ex-MK Struggle vets intend no violence; they want a newlife

FORMER liberation soldiers were forced to become robbers and snipers because they have no place in the new South Africa, says a former Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) soldier.

Lwazi Mzobe, a soldier who was one of dozens who occupied the corridors of Luthuli House this week, says being a former liberation hero post-1994 has brought challenges of joblessness and landlessness.

He said he left South Africa when he was only 15 years old and his life has been lost to the Struggle for a free South Africa.

Mzobe said he has seen his comrades go to prison in the new South Africa because of crimes they committed out of desperation.

“There are lots of comrades that are coming from prison after serving many years for armed robbery they committed because they were struggling,” Mzobe said.

He said the soldiers were making the demand of a R4.2 million gratuity, some land, economic opportunities and health care for them and their families.

He said some veterans had been given RDP houses, but complained that RDP housing was not suitable for the kind of sacrifices they made.

He denied that the soldiers were violent when they entered Luthuli House this week and said all they wanted to do was have their grievances registered by the leaders of the ANC. He said on Wednesday the soldiers managed to find each other with the ANC and hotel accommodation was booked for them.

Mzobe said meeting that the soldiers were due to have with the deputy president of the ANC, David Mabuza,

would determine the next move.