The Reintegration of War Veterans: Challenges and Their Implications for Zimbabwe

The research sought to assess the reintegration of war veterans into the society, the challenges and their implications. In trying to find solutions to the research problem, the researcher examined the nature of the relationship between the war veterans and society in Zimbabwe and to determine how war veterans were being reintegrated into the society after returning from the war. The research method used was qualitative approach and the data was generated through the use of face-to-face interviews, focus group discussions and the researcher as a tool with a sample of eight participants which consisted war veterans. The research singled out that reintegration of war veterans had resulted in a complex process which raises many moral, practical, and operational questions. It was ultimately the remaking of relationships on many levels, not only between individuals, communities, and states, but within all of these entities as well. This research shows that participatory approaches in the Zimbabwe Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration DDR programmes fell short in meeting their objectives. Lack of participation had negative consequences for the specific programme objectives, and also for the wider peacebuilding project to which DDR is meant to contribute. The research concluded that reintegration was not properly conducted in Zimbabwe and war veterans would remain isolated from society if no proper measures are taken