PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Wednesday, 2nd March, 2022
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. SPEAKER in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE HON. SPEAKER
PETITIONS RECEIVED FROM RESIDENTS COALITION FOR ELECTORAL REFORMS, DEAF ZIMBABWE TRUST, FIGHT INEQUALITY ALLIANCE ZIMBABWE AND MS. NYASHA SHARON MPAME
THE HON. SPEAKER: I have to inform the House that Parliament received the following petitions:
- A petition from the Residents Coalition for Electoral Reforms of Zengeza, Chitungwiza, beseeching Parliament to request the Registrar-General to expedite issuance of identity documents for purposes of voter registration.
The petition has since been referred to the Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services.
- A petition from Deaf Zimbabwe Trust of Greendale, Harare, requesting Parliament to protect the rights of pupils with disability and to finalise the inclusive education policy that has been in draft form since 2019.
The petition has since been referred to the Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education and the Thematic Committee on Human Rights.
- A petition from the Fight Inequality Alliance Zimbabwe of Mt. Pleasant, Harare, beseeching Parliament to redress the current regressive tax regime, enact legislation for redistributive wealth tax, implore Treasury to review downwards the withholding tax and expedite the finalisation of the Mines and Minerals Bill before the end of 2022.
The petition has since been referred to the Portfolio Committees on Budget, Finance and Economic Development and Mines and Mining Development.
- Lastly, a petition from Ms. Nyasha Sharon Mpame of Mt. Pleasant Heights, Harare, requesting Parliament to engage the Ministry of Health and Child Care in order to increase the number of machines for cancer patients, recruit more personnel to attend to cancer patients and decentralise cancer services to all districts by the end of 2022.
The petition has since been referred to the Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care
APOLOGIES RECEIVED FROM MINISTERS
THE HON. SPEAKER: I have received the following correspondence on leave of absence by members of the Executive:
Hon. Dr. C. D. G. N. Chiwenga, Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care;
Hon. Z. Ziyambi, Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs;
Hon. Prof. M. Ncube, Minister of Finance and Economic Development;
Hon. M. Mutsvangwa, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services;
Hon. Ambassador Dr. F. Shava, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; and
Hon. Dr. S. Kanhutu-Nzenza, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE HON. SPEAKER
NON-ADVERSE CERTIFICATE RECEIVED FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY LEGAL COMMITTEE
THE HON. SPEAKER: I have to inform the House that there was a Non-Adverse certificate for the Guardianship of Minors Amendment Bill [H. B. 7, 2021].
Hon. Mliswa, you wanted to raise a point of order? Do not eat into your question time please.
HON. T. MLISWA: No, I will not Mr. Speaker Sir, it will be brief. Mr. Speaker Sir, a very good afternoon to you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Afternoon.
HON. T. MLISWA: Mr. Speaker Sir, what I want to bring to your attention is a culture of disrespect for this House by Cabinet Ministers. I have been tracing the apologies sent and today, there are about four or five.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Can you be connected please.
HON. T. MLISWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I want to illustrate the culture by certain Cabinet Ministers of not respecting this House. You constantly announce those who would have apologised and today I counted about four or five. Last time you were very clear where they were - somewhere in Dubai and in Botswana for some meetings and so on. I rose up to challenge the inconsistency. Today, I do not know where the others are, I do not know whether you have been furnished on where they are or they are still in Dubai or in Botswana because this is another week.
This is serious, it is a culture; whether it is a culture of misinformation to this House, it has to be looked into because we are a country which has a duty in terms of addressing economic needs. The Middle Income Economy by 2030 – they are the foot soldiers who sit in Cabinet and come up with a policy and ours is to interrogate the policies through implementation. How then do we do that when they are constantly not here? For example Hon. July Moyo, for Local Government and Public Works, it is critical. Agriculture right now, there is a drought which is looming, we would like to understand what the Ministry of Agriculture is doing in terms of mitigation of cloud seeding. We are facing hunger. Those are critical issues and they are not here, the Deputy Ministers are not here. How then do we represent people when they are not here? It is a culture and I think you have been generous, kind and understanding in many ways.
However, they have crossed the line - they absolutely have no respect for the appointing authority or for this House. Finally, they do not have respect for themselves. It is a shame for us to constantly bring this issue up. Through your position Mr. Speaker Sir, how can we address these issues? The last time, the Head of State was told about them, it is the same culprits. Hon. Murwira, you see him here, Hon. Mhona is here and we end up naming Ministers because they have no…
THE HON. SPEAKER: Can you wind up your point.
HON. T. MLISWA: We are now forced to say ‘this Minister is good, at least he comes and this Minister is not good but we must not get to that. There must be collective responsibility in terms of that. With your indulgence, what is the way forward now, with all this happening? Thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: The way forward is very simple, we will proceed and find out why those Ministers who have not tendered their apology did not attend. They will be followed suit accordingly in terms of our Standing Orders and Section 107 (2) of the Constitution. I think the officials, Clerk’s Office, you have noted that and we will draw up the list and act accordingly.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
HON. T. MOYO: Mr. Speaker Sir, my question is directed to the Hon. Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities. My question is: may I know Government policy regarding the issuance of title deeds, especially in urban areas.
THE MINISTER OF NATIONAL HOUSING AND SOCIAL AMENITIES (HON. GARWE): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Allow me to thank the Hon. Member for a very pertinent question. As you may be aware, the responsibility to provide title deeds lies with the Central Government and its local authorities. As you also may be aware Mr. Speaker Sir, a fortnight ago, His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe made a pronouncement in Epworth, that the Government has now started the processing of title deeds in areas which are informal settlements, areas that were created from the 70s to date which do not have title deeds. That statement was followed by conflicting statements from the media Mr. Speaker Sir, which I wish to correct this afternoon.
After that pronouncement, His Excellency has set up or created an inter-ministerial Committee which comprises the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities and the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture and so on and so forth. The Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education as the primary driver, is responsible for mapping using their department called Zingsar which primarily focuses on geo-spatial planning. They have started working on that process in areas like Harare South and Caledonia. The mapping is done to identify people that are settled in areas with master plans where we have also had lay-out plans where we have got people that are legitimately settled and those that were illegitimately settled; those that have put up houses in the areas where we are supposed to be having roads, social amenities and so forth. That exercise is work in progress. It has started. The issuance of title deeds starts with those that are legitimately settled. Those that fall in the lay-out plans, those are the ones going to be issued with title deeds. Those that are illegitimately settled are not going to be issued with title deeds. However, suitable pieces of land are going to be identified through the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works and given to us. Once that is done, we then provide onsite/offsite infrastructure, that is roads, water and sewer. They are now given the stands or blocks of flats are going to be constructed. Those who so wish will be relocated into the blocks of flats and those who want to build houses will build on stands. That is one part of looking at it.
Mr. Speaker Sir, it is also important for the House to understand that there is a process which is ideal that we used to follow for the issuance of title deeds. Let me explain the ideal process. The ideal process is that land is identified by Ministry of Local Government and Public Works from the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture. Ministry of Local Government applies for that land which in turn is given to the Ministry of Agriculture. Once that process is done, topographical surveyors are employed to come and do what we call topo-survey. After topographical surveys are done, spatial planners or physical planners are engaged, either through Local Government or through the private sector. Once the planners have done the lay-out plans and everything else necessary, engineers are now consulted to do the designs for the roads, water and sewer. After the designs are done, tenders are floated for contractors to come and contract the roads, water and sewer. Once that is done, the local authority, for instance City of Harare will then issue what is called a compliance certificate. The compliance certificate is the instrument that triggers the processing of title deeds through the Deeds office. That is the ideal situation.
In 2002, the old dispensation, in a desire to want to provide accommodation to everybody, embarked on what was called parallel development where a home seeker can build his house whilst the developer is providing roads, water and sewer. That parallel development was not earnestly supervised and the result and factor is what we have now as informal settlement or irregular settlements, Caledonia, Hatcliff, Gimboki in Manicaland, Cowdray Park in Bulawayo. They were born out of a desire to provide parallel development. Seized with that matter, His Excellency has now said, why do we not now do the reverse of the process. Let us protect home seekers from continuously being duped by land barons; let us provide title deeds first.
So we are starting from the end going to the beginning. We provide title deeds first and the second stage will be now to engage the private sector to provide roads, water and sewer with all the requisite designs. Those are the processes that we are going through now. We have started the process of processing title deeds, not issuing title deeds. It is a programme that phase one is going to take five years because we are dealing with settlements that were created in the 70s which do not have title deeds; Mbare, GlenNorah, Highfield and so forth. That is one part of it. The other part is the one that I have just explained where we had hoped to have parallel development initiated but unfortunately both the developers and the supervising authority slept on duty and we ended up having informal settlements.
The third one is where people settled themselves illegally on land that belongs to the State. There are no master plans, there is nothing. We have retrospectively come and provided master plans, issued title deeds and also provided onsite infrastructure. So the issuance of title deeds is not an event Mr. Speaker Sir. It is a process and we have started the process. I thank you.
HON. T. MOYO: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I want to thank the Hon. Minister for a comprehensive response. My supplementary question is; may I know Government policy regarding those people who are illegitimately settled who may wish to settle on those stands which are going to be provided by Government.
HON. GARWE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. The question is a bit colloquial, I will try to make pieces out of it. People who settled themselves or settled through land barons on land set aside for social amenities will be relocated to areas where there is proper human settlement. There is no other policy that speaks to that. If you have settled in an area where you are supposed to be building a shopping mall or a road, Government is saying we will not come and demolish your house, however we will identify a suitable piece of land for human settlement, provide the requisite onsite/offsite infrastructure, allocate a stand to you at affordable rate and not for free. Once you have moved out of where you are, Government will then come and demolish the house that you have built in an area set aside for schools, clinics and hospitals. Thank you Mr. Speaker.
+HON. L. SIBANDA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Thank you Hon. Minister for the response. My supplementary question is; we have business people who have been leasing pieces of land but do not have title deeds. When are they going to get these title deeds?
HON. GARWE: Mr. Speaker Sir, can you assist me with interpretation, my Ndebele is so terrible.
THE HON. SPEAKER: There are business enterprises that have been leasing some pieces of business land for a long time and they do not have title deeds. When are they likely to be given title deeds?
HON. GARWE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Let me thank the Hon. Member for asking the question. It is a pertinent question too. It is an area that we had not interrogated as a Ministry, however, since we have got an Inter-Ministerial Committee working holistically on the title deeds issue, we will raise this issue with the Ministry of Local Government. We have an Inter-Ministerial Committee duly constituted to deal with all issues surrounding issuance of title deeds, be it households, commercial building, commercial areas or industrial areas. What she has raised is a very pertinent matter which we have not interrogated at this stage. I promise that we will interrogate it and come up with an answer when I have got an appropriate answer. Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
HON. MARKHAM: Thank you Mr. Speaker and good afternoon. Mr. Speaker. I am very interested because this is the first directive we had which is comprehensive. My question pertains to the parallel structures that started in about 2000. Those areas with master plans which have everything except for certificate of finality; the issue is people have for 20 years been paying land barons, proprietors and in some cases politicians. Why can these people, if there is already a master plan and we are now waiting for the infrastructure design; not be given their title deeds? Specifically, in my area that is the case. It is exactly the same except for Epworth and Harare South but we totally ignored this when it comes to special planning.
HON. GARWE: His Excellency is saying no one will be left behind and no place will be left behind. There is an issue that happened as far back as the 60s. The human settlement issue is not an issue created by the past Government or this Government. This is an issue that started in 1890 when people were displaced and left homeless. It was never addressed until now. We are dealing with issues of ancestors. We are cognisant of the fact that we are accountable to the problems that were created by our ancestors and His Excellency is saying we should deal with those problems.
The issue of parallel development was a very noble idea. Provide a house and at the same time providing water, roads and sewer. Unfortunately, human beings being what we are, the developers decided not to follow that principle in that contract. Home seekers need accommodation hence they continue to pay money to land barons. Land barons do not own a piece of land; it is all State land. Government has made pronouncements that home seekers should not pay money to land barons. Our citizens do not pay heed- it is only when they are duped that they come back to Government.
Be that as it may, we are now following all those places where people are settled, whether there is a master plan or not and regularising. We have got a policy on regularisation of both formal settlements that do not have the services like the Garikai/Hlalani Kuhle settlements or informal settlements where people just built with the hope that a road will be created. We are following up and doing what is right. I thank you.
HON. T. MLISWA: My supplementary question to the Hon. Minister is: are we not putting the cart before the horse? The Uchena Report is critical in bringing transparency and it seems as if Government is protecting the land barons because the Uchena Report is yet to be tabled and yet to be implemented. What is Government saying about that? Was the Uchena Report irrelevant? When is it going to be tabled?
HON. GARWE: The Uchena Report is very clear Mr. Speaker Sir. It speaks to land ownership. The Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities does not deal with land ownership. Land ownership is addressed through the relevant authorities - the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture.
HON. T. MLISWA: I would want to seek clarity Hon. Speaker Sir.
THE HON. SPEAKER: There is no need for clarity. The question must be directed to the relevant Minister. He cannot clarify that which does not belong to his Ministry.
*HON. PETER MOYO: Is the Minister aware that local authorities have put in place a policy that even if I buy my stand through the council, I must advertise and publish, then there is a syndicate which is formed. This syndicate will send people to object, then they end up repossessing the stand after one has paid for the stand. This syndicate is the one that is buying stands. It was created through a Council resolution. If the Hon. Minister does not know, then the taskforce should look into the issue. I think His Excellency saw this and understood that this is a syndicate that is taking advantage of people
*HON. GARWE: What happens in Council is known to Councillors who sit in Council meetings. These Councillors fall under the Ministry of Local Government and not my Ministry. We also know that councils are corrupt. If you do not report Councillors who do such things, then Government cannot investigate and arrest. We are neither the prosecuting nor investigating authority, but if you report as citizens that a certain Councillor is involved in corrupt activities, then they will be prosecuted.
The challenge is that people keep quiet. They complain later. Please do not pay land barons. Councillors do not own land. This is State land. Please listen to the Government. I thank you.
HON. R. R. NYATHI: My question is directed to the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage. For the past few weeks, I have been seeing people from ZEC conducting some voter registration exercise but I am also privy that the Ministry of Home Affairs is starting a programme to give our people some identification documents.
When we are looking at the people that are in the reserves, they normally walk 20-60 kilometres to go to such centres. When one is about to take an identification card....
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Member, ask the question please.
HON. R. R. NYATHI: What has the Ministry done in order to reduce walking distances in the reserves where the elderly have to accompany the young to go and obtain their identification certificates?
THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE): Yes, as a Ministry, we are planning to roll out the mobile registration programme. This will ensure that we bring the services as close as possible to the people. We will make use of existing infrastructure in the form of schools to try and spread out the centres and ensure that the distance that people walk to try and get to the registration centres is minimised.
We are in the process of preparing for this programme. We have started resource mobilisation. We have been allocated some resources in that regard by the Minister of Finance and we are on target in as far as our schedule is concerned. We intend to start on the 1st of April, 2022 to roll out this programme. So we have started buying what is required, hiring of vehicles and so the programme is on course.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Did you say 1st April, 2022?
HON. KAZEMBE: The beginning of April, we start rolling out the programme.
HON. MUDARIKWA: Mr. Speaker, with the technological development in Zimbabwe, when are we going to see the issuance of birth certificates and national identity cards online?
HON. KAZEMBE: Let me take this opportunity to thank the Hon. Member for such a pertinent follow-up question. Currently, the Registrar General is seized with that matter. In fact, as a Ministry, we have what we call the Integrated Information Communication Technology Strategy through which we intend to computerise all departments: the ZRP, Civil Registration, Immigration, so as to ensure that they speak to each other online.
Now, this will entail that each department like the Civil Registry, will have to be computerised. We have started that process. It is quite a tedious programme but we have started embarking on it. This is evidenced by the introduction of the e-passport system. As we speak right now, our officials are working on the possibility of ensuring that citizens apply for the passports online and this will extend to I.Ds and birth certificates. In fact, Mr. Speaker Sir, the idea or our long term objective is that citizens should be able to get their birth certificates straight away from the hospital. Everything must be integrated and that is why I am talking about integration.
The birth record from the Ministry of Health should trigger the process at the Civil Registry office once we get integrated and the birth certificate must be issued automatically once somebody is born. That is the whole idea, that is where we are going, and that is what is entailed in the Integrated ICT Strategic Plan which again by the way, involves a lot of other ministries; Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development being a key Ministry in that regard in as far as innovation is concerned. I thank you.
HON. TOFFA: My supplementary question to the Hon. Minister is - what systems and mechanisms have they put in place to give the citizens easy access to getting birth certificates? I ask this because the citizens out there (I talk from an experience I had in Bulawayo) cannot get the birth certificates because they were born, for instance in Nkayi, Tsholotsho and they are told they have to go back to where they were born. In most instances, they have families that have passed on –
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Member, order, I think the question is understood.
HON. TOFFA: Thank you Mr. Speaker, I just want to add a correction to the Hon. Minister. The system of birth records is already in place, the only problem that is there is the fact that children are not given the birth records if the parents have not paid, which is against what the Constitution says.
HON. KAZEMBE: Let me thank the Hon. Member for the follow up questions. Let me start with the last one. As a Ministry, we are not aware that people are denied birth certificates because they have not paid some money but we will look into it. If it is a specific case I would kindly ask the Hon. Member to share with us the information, otherwise we will look at it generally and see if that is happening.
On the other question that she raised on what mechanisms we are doing to ensure that everybody has easy access. She pointed out a particular case, the Nkayi case. To start with, ordinarily children are supposed to get their birth certificates when they are born but we do understand there are situations or instances where someone has grown up and they do not have a birth certificate.
Currently, we have come to realise this is an issue. We know we have certain areas like Tsholotsho, Binga and so on where we are coming across these incidents. We have actually called all the Provincial Registrars and as I am speaking, they are here in Harare. They have been meeting amongst themselves and we are meeting tomorrow so that we can discuss these issues and find a way so that we can make it easy. We expect them to give us what they are coming across in the various provinces and they are here. So we are in the midst of dealing with this issue. I thank you.
(v)HON. NDEBELE: My question is on efficiency at the starting site such as in Bulawayo. It is only serving or providing identity documents to only 40 people per day. I believe this is just but a drop in the ocean, given the huge numbers of people that sleep in these queues. What practical measures is the Minister undertaking policy-wise, to increase that number from 40 to considerable numbers because our people are sleeping in queues and your guess is as good as mine to what other vices, apart from corruption are likely to befall the vulnerable, especially the elderly, women and children?
HON. KAZEMBE: I would like to thank Hon. Ndebele for the question he has raised. Yes, we are aware there are those serious challenges where our people are being limited to certain numbers, those that can access. The biggest problem Mr. Speaker, has been that of consumables. For a long time, we have been struggling and we are still struggling but we think we have found a way. We have been struggling to get the much needed consumables, especially for the I.D cards. With regards to the birth certificates, nothing is imported from the paper but it is the equipment that we use. The special printers that we use, we have been struggling because obviously, I know it is a word we do not want to hear but it is reality; it is because of the sanctions. We have been battling and we have had transactions reversed. We have got evidence where we tried to pay for consumables and the money was returned so many times.
Also, the other reason for this, those numbers Mr. Speaker, if we look at the history, those numbers are actually the normal numbers but the problem is, we have had a long time where we have not been issuing people with these documents and we now have a backlog. So there is pressure. We are hoping by the coming of this mobile registration where we intend to issue up to two million IDs and birth certificates, we will clear this whole backlog and ensure that no one is left behind. Thereafter, we expect to see very small numbers at our centres. I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
HON. DUTIRO: Thank you Chair. My question is …
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order. We are not in committee session and therefore, I am not the Chair.
HON. DUTIRO: Good afternoon Mr. Speaker Sir. My follow up question is on the issuance of IDs where the Minister has assured us that by 1st April, he is going to roll-out the programme. We are now seeing that at the same time, he has highlighted the issue of being hamstrung in terms of resources to issue out those IDs.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Can you ask your question please.
HON. DUTIRO: The question is, what assurance is he going to give us that the roll-out programme will be there on 1st April when he is having some challenges already? He is not in a position to issue new IDs at the moment because of resources. What assurance is the Ministry going to give us in making sure that resources are there on 1st April? Thank you.
HON. KAZEMBE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Let me also thank Hon. Dutiro for such an important follow up question. Mr. Speaker Sir, we have been assured by the Ministry of Finance that the resources will be availed. In fact, they have already started. Our programme is in three stages. There is the preparatory stage, implementation and data capturing stage. We requested resources for the preparation stage and I am pleased to say, Treasury has already availed those resources. I have got every reason to believe that they will provide the resources because they have already given us the amount that we had requested for the preparation of the mobile registration. I thank you Mr. Speaker.
HON. MARKHAM: Thank you Hon. Speaker. Can the Hon. Minister assure us that in areas where we have a bubble of non-documented people, that sufficient time will be given to document those people? The second issue is, when we have a child or a person seeking identification or birth certificate, if both parents are either undocumented or untraceable, are they going to be facilitated in that they will get a document of some sort? Thank you.
HON. KAZEMBE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I would like to thank the Hon. Member for the question. That is exactly why we have Provincial Directors in Harare, that what are the stringent requirements that our people are struggling to get in order to have access to the IDs. We hope and trust that after this meeting, we will be in a position to come up with proposed policies that will enable people to have access to these identity documents, especially those who might not have both parents alive and those who may be in different circumstances. That is the very reason we are meeting Mr. Speaker Sir.
HON. T. MLISWA: On a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir.
THE HON. SPEAKER: You have to ask a point of clarification.
HON. T. MLISWA: I stand guided by you Mr. Speaker Sir. I just felt it is important. I hear there is a debate but it is the right of people to have documentation. There is nothing in the Constitution which says ‘resources permitting’ when it comes to documentation. It is people’s rights and I cannot sit here after 42 years of independence, and we are still dealing with that. When it is a people’s right, what do we do?
THE HON. SPEAKER: What is your point of order?
HON. T. MLISWA: There should be no debate. Government must implement that. That is my point. It cannot be happening in 42 years of independence. We are talking about insufficiency and no system of proper documentation and people being delayed. Then there is no nation to talk about. The economy cannot grow if people do not have documents. It is a right Mr. Speaker. I do not know if I am wrong or correct. I cannot tolerate Ministers debating on issues which are subject to implementation. I stand guided Mr. Speaker Sir.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order. As a seasoned politician, I am sure you know better why there is resource constraint. Hon. Minister, would you want to respond?
HON. KAZEMBE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I think your short answer said it all. I thank you.
HON. MUNETSI: Thank you Hon. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. What plans does the Ministry have, given the fact that there is a looming drought? What plans do they have to mitigate the issues of hunger in the country? Thank you.
THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I would like to thank Hon. Munetsi for that pertinent question. Mr. Speaker Sir, what we hear from the Minister of Agriculture is that there is no need to panic as yet. Whilst we need to be cognisant of the fact that there could be hunger as a result of climate change, from earlier on crop assessment, it does not look as if there will be hunger. In the event that there is going to be hunger Mr. Speaker Sir, the Government, as it has done before, will ensure that no one dies of hunger. I thank you.
HON. T. MLISWA: Mr. Speaker Sir, the reason why I have not been attending Parliament physically is that I have been at the farm. There are two issues that the Acting Leader of Government Business should understand. Too much water creates hunger too. Crops have drowned and we should be getting statistics of the percentage of crops which have drowned.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Correct. What is your supplementary question?
HON. T. MLISWA: My supplementary question to the Minister, for him not to give us statistics on what is a shoddy job. We need statistics on the percentage of the hectarage which we will harvest and the hectarage which has been damaged. It is a figures’ game, it is not speculation. So, we need a report with your indulgence. The Minister of Agriculture should tell us how safe we are in the next season, on the statistics in terms of the hectarage which has been planted, damaged and likely to be harvested. Thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Mliswa. That is not a policy issue. That question can come next week under written questions. Hon. Mliswa, if you can put that question in writing, I am sure the Hon. Minister of Agriculture will be able to answer that particular question.
HON. CHIDAKWA: My question is directed to the Minister of Finance and Economic Development. Mr. Speaker Sir, the gap between the rich and the poor is ever widening. There have been calls for Government to address economic inequality and developmental deficits in the country through the introduction of the Wealth Tax. Wealth Tax is one of the moral measures to redistribute wealth in a society. Can the Minister of Finance and Economic Development explain what Government’s position is on this important policy call?
HON. KAZEMBE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I would like to thank the Hon. Member for such a pertinent question. However, with your indulgence Hon. Speaker, I will defer this question to the Minister of Finance and Economic Development. It is too technical for me to provide an answer.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Chidhakwa can you write your question down for next week.
(v)*HON. MOKONYA: My question is directed to the Minister of Health and Child Care. I would like to seek clarification on the position regarding the 3rd jab of COVID-19 vaccination. Is it for the frontline workers only or it can be given to everyone else? At the moment, there is no current information as to where people can get the 3rd jab.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (HON. DR. MANGWIRO): The 3rd jab is not meant for frontline workers only but it is for every citizen who is interested in getting the 3rd jab. They can go to any health care centre for assistance. Let me also remind citizens that even young children from the ages of 12 to 16 years can be given the jabs. Therefore, we continue urging the nation to get vaccinated because it is the best way to prevent COVID-19, though it seems the pandemic has subsided but we know that the status of the pandemic fluctuates, hence everyone is being encouraged to get vaccinated.
HON. DUTIRO: We have not yet seen most of the people getting the 3rd jab. So, my question is what the way forward is.
HON. DR. MANGWIRO: Thank you for such a pertinent question. As Hon. Members, we need to go to the electorate to explain the importance of getting vaccinated. As the Ministry of Health and Child Care, we will continue educating the nation through the media about the importance of these jabs and the pandemic. As Government, we also communicate to the nation that we deploy vehicles which move around the country assisting health care officials in vaccinations which are meant to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.
+HON. MATHE: My supplementary question is, may the Minister clarify on categories of people who are not supposed to be injected with the booster?
HON. DR. MANGWIRO: There are some chronic diseases for example diabetes, high blood pressure, measles, and asthma; these cannot prevent people to be vaccinated. So, we urge all people to go and get vaccinated whether they are HIV positive, have a heart disease, arthritis or any other disease, one should be vaccinated. Vaccination is there to boost your immune system and help your body to fight against diseases. If one is suffering from cancer or is HIV-positive, it reduces the immune system of your body. So if one is then infected with COVID, it will be worse on someone who is not vaccinated than it is on the one who is vaccinated but suffers from the same diseases. So we encourage that even if one is suffering from other diseases, they should get vaccinated. I thank you. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
+THE HON. SPEAKER: Do you want him to explain, he has said there is no disease that can prevent someone from getting the jab, no disease whatsoever – [HON. MATHE: Inaudible interjection.] –
+THE HON. SPEAKER: What did you say; I did not understand Hon. Mathe?
*HON. DR. MANGWIRO: Mr. Speaker Sir, they are asking about the epilepsy disease. Let me say that people can be vaccinated despite suffering from epilepsy; one can actually get the jab without any problems. I thank you.
*HON. T. MLISWA: My question to the Minister of Health and Child Care is, yes, Members of Parliament are keen to spread the word, but what are you doing as the Ministry of Health to pool resources to give to Members of Parliament so that they can go out there and spread the word to their constituents because Parliament has not budgeted for that programme? We are waiting to be provided with coupons so that we can go and do that. What are you doing in order to engage the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Hon. Mthuli Ncube indicating that you want the Members of Parliament to help in spreading the word because it is important, so that you can be given that budget?
* HON. DR. MANGWIRO: This is wonderful input, you are giving us good advice on how we should go about looking for funding, and we will do that. I thank you.
(V)HON. NDEBELE: Supplementary question Hon. Speaker. I just want the Hon. Minister of Health and Child Care to explain to the nation on whether the third or booster jab is compulsory in our country?
*HON. DR. MANGWIRO: Thank you, getting vaccinated in our country is something which we are encouraging as the Government…
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Minister, the question was in English.
HON. DR. MANGWIRO: Alright, I am sorry Mr. Speaker Sir. Hon. Anele Ndebele, yes, I will just say vaccination, first, second third jabs will protect anyone who gets them. As a country and Government, our job is to protect the citizenry. We definitely want to encourage everyone to be vaccinated, whether first, second or third jab. The vaccines are for free and we want to encourage all Zimbabweans to be responsible and get vaccinated so that they can protect themselves, their families, workmates, relatives, church mates and Parliamentarians so that as a country, we are protected. This virus is for sure, it is real. I thank you.
HON. NDEBELE: My intention is not to bore this House but that response was not clear as to whether the third jab is compulsory or not; if he may grant me that leeway, Hon. Speaker.
THE HON. SPEAKER: The Hon. Minister was very clear. All the vaccination is encouraged for the sake of public health, for the individual and the public at large.
HON. T. MLISWA: Mr. Speaker Sir, my question is to the Minister of Home Affairs. What is your Ministry doing to ensure that there is peace in the forthcoming by-elections? We read of the death of Bonani Ncube due to political violence; may his soul rest in peace. What are you doing to assure this nation and the world that it will not happen again?
THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I would also want to thank Hon. Mliswa for the question. Mr. Speaker Sir, violence is not acceptable at all. His Excellency the President, Cde. Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa is on record saying no to violence, especially during these campaigning times. So as police, the Zimbabwe Republic Police will leave no stone unturned to ensure that anyone who engages in violence is accountable. At the moment, I am sure you have also noticed – I am sure citizens have noticed that police are seized with all those who are engaged in violence; some have been arrested and the law will take its course regardless of who commits violence.
HON. T. MLISWA: My supplementary question is Hon. Minister, it is pretty clear that people seek permission from the police…
Hon. Mliswa having been addressing the Minister.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Please address the Chair, not the Hon. Minister.
HON. T. MLISWA: Mr. Speaker Sir, it is pretty clear that you need to notify the police, they give you the go ahead. I have seen ZANU PF rallies attended by many and they apply, they are not stopped but the opposition is then stopped at the last minute. Is it not the police that has aggravated the situation because there seems to be a selective application of the law?
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Member, can you clarify how that relates to your original question on violence?
HON. T. MLISWA: The word is the role the police are playing in the selective application of the law, the last minute after giving the go ahead to a certain political party, they then stop that gathering the last minute. The issue is aggravating the situation- that is the question. As a result of their action, is it not aggravating the situation because they would have gone ahead? I have not seen ZANU PF rallies being stopped. That is my question, to be fair Hon. Speaker.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Your question is a separate one altogether, it has nothing to do with the issue of violence
HON. PETER MOYO: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My supplementary is - what does the Minister do to arrest people who pull down the infrastructure like what happened in Kuwadzana where a water tank, yesterday pulled down in order for people to put their posters. I think this is exactly where the problem comes in where people will start fighting because others will say, why are you pulling down the infrastructure in order for you to put a poster? Do you not think that is where the fights start? Can you not arrest those people who pull down the infrastructure in order for them to put posters? I thank you Mr. Speaker.
HON. KAZEMBE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I would like to thank the Hon. Member for the question. It would appear that the Member is talking of a particular incident where posters were pulled down. We expect – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order. If you want to seek clarification, you will do so procedurally.
HON. KAZEMBE: Mr. Speaker Sir, the police will attend to any incident that has been reported. If this incident took place and it was reported and the police did not react, then we should investigate but if it was reported, the police will investigate with no favour.
HON. B. DUBE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My supplementary is what the Ministry’s policy is relating to placement of posters. We see now they are being put everywhere including inappropriate places, school premises and other public places which I believe the Electoral Act does not allow. What is the Ministry doing to make sure that is avoided?
THE HON. SPEAKER: How does your question relate to violence?
HON. B. DUBE: All those things are the ones that derive to...
THE HON. SPEAKER: Recast your question to violence.
HON. B. DUBE: Is it not that the failure to regulate the conduct of political parties’ activities and campaign is exacerbating political violence in the country?
THE HON. SPEAKER: Are you asking the question as Minister of Home Affairs or as Leader of Government Business?
HON. B. DUBE: Both.
THE HON. SPEAKER: It cannot be both. I am sure as a lawyer you understand why I am saying that.
HON. B. DUBE: I am asking as Leader of Government Business.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Yes, thank you.
HON. KAZEMBE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I thought it was a supplementary question but since you ruled that he can ask, I will attempt to answer that. Mr. Speaker Sir, the conduct of people towards or during election is an issue that has to be dealt with by ZEC and not necessarily by the police. If that is not happening, an engagement will occur between Ministry of Home Affairs and probably Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to ensure that those issues are attended to avoid violence.
HON. T. MLISWA: On a point of clarification. Mr. Speaker Sir, I am disappointed that the Minister does not understand that ZEC, after every election, puts together a liaison committee which is chaired by the police in case of violence. So I would like to correct the Minister to say that there is a liaison committee which is appointed by ZEC and chaired by the Committee to enforce the law because ZEC does not enforce the law. I would like to correct the Minister on that understanding and I am very clear about that. If he did not know, then that is a lesson to him. I have been in elections long enough to understand the procedures.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you. Kudzidza hakuperi. Point taken, I am sure.
HON. T. MOYO: Mr. Speaker Sir, my question is directed to the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development. To what extend does the amendment to the State Universities Statutes Bill going to conform to the provisions of the Constitution?
HON. T. MLISWA: On a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir. Is the Hon. Member allowed to ask two questions? He has asked one full question on title deeds and he is asking another one. Are we allowed to have a second bite of the cherry?
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Member, you can ask someone to ask that question. Hon. Mliswa, you may ask the question.
HON. T. MLISWA: I have already asked a question.
HON. CHINYANGANYA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. The question is directed to the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development. To what extend does the amendment to the State Universities Statutes Bill going to conform to the provisions of Chapter 13 of the Constitution Zimbabwe? Thank you – [HON. NDEBELE: That is a specific question Mr. Speaker Sir.] –
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Ndebele, do not be disruptive. The question is allowed – [HON. NDEBELE: Inaudible interjection.] – Order. Otherwise we will switch you off. The question is approved by the Chair.
THE MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. MURWIRA): Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to thank Hon. Chinyanganya for asking a question about amendment of university statutes to conform to the Constitution. Specifically, he has asked about a section on national development, which is Section 13 of the Constitution. Section 13 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe talks about national development and that every department, agency, Ministry or Government must contribute to rapid and equitable development. It therefore means we have to look at our statutes, including the universities to find out whether they are in any way contributing to the development of this country.
In their old design, they were designed to teach, research and do workshops which we call Education 3.0 but in order for these statutes to conform to the objects of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, we then had to add innovation and industrialisation to make sure that our statutes are conforming with the Constitution in terms of causing development. Mr. Speaker, it is in this vein that we have started and embarked on the review of all the 13 statutes of the State universities so that they become a centre piece of Zimbabwe’s development. As you know Vision 2030 and NDS1 say this country’s development shall be driven by knowledge and innovation. It therefore means that all our statutes have to give capability to this vision so that this country develops.
The Constitution is very clear, especially on national development. We have also looked at the way these universities are administered, in terms of public administration which is Section 194 – to make sure that they are efficiently managed in terms of public funds and their objects. We also had to look at the issue of making sure that there is 50% gender representation within our university councils. What we are basically doing is to make sure that all these statutes are conforming with the dictates of the Constitution - particularly Section 13 which talks about national development, human dignity which is the eradication of poverty, the improvement of health and all things which we call development is based on a well designed education system. I thank you.
(v)HON. NDEBELE: On a point of order, we are getting a lot of uncomfortable feedback on line and we cannot hear what is happening in the House.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: I am sure the ICT team is going to attend to that. May Hon. Members also kindly mute their gadgets if they are not contributing.
HON. CHINYANGANYA: My supplementary question is, besides funding from Government, are there any funding mechanisms available for tertiary institutions to implement these development projects and innovation initiatives to fulfill Government policy?
HON. PROF. MURWIRA: Thank you Hon. Chinyanganya for the supplementary question on the pipelines of funding our development agenda through the institutions of higher learning, particularly universities.
You would know that Government, for the past four years, has embarked on funding innovation hubs as well as industrial parks for universities. The idea is that we take this as our initial investment to start this engine but once they have taken off, they are likely to be able to change their pipeline of income from merely student fees to industrialisation based fees. I will give an example in order to give way to this point – in 2020, Government invested ZW33 million for the industrial production of sanitizers and PPEs to all universities but so far, all universities combined; we have produced well over 2 billion from this initial investment. This is the idea that we think has to happen.
Most universities in the world are multi-billion dollar holdings. This is mainly because for a long time, they adopted something which is similar to Education 5.0 which we will basically call Education for Development. If you look at, for example, a university in the United States called Harvard, it is worth more than US$240 billion. It is because for a long time, they realised that all industries and every wealth that we have, comes from the human mind. It is only the human being that you can put anywhere on earth and they can build a town or industry and so forth. Our place of salvation is basically our places of learning.
Using this method of making sure that every university has an industrial park and so forth, we will be able to make them multi-billion dollar holdings. When they are like that, then this country is also a multi-trillion-dollar economy. It is this that has made all other countries that are developed to be developed. It is because of the use of intellectual property. So far, all universities combined have almost 500 patent files that have been done in the past two years. This is wealth and it comes from the head.
This realisation and strategy is leading us to say, in future, universities will be giving more scholarships than requiring fees because they will just be looking for brilliant brains so that they can forward the industrialisation and move it forward. In the meantime, we thank Parliament for approving budgets that we have but we are saying as we go forward, these budgets will be tripled through the method of industrialisation that we are using.
As we speak now, we are putting up factories at Chinhoyi University of Technology which are also learning places because students cannot just all of a sudden become industrialists without having seen one when they were learning. We are also putting up at MSU similar structures. We have put up a factory at Rutenga for Marula. We were amazed by the community’s response and about 30 000 households are collecting marula and putting it at the factory. Everybody is participating. We believe that using this method, we will be able to make sure that the income of the universities will be coming more from their activities but of course supported by inputs from Parliament. I thank you.
(v)HON. NDEBELE: Madam Speaker Maam...
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Ndebele, whenever you need to indulge me, you need to say what you want. Is it a point of order or what? We cannot be communicating like that whereby you just say Madam Speaker. Everyone will then be able to do that. You need to state whether it is a point of order of what so that I indulge you.
(v)HON. NDEBELE: It is a point of order.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: What is your point of order?
(v)HON. NDEBELE: Hon. Speaker, with all due respect, would Hon. Prof. Murwira try the art of being brief in his response. If a question is one minute long, I do not think the response should be an hour.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Those are your thoughts Hon. Ndebele but within our Standing Rules and Orders, the Hon. Minister is supposed to respond until he adequately responds.
(v)HON. NDEBELE: He should answer .....
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: You are out of order Hon. Ndebele. Order.
HON. T. MOYO: Madam Speaker Ma’am, my supplementary question to the Hon. Minister is, how far do you agree with the assertion that the amendment of State universities statutes will act as engines for economic growth as it will prompt modernisation and industrilisation which will subsequently culminate in import substitution.
THE MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. MURWIRA): I wish to thank Hon. Moyo for that question on what extent we think that the reformation of the universities’ statutes will lead to industrialisation, if I can rephrase it like that. I would just give an example that Parliament and Government voted that universities should make PPEs and sanitisers for this nation during the time of crisis. We estimate that this country was able, in the past two years, to save between US$500 million and US$1 billion in imports which we were supposed to be buying sanitisers but we were able to substitute that.
I believe that whenever a country is developing, it means it has to sell as much as it buys and basically it is better if we sell more and buy less from outside. So as soon as we are able to make our own things, we will be able to substitute certain things that we import that if I mention some of these things, we might be very embarrassed because there are certain things that we should never import.
(v)HON. T. ZHOU: Hon. Speaker, we are not hearing anything as there is too much echo in the Chamber. All of us on virtual here can hardly hear anything.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: I do not know where the echo is coming from – [HON. NDEBELE: Inaudible interjection.] – May we please mute our gadgets.
HON. PROF. MURWIRA: Thank you for allowing me to continue. The issue is, a country should be able to make things and that is what is called industry. They make things from what their people need. So, we start with what our people need, how can our education make, what our people need and then how can our education result in an industry that makes what our people need. Once we are able to satisfy what our people need, we are actually import-substituting. I was giving an example that when this country embarked on...
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Minister, may you please unmute your gadget. The problem is, you are using another gadget. The sound which is coming is from another gadget and not your own. The one you are using is coming from Hon. T. Moyo and it is muted. So maybe if you unmute that one, we will start having a better sound.
HON. PROF. MURWIRA: Hon. Speaker, what I was saying is that import substitution assumes that there are certain things that we are importing that we should make. What we are saying is that to demystify industrilisation – industrialisation is when you are able to develop methods with your education system to produce goods en masse based on what your people need. So, what our people need, what your education is doing to fulfil that and how your education is producing an industry to make sure that it provides for what your people need. At that moment, you are making goods and if they are imported, you are cancelling out goods that you were importing.
I was giving an example whereby we said, when Government and His Excellency the President made a decision that universities should help with research and development to make sure that we make sanitisers and PPEs, we were able to save for the past two years anywhere between US$500 million to US$1 billion in terms of things that we were supposed to import. So, that is how the reformation of our universities statutes is going to accelerate this kind of initiative. I thank you.
(v)HON. NDEBELE: ZUPCO buses are being used to ferry people to political rallies across the country leaving commuters in urban areas such as Magwegwe stranded. What is the Local Government Ministry’s position on the hiring out of buses by ZUPCO when it is clearly struggling to meet demand for public transport and it is a monopoly?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. CHOMBO): Hon. Speaker, I did not get part of the question. Can the Hon. Member repeat the question please?
(v)HON. NDEBELE: ZUPCO is a monopoly when it comes to the provision of urban transport, which is clear that they cannot meet demand for commuters within the urban areas but they go on to hire out their limited buses to political parties so that they are able to ferry their supporters to political rallies across the country. Can the Minister kindly spell out their policy position in respect of ZUPCO because commuters in urban areas such as Magwegwe are left stranded.
HON. CHOMBO: Thank you Hon. Ndebele for that question. ZUPCO is a parastatal and we provide transport services. We do not choose which political party to hire to and our first and foremost important customer is the commuter and that is when we can hire out our buses. It is not correct that we hire out our buses to a certain political parties, that is not correct. Anyone can come and hire ZUPCO buses. First and foremost, before we agree to hire that bus, we first examine if there is adequate transport for commuters. If there is any area that was disadvantaged, it is regrettable but we hire our transport to any functions. So it is really not that we hire out to specific political parties. If any community was disadvantaged, I request the Hon. Member to come to my office and we can discuss that. Nobody reported that we have some commuters who were stranded. I thank you.
(v)HON. NDEBELE: I am the originator of that question – [AN HON. MEMBER: Mapindurwa kudhara, moda kupindurwa kangani.] –
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MAVETERA): Order! Hon. Ndebele, I thought the Hon. Minister said if you have got any challenges, you can visit their office. What point of clarity do you want to seek?
(v)HON. NDEBELE: It is okay; I will go to the Minister’s office.
(v)HON. NYABOTE: My question is directed to the Minister of Industry and Commerce. In June 2019, the Government announced the policy banning export of raw granite in order to promote the value addition of the stone. What progress has been made in promoting the value addition of the stone? Can we have the statistics of the impact of the value addition, for example, companies formed and production capacity locally? I thank you.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Nyabote, on the first part of your question which I am sure you are supposed to ask one question, that one can be answered but the second part of your question, to ask for companies that benefited, I am sure it is a specific question. You can put it in writing so that the Hon. Minister will be able to respond.
THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE): I did not hear the question clearly.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: The question Hon. Minister is, what is Government policy in terms of exports of raw granite and value addition? The thrust is that in June 2019, they had to stop all that.
HON. KAZEMBE: Madam Speaker Ma’am, I would like to defer that to the Minister of Mines, otherwise I will give a very wrong answer. It is a bit specific and technical. I will share the question with the Minister of Mines and I hope and trust the response will be given next week in that regard. I thank you.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Minister. Hon. Nyabote, your question has been deferred to the Minister of Mines. He is going to respond to that.
(v)HON. M. M. MPOFU: My question is directed to the Minister of Mines and Mining Development, on whether it has come to his attention that Mwana Africa is no longer in a position to renew tribute agreements throughout the country. Yes, they are the holders of almost half of the country’s gold rich claims and it has already impacted negatively on employment creation. As it stands, it has compromised livelihoods of people, especially in the rural communities. I strongly feel that the Minister has to explain to the august House, the exact situation, policy and the possible workable way forward for us to have employment creation towards Vision 2030. Thank you Madam Speaker.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Thank you very much Hon. M. M. Mpofu for your question. That is a specific question. I kindly request you to put it in writing so that the Hon. Minister will be able to respond.
HON. MARKHAM: Thank you Madam Speaker. If you can indulge me, I just want to remind the Minister of Transport. He promised us last week that he will give us the full emergency road repair fund and to date we have not received them.
Madam Speaker, my question to the Ministry of Health pertaining to the COVID regulations; last week, the Cabinet agreed to allow road ports to open. I have been inundated with issues about them waiting for formal notification for the border posts that include Machipanda, Nyamapanda and Kariba, all asking and people being turned back because they are still not allowed to cross the border. Could we have some clarity from the ministries, whether it is Home Affairs or Ministry of Health? Could they give us clarity on whether these borders are open and people can travel under the COVID protocols? I thank you.
THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE): Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I would like to thank the Hon. Member for that important question. It is true, we received information about those challenges that people are facing. We have since attended to that Madam Speaker Ma’am. By way of an order, there was no S.I to operationalise that decision but through the advice of the AG, I personally signed the order last week to ensure that people are allowed to pass, provided they meet the criteria as prescribed by the Minister of Health. That was supposed to have been gazetted last week. I will check whether it was gazetted but it has been dealt with by that order. I thank you.
HON. MARKHAM: Madam Speaker, I would like to draw the attention to the Minister, of the chaos that has been created by internationally schooling people that are going out and coming in, the tourism trade and also business. It cannot happen that we are still waiting for a Statutory Instrument two weeks after Cabinet agreed that it should be done. Two weeks is a long time and we lose a lot of business. The tourist industry is actually on its knees. Could the Minister give us a more concrete answer as to when the Statutory Instrument will be gazetted because it has not been done yet? I thank you.
HON. KAZEMBE: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. Infact there is no Statutory Instrument that is going to be gazetted as such but it is an order that we already signed as the Ministry and was forwarded to the Attorney-General.
Immediately after this, I will make a follow up and in fact, whilst I was sitting there, I was trying to communicate with our office to follow up with the AG to ask if it has been gazetted. It was done last week, so we will definitely follow up and infact, by end of day, I can even inform the Hon. Member what the position is. I thank you.
THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA): Thank you Madam Speaker. Let me also thank Hon. Markham. It is true he requested for a detailed ERP 2 document of which I concur that it is of paramount importance to be tabled. I am glad that he has raised it; I was also going to ask for your indulgence so that I speak to it.
It is true that it is not only infrastructure which pertains to road but there is a compendium which has taken the approach of the whole of Government where the infrastructure rehabilitation has been accelerated in the Second Republic.
The department which is under the purview of Hon. Minister J. Gumbo is compiling a detailed compendium of all the infrastructure projects. At the end of the day, that is going to be tabled in this august House. With the indulgence of the House and in particular Hon. Markham, if we can also be included in that detailed compendium where we are going to table the infrastructure projects that have been successfully done by the Second Republic in terms of the approach that we have taken as a nation so that it can also be tabled in this august House.
However, if the Hon. Member has got particular roles that he has interest in us alluding to this august House to say who has been contracted, what was the course and the kilometers covered, I am also at liberty to table that to the Hon. Member and to the entire august House so that we articulate issues.
I am happy that the issues of transparency and accountability as enshrined in our Supreme Constitution are of great value and we need to uphold that. We are amenable, as the Ministry of Transport, to proffer and table such information.
Questions Without Notice were interrupted by THE HON. TEMPORARY SPEAKER in terms of Standing Order No. 68. .
HON. NDEBELE: On a point of order! Madam Speaker, I appreciate the Hon. Minister Kazembe’s commendable work and I also appreciate the fact that he has committed that on the question of the opening of borders and that he will communicate personally with Hon. Markham. However, may I kindly request with all due respect, that the Minister issues a statement through the public broadcaster if possible, stating clearly the position with respect to the opening of borders? When we ask these questions in this House, it is not for ourselves as Members of Parliament but for the people we represent in our constituencies, so they also need answers.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Thank you very much Hon. Ndebele. Indeed, that is true, whenever we have questions in the House, they are meant for the people that you represent and also for us as Hon. Members.
To the Hon. Minister Mhona – I am sure the Hon. Member is asking for a ministerial statement in relation to the opening of borders. So, if you then can be able to furnish us with that, I am sure it will be responded to.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE
SOLAR POWER FOR THE KADOMA ZBC TRANSPONDER
HON. CHINYANGANYA asked the Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services to inform the House when the Kadoma ZBC transponder is going to be solar powered so that the transmission is not lost when there are power outages.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INFORMATION, PUBLICITY AND BROADCASTING SERVICES (HON. PARADZA): Transmitters used by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Cooperation and other broadcasters are operated by Trans-media Holdings which has a total of 48 transmission sites doted around the country. These transmitters are powered by ZESA through the National Power Grid.
With regards to ZBC interruptions at Kadoma transmission site, I would like to inform Parliament that Trans-Media has engaged ZESA to prioritise faulty resolution for this particular transmitter and this has worked very well as response time by ZESA is very commendable whenever there is a power outage.
Currently, the site has a standby generator which consumes 15 to 20 litres of diesel per hour making it very unsustainable for Trans-media Holdings to run each time power goes off either through load shedding or a faulty.
On load shedding Trans-media Holdings is still in discussion with ZESA to explore the possibility of connecting the site to an existing essential services line. This discussion is ongoing but the success of this option will depend on the technical feasibility of this alternative.
Trans-media Holdings continues to explore ways of reducing outages on this site as well as on all other transmission sites and would like to commend support by Parliament and the efforts made by Treasury to avail resources to procure vehicles for the speedy resolution of technical faults by our engineers and in the process, minimise ZBC broadcasting disruptions. In the absence of ZESA, the Kadoma transmitter would require a 100kva solar plant to power it at a cost of over $USD100 000.
The Ministry is currently in discussion with development partners seeking financing of the solar power system for our entire 48 transmission sites.
RESURFACING OF MAPHISA TO GWANDA ROAD
- HON. MOKONE asked the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development to inform the House when the Ministry will refurbish and resurface the road connecting Maphisa to Gwanda.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: You are not Hon. Mokone.
(v)HON. HAMAUSWA: She is asked me to stand in for her and also to make a correction on her name, she is Mokone.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: It has to be put in writing - these are not personal agreements; you need to put it in writing. Hon. Mokone has to put it in writing.
RESURFACING OF MAPHISA TO GWANDA ROAD
- HON. MOKONE asked the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development to inform the House when the Ministry will refurbish and resurface the road connection from Maphisa to Gwanda?
THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA): Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to thank the Hon. Member for raising that very important question. The Gwanda-Maphisa Road is 58.6km long but the new design alignment of the road is 60km. In 2021, under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme II, the province embarked on maintenance work for the entire stretch. The scope of works entailed grading, sport gravelling, drain opening, and repair of damaged structure and vegetation clearing. The province is currently undertaking the construction of the project which was 10km through a contract namely ZADA Construction which is presently on site and the contractor is expected to complete the work by the 15th of May, 2022. The long term plan is to carry out the construction of the remaining stretch under the Road Rehabilitation Programme which we are seized with as a Ministry.
HON. NDEBELE: Allow me to check with the Minister of Transport if there are any efforts at all to repair Maphisa – Bulawayo Road.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: That is now a different question. Hon. Ndebele, this is a different road because now we are looking at Maphisa-Gwanda, unless it is the same route. It is a different route.
HON. NDEBELE: Madam Speaker, if you can indulge.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: That is unprocedural, I am sure you are a very learned colleague.
HON. NDEBELE: I seek you indulgence Madam Speaker.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Ndebele.
CHALLENGES STALLING PROGRESS ON THE REHABILITATION OF GANGES ROAD
- HON. HAMAUSWA asked the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development to inform the House on the challenges stalling progress on the rehabilitation of Ganges Road in Ridgeview and to confirm whether the same exercise will cover Ganges Eextension which is an impassable area, especially during the rainy season.
THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA): Thank you very much Hon. Speaker. I also want to thank Hon. Shakespeare Hamauswa for the wonderful question he has posed. I want to say that before I forget, I personally engaged the Hon. Member when it actually came to the issue of roads that are under the purview of City of Harare that were not being rehabilitated. We talked about these roads at length but I am glad that he has finally decided to put it in writing. I will repeat what we have agreed when we interacted together with the citizenry.
Hon. Speaker, the rehabilitation of Ganges Road certainly faced challenges such as mobilisation of equipment and material on the part of the contractor resulting in delays in completion of the project. However, the contractor has since done mobilisation and works have already started. We have since skipped that hurdle and are on course to complete the project by Friday, 4th of March which is this week. The contractor, together with the supervising road authority is working flat out to ensure that this deadline is met.
As we speak, surfacing of the road is in place with the greater part of the 1.6km stretch now complete. Hon. Madam Speaker, it should be noted that while the Ministry is desirous of extending the works to cover Ganges Extension, the same cannot be realised under the auspices of the current contract which the scope is limited to 1.6km. The Ministry will soon make arrangements for the implementation of the extension under its 2022 budget. Let me also hasten to say this Hon. Madam Speaker, His Excellency, a listening President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Cde. Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa, has directed that this particular road be completed, which then gives comfort to the Hon. Member and that we complete this road with speed to demonstrate the element that I have talked about that he is a listening President. There were outcries from the citizenry for this road to be rehabilitated, in particular he has directed that we move with speed to rehabilitate it. So Hon. Hamauswa, you can also feed back to the constituency accordingly.
REHABILITATION OF MAIN FEEDER ROADS TO COLD COMFORT
- HON. HAMAUSWA asked the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development to inform the House when the main feeder roads to Cold Comfort comprising Cowie and Pleasant Valley Roads, are going to be rehabilitated since ZUPCO buses are shunning the area due to the poor road network, a situation which leaves residents stranded with some having to walk more than a kilometer to catch public transport.
THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA): Madam Speaker, the Ministry had identified these roads because of the terrible state they are in and this also came through the public outcry and I was also privy to them interacting directly with the Hon. Member and also the concerned citizens where I then assured them that this road, although it is under the purview of the City of Harare and we know that the City of Harare has failed to demonstrate the capacity to rehabilitate our roads, which therefore calls for the Second Republic to come and take over those roads. I can attest that Cowie and Pleasant Valley Roads have since been identified by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development as key routes in Cold Comfort. As such, the Ministry will be undertaking the rehabilitation of Cowie and Pleasant Valley Roads within the calendar year.
Currently, the projects are under procurement to enable the selection of a suitable contractor. It was expected that this procurement exercise will be completed by the first week of April and the chosen contractor mobilised precisely thereafter 63 911. So this is good news to the people of Cold Comfort. I thank you Hon. Speaker.
(V)HON. HAMAUSWA: Can we also have ZUPCO buses allocated to Cold Comfort since the residents are having problems in accessing the services of those buses – [Technical glitch] –
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Hamauswa, we lost you, it is unfortunate, but if I heard your question quite well, this question does not relate to the initial question which was asked. You are now requesting buses to a certain route which is outside the route that you mentioned there.
(V)HON. HAMAUSWA: Madam Speaker Ma’am, I requested buses to Cold Comfort whilst we are waiting for the rehabilitation of those roads. What is happening is that because of the bad roads, buses are not going to Cold Comfort, which has made it difficult for the residents to access ZUPCO buses; therefore they have to walk to Warren Park D for them to access the buses which are not servicing Cold Comfort. We are asking the Minister to indulge me, to make this special request so that whilst we are waiting for that rehabilitation, can there be consideration to make sure that the people of Cold Comfort are assisted?
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Hamauswa, ZUPCO is under the purview of the Minister of Local Government and Public Works. So Hon. Minister, considering that this is a problem which is also from your Ministry, may you kindly liaise with the Hon. Minister for that request. Hon. Hamauswa, the Hon. Minister had to answer both questions 4 and 5. I am sure your two questions have been responded to.
HON. MARKHAM: Thank you Madam Speaker. The Minister made reference to both incompetence of the council or City of Harare to repair roads; he also made reference to ZINARA. My question - actually, we have no idea which roads have been done, hence my previous question about the Emergency Road Rehabilitation. My question now to the Minister is; could the Minister reconcile how much income ZINARA is getting from Harare and how much are you giving back. I got the figures from the City of Harare last week from their presentation and it is shocking how little money they are getting from ZINARA. I would like the Minister and I request the Minister to have a look and see how much money is being given to the capital city from ZINARA. I thank you.
HON. MHONA: Thank you Hon. Madam Speaker Ma’am and let me also thank Hon. Markham. Hon. Speaker Ma’am, so that we do not confuse the people of Zimbabwe, ZINARA does collect money and it is specified what sort of funds they collect and what they remit to local authorities. Here we are talking about the disbursements to local authorities and for the previous year, it was actually close to a billion that was being channeled towards the City of Harare.
We are saying, in terms of what has been disbursed to local authorities, they must account whether it is going to cover a kilometer, 10kms or 100kms, they must account for what they get. This is where we are having a problem to say; as much as they are getting funds from ZINARA, they are not disbursing, they are not doing their acquittals and ZINARA has been doing it religiously. Last year, every quarter, I mandated them to broadcast those funds.
So we are saying the inertia that has been demonstrated by local authorities and in particular, the City of Harare and the roads that we are talking about, they are under the purview of local authorities – we know that the Ministry of Transport superintends over trunk roads and the mandate to do the local connecting feeder roads falls under local authorities and this has not been done for years. We are saying as much as they get, the argument must be, we got funds to cover 1km and we have done precisely that but that is not what is coming. We are saying, whatever is being disbursed to the local authorities, they must account to the citizenry.
Previously, they would say we are not getting anything from ZINARA.
ow if the argument is; we are getting little from ZINARA, then this is something that has to be debated to say; yes, that little amount that you are getting, how are you disbursing it in terms of priorities and we are not getting it. His Excellency, Cde. Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has then said, let us go to the local authorities as we are mandated by the Roads Act [Chapter 13:18], that let us take charge of the roads because those who are entrusted as road authorities are not doing it. A very good example, Hon. Markham, he knows where he comes from - Hatcliffe, where I have mandated my engineers now to go and visit Hon. Markham – the roads that are supposed to be manned by local authorities and for the reasons known to themselves, they are not doing it.
We are saying we cannot continue finger pointing to say, the fiscus and in particular, through ZINARA, they are not giving us money, they are getting money and they are sitting on the funds and we wonder why they are not acting accordingly in terms of resuscitating and rehabilitating our roads. The sorry state that our roads are in is because they were not being maintained over the years. The maintenance aspect, no matter how you construct a road, if you do not maintain it, it will deteriorate and this is where we are; where we have seen mushrooming of potholes within the local territories. We are saying, if we get what we get from the disbursements, we ask the local authorities to acquit accordingly. Thank you Hon. Madam Speaker Ma’am.
HON. MARKHAM: My point of clarity is; I understand what the Minister is saying, I am fully aware of that. However, the Minister’s claims that the City of Harare was disbursed $1billion last year, but the ZINARA statement issued two weeks ago, they claim that City of Harare was given $198 million, and there is a vast difference from $1 billion. I thank you.
HON. MHONA: Thank you Hon. Speaker Ma’am. I am sure now it is a question of an academic debate where we are saying how much did they get. Precisely, the figures are clear; what has been remitted to City of Harare and whilst we are still waiting for that element to be managed in terms of accountability issues, it is for the City of Harare to say, this is what we got. However, I am at liberty to engage Hon. Markham on one-on-one and clarify on the figures so that we ascertain the exact position. The bottom line is; what has been remitted by ZINARA must be accounted for before further disbursements. If you get funds from ZINARA, it will not continue disbursing money until you acquit. Thank you Hon. Madam Speaker Ma’am.
(v)HON. HAMAUSWA: On a point of order Madam Speaker. My point of order is that, through you Madam Speaker, consider that he has to come to the House and explain why the City of Harare has acting managers. There is an Acting Town Clerk of City of Harare. These are issues which should be addressed so that the City of Harare can execute its duty as expected by the citizens and also as expected by the – [Technical glitch.] –
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: It is unfortunate Hon. Hamauswa, we could hardly hear you. Your network is breaking.
(v)HON. HAMAUSWA: My network is bad. Can you hear me Madam Speaker?
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Yes, you were saying who do you want us to invite?
(v)HON. HAMAUSWA: I was saying the Local Government Minster should see that there is anomaly existing at City of Harare where a number of managers are in acting capacity. Unless that anomaly is addressed, we will continue to have the problems which we are experiencing at City of Harare where those who are in acting capacity are not able to execute their duties as expected by the citizens and also by this august House which plays an oversight role over operations of all local authorities. The Ministry of Local Government should explain why they are failing to appoint substantive managers at City of Harare.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Thank you very much Hon. Hamauswa. May you kindly put it in writing so that the Hon. Minister will then be able to respond?
(v)HON. HAMAUSWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I will do so.
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
RESPONSE TO A PETITION BY YOUTH BROADCASTING FM (Y-FM)
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INFORMATION PUBLICITY AND BROADCASTING SERVICES (HON. PARADZA): Thank you Madam Speaker. This is a response to a petition that was presented to this august House by the Youth Broadcasting FM (Y-FM) seeking assistance in getting a licence and other ancillary matters that they raised. Considering the critical role that is played by community radio stations in the dissemination of information to the formerly marginalised communal areas and the country as a whole, my Ministry recognises the issues raised by the petitioners and engaged the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe on the issuance process of community radio licenses.
The petitioners noted that paragraph 5.7.1.1 – Section 10 of the Broadcasting Services Act (Chapter 12:06) infringes on the rights of citizens by giving powers to BAZ to determine when it will invite applications. In that regard, the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe opens invitations every year for community radio stations from all interested parties save for services that make use of the broadcasting frequency spectrum which is a finite resource. The resource must be used, planned and allocated equitably and in an efficient manner. As such, it would be technically impossible for the authority to have applications as and when they wish. This would mean that the authority may end up licensing on a first come first basis. The finite resource must be allocated and assigned in a manner that allows future use and licensing which may not happen if the whole spectrum is licensed at once. The authority is of the view that the current scenario works best as it allows for the proper and strategic licensing.
The petitioners also raised concern over the Broadcasting Services Act which they say should be amended to empower prospective community radios to submit applications to BAZ whenever they are ready. It should be noted that whilst the provision in the BSA regarding the community stations has been there since 2001, the Second Republic has opened up the airwaves and licensed a number of them. However, stakeholders have agreed that the section should be amended to obligate the authority to call for licence applications twice a year subject to availability of the spectrum. This is work in progress.
The petitioners also expressed reservations on paragraph 5.7.2 on the definition of a community. The community and campus radio regulations provides that every community radio broadcasting service shall ensure that its governing body is made up of key interests within the community drawn from different interests such as agriculture, education, business, law and order, health, local and traditional leadership taking into account gender and demographic representation of the licence areas. Based on this, it is clear that all major interests within a community are represented. The petitioners also raised concern over paragraph 5.7 on youth programmes. They allege that licenced community radio stations do not reflect youth programmes. Madam Speaker, it is important to realise that currently there is only one operational community radio station, that is Avuxen FM in Chiredzi and their programming does reflect different demographics within their community. So far, BAZ has licenced six national stations; ten local commercial radio stations, fourteen community radio stations, eight campus radios, seven television stations and we have just launched two Azan Television from East Africa and three KTV.
The other issue that was raised by petitioners is the issue of overlapping radio stations. They are of the view that licencing framework does not allow for overlaps between radio stations. Inasmuch as coverage overlaps are important, the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe is facing technical limitations and as such, there are limited national frequencies until digitization is complete and licencing for the allocation of available frequencies is being done in phases.
The petitioners recommended that the term community must include communities of interest. My Ministry is engaging with relevant stakeholders in considering the proposal with a view to finding ways of how such communities can be allocated frequencies in the future.
The Committee recommended that BAZ must assist the petitioners to get a broadcasting service licence. The Ministry has noted the plea and I call upon the Youth Broadcasting FM to submit their application for consideration by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe.
The Committee also recommended that BAZ must notify the public, of invitations and that submission of applications must be done for two months. I understand that BAZ extends invitations for applications using various platforms like on two national televisions, Government Gazette and social media like Tweeter. However, we have noted the recommendation that applications must be open for a period of two months. I thank you.
(v)HON. NDEBELE: Please allow me to check with the Hon. Minister how the community radio stations are expected to survive in these turbulent economic times when they are not allowed to raise revenue. The Minister himself is an accomplished media practitioner. He knows that radio runs on such subscription.
Does the Minister know what stage is the Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill that His Excellency said will come to the National Assembly?
HON. PARADZA: Community radio stations are not meant to be commercial radio stations. These are for the community. We expect the community to raise funding for these stations. It is up to the communities to make sure that they mobilise resources within their communities. There are other Zimbabweans within those communities who are able to assist and they are free to do so. We have allowed these community radio stations to get advertising within the community they are operating in so that they can at least get the funding for that.
The other issue is that the law does not allow these community radio stations to get funding from donors outside Zimbabwe. They can get funding from our citizens in the diaspora but not from non-Zimbabweans.
We will be bringing the Broadcasting Services Amendment Bill within the next two or so months. It is still with the Attorney-General right now who are finalising the amendments.
(v)HON. NDEBELE: Are we allowed to ask some more questions?
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Ndebele, I asked for any further debate and you were not forthcoming.
(v)HON. NDEBELE: I thought this was supposed to be a conversation with the Minister...
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: We have already concluded.
(v)HON. NDEBELE: I honestly think this is disrespectful of tax payers’ money....
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Ndebele.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. T. MOYO: I move the that Order of the Day, Number 1 be stood over until Order of the Day, Number 2 has been disposed of.
HON. H. MGUNI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE 76TH EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND THE 43RD CONFERENCE OF THE AFRICAN PARLIAMENTARY UNION (APU) HELD IN DJIBOUTI
HON. T. ZHOU: I move the motion standing in my name that this House takes note of the Report of the 76th Executive Committee and the 43rd Conference of the African Parliamentary Union (APU) held in Djibouti from 10th to 15th October 2021.
HON. MASANGO-CHINHAMO: I second.
HON. T. ZHOU:
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 In accordance with Articles 12 (1) and 16 (1), of the African
Parliamentary Union (APU) Statutes which state that “The Conference shall meet once a year in ordinary session, alternatively in one of the five regions of the African continent, namely Central, East, North, West and Southern” and “The Executive Committee shall meet twice a year in ordinary session upon the invitation of its Chairperson. One of the two sessions shall take place immediately prior to the Conference”, the 76th Session of the Executive Committee and the 43rd Conference were convened in Djibouti from 11 to 15 October 2021. Notably, due to exigencies brought about by the COVID 19 pandemic, the APU was meeting in person for the first time since 2019.
1.2 Representatives from the following countries participated in the Meetings: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Djibouti, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea – Bissau, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Mali, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, South Sudan and Zimbabwe.
1.3 The delegation from Zimbabwe, led by Hon. Lt. General (Rtd) Michael Rueben Nyambuya, Deputy President of the Senate, comprised the following Members of Parliament: -
- Maybe Mbohwa;
- Tafanana Zhou; and
- Theresa Makone.
The delegation was supported by the following Officers:-
- Ndamuka Marimo, Principal Director – External Relations;
- Rumbidzai Chisango, Principal External Relations Officer; and
- Obvious Muchenu, Security Aide to the Deputy President of the Senate.
1.4 Of special mention is that the delegation extended an invitation to host the 78th Executive Committee and the 44th Conference of the APU in November 2022. The invitation was welcomed and roundly applauded by the APU.
1.5 Furthermore, Hon. Mabel Memory Chinomona, President of the Senate was elected Vice- President of the Executive Committee representing the Southern African region.
2.0 THE 76TH SESSION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
2.1 In his opening remarks, the Host Speaker, Hon. Mahomed Ali Houmed, welcomed delegates to Djibouti, albeit in the midst of the devastating COVID-19 pandemic. He averred that the pandemic, among other challenges bedeviling the continent, made it imperative for Parliamentarians to be part of the conversations in sharing ideas, experiences and best practices in mitigating the pandemic. Accordingly, the Hon. Speaker Houmed expressed his conviction that the proceedings would lead to recommendations and resolutions that will contribute to post-COVID recovery, development and peace- building within the continent.
2.2 Requests for Observer Status:-
The Executive Committee approved requests for Observer status from the following organisations:-
- The League of Parliamentarians for Al-Quds. This is a civil society organization comprising current and former Parliamentarians from over 70 countries across the globe which seeks to liberate Jerusalem from Israeli occupation and realise the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people in accordance with international law and United Nations resolutions.
- AU-EU Youth Cooperation Hub: This organization promotes the socio-economic, cultural and diplomatic interest of young people in Europe and Africa. In approving the request, the Executive Committee strongly discouraged the emigration of young people to Europe which was resulting in a crippling ‘brain drain’ and the underdevelopment of Africa.
- International Parliamentarians’ Congress (IPC): This is a transcontinental platform for individual Members of Parliament across the globe whose purpose is to jointly resolve global and continental issues that invariably impact humanity.
2.3 Annual Work Programme: The Annual Work Programme for 2022 was approved. The programme includes among other activities, the Executive Committee Meetings, the Conference, Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) related activities as well as the Afro-Arab Conference which has been in abeyance since 2016. According to the Statutes of the Conference, a meeting should have been held after two years in an Arab region. COVID 19 related restrictions made it impossible for the Conference to be held in 2020,
as had been envisaged.
2.4 Consideration of the Implementation of the Decisions and Recommendations of the 42nd Conference:
Mr. Gado Boubacar Idi, Secretary General of the APU, highlighted the following activities undertaken in line with recommendations of the 42nd Conference of the APU:
- Handover Ceremony between the outgoing Chairperson of the Executive Committee, Hon. Alassane Bala Sakande, Speaker of the National Assembly of Burkina Faso and Hon. Mohamed Ali Houmed, Speaker of the National Assembly of Djibouti. The handover followed the election of Hon. Houmed as President of the Executive Committee during the 42nd Conference held in Djibouti in November 2019.
- Participation and Coordination of Inter-Parliamentary and International activities including the 15th Session of the Conference of the Parliamentary Union of OIC Member States, Installation of the Fifth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament, Extra-Ordinary Session of the Governing Council of the IPU, 142nd Assembly of the IPU.
- The Secretary General appealed to all Member Parliaments with outstanding financial contributions to clear their arrears. Parliament of Zimbabwe cleared its arrears which had been outstanding since 2015.
2.5 Review of the audited management account for 2019: The auditor’s report noted the significant amount of arrears in contributions which accounted for 50% of the budget estimates. Accordingly, the Executive Committee appealed to all member Parliaments with outstanding arrears to honour obligations to the APU. The following proposals were made:
- A Dues Committee be established to look into the issue of arrears and modalities for recovering unpaid arrears;
- The inclusion of Speakers of Parliament in Parliamentary Delegations to the APU. However, this would require a statutory amendment. It should be noted that delegations to the APU are in most instances led by Parliamentarians. Zimbabwe is one of the few countries whose delegation is led by a Presiding Officer.
2.5.1 The delegation extends its appreciation to the Government of Zimbabwe for facilitating the payment of Parliament of Zimbabwe’s assessed contribution which had been in arrears since 2015.
2.6 Consideration and adoption of the draft budget for 2022: The Executive Committee approved the draft budget for the 2022 financial year. It emphasized the need for Parliaments to timeously honour their financial obligations to the APU. Each Parliament will be required to designate a focal person to follow up on APU financial matters.
2.6.1 The Executive Committee appointed two Auditors – Hon. Sherif El Gabaly (Egypt) and Hon. Salifou Moussa (Niger) to audit the accounts of the APU for the financial years 2021 and 2022.
2.7 The Executive Committee approved the Agendas for the 43rd Conference of the APU and the 77th Session of the Executive Committee as presented by the Secretariat.
2.8 Date and Venue for the 77th Session of the Executive Committee: The 77th Session of the Executive Committee will be convened in Kigali, Rwanda in March 2022 while the 78th Executive Committee and the 44th Conference will be held in Zimbabwe in November 2022. The exact dates will be determined by the respective Parliaments in consultation with the APU Secretariat.
3.0 MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE OF WOMEN PARLIAMETARIANS OF THE APU
3.1 The Meeting of the Committee of Women Parliamentarians of the APU was convened under the theme “The political, economic and social role of African women in response to the COVID 19 pandemic”
3.2 In his address to the Meeting, the Host Speaker assured the
women Parliamentarians of support from their male counterparts and urged the Committee to come up with recommendations that improve the livelihoods of people on the continent.
3.3 In a speech read on her behalf by Hon. Mbohwa, the Chairperson of the Committee of Women Parliamentarians, Hon. Mabel Memory Chinomona acknowledged the pioneering role played by women on the frontline in the fight against COVID-19. She noted that while women had borne the brunt of COVID19, they had shown exemplary resilience and solidarity. Accordingly, women should play their part in decision making processes to ensure that their concerns are taken on board and to enable them to continue mobilizing communities to carry out activities aimed at preventing and managing the COVID-19 pandemic.
3.4 The Women Parliamentarians deliberated on the theme and shared country experiences and best practices before submitting a resolution for consideration by the 43rd Conference of the APU.
3.5 The resolution noted with concern the negative impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on, among others, socio-economic and social well-being of the people, public health in general, education and the peace and security situation on the continent.
3.6 Accordingly, the resolution recommended as follows:
- Collaborative efforts that stimulate and encourage manufacturing of pharmaceutical products, development of vaccines and treatments against COVID-19 and manufacturing of medical equipment including respirators.
- Development of research into indigenous plant medicine.
- Development of recovery plans that include the informal sector, women and other vulnerable groups through provision of loans and tax relief to large enterprises and small and medium enterprises.
- Strengthening social protection systems to ensure access to the most vulnerable groups.
- Strengthening energy infrastructure and internet access and the use of technology in education.
- Social and psychological protection for women who have suffered domestic abuse.
- Remuneration of domestic work for housewives.
- Consultative and inclusive decision making on electoral timetables to ease tensions that may arise as a result of COVID-- 19.
- Peace and ceasefire in countries in conflict so that the fight against COVID-19 can continue unhindered.
- Mandatory reforms in political parties to make room for women leadership.
3.7 The resolution was subsequently adopted by the 43rd Conference of the APU.
3.8 In line with the provisions of Rule 34(1) of the APU Rules of Procedure which state that “The Committee of Women Parliamentarians shall elect, from among its members, a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson and a Rapporteur. The members of the Bureau shall be elected for a period of two years on a rotating basis taking into account an equitable geographical distribution”, the follow Bureau Members were elected:
Hon. Veneranda Nyramirwa, Member of Parliament from Rwanda was elected Chairperson;
Hon. Said Rasha, Member of Parliament from Egypt was elected Vice- Chairperson; and
Hon. Pitroipa Nassouri Lamoudi Germaine, Member of Parliament from Burkina Faso was elected Rapporteur.
4.0 BILATERAL MEETING WITH HON. MOHAMED ALI HOUMED, SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF DJIBOUTI
4.1 In light of the upcoming elective Session of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) scheduled for November 2021, Hon. Nyambuya held a bilateral Meeting with Hon. Mohamed Ali Houmed, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Djibouti, to seek support for the principle of rotation and the candidature of Hon. Chief Fortune Z. Charumbira for the PAP presidency.
4.2 Hon. Nyambuya’s message was anchored on the principle of rotation of the PAP Presidency among the continent’s five regional groups. This position is consistent with that of the African Union (AU). Accordingly, he noted that only the Southern and Northern regions are still to hold the PAP Presidency while the Central Region has held the presidency on three different occasions.
4.3 The Hon. Speaker concurred on the need for PAP to observe the principle of rotation. He further supported the candidature of Hon. Chief Charumbira not just in compliance with the principle of rotation but also because of this rich resume and experience in PAP affairs. Accordingly, the Djiboutian delegation to the PAP had been instructed to vote for Chief Charumbira.
4.4 Hon. Ali Houmed proposed a Meeting for all Speakers of African Parliaments to reach consensus on the principle of rotation of the PAP Presidency.
5.0 MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
ZIMBABWE-PAKISTAN FRIENDSHIP ASSOCIATION
5.1 Hon. Zhou also held a Meeting with representatives of the
Zimbabwe-Pakistan Friendship Association on the sidelines of the APU Meetings.
5.2 The meeting unanimously agreed that the Friendship Association would gain traction through exchange visits aimed at sharing experiences and good practices. The Meeting also noted the need to explore possible areas of cooperation. Accordingly, communication through official channels will be initiated to enable the Association to become operational.
5.3 The Pakistan representatives who were in Djibouti representing the International Parliamentarians’ Congress invited interested Members of Parliament from Zimbabwe to join the organization which aims to resolve global challenges. To this end, interested Members can join the organization via its website.
6.0 THE 43RD CONFERENCE OF THE APU
6.1 The 43rd Conference of the APU was held on 14 and 15 October 2021. The Conference was officially opened by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Djibouti, H.E. Abdoulkader Kamil Mohamed.
6.2 In his address to the Conference, Hon. Houmed, Speaker of the Parliament of Djibouti encouraged Parliamentarians to use the platform to exchange views on current challenges including the COVID 19 pandemic and to collectively identify mitigatory measures that hinge on building back better.
6.3 H.E. Addoulkader Kamil Mohamed commended the
Parliamentarians for their resolve to convene an in-person Conference in the midst of the pandemic. Accordingly, he urged the Parliamentarians to take stock of the impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic and propose solutions to overcome the pandemic.
6.4 Report of the Chairperson of the Executive Committee: As a preamble to his remarks, the Chairperson indicated that activities had been limited due to exigencies brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, through messages and statements, the APU had expressed itself on the following situations and events:
- A solidarity message to all Member Parliaments in the face of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
- A statement on the discriminatory practices on Africans living in China within the context of the COVID-19 outbreak. Subsequently, a communique was issued welcoming the steps taken by the Chinese authorities to ensure that the principle of non- discrimination and equal treatment for all foreigners in China is applied.
- With regards to the coup in Mali in August 2020, the APU issued a statement condemning the seizure of power by force, reaffirming that recourse to political dialogue remains the most appropriate way of resolving conflicts and affirming that the stability of Mali and security in the north of the country and in the sub-region as well as the fight against terrorism must remain priority objectives.
- Issued a statement condemning the terrorist attack perpetrated in Nigeria on 28 November 2020. The statement also expressed solidarity with the people of Nigeria in the wake of the terrorist attack.
- A statement was issued condemning the terrorist attack on a village in Burkina Faso which occurred on 4 and 5 June 2020.
- A statement was also issued condemning the terrorist attacks in Niger.
6.5 Secretary General’s Report: On the state of the Union, the Secretary General indicated that the APU currently has 40 members, excluding Sudan whose Parliament stands dissolved. Most countries in the Southern African region remain non-Members of the APU. These include Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Mauritius, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia. Other non- members are Cabo Verde and Eritrea. The Secretariat continues its diplomatic maneuvers to encourage non-members to join the Union. Other activities under the Secretary General’s Report were captured in the Report of the Executive Committee.
6.6 The Conference accepted the invitation by Zimbabwe to Host the 44th Conference of the APU in November 2022.
7.0 RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE 43RD CONFERENCE
7.1 The Resolution of the Political Committee entitled “The impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on African populations: resilience and challenges” was adopted by the Conference. The resolution primarily notes the negative impacts of the pandemic as it relates to the implementation of the sustainable evelopment goals (health systems, climate change, peace and security issues, provision of social safety nets, reduced remittances from the diaspora and food security). Accordingly, the resolution calls for amongother measures: -
- Implementation of policies that would allow African Governments to be the main drivers of a crisis such as COVID 19.
- The need to foster greater transparency and governance to improve confidence in the rule of law.
- Governments to conduct electoral processes in a consultative and inclusive manner in order to mitigate political tensions exacerbated by the health crisis.
- Governments to continue strengthening health systems and expand health and social protection coverage.
- Governments to implement policies aimed at eradicating domestic violence and marital abuse.
- Adoption of measures to support farmers in increasing agricultural production to ensure food security. Financial and development institutions to augment Government efforts in this area.
- Called for debt relief to vulnerable African countries.
- Calls upon Western countries to maintain and increase levels of official development assistance (ODA) and strengthen cooperation to mobilise private capital.
7.2 The Conference also adopted a resolution submitted by the
Committee on Economic Affairs and Sustainable Development entitled “The COVID 19 pandemic and its effects on African economies: achieving economic recovery” The resolution noted that the COVID 19 pandemic has culminated in lower economic growth, higher inflation, higher budget deficits, higher public debt, lower external trade as well as social impacts on employment and the welfare of the population at large. The economic impact has been exacerbated by Africa’s heavy dependence on imports for food, medicine and equipment. Accordingly, the resolution recommends as follows:
- Implementation of policies that allow for job creation
- Building infrastructure and local and intra African trade to bolster national and continental economic capacities and reduce import dependency
- Governments to support economic activity particularly in sectors such as tourism and air transport which have been heavily impacted by the COVID 19 pandemic.
- Encourages Governments to stimulate research in fields such as COVID vaccines, agriculture and technological innovation.
- Encourages African Governments to take advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Area to accelerate the process of integration into continental and global value chains.
- Encourages investment in the green economy that can create millions of jobs in sectors such as energy, transport, agriculture and production in general.
- International financial institutions and the international community at large to reform the international financial systems.
7.3 The Conference further adopted the resolution on the security situation in some African countries. The resolution raised concerns on the security situation in some African countries, particularly in the Sahel-Saharan countries, the countries bordering Lake Chad and those of Central and East Africa. Accordingly, the resolution:
- Condemns in the strongest terms, the acts perpetrated by terrorists and armed groups in the above stated regions.
- Expresses its unwavering support for the African populations that have fallen victim to all forms of terrorism.
- Calls for the lifting of the arms embargo on all States whose sole purpose is to defend the integrity of their national territory.
- Reaffirms its conviction that access to government power is acquired through the ballot box and not the gun and further that dialogue is the preferred means of resolving political conflicts.
Calls on African States to strengthen their solidarity, pool their efforts and provide the populations affected by the scourge of terrorism with the protection and support they need. Thank you Madam Speaker.
HON. MASANGO: Thank you Madam Speaker. I am now going to touch on the recommendations that were made.
8.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
|
Recommendation |
Action |
Timeline |
8.1 |
Hosting of the 78th Executive Committee and the 44th Conference of the APU |
-Preparations for hosting the Meetings should be done within the context of an All Stakeholders Committee. - The Committee should endeavour to Host a Conference that is anchored on selling brand Zimbabwe by projecting a positive image of the country. -Provision of an adequate budget for the hosting of the Meetings |
Continuous till November 2022
|
8.2 |
Engaging SADC countries on the possibility of joining the APU |
- Presiding Officers can informally engage their counterparts in the region on the possibility of joining the APU when they interact at international fora. - It is pertinent to understand why SADC is reluctant to join the Continental body. The information will help the APU as they engage the respective non-members. |
Continuous |
8.3 |
The COVID 19 pandemic and its effects on African economies: how to ensure economic recovery |
-Economic recovery requires a multi-pronged approach that includes stimulation of investments, job creation, poverty reduction, boosting agricultural productivity as well as ease of doing business. -Accordingly, the Portfolio and Thematic Committees need to diligently exercise their oversight function in ensuring that existing policies are being implemented to ensure economic recovery post COVID-19. |
Continuous |
8.4 |
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on African populations, resilience and challenges.
|
-Given that Sustainable Development Goals are cross cutting in nature, the relevant Thematic and Portfolio Committees as well as the Expanded Committee on SDGs are urged to follow up on the implementation of the SDGs which has slowed down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, the pandemic poses a serious threat to one of the major objectives of the SDGs, particularly as they relate to Third World countries, that is, poverty reduction. |
Continuous
|
8.5 |
The political, economic and social role of the African woman in the COVID-19 Health crisis. |
- The Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care to provide oversight on the implementation of policies that stimulate and encourage manufacturing of Pharmaceuticals. -The Portfolio Committee on Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to look into issues of social safety nets for the vulnerable groups who have been affected by the pandemic. - The Portfolio Committee on Women’s Affairs and the Thematic Committee on Gender and Development to conduct an enquiry into the increase in sexual and gender-based violence and teenage pregnancies since the onset of the pandemic with a view to recommending mitigatory measures. |
|
9.0. CONCLUSION
9.1 The delegation wishes to express its deep appreciation to
Parliament for affording them the opportunity to represent the country at these important continental meetings.
9.2 The delegation invites relevant Portfolio and Thematic
Committees to implement recommendations and resolutions to make
Zimbabwe’s participation meaningful.
9.3 The delegation encourages the Administration of Parliament to immediately commence preparations for the hosting of the 78th Executive Committee Meeting and 44th Conference of the APU in November 2022 in order to make it an unforgettable experience which projects a lasting positive image of Zimbabwe. Thank you Madam Speaker.
HON. T. MOYO: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. L. SIBANDA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 3rd t March 2022.
On the motion of HON T. MOYO, seconded by HON. L. SIBANDA, the House adjourned at Fourteen Minutes to Six o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 1st March, 2022
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. SPEAKER in the Chair)
(v)HON. NDUNA: Good afternoon Mr. Speaker. I come on a point of privilege with a heavy heart. I speak about the Cyber Security Act which seeks to regulate the internet and to stop acts of misconduct under the guise and umbrella of social media. Secondly, there is the issue of the opposition casting aspersions and accusations on the ruling party, ZANU PF as having murdered their electorate. Mr. Speaker Sir, I ask that the Minister of Home Affairs...
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order. That Act is being reviewed in terms of process. Hon. Nduna, can I get a point of clarification from you? Are you talking about the Data Protection Act or Bill?
(v)HON. NDUNA: Mr. Speaker Sir, am I still on line?
THE HON. SPEAKER: Yes. Hon. Nduna, the issue you are referring to is under police investigation and I do not think we should debate that. Allow the police to complete their investigation and the matter will take its route in the court of law. So be guided accordingly.
(v)HON. MBONDIAH: Thank you Mr. Speaker, good afternoon.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Good afternoon.
(v)HON. MBONDIAH: On a point of privilege Mr. Speaker. My point is arising from the current unrest that is happening in Ukraine. As Zimbabweans, we have students who are studying in Ukraine and are currently under distress. My concern is on the safety of those students and I would like to plead with the Minister of Foreign Affairs if he can come and give a Ministerial Statement to this august House in regards to their evacuation or their safety to another country. I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you. Please follow international news. This matter is before the African Union and the African Union is seized with the matter at that level. That is the level of Heads of State and Government. So allow the matter to be dealt with by the African Union, obviously in consultation with member countries that form the Organisation of African Union.
(v)HON. MBONDIAH: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. T. MOYO: Mr. Speaker Sir, I move that Orders of the Day, Numbers 1 to 11 be stood over until Order of the Day, Number 12 has been disposed of.
HON. PETER MOYO: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
RESTORATION OF THE MOTION ON THE THIRD REPORT OF THE PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE ON THE SPECIAL MAIZE PROGRAMME/COMMAND AGRICULTURE ON THE ORDER PAPER
HON. B. DUBE: Mr. Speaker Sir, I move the motion standing in my name that the motion on the Third Report of the Public Accounts Committee on the Special Maize Programme/Command Agriculture, which was superseded by the end of the Third Session of the Ninth Parliament, be restored on the Order Paper in terms of Standing Order No. 77.
HON. PETER MOYO: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. T. MOYO: Mr. Speaker Sir, I move that Orders of the Day, Numbers 13 and 14 be stood over until Order of the Day, Number 15 has been disposed of.
HON. NYASHANU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON DEFENCE, HOME AFFAIRS AND SECURITY SERVICES ON THE STATE OF SERVICE DELIVERY AND INFRASTRUCTURE AT ZRP ESTABLISHMENTS
HON. RTD. BRIG. GEN. MAYIHLOME: I move the motion standing in my name that this House takes note of the Report of the Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services on the state of Service Delivery and Infrastructure at Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) Establishments.
HON. NGULUVHE: I second.
HON. RTD. BRIG. GEN. MAYIHLOME:
1.0 INTRODUCTION
The Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services conducted an inquiry into the state of infrastructure and service delivery by the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP). The initiative was driven by concerns from members of the Police Service and the general public about poor service conditions which have led to the declining state of service delivery. This prompted the undertaking of the inquiry which culminated into this report. The report provides highlights of the Committee’s findings, observations and recommendations.
2.0 OBJECTIVES OF THE ENQUIRY
The specific objectives include:
- To have first-hand information about the conditions of service for the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP);
- To get insight into the challenges and experiences facing the ZRP;
- To assess the ZRP infrastructure (office, workshops, institutional and residential accommodation) and;
To provide informed recommendations for improved service delivery by the ZRP.
3.0 METHODOLOGY
3.1 The Committee received oral evidence from the Ministry of
Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage on various issues, including the security of minerals following reported cases of mineral leakages, a surge in cases of indiscipline among junior police officers and operational challenges at points of entry and exits along the borderline. The Committee undertook fact-finding visits and assessed the state of existing infrastructure and its maintenance and made several interviews with members of the Police Service from all the ten provinces of the country. During the visits, officers commanding provinces and districts made presentations highlighting operational and administrative challenges ZRP was facing in carrying out its constitutional mandate.
4.0 BACKGROUND
4.1 The advent of the Second Republic ushered in a strategic
opportunity to improve the country’s image and ensure social protection for all. In its efforts to embrace the Government’s drive towards the realisation of the National Vision 2030, the Committee resolved to embark on a fact finding mission to establish the root causes of the alleged predicaments facing the ZRP. It was the Committee’s observation that the problems with the ZRP were double edged in nature, that is, internally and externally. On one hand, the inquiry investigated thoroughly the factors that led to a surge in alleged cases of indiscipline among junior Police Officers, a dilemma which has a direct impact on the citizenry in terms of its constitutional rights and expectations from the Police Service. On the other hand, it did not neglect the views of the members of the Police Service in terms of their day to day functional prerequisites. The Committee observed that the aforementioned state of affairs had the potential of compromising national security if left unaddressed. Therefore, it was found pertinent to gather factual evidence in order to establish ways of motivating, capacitating and strengthening the ZRP.
5.0 FINDINGS AND OBSERVATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE
5.1 Institutional Accommodation
The Committee noted that the Zimbabwe Republic Police has an acute shortage of accommodation. Following the increase of the organisation’s human resources establishment to 50 000, the state of office accommodation in the organisation reached unacceptable levels with a deficit of 3 000 offices. The dilapidated state of most of the offices across provinces, districts and stations further diminishes the public’s confidence in the organisation’s service delivery capabilities. Most severely affected were rural stations where officers have now resorted to the use of tents, zinc and wooden cabins as offices. In some stations such as Makosa in Mashonaland East and Hwange in Matabeleland North, prisoners’ cells have been turned into offices. Some sections, for example the Victim Friendly Unit (VFU) and Community Relations and Liaison Office (CRLO), were sharing offices and this is not ideal considering that survivors of Gender Based Violence (GBV) and other sensitive crimes require confidentiality and privacy when being assisted.
5.2 Residential Accommodation
The Committee was petrified to note that the Zimbabwe Republic Police had an acute shortage of residential accommodation resulting in almost half of its active human resource residing in rented accommodation. The state of affairs was appalling and left officers vulnerable to being compromised by some sections of the society. Current statistics reflected that out of the human resource strength of 44 687, only 26 398 police officers resided in police camps. In most cases, a single house was shared by three families resulting in overcrowding. An estimated total of 19 999 police officers resided out of camp which affected the effectiveness and efficiency of police operations. The level of dilapidation of the existing residential infrastructure further compounds the dire situation. In some serious cases, horse stables and prisoners’ cells have been converted into rooms currently occupied by desperate police officers. The Committee even noted that some members of the police deployed on specific operations used corridors for temporary accommodation while others slept in offices. Over and above that, most ablution facilities in the establishments were on the verge of collapse while at some stations they were non-existent.
5.3 Stationery
In order for the police to effectively discharge their duties on a daily basis, there is need for them to produce a number of documents such as criminal dockets for operational processes and reports for supervisory and administrative processes. It was sad to note that basic stationery items such as bond paper, toner, and bench paper, fingerprint ink among others, were not enough to cover all police stations. As a result, some police members and officers would end up using their personal funds to purchase stationery items. In extreme circumstances, the police would end up using outdated calendars and cardboard boxes as substitutes for paper sheets.
Lack of stationery compromises the efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery in any organization, more-so for the ZRP which is a key security organization where records are very crucial. The Committee was indeed disturbed to note that officers sometimes resorted to begging from the public for typing, printing and photocopying services and, in extreme cases, went out of their way using their meagre resources to cover up for the organization by providing stationery.
5.4 Contemporary Technological Equipment (including ICT gadgets)
The Committee found it very strange that ZRP was seriously lagging behind in the use of modern technologies such as computers. With crime trends becoming more complex due to advancement in technology globally, an ill-equipped security organization may not be able to competently maintain peace and order. Moreover, with cybercrime increasing rapidly and criminals using very sophisticated equipment and technology to commit crime, the ZRP must be at par with global policing trends in using new technology to combat crime.
Contemporary technological equipment such as biometric fingerprint machine, photographing and video filming gadgets, CCTV and scanners for use in Information and Crime Management is essential in modern day policing. Very few stations had office computers, printers and photocopiers. Most stations used computers personally owned by members whilst some relied on external typing services which had to be paid for. This poses threats of having confidential information falling into wrong hands.
Border control, especially at entry and exit points, is a mammoth task for the department due to lack of detecting devices, scanners, drones and the absence of a solid integrated system that allows instant sharing of security information requiring immediate attention.
5.5 Communication System (Telephones and radio equipment)
The Committee noted that communication is vital in enhancing effective policing. To that end, the Committee learnt that ZRP, in its Charter, pledges to answer at least 90% of all telephone calls within ten seconds or three rings as well as attend to radio calls within three shouts. These set targets were, however, dependent upon the existence of the requisite telecommunications infrastructure.
It was observed by the Committee that police stations, especially those in rural and peri-urban areas, did not have working telephone lines while their radio communication gadgets were down for a long time. Police officers had since resorted to using their personal mobile phones, thereby making supervision under this sub core area difficult. To exacerbate the situation, some stations across police provinces did not have mobile network connectivity, making the state of affairs even direr. Instantaneous inter-station and inter-district communication mechanisms were poor (if not non-existent), particularly in remote areas and thus made effective policing very complicated.
The Committee further noted that all ZRP provinces required adequate telecommunications infrastructure in the form of telephone lines, hand held and base station radios and long range repeaters. A delay in rectifying that had the potential of plunging the country into security turmoil given an upsurge of trans-boundary crimes which have an influence on internal crime control.
5.6 The State of Transport
The Committee learnt that the organization's national fleet was far below its requirement of 7000 vehicles. The current motor vehicle strength stood at 2167 and only 807 were on the road. There was, therefore, a national deficit of 4833 motor vehicles. About 75% of the vehicles on the road were in urban areas especially at Provincial Headquarters whilst district and rural police stations accounted for the remaining 25%. The Committee noted that the depleted vehicular fleet and erratic fuel supplies had negatively impacted on the sub core area of scene attendance as three quarters of the stations did not have operational vehicles and that included traffic sections. This made it difficult for the police to timeously attend to crime and road traffic accidents scenes and most of the time, the police personnel were outpaced by criminals who had better resources. Motorcycles and bicycles were in short supply, thereby impeding swift patrols. Border patrols, which required all-terrain vehicles with inbuilt modern communication and tracking equipment, were severely affected due to lack of transport. The same applied to aquatic patrols along the Zambezi River where high speed boats with special policing equipment were needed.
It was disturbing to note that several Commanding Officers did not have vehicles entitled to them. Vehicles for supervision were scarce, no wonder why there is an increase in indiscipline among junior police officers especially in remote areas. Lack of funding for maintenance of the existing fleet had further worsened the shocking transport situation in the ZRP. In addition, the Committee noted that there was a serious shortage of ambulances for the department in all the provinces.
5.7.0 Fuels and lubricants
5.7.1 The Committee was informed by the ZRP authorities that
the organization required an average of 500 000 litres of petrol and 800 000 litres of diesel per month at the current vehicle strength. The figure was expected to increase as the number of vehicles increased. However, the department was receiving an average of 10% and 7% of its monthly requirements for diesel and petrol respectively.
Furthermore, it was observed that there was a serious shortage of engine oil, brake and clutch fluid and other lubricants for routine service, which is crucial for the life of motor vehicles. Fuel carried in containers, especially in remote areas would easily get contaminated leading to engine failures.
5.8 Allowances
5.8.1 Travelling and Subsistence Allowances
The Committee noted that members of the Police Service sometimes carried out duties which required them to be away from their stations, hence the need to be paid travelling and subsistence allowances. However, it was noted that the budgetary allocation for that area was usually inadequate to meet all claims. Oftentimes, members were deployed without travelling and subsistence allowances and food rations, subjecting them to corrupt tendencies, especially along the country’s borderline.
5.8.2 Cycle Allowance
Police Officers, in their quest to conduct patrols, attend scenes, investigate crimes and attend court on time, have to use bicycles among other cheaper forms of transport. However, most cycles at police stations were found in unserviceable conditions. While it is the responsibility of government to provide these critical tools of trade, most officers purchased those cycles with their personal earnings. It was disheartening to discover that the gazetted Cycle Allowance which must be paid to members of the rank of Sergeant and Constables had since been stopped. This, therefore, discourages officers in doing their duties as they have to use personal funds to maintain the same.
5.8.3 Clothing Allowance
Some members of the Police Service do not wear the prescribed ZRP uniform due to the nature of their duties. They use plain clothing. The Committee was very disturbed to note that a paltry ZWL$15.00 was paid as an allowance towards clothing. The allowance currently pays for nothing less than a banana. Like in many other such scenarios, members of the Police Service were forced to dig deep into their pockets to buy clothing for use during the course of their work.
5.8.4 Other Allowances
Members of the organization are transferred from one station to the other on needs basis, hence the need to be paid disturbance allowances. The allowance has for some time not been forthcoming, thereby affecting the welfare of members. It is in this regard that Treasury should seriously consider allocating funds towards this critical allowance, lest transfers become a demotivating factor for police officers and members, and a source of persistent litigations. Quite often police officers are deployed in areas that experience harsh weather conditions. Places such as Kariba, Hwange, Mount Darwin, Nyamapanda and Chiredzi among others, can become extremely hot. Uniforms usually lose colour faster than expected due to excessive heat. It is, therefore, necessary to consider paying heat allowance to officers deployed in such areas.
Living-out allowances were also not being paid to those officers who were staying outside camps. Such officers were experiencing hardships on payment of rentals in foreign currency and would oftentimes report for duty late due to transport challenges.
5.9 Holding Cells and Welfare of Detained Persons
Ventilation was very poor in the majority of cells that were visited by the Committee. Some had toilets which were no longer usable. In worse scenarios, some stations did not have holding cells, thereby resorting to using charge offices for detaining suspects while others used wooden or metal shacks which were hardly secure for the purpose. This was noted as risking the lives of both officers and suspects in one way or the other.
A case in point was that of Maboleni in Midlands where there were no prisoners’ cells. The station relied on the district cells which were about forty kilometers away. Communication and transport challenges exacerbated the handling of detained suspects at the station.
Scarcity of food and linen for detained suspects was seen as a major challenge across provinces. Suspects depended on food provisions from their relatives. In worst scenarios, officers at the stations would provide their personal food to feed detained suspects.
5.10 Health Facilities and Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs)
The Committee discovered that there were inadequate medical facilities and supplies in almost all the provincial police hospitals and clinics. Essential drugs and modern equipment were critically insufficient. Though very vital, PPEs were in short supply. The Committee was concerned to learn that officers would sometimes attend accident and murder scenes without adequate PPEs where they were expected to carry injured persons and dead bodies.
At the pick of the COVID-19 pandemic, officers risked their lives as frontline officers, more-so when they had to escort returnees to quarantine centres without adequate personal protective equipment.
5.11 Water and ablution facilities
The water and sanitation situation in the ZRP has remained ominous since most of the facilities have not been maintained or rehabilitated for decades. Most stations visited relied on the Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) supply, which in most cases remains erratic. The majority of police stations would go for several months without water supply while a few got the precious liquid once a week. This situation had posed health hazards, especially in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. In most rural areas, officers accessed water from community boreholes which were quite a distance from the station or their residential camps.
Most police stations which did not have running water relied on the use of blair toilets for relief. Toilet facilities at most stations and bases were found in a sorry state. In rural areas, collapsing pit latrines was a common site. In worse scenarios such as at Maboleni Police Station in the Midlands Province and Makhado in Matabeleland South, officers used the nearby bush. The practice is unhealthy and it exposes members to snake bites and attacks by both diurnal and nocturnal animals.
Sadly, it is alleged that one of the police officers who was found dead in the nearby bush while responding to the call of nature at Makhado, was a victim of snakebite.
Being a public place, water and ablution facilities are an avoidable necessity at all police establishments and the Committee implores responsible authorities to look into this appalling situation in the ZRP as a matter of urgency.
5.12 Recreational Facilities
Members of the Police Service require recreational facilities where they can entertain themselves after work due to the strenuous nature of their duties. However, most stations no longer had such facilities. Where those facilities were available, their condition was deplorable. Football pitches, tennis and volleyball courts, among others were hardly recognised as the infrastructure had since been abandoned and had not been maintained for a long time. Wet and dry canteens have since been abandoned yet they remain a crucial component of the Police Service. The Committee noted that there is need for total refurbishment of recreational facilities in order to resuscitate sporting activities for members to keep fit and mentally alert.
5.13 Security/Perimeter Fencing
While the ZRP is a public place, security fencing is essential. Several ZRP premises were not properly fenced or protected from intruders. During public demonstrations associated with violence, ZRP premises are usually targeted by hooligans. A case in point is that of Gweru Central Police which was vandalized by unruly members of the public in 2018. The same situation prevailed in areas such as Inyathi and Gwanda which are infested by illegal gold miners and machete wielding gangsters who, of late, had been allegedly attacking police officers on duty.
Lately, the Committee was indeed disturbed to note that some communities were teaming up against ZRP officers demanding the release of arrested criminals residing in the affected areas. This has made it very difficult for effective policing in such places due to lack of human and material resources for the security arm of the country.
5.14 ZRP Unfinished Projects
The Committee witnessed several stalled construction projects across the country, mainly due to lack of funding. The most noticeable ones were the Bulawayo Southern Region Workshop, ZRP Dotito Main Camp in Mashonaland Central, ZRP Marondera Block and ZRP Masasa in Mashonaland East. These projects were residential and administration blocks and works were halted for more than a decade. It was noted that most of the building projects were somewhat in their finishing stages and with an injection of enough financial resources, they could easily be brought to completion. The ZRP as an institution has a complete construction unit with very competent personnel to do the work only if they were capacitated with enough materials. The completion of these projects would bring relief to the pressure on accommodation and office space in various places and hence improving working and living standards of officers.
6.0 KEY OBSERVATIONS
6.1 The state of infrastructure across the ten provinces leaves a lot to be desired. Dilapidated institutional and residential accommodation, poor ablution facilities resulting in officers opting for the bush system, obsolete office furniture, inadequate tools of trade, use of ineffective policing equipment which is inconsistent with contemporary policing technology, inadequate transport and fuel supplies are just but a few of the many signs and symptoms of an ailing policing system.
6.2 The Committee observed that the morale of officers across the entire Police Service was at its lowest ebb despite their demonstration of resilience and patriotism. Further, procrastination of redress of the various challenges in the entire organisation has the potential of collapsing the policing system due to increased indiscipline and poor service delivery.
6.3 The Committee deduced that the majority of the challenges
faced by the ZRP are a result of underfunding and delayed release of funds by the Treasury.
6.4 The Committee noted that retention funds can help expedite development and improve service delivery in ZRP. Previously, retention funds were used on critical expenditure items such as goods and services, institutional requirements, maintenance, construction projects and acquisition of capital assets. Accountability mechanisms can be put in place to ensure that funds are used responsibly and transparently.
6.5 The Committee observed that the ZRP has competent
personnel in the construction unit requiring capacitation in terms of construction materials and requisite tools of trade. The organisation can utilize their expertise to build both residential and administration structures, thereby cutting costs incurred on hired labour.
6.6 Poor remuneration and lack of incentives have the potential
of fuelling collusion and corruption amongst members of the Police Service, especially along the country’s borderline thereby affecting service delivery and compromising the security of the nation.
6.7 The use of personal communication devices and computers in policing seriously compromises the security of information and should be discouraged at all costs.
6.8 The absence of an integrated communication system that
promotes intra-station, inter-station, intra-district and inter-district, intra and inter-provincial linkages has far reaching implications on effective policing and service delivery. A switch to the use of contemporary and robust communication devices and strategies that are in tandem with global policing trends should be prioritised by the relevant Ministry if improvements on service delivery are to be realised.
6.9 The public has lost confidence in the service delivery of the ZRP due to increasing cases of indiscipline especially among junior staff officers within and outside the working environment. The Committee noted that massive capacity building and training of officers on both policing skills and public relations issues should be prioritized if the security organ is to retain its erstwhile reputation of excellence.
7.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
7.1 It is recommended that the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development should allocate adequate financial resources to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural for:
- recruitment of personnel to match new developments since the population is ever growing.
- the development of infrastructure to match current and projected manpower levels in the Zimbabwe Republic Police so as to improve service delivery and bolster public confidence by July 2022;
- the purchase of office equipment and furniture, tools of trade and consumables to create a comfortable and conducive working environment for members by April 2022;
- the electrification of all stations and posts to enable effective use of office equipment as well as for domestic purposes by June 2022;
- for the purchase of adequate operational vehicles (including boats, motorcycles and bicycles) for all the provinces by May 2022 to enable crime scenes to be attended to promptly and investigations to be expedited.
- adequate fuel supplies, oils and lubricants as well as motor spares and maintenance kits by March 2022;
- for operational needs such as cycle allowance, travelling and subsistence allowance, clothing allowance for officers in plain clothes, hardship allowance, living-out allowance, rations and uniforms by March 2022;
- to cater for the welfare of detained suspects in respect of food, linen, water and sanitation among others by February 2022;
- The Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage should engage the Ministry of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development for the provision of State land for construction of standard institutional accommodation by June 2022;
- The Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage should roll-out a massive capacity building and skills training programme on modern policing strategies, use of contemporary policing equipment and public relations by June 2022.
- The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development should immediately authorize the use of retention funds by ZRP and safeguards must be instituted to guard against the abuse of these retention funds.
8.0 CONCLUSION
The challenges bedevilling the ZRP are many and yet they cannot just be ignored. Effective service delivery has been impeded. The morale of members of the Police Service has sharply decreased. Public confidence in the Police Service is critical for peace and order to prevail in the country. Being the face of the nation, the department needs to be adequately resourced. In its realisation of the National Vision 2030 goals of smart governance and upholding the rule of law, the Government should prioritise access and usage of ICTs by the ZRP as this will effectively bolster efforts in effective policing. The Committee implores Central Government through Treasury to urgently and seriously consider addressing the resource gaps existing in ZRP. So, I submit Mr. Speaker Sir.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you very much Hon. Mayihlome for a very comprehensive report.
HON. NGULUVHE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I just want to add a few remarks. As you indicated, the report is very detailed and to the point. Mr. Speaker Sir, if we are to achieve Vision 2030 as a nation, we have to understand and appreciate that for any development to take place in the country, there is need for peace and tranquility. That peace can only be achieved by adequately facilitating the security forces, in this case, the police. If we are to fight corruption effectively, we also have to capacitate the police.
Mr. Speaker Sir, as indicated in the report, I will just highlight on a few points; the issue of accommodation, especially at the border posts like Victoria Falls and Beitbridge. The officers there stay in rented houses and they are paid in local currency, RTGS and they are expected to pay rentals in Rands, especially at Beitbridge. Most of the time, these officers cannot afford to pay those rentals, compromising their duties as they will be staying in private houses, some of which accommodate people they are supposed to be policing. I think as a nation, we should consider where these people are accommodated.
We also have to appreciate that, unlike in countries like South Africa where the police force – I know that the police in South Africa are allowed to join trade unions which can participate in strikes, unfortunately in our country, our security forces cannot join trade unions, otherwise we are going to notice some chaos in the country.
However, as a nation, I would like to appeal that we give the police officers what is due to them. I am saying this in terms of their travel and subsistence allowances; it is their constitutional right to be given that when they are on duty. Mr. Speaker Sir, imagine that you work for over 10 years and you are not given your travel and subsistence allowances, you are retired and it is over $10 000, then you decide to take the Government to court. It is our right. Can this Government afford to pay those people?
My appeal is that, as a Government, let us give them their travel and subsistence (T and S) allowances as they are working outside their stations. Mr. Speaker Sir, the issue of T & S especially at border posts like Kariba, Beitbridge or even Plumtree – we deploy our officers without T & S. They are supposed to be patrolling the borders. Mr. X comes in trying to smuggle goods worth one million and is served by our officers who have not been given T & S, Mr. X just gives them R100 thousand to share among themselves. We cannot fight corruption in such situations. My appeal is that as a State, let us try and adequately give our officers what is due to them.
In conclusion Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to pay tribute to our police force that besides all these hardships, we still see most of them carrying out their duties although my research and analysis, I stand to wonder why recently, most of the armed robberies which were taking place were being carried out by our security forces, be it the police, the army and the President’s Department. Mostly, they were using things like AKs or big rifles. It is because we are not adequately providing for these security forces. It is an issue and as a Committee, I think we should take note of that. We do not get to a situation of Congo during Mobutu Sese Seko where the security forces were paying themselves from the looting which they were doing when they were on deployment. I want to appeal to this House and Government to adequately pay and look after our police forces. I thank you.
HON. T. MOYO: Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to add my voice to the motion raised by Hon. Mayihlome, seconded by Hon. Nguluvhe. Mr. Speaker Sir, members of the police force face a multiplicity of challenges. The challenges should be addressed through injection of a lot of funding from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Those problems are inter alia, the issue of vehicles, accommodation, food shortages especially for the detained persons, short supply of PPEs, challenges of water and sanitation among others. Mr. Speaker Sir, it is important to note that vehicles indeed are in short supply in the Ministry of Home Affairs. I will give examples of police stations in the rural areas where I come from, especially in Gokwe North.
Gokwe North has four constituencies and at the moment, they do not have a single vehicle for effective patrol to take place. It is important to note that they need new vehicles which should come from the Ministry of Finance. I have to acknowledge that there was a vehicle which was bought for Gokwe North in 2017 but because of the nature of our roads and also maximum use of the vehicle, it broke down. There is need for new state of the art 4 x 4 vehicles which should be bought for the police officers so that they can effectively patrol the areas in Gokwe North. Gokwe North is quite big and stretches from Sanyati River right up to the border with Binga under Chief Nenyunga. So for any effective policing to happen, there is need for capacitation of the Home Affairs Department.
It is sad that some police officers do not stay in decent houses. What they consider as their houses are wooden buildings roofed using zinc and they are not good for decent accommodation.. It is our hope that in the 2022 budget, the Home Affairs department is going to receive some financial injections so that they are able to construct decent accommodation. I also want to believe that the same hand that was extended to teachers where the Government will prioritise accommodation for teachers, the same will also happen to all civil servants including Ministry of Home Affairs. There is need for Government to construct flats in urban areas and also descent accommodation in rural areas.
It should also be noted that some of the challenges include the issue of water and sanitation. Most of the police stations, according to the report, do not have running water or if there is running water, it does not flow regularly. So there is also need to prioritise the establishment or drilling of new boreholes so that police officers would have running water.
I want to talk about professionalism and capacity development. It is important to note that most of the police officers are not doing in-service training. As a result, their methods of policing as far as I am concerned to some extent, are not progressing well. So there is need to have new colleges and also to give some extra remedial studies to police officers so that they can resort to new forms of policing in line with the 21st century.
The issue of corruption is another cancer amongst police officers. A number of police officers are corrupt, especially those who mann our roads maybe because they have a tendency of not appreciating what they are given as remuneration. We also want to encourage the Government to prioritise and increase salaries and wages for police officers so that whoever decides to steal and be involved in corrupt deals, the law will take its course.
Without wasting much of our time, the issue of recreational facilities is very important. What we find in police stations are very small officers’ mess that provide soft drinks but in terms of availability of tennis courts, football grounds and so forth, these need attention. It is important to recommend that the Ministry of Home Affairs require a lot of funding from the Ministry of Finance so that their challenges may be addressed. I thank you Madam Speaker Maam.
HON. T. MLISWA: Madam Speaker Maam, I would like to appreciate the motion moved by Hon. Rtd. Brig. Gen. Mayihlome, seconded Hon. Nguluvhe. It goes without saying that poor planning leads to bad governance. Most of the infrastructure that we see in the police is as a result of our independence and benefiting to the Rhodesian assets. The police have not done a lot besides building the ZRP school in terms of ensuring that the police staff is well accommodated, resourced and taken care of.
When you grow in numbers, it is not a secret that you must also be able to build infrastructure that augments the numbers. Since 1980 when we took over (technical glitch) it is a job which is of a security nature and should be appreciated. While they serve the country, they also have got to be protected. No wonder why we see as Members of Parliament - we have finally built a Parliament which accommodates the numbers. During the Rhodesian time, Parliament had a few Members of Parliament but because of the population growth, there are more constituencies and as a result, we have to be in sync with that. That requires proper planning at the end of the day.
We did well in terms of the schools programme in the country. The infrastructure since 1980 augmented the population. Hospitals and schools were built. We have never complained that much on schools infrastructure and hospitals as much as we are complaining about housing facilities for the police and other civil servants. What has gone wrong? The security sector in the country has been preserved and hampered in many ways and is being given what they want because it is important as Hon. Nguluvhe has said; there must be peace and tranquillity. There must be law and order for us to be a prosperous nation. That has been priority for the First and Second Republic to the point where they were given resources in the likes of diamond mines. They were given arms to augment their efforts to be able to complement the budget.
It is many institutions that are favoured with that. We know that your own Parliament is facing difficulties in remunerating its Members of Parliament and staff but we do not have a farm or diamond mine. Others are given that and they still complain that they are not getting enough. The question is: where are these resources and where is the accountability for all these resources – the mines and farms that they are running? Who is bringing the accountability and the transparency that is needed? We are never told how much money they are making or where the money goes to.
As Parliament, we cannot keep on supporting them to have a budget when they are not able to come before Parliament and say from the diamond mine we have, we are making so much money which actually saves Treasury from giving them more money and that money goes to other State entities which require money. I am talking about looting, plundering and corruption by senior officers in the police. I was the Chairman for the Mines and Energy Portfolio Committee when we did an inquiry on diamond – the famous 15 billion which went missing in the diamond sector. The police were a beneficiary but could not account where the diamond were. All they could do was to blame the former Commissioner General Augustine Chihuri. But how can you say that he ran the system on his own? Other senior officers in that inquiry started to say, we cannot blame him because he had a Deputy Commissioner General in charge of Administration which is the current Commissioner General of Police, Commissioner General Matanga who was in charge of administration.
The question is - there is nothing that can happen without a signature from the head of administration in the police. It goes down to the question of where we are in terms of accountability of these resources. We also want accountability in terms of the resources which have been given to the police by the Government of Zimbabwe so that they are able to discharge their duties. Without that, it becomes difficult even for the corporate world to give them anything. The corporate world as well supports the police and many other people but they have not been forthcoming.
In terms of accommodation, Hon. Mayihlome is aware of the 900 stands which the junior police officers paid for near the ZRP school and I am a bit confused why it was not brought up. These junior officers raised their money and paid for those stands. Those stands are not there and the allegation is that the senior officers and the current Commissioner General of the Police are involved in the misappropriation of those funds. The question is, where are those 900 stands for the junior police officers? That is a big issue that Hon. Mayihlome and his Committee needs to look into because a lot of them have been complaining saying that they paid in US dollars but do not have the 900 stands that they paid for from their own salaries.
How can we trust the police which cannot even provide accommodation for police officers who paid their money? We cannot blame the Treasury by allocating funds to an institution which cannot account. There are many issues. They misplaced priority and there is misappropriation of funds. There is abuse of office. The ZRP officers are driving great cars yet the police station has no resources. Come on Madam Speaker, let us speak the truth. If the country is going through an economic situation, we have to adjust. Even in our own homes when we grew up, when things were tough and parents needed to pay school fees, we would not be having meat everyday but resort to vegetables and sour milk so that we would be able to deal with challenges ahead. We cannot keep on splashing Mercedes Benzes when the police stations have no cars. That is misplaced priority and abuse of funds which must be investigated if it is worth for them driving those cars.
Not only that - these cars are not even assembled in Zimbabwe, which means that our own industry from a cars perspective, the Willowvale Motor Industry, cannot even grow because you want Government funds to go to Government entities so that they grow at the end of the day and our economy grows.
I go back to ZIM-ASSET, which said whatever we do as Zimbabweans, we should do it amongst ourselves and empower each other. We do not hate anybody because of the resources and human capital we have. Unfortunately, we jumped too many blue-print documents without reviewing the other. There was nothing wrong with ZIM-ASSET. To me, if the police work with other Government organisations in making sure that uniforms and equipment for the police are given, it is different.
Does the Committee know that they are under investigations by PRAZ as tender procedures have not been followed? Cars have been sold and tenders given to people who certainly have put up figures which are unaffordable. So, we now have a situation where a budget is given for so many cars because of inflated prices which are a result of corruption (chiwoko muhomwe), where 10% inofanira kubuda pamota idzo and so forth. There is an investigation which is going on. There is also an investigation in which they were given money to buy equipment. They chose to pay more than less.
The police must be exemplary in discharge of duties because they are the ones who maintain law and order, and pursue crime. So, if they seem to be corrupt, who will police the police? We need a police which has credibility and clear about its mandate in serving people and being an institution of the country. Not only that, the police itself must be an institution of the country not an institution belonging to a person or political party. The police have been policed aside, and in being policed aside, it becomes very difficult for them to get any support from anybody.
The junior officers are not to blame. They are the grass that is suffering from the fight of the elephants and I picked it because they serve diligently. You see their uniforms when they work. These uniforms have got patches (zvigamba in Shona). Vanongonama mauniforms nezvigamba. So, you are saying to yourself integrity of the police is dignity which is totally taken away because they cannot do their work as they suffer from inferiority complex. We have tailors and companies in Zimbabwe which can make good uniforms but they choose not to pick these but pick foreign companies which are flawed in terms of business, yet our companies are not doing that.
Madam Speaker, it is on record that I have donated to the police a BMW 5 series, original engine and a Toyota for them to do their duties. I have donated food hampers to the police. Through the CDF, I have built two police posts; one in Knowe and the other in Govans; one in Ward 1 and one in Ward 4 to support the police. The CDF money which is given to us, I have put it to the police but the police played politics. When it comes to food hampers, they receive but when it comes to bicycles and cars, they do not.
Madam Speaker, there was a fire, to talk about the need for accommodation at the Norton Police Station. There were these wooden houses which belonged to a Chinese company which was doing roads and they left them there and the police took over. There was a fire which destroyed a lot of properties. I was the first to arrive and help because I realised that as a legislator, I must help a good cause because this is an institution with people but they then politicised. Why, if they are handicapped, would they refuse a BMW, which is clear high speed chase, a Toyota, 15-bicycles, baton sticks and so on?
The police really do not need support because they are saying no to what we are giving them. They think they are capable of doing their own things and so, I am a bit surprised with this report that the police are hamstrung yet they are refusing donations and they pick the ones they want. When it is food and hampers, they receive but when it is fuel, they refuse. When it is cash, they receive but when it is a car, they do not receive yet the crime in Norton is high...
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Mliswa, you are left with five minutes.
(v)HON. T. MLISWA: To me, there is the aspect of them, if they are serious, coming with a business approach. Yes, we might not like the former Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri but one thing that he did, he tried to do as much as he could to ensure that the police were visible in terms of education, being professional and discharging their duties. Hongu izvi neizvi zvinouya but there was that effort. In Norton, they can also get into joint ventures with reputable companies in terms of housing. Let them go to NSSA, NBS and get money because civil servants by their own nature, are ready to pay for that and that is the only way they can retain value from this inflationary environment by being given brick and mortar which is a good investment.
The Government has land and they can be given State land. All they need is a good contractor with great repute; housing - UDICORP is there and you have Hon. Garwe now who is the Minister of Housing, who is passionate and understands it. Why are they not engaging UDICORP on State land so that they are given some portions of land and are able to build and all that?
Madam Speaker, it is important that the cells themselves and a cell is like a church – kusungwa ndekwemunhu wese. Munogona kuti Mliswa asungwa nhasi mangwana ndiani. Ndeuyu neuyu zvamunoziva saka may the cells also be up to scratch because these are the cells which have been there since the Rhodesian times. If you go to Mbare, as for me I have been to almost all the notorious police stations, Mbare Matapi, Kuwadzana and if I ever wanted a position, I would have wanted to be the Minister of Home Affairs because I have been arrested enough and have been in too many cells. So, I would have known what needs to be done but that is on a lighter note but more importantly, there needs to be of humaine nature. They need to be decent and they are not decent.
In terms of corruption, we need to assist because it is a disease and like you said, once the head starts to rot, the whole fish is rotten. So, the Police Command at high level, need to be disciplined and be an institution which is not politicised, which conforms to the laws and Constitution of this country. The Commissioner-General must be professional and if he is professional, then companies will come in and assist in every way possible. Law and order is important. They have gotten rid of too many senior officers because of politics and so forth, yet it becomes difficult to find experienced officers in the security sector; be it in the CIO, army and the police because mdara vanoziva.
If their time and age has to be extended, so be it because there is nothing that beats experience. You have officers like Nyakutsikwa, Madambi and so on, who were experienced but because of the politics and the in-house fighting, the police are no longer respected. We need to have people doing things properly. We want to support an institution...
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Your time is up Hon. Mliswa.
(v)HON. T. MLISWA: Thank you Madam Speaker for the opportunity. I thank you.
HON. NDEBELE: On a point of order. My point of order arises from something I picked from Hon. Mliswa’s debate that I feel should not be swept under the carpet. I would like to move that the Commissioner-General appears before Hon. Brig. Gen (Rtd) Mayihlome’s Committee to answer why he pleads poverty on the one hand while on the other, he declines donations from Hon. Mliswa. I think if we are a serious Legislature, we need answers to that question. If it is policy, we are the Parliament that has that power to alter such a policy that prevents our police from receiving vehicles and bicycles from legislators. Otherwise, if we let it go, then our police force is playing politics. I would like to move that the Commissioner-General appears before Brig.Gen. Rtd. Mayihlome’s Committee to answer to those questions, and many others that will arise. Thank you Madam Speaker.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Member. I am sure the Portfolio Committee Chairperson, Hon. Mayihlome has taken note of that. Thank you.
*HON. CHIKUKWA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I would like to contribute to this motion which was raised by Hon. Mayihlome, seconded by Hon. Nguluvhe. As a woman, this is an issue which affects me.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, you are not connected.
*HON. CHIKUKWA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I would like to contribute to this motion which was moved by Hon. Mayihlome, seconded by Hon. Nguluvhe. As a woman, this is a very emotional issue which pertains to the conduct of our police force. I noted that there are some areas where they do not have proper ablution facilities. In some areas, the toilets are sub-standard and some are using bushes. This is quite surprising because Zimbabwe is a very good country with good facilities. You do not expect to find such challenges in Zimbabwe. This makes me believe that Government should look for money which will be given to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Defence.
I also noted that there is no transport for police officers. I will start by looking at transport which takes them to work. At one point, I felt pained. I live in Harare and you find a police officer seated in an open truck. This is the same police officer that we expect to be respected and dignified. Imagine if a motorist carries such a police officer and the vehicle is not roadworthy. The police officer cannot even raise such issues of roadworthiness, so they are forced to compromise and they cannot tell a motorist that their cars are not in good condition. This increased during the COVID era. Of course the pandemic wrecked havoc. When people were on lockdown, most police officers were going to work.
As women, sometimes we argue that women are being abused because there is no proper transport. Sometimes they are forced to hitch-hike. This is not safe for them and it takes away the dignity of police officers. You find that when they arrive at work, they find that they do not have tools of trade like vehicles, bicycles and other logistical things. This is quite worrying. You end up wondering how they are going to do their jobs without tools of trade. In many instances, the public condemns them that they are not working. On the same note, this cannot be avoided. Sometimes we find reports that there has been theft in the neighbourhood. The police might want to come but they will tell you that they do not have transport. So, those who have vehicles are the only ones who will be able to attend crime scenes. Even when there are issues of violence or conflict between two people, you will find that someone might offer the police officers transport, so the officers will not tell the person that they are at fault.
There are some people we can refer to as dangerous criminals, who are dangerous even to police officers. Policemen sometimes do not own houses and they might be renting properties that are owned by dangerous criminals. For the police officer to report at his workplace that I am renting at such and such place, they cannot do that because they risk being fired.
*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Do they fear for their job or accommodation?
*HON. CHIKUKWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I was trying to clarify that where the police officer stays might not be safe and the officer might not be comfortable reporting for the fear of being evicted. This compromises their jobs. Also, when a police officer is living in a community renting, they will not be treated with the dignity they deserve. My point is that, police officers deserve to be given accommodation in police camps so that they and their families are not ambushed or kidnapped by dangerous criminals.
We also heard about the issue of uniforms. At the moment, everyone is afraid of COVID but you find police officers manning road blocks without proper PPEs. I would like to implore responsible authorities to provide PPEs so that police officers are protected. Those who mann roadblocks in rural areas do not have ablution facilities and food. My plea is that they should be given food.
*HON. PETER MOYO: Thank you Madam Speaker. Let me first commend you, you are very smart Madam Speaker. I would like to contribute to the motion which was moved by Hon. Mayihlome and seconded by Hon. Nguluvhe. This is quite good and I believe that everything that has been said is true. Madam Speaker, when you go to Mberengwa, the whole of Mberengwa - all the four constituencies, you will discover that there is no car, there is no Dispol. The only Dispol that is available is in Zvishavane. The whole of the Midlands has one car. The other car which was allocated to the province is not in good condition. It cannot be used in bad roads. This is a car that was donated by Mimosa and this car cannot service the whole area. Right now, the car is being serviced. After being serviced, it clocks 5 000 km within a week.
There is a police base which does not have proper accommodation. You find police officers living in a deep tank. This is a makeshift police station, a deep tank in an independent Zimbabwe. This is pathetic Madam Speaker, when we have a young and versatile Minister. When you go even on Christmas day in Mberengwa West to be precise, you would find that on Christmas day there is a lot of crime. Some people are stabbed; some are murdered because there are no police officers. When you report a case today, you would find that police officers would come after two months.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: On a point of order. Hon. Member, may you stick to the motion please. Do not digress. Do not refer to some personal issues like the attributes of a Minister.
*HON. PETER MOYO: That is true. He is energetic, yes, he is hard working, so he must put effort and deliver. So looking at Mberengwa as a whole Madam Speaker, there are a lot of mines. We appreciate what Mimosa is doing. What are other mining companies doing? Are they able to pull resources and build a dignified police station? How about community ownership monies, devolution funds and other funds because there is no road rehabilitation, there is no progress? I had to fix a borehole using my personal money. I am not responsible for that constituency. I am not their MP because I know I cannot stand against ZANU PF. They will win, so I just did that because I wanted to help.
At one time Hon. Mliswa donated bicycles and motor vehicles to police officers. The Dispol refused to take them. Madam Speaker, the President mentioned that the only people who are able to build the country are the owners. If the President says that the owners of the country are there to develop, people should adhere to what His Excellency says. I noted that there is a challenge and I decided to help because we need to assist. So why is it that when an MDC MP does something, you will find people opposing that? The problem is that we love too much politics instead of the country.
Remember I am a Minister…
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, may you please clarify and stick to facts. Please mention that you are a shadow Minister.
*HON. PETER MOYO: No I am not a shadow Minister, Madam Speaker, I am a Minister. ZANU PF people say that I am an MP. No, I am not just that, but I am a Minister. So Madam Speaker, what I am saying is really painful. When you go and see what our police officers are putting on you will be really touched. They do not dress properly like Fawcett Security and Securico. These are national police officers who do not have proper uniforms. Why do you not go to companies and approach them so that taxes are allocated to the police uniforms?
Police officers no longer drink clear beer but they are forced to drink opaque beer in an independent Zimbabwe. These issues that we are talking about Madam Speaker, should be taken seriously. It must not be a talk show when we talk about things that are so useful. It is really painful that police officers do not have basics. When you go to Msasa, you will discover that police officers use the bush as their toilets. What are we doing?
When you go to where they man roadblocks, all police officers use the bushes whether it is male or female police officers, but when we look at how smart people will be at ZANU PF rallies, they will be putting on even new beautiful wigs, but we fail to dress police officers who discharge their duties with fortitude. So Madam Speaker this is a very serious issue.
(v)HON. MUDARIKWA: On a point of order Madam Speaker. We are talking about a motion. The Hon. Member is lost, he does not know what he is saying. He is now talking about people at a ZANU PF rally being well dressed. What has that to do with the motion? He must withdraw that. If he has nothing to say ,he must just sit down.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Mudarikwa. Hon. Moyo, please stick to the motion.
HON. PETER MOYO: I am sticking to the motion, it is just that I do not know what the Hon. Member has consumed or smoked. What is wrong with saying that ZANU PF is smart? Is it not smart? People are drinking some illicit brews out there.
HON. CHINOTIMBA: On a point of order Madam Speaker.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: What is your point of order Hon. Chinotimba?
(v)*HON. CHINOTIMBA: My point of order is that every political party has no police but police officers are under Government. Whether it is CCC or any other party, they do not own police officers but police officers are under the State. The words that were said by Hon. Moyo should be withdrawn because he cannot refer to ZANU PF because ZANU PF does not own police officers but they are Government police officers. Our party cards as ZANU PF are not taken to the police. Police are under the State and not under a political party. The Hon. Member should withdraw his words. He needs to know that the party does not have police officers.
*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Moyo, may you stick to the motion. You are not the only one who wants to debate. I want to give every Member a chance to debate, so please stick to the motion.
HON. PETER MOYO: Let me continue Madam Speaker. I mentioned a lot of crucial issues. For instance, infrastructure and logistics like vehicles and uniforms. The fourth thing is that companies in different localities like in Mberengwa, there are a lot of companies which can fund and support the police. Government is the only entity which provides for the police but companies in these areas should also contribute by pooling resources such as provision of cars. We passed the National Budget that there will be 500 cars that will be coming but only 200 came. Where are the rest of the cars which are not found in Mberengwa and other areas?
As Members of Parliament, if we look for funding for police officers, then these should be accepted because a nation is built by its owners. If I decide to build a house for police officers in the rural areas, please allow me to do so. This is a painful issue regarding the welfare of police officers because they are given ZW$15 which is not enough to buy jiggies. When foreigners see the police officers uniforms’ and their shoes which are in a bad taste, sometimes people wonder whether it is the same police officer who is supposed to arrest people. So, we do not want our police officers to be desperate without the basic tools of trade, yet they are supposed to maintain order.
In Rugare in Southerton, you find that there will be one police officer and this is a high density area where the crime rate is high. So, I would like to thank you for the opportunity that you have given to me Madam Speaker.
(V)*HON. R.R.NYATHI: On a point of order. I would like to urge the Hon Member to withdraw the word Chinotimba. He is supposed to be addressed as Hon. Chinotimba.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Member. Point taken.
HON. MASANGO: First of all, I would like to applaud Hon. Mayihlome on his report, which was seconded by Hon. Nguluvhe. Looking at the issue of lack of stationery at police stations, I would like to bear witness to this. In my constituency, there are two police stations, that is Mhangura and Murereka.. The officers in charge of these two stations have been continuously appealing for stationery from my office and from other individuals. This does not augur well for our service providers. If they have a donation of stationery, let us say from someone who then commits a crime, are they going to arrest that person? No, they will not and we cry that the police are corrupt. Panoda kugadziriswa.
Then we come to the issue of uniforms, I do not know if we still have those tailors who were once employed by ZRP because if they are still there, can they be utilised to sew uniforms for the officers? Coming to the issue of service vehicles, and I will give an example of Mhangura Police Station. In 2018, I appealed for a vehicle for Mhangura ZRP and we got one but Murereka Police Station did not get any. This vehicle that we got is constantly at Chinhoyi Police Station for use there since they do not have enough vehicles. This leaves us as a constituency without any service vehicle. How then can these officers performs their duties? My appeal is to please provide all that is needed by this essential service provider for them to perform their duties well. I thank you.
HON. MUNETSI: Thank you very much Madam Speaker Ma’am, for giving me this chance to air my views about the police situation in the country. We can talk and talk but if the police are not given money nothing will come to fruition. They can do some roadblocks and all the money that the police get goes to Treasury. After that, they are allocated money by Treasury to buy stationery. I think there is need to decentralise such kind of things so that each district is allowed to use funds which it gets and also being assisted by Treasury. As long as money gets to Treasury, it goes to other departments which are not the police and it is used there. There is need for Treasury to give money to the police.
Let me highlight a few items that we may ask the Ministry of Home Affairs to consider. If you look at the houses where the police reside, it is either they are very old with disused toilets or the officer is renting somewhere. They may not be comfortable to stay in a house within the camp because it is dilapidated. The Ministry of National Housing needs to consider redoing those houses so that they come to standard. I do not want to repeat what Hon. Masango said about stationery. If they do not have stationery, you will see the police officers ending up using the backside of some other cases that were done before and were closed. It is not a healthy situation for an organisation like the Ministry of Home Affairs, big as it is. Those are some of the things that we need to quickly consider and look into.
In rural areas like where I come from in Makoni North Constituency, I have one police station, Mayo. They do not have a computer. One or two young officers who brought their laptops use their laptops for the whole station to type and print the dockets. If you look at how much a laptop or a computer costs and budget for all the stations in the country to have some, it is not much. Let us make life easy for our police officers in some of these stations and also, you should provide them with printers. Communication is very important. I do not know whether we still have land lines in rural areas.
In my area, all the copper wire was stripped off and now there is only use of cell phones. Do they have cell phones for the station? Nothing, but they all use their phones. Are we saying that we cannot afford to buy a cell phone for the station for an organisation like the Ministry of Home Affairs? These are simple things that we also need to consider. If ever they have a vehicle, it is unfortunate that they do not get fuel. We are lucky to have one tobacco company in the area which is called Voedsel which donated a motorbike for Mayo Police Station for use around the area. The bike is there but they cannot get fuel to put in the bike. If they go to Rusape, there is nothing. We wonder why and what is happening. If there is a murder case, you wait for the truck from DHQ. If it has gone somewhere else, you wait until it comes back or you use your vehicle to take the body to the mortuary. It is a very sad situation which we need to look into urgently.
I do not want to talk about T and S because it is no longer there. If ever it is there, it is peanuts. On security fence for most of our police stations, young boys from the surrounding areas will just come with their herd of cattle and put in the fence because it is torn and tattered all over with no repairs and it is like there is nothing. Why have we gone so low to such an extent that we cannot even repair some security fence to secure a police camp?
Let me just say something about uniforms. If the ordinance where the police officers cannot get uniforms is not able to cope up with the number of police officers that we have, I think it is wise to find some private company that can make uniforms for the police and you put a fee and you probably take the uniform from ordinance and it is disbursed from there because at the moment, if some police officers come across some piece of cloth which is similar to their uniform, they are having their uniforms made with some tailors somewhere and they just go like that.
Police officers do their job and that is why prisons are full. It is because they do their job but they are now led behind because of some hindrances that are caused by us. We overlook some of those things. I do not think in my area and areas around, there is no base that I have seen which was constructed by the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is either they go to a clinic or to a school to borrow a room from the teacher’s house or something like that. Small as it may be, two rooms with ten sheets, 300 bricks, six bags of cement, a door, key and the base is there, we cannot do that. We need to wake up somehow. Thank you.
(v)HON. I. NYONI: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I would like to add my voice on this very important report presented by Hon. Bridg. Gen. Rtd. Mayihlome, seconded by Hon. Nguluvhe. The challenges facing ZRP countrywide are demotivating to all ZRP staff. The challenges were well articulated by the Committee and it is clear that as a result of the state of infrastructure, lack of equipment, transport inadequacy and other issues highlighted by the Committee Report, the police are demotivated and this leads to police performing below par. The shortage of transport in particular, has become too pronounced in both urban and rural areas for ZRP to do their duties effectively. I have seen instances when there is a case to be attended to by police officers, there is no police vehicle and they will end up requesting for transport from members of the public or jumping into the mushikashika to attend to the scene. The result is obviously attending to the scene late and this portrays police inefficiency, yet it is not a problem of their own making.
When they knock off from duty, they use these mushikashikas to go home. This makes it difficult for them to do their duties of bringing the mushikashikas to book. Police who want to stay in police accommodation, for example in my constituency at Queen’s Park - in Bulawayo East constituency, they also face same challenges as residents in that particular area in terms of water because of water rationing. You will sometimes see police and their families looking for water outside their place of residence from residents who have boreholes in their premises. It is important for those who live in these areas to have boreholes drilled so that in times like these they have access to this very important commodity.
In brief Madam Speaker, I totally agree with the recommendations of the Committee to capacitate our Zimbabwe Republic Police to improve efficiency of the police in that area. I thank you.
(v)HON. SHAVA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to thank Hon. Brig. Gen. (Rtd) Mayihlome for this motion. I just want to contribute a few ideas with regard to the welfare of police officers. My contribution is that police officers must be well catered for. I would want to thank His Excellency the President for availing buses for use by the police in the execution of their duties. My issue is on the welfare of the police officers, especially those deployed in dangerous areas where people use machetes as weapons.
Another problem is that after committing a serious crime, someone is taken to the courts and they are released dubiously when they would have committed serious offences and when released they start chasing the police officers who were handling their cases. We must provide a conducive environment for our police officers. Those who chase after police officers must be incarcerated; we should have stiffer penalties for this. Let us know that police officers live in the same communities with the citizens and that exposes them to a lot of problems. I thank you.
*HON. SEWERA: Thank you Madam Speaker for giving me the opportunity to contribute to this motion that was brought to this House by Hon. Brig. Gen. (Rtd) Mayihlome. I am very happy to see that most of the Hon. Members are supporting this motion, that we should advocate for better welfare of our police officers. I was once a policeman Madam Speaker. In Murewa West, there are things that we observe in that area; we have Musami Police Post. As we speak, anyone who works for the police especially the junior officers or the sergeants are not respected in rural areas.
Anywhere where they are, they are always begging for food even in bottle stores or grocery shops. That has led to corruption amongst police and they are easily bought out. Criminals find it easy to bribe police officers. Police officers are traveling long distances using their own means coming back from that long distance; they even pay for transport of the criminal. They do not even know of the danger of the place they are visiting to apprehend the criminal. They do not even have transport. This is not good for police officers to travel long distances to apprehend a criminal; they should be protected.
Madam Speaker, I think you have observed this on highways. Some police officers travel from Mabvuku to Marondera because they have nowhere to stay, they pay for transport using their own money and this demoralizes them and they fail to execute their duties in such an environment.
The issue of travelling and subsistence allowances has been referred to before and I want to reiterate it. Our police officers are in two departments; there is the Support Unit, when they are assigned duties at the border posts, they end up using their own personal cash to buy food because they will not be having food or money to use for food. This results in corruption. If a police officer sees a person trying to cross with illegal bales of clothes at the border, he/she will allow that smuggler to pass through and get a bribery for personal use.
Madam Speaker, if we try to trap police officers at road blocks, they will all be fired from work because their livelihood is not good. As alluded to by Hon. Members here, police officers should be well taken care of. There is also something scary on the way these officers are living; the police camps are not well protected, they are not fenced and if criminals come up with a plan to attack the camp, they might deceive them pretending to be herding cattle whilst spying on how they can enter and attack. You might end up hearing that a police camp has been attacked and guns taken away. Police officers are human too and they also need protection so that their working environment is well protected through fencing. There is also the problem of shortage of potable water. We visited Dotito area and if you were to visit that place Madam Speaker, you would not be happy. It is only good that police officers are disciplined and they do not get involved in strikes. They might end up involving themselves in corruption and all sorts of rowdy behaviour. We are hearing that some of them end up quitting their work because of poor working conditions. I just wanted to add my voice to the motion. Thank you for giving me this opportunity Madam Speaker.
(v)*HON. MUDARIKWA: Thank you Madam Speaker for giving me this opportunity to add my voice to this motion. I would like to thank our Committee for this report which was seconded by Hon. Nguluvhe. This Committee should come up with a workshop so that maybe Hon. Members can go to Kariba as Parliament and come up with a budget, come back here for a supplementary budget to support our police officers so that their working conditions can be improved. We are holding the steering wheel and we should be able to drive so that our work can move on smoothly.
On the same note, we have a huge issue which has been alluded to by various speakers. It has been noted that we have police stations which are in the most remote areas, which were neglected by colonisers as less important stations like Makosa, Matebeleland North and Dotito areas. As Government, let us start building police stations in such areas. Where I come from in Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe (UMP), the police officers camp is made up of wooden cabins where you can see rats moving in and out. We should build these police stations well.
The other issue is that the police officers’ remuneration should be revisited but this can be done through a workshop which I proposed. We should then benchmark their remuneration to that which prevails with their counterparts in the region. It has been said that our police officers at the border posts get to meet those from other countries like South Africa, Mozambique, Zambia and others. If the remuneration is benchmarked, we can adjust so that our own police officers can get a better salary.
I also propose that the Police Act be amended so that we can come up with the Police Advisory Board which is given powers to engage the Minister on the problems faced by the police force. In the Ministry of Health and Child Care, we have what are called Village Health Workers who are paid; in the police force, we have those called Police Constables who are being nicknamed ‘ndini ndamubata,’ they are not paid anything. That is where the problem is, where the one giving health services is getting paid whilst the one maintaining law and order is not being paid.
Madam Speaker, when we were growing up, we knew that police travel in Land Rovers. All these other cars which are being purchased today cannot travel through the rural areas’ terrain. The Government should try to purchase Land Rovers without going to tender, a negotiated tender where the police force is equipped with Land Rover vehicles which can be used well in rural areas.
Madam Speaker, our children in the police force are joining the force at 20 years of age and after 20 years of service, the law states that they can retire from the force. The child is retired at 42 years but will wait until at 55 years for him/her to get pension from the National Social Security Authority (NSSA). I think the NSSA Act should be amended so that when a police officer retires after 20 years of service, they should be given their pension and not wait to attain 55 years of age. Some will not reach that age as they die earlier than that.
We have Government departments which issue loans; they should help so that police officers also get housing loans so that they build their own houses where they can reside after retirement from the service. I come from Mutawatawa where there is a lot of gold panning. Rentals in that area are paid in United States Dollars. So if our police officers are paid in local currency, for them to be able to pay rentals, it is very difficult.
Our electricity generation in the country is not stable, so I propose that every police station be installed with solar panels. During the refurbishment and construction of police stations across the country, solar panels should be connected so that police officers will not face the problem of persistent power cuts. We have police officers who are also computer programmers; I propose that every year, each police station be provided with a laptop and a mobile phone, specifically for that station. This is to avoid a situation where police officers use their own mobile phones and it becomes difficult to make follow-ups on pending cases. This should be basic equipment found at every police station.
The other issue is that our police officers carry huge responsibilities and instead of allowances, they should be well remunerated. The issue of donating vehicles to police is not good, God blesses the hands that give and not those that receive. We want our police officers to be blessed by God; they should have their own vehicles so that they help ferry people wherever their services are required, like to accident scenes and death cases.
The other issue is that we should increase police colleges in all provinces so that our police officers can upgrade themselves. We only have two training colleges for police officers. We need police universities in all provinces. Also, in the police syllabus there should be inclusion of sign language. This is critical because if there is a client who needs help in sign language how is he/she going to be assisted when the police officers do not know sign language? Police officers should be trained in language so that they are able to assist every citizen.
There is also the issue of CCTVs. There are black spots for accidents and crime scenes, police should install CCTVs at those spots so that they can rewind the CCTV when there is an accident or incident at that place. We applaud the Committee for the great job that they are doing. I would also want to thank the police for the work they are doing despite the hardships and challenges they are facing. Police uniforms should be available whenever the police officers need them. They should also have access to easy and reliable transport for their work. Motorcycles are now going for $100, $900 or $800 each. Tomorrow or the day after tomorrow, the Ministry of Home Affairs should place an order so that every police station has got five motor- cycles for patrols. We want to thank them because there is peace in our country because they are combating crime.
There is a police Dogs Section in Mabelreign and these should be found at every police station because they help in tracing criminals. These are part of the tools of trade for police officers. I am suggesting that whenever there are foreign missions, Government should also include junior police officers so that they have exposure and learn from other countries how they also work. We can blame some officers but let us look at the issue of police officers at it is.
We are faced with the issue of drug abuse as a nation. Our children are now drug addicts. They are taking in musombodhiya. We should have a separate police unit to deal with these issues of how we can stop the issue of musombodhiya. Who are those people preparing it and who are those selling it? If we do not control this our country will lose its dignity as a nation. It will become a nation of drunkards, drunkards who will not be able to bear children. This will be evidenced by census reading where people will become fewer and fewer which is against the Bible. The Bible says go and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it.
There is an issue of Police Chaplains. They should be found at all police stations and even at police posts preaching the word of God because there is a lot of evil doing in the country. I would like to thank all those who have contributed to this motion. There are those who were out of order but whipped to order. It is human to err but we should applaud the work that the police are doing for the nation from the Constable to the Commissioner General. They are ensuring there is peace in the country and people can move freely any time. We should not keep our grudges and bring them to Parliament. Parliament is an august House and we should do what we were elected for. I thank you Madam Speaker.
(v)*HON. HAMAUSWA: Thank you Madam Speaker for the opportunity you have given me to add my voice to the motion that was presented by Hon. Rtd. Gen. Mayihlome and his Committee. I would like to thank the police for intervening and arresting the alleged perpetrators of violence at Kwekwe. They should continue doing that every time there is violence like what happened in Kwekwe. It is sad to hear that in this era of 2022 we still have police officers staying in wooden cabins. If we look at Warren Park, the constituency I represent, the biggest police station in Warren Park, most police officers are staying in those wooden cabins. They are dilapidated and I am appealing to the Minister of Home Affairs to work together with other Ministries like Local Government and Ministry of National Housing and construct blocks of flats for police officers at every place where police officers stay.
I am also in support of what other Hon. Members have said that we should look at the number of people a police station is serving. For example, Warren Park, where I come from there is a population of more than 87 thousand being served by only two police stations, the one at Milton Park and the one at Warren Park. Warren Park D has no police post at all. This includes Westlea up to Cold Comfort. There are no police posts.
The other thing that should be looked carefully into is the roadblocks. Police will be standing where there are no ablution facilities at the road blocks. The Ministry of Home Affairs should consider having more or less check points like in neighbouring points where we find roadblocks. These should be provided with ablution facilities for use by police officers during their work. When driving along the road, it is not a good thing to see a police officer relieving themselves in a bush. That is not a good thing. Whilst we say the police stations should be increased, such stations should also be considered where people can also seek assistance at such stations in case of accidents also. Let us also consider modern technology such as Whatsapp. Let us encourage all police stations to have Whatsapp platforms whereby people can easily report cases using that platform and police can attend to that as quickly as possible. Some parastatals like ZESA have these and you can easily communicate with them. That can be very helpful. I implore that such things be considered.
Let us also put into consideration low ranking officers. Even though the country is facing economic challenges, these should be offered better working conditions so that they deliver their duties properly with adequate working facilities. I think that is very important. I would also want to refer to some things that I have come across. I have seen what some policewomen do. Some of the things cannot be said in this House. They should not be forced to encounter situations that may force them to engage in corruption. Are you aware that the policemen can actually steal from a victim who has been arrested by another policeman because they are bribed? Those are very sorry things that the policemen are engaging in because they lack that morality.
Let us also look into the transport situation. If we were to go out of this House right now, at the intersection of Samora Machel and Chinhoyi, you will realise that there will be policemen arresting pirate taxes. A few metres away, you will also see a number of policemen waiting for the same pirate taxes to use as transport. That is why it is important to have the police force providing transport for their staff so that they do not engage in shameful ways of travelling. The buses that are dedicated to the police force should be repaired. If they face challenges in repairing them, they should come to Parliament so that as Parliament, we will look into the issue or even speak to the Minister of Finance and Economic Development to ensure that the funds are released for the repair of those buses. These issues degrade the image of our country.
This is a very important debate. At the end of the day, I hope you will be able to inform us on the resolutions. I would like to thank the people from my constituency who sometimes come to help the police in Milton Park and the neighbourhood who work with the police. What we encourage is that the police should be able to work independently.
There is also another issue whereby the police are not allowed to get help from outsiders. That should be considered because sometimes some companies may be foreign owned, for example tobacco companies work with police but locals may not be allowed. I thank you for the time you have given me.
(v)*HON. MADIWA: I would like to thank you for giving me the opportunity to debate on the motion raised by Hon. Brig. Gen. Rtd. Mayihlome, seconded by Hon. Nguluvhe.
Hon. Speaker Ma’am, most of the things that I wanted to talk about have since been mentioned. Firstly, I would like to thank the Government for the gender empowerment policies that they have inculcated into the police service. I have seen a lot of policewomen working in the force as well as other security sectors. Although we are trying to increase a number of women in the police service, Government should consider upgrading conditions of service such as uniforms and transport. Facilities should be upgraded so that they suit female police officers.
What worries me most is that those roadblocks where drums are used, you will find a policewoman rolling that drum. I think there should be consideration as to why drums should be used on road blocks. Why do we not have modern techniques of road blocks? I do not think the use of drums is good for the health of policewomen. I think that is where we get complaints from them suffering from the cervix because they spend the whole day rolling those drums.
The police are doing quite a good job in ensuring that there is peace in this country. There are some people who really want those drums to continue being rolled on road blocks. I think sometimes they expect people who may be doing business in petroleum to donate those drums for their use on road blocks.
I think the conditions of service for policewomen in rural areas are actually bad if I look at my constituency at Ruda Police Station. Since my primary school days up to date, nothing has changed. Nothing shows that we are upgrading and moving with time. If you go to the reception, nothing has changed and nothing shows anything motivating about good work being done – [network challenges] -
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MAVETERA): Hon. Madiwa, we can hardly hear you as there is a bad connection to your phone. We cannot hear you so those who are writing cannot be able to capture your debate because of the bad connection. Those who are recording are not able to record your speech for capturing into the Hansard. I am sorry, please try to look for better network and come back. I will give you another opportunity after two or three Hon. Members but at the moment, we cannot hear you. I believe all the Hon. Members will agree with me.
Hon. Nyabani on virtual platform having being recognised
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: You are out of order Hon. Nyabani. Put on your necktie just like how you dress when you come to Parliament.
(v) *HON. PRISCILLA MOYO: I would like to thank you Madam Speaker for the opportunity you have given me. I want to support the motion – [Technical fault] –if only they can be provided with transport. Most of the times when a crime is reported the police is unable to attend on time because the police do not have transport.
Most of the things have been said but their accommodation, where I come from the place is not well secured. The houses are too close to each other especially with diseases like COVID. However, the police officers keep on going to work persevering even if their accommodation is not good. I implore the Ministry of Finance to provide funds to upgrade their working conditions. They still use typewriters in this day and age. Sometimes they write by hand. If only the police could be provided with laptops and computers so that they move with the times. This will also be important in terms of record keeping.
On road blocks, I heard another Hon. Member referring to women with regard to roadblocks. If you go to some of those offices, you will discover that they are not user friendly to women such as their toilets and they should be upgraded to move with modern times. At police stations, sometimes we have boreholes that have been sunk. Yes, sometimes these assist enabling people to get water but they are still expected to spend time fetching water from those boreholes at the same time they are expected to attend to crimes on time. When people donate or sink boreholes at police institutions, they should upgrade the system to enable the police to get access to water in their houses instead of subjecting police officers to primitive ways of getting water. Suspects may want to bath and they need facilities that are conducive. I suggest that we should modernise the facilities.
At roadblocks, you find female officers standing and they even spend the night there. In some instances, they use the bush for ablution. I hereby request that these issues be addressed. The Committee should also make a follow up on what has been addressed and what has been left out. The Minister should look into all the issues that were raised by Hon. Members and there is need to inform the House on what was addressed and what was left out so that we see how best we move forward with this issue. I thank you Hon. Madam Speaker Ma’am.
(v)*HON. NYABANI: Thank you Hon. Speaker Ma’am. I would also like to add my views on this debate raised by Hon. Mayihlome, supported by Hon. Nguluvhe. Indeed, the police officers are working very hard under difficult conditions. I would like to consider four things here. They do not have transport, money, food and accommodation. All these things should be prioritised. When police officers do not have basic things, it means they will not perform their duties properly.
In Rushinga where I come from, police officers cannot walk to arrest suspects. The distance is more than 150 kilometres from the police station to Rushinga. The police need to travel across Rushinga, so they would need food and accommodation. There are no police bases. They have never been constructed. That is leading to an increase in crime. We encourage the Ministry of Home Affairs to consider that you cannot send someone to weed when they do not have a hoe or to fetch water when they do not have a container. In cases where there are no vehicles, why can we not have bicycles to be used by police officers?
In terms of financial benefits, they are not allowed to go on strike, so they go about being given money in shops and they get goats in villages as bribes. They end up sourcing for their own benefits. Police officers do not have accommodation. They are tenants in the areas where they work, so in case of crime, they cannot do their duty professionally. I hereby request the Minister to look into the issue in order to reduce crime by ensuring that the police officers get tools of trade. Police officers have to travel from Bindura to Rushinga on a daily basis. Sometimes, they may actually be involved in accidents. I have been to Mozambique and South Africa and I have never seen police officers in public transport. Police officers should not stay in the community because they may encounter temptations like bribes. I urge the Government, through the Ministry of Home Affairs, to look into the needs of police officers. They are working under difficult conditions whilst they are expected to lead a better life. Sometimes they are murdered because they do not have adequate requirements and facilities to execute their duty. I thank you Hon. Madam Speaker Ma’am.
(v)HON. WATSON: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I just want to re-emphasise points that have been made around infrastructure, which was part of what the report was about. For example, the police station close to my own home was built probably in the 1950s and no extensions have ever been made even on the holding cells or the police camp where the police officers live, except for an area that was done by the residents recently where they can house dogs for a dog unit.
All the police stations in urban areas are relying more and more heavily on the ability of residents to support them with neighbourhood watch and that has to do with infrastructure and resources. So, I hope that the Minister, will have answers for us so that we may know why Government is aggregating the responsibility in terms of local policing to residents and to neighbourhood watch groups. I would like to thank Hon. Mayihlome and his Committee for an excellent job. . Crime rates, particularly in urban areas around cable theft have soared in the last six months to one year and there seems to be no answers. The same answer from police stations if you phone, particularly at night, is we do not have transport, we cannot come or you come and fetch us. Well, nobody who has got an intruder or a burglar in their home is going to go outside to go and fetch a police officer to come attend. It is just wholly unsatisfactory from the point of residents and citizens. Thank you Madam Speaker.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: I think we had a lot of people that had raised their hands. I am sure you are going to get some more time to debate this motion. Thank you.
HON. T. MOYO: Madam Speaker I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. B. DUBE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 2nd March, 2022-[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]-
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order. Hon. Members order. We have already adjourned this debate. If ever you had any queries you were supposed to ask me before we had adjourned. Indeed, we have got a list which is starting with Hon. Mbondiah, closing with Hon. Muchimwe. That is the order in which the Members raised their hands. I am going to forward the list so that the Clerk will have it for the purposes of tomorrow’s debate.
HON. KASHIRI: Madam Speaker for purposes of clarity would it be in order to just read out the names of Hon. Members for tomorrow?
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Mbondiah, Hon. Seremwe, Hon. Musarurwa, Hon. Saruwaka, Hon. Markham, Hon. Sauke, Hon. Tofa, Hon. Chinotimba, Hon. Kashiri, Hon. Sithole, Hon. Muchimwe and Hon. Mpofu.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. T. MOYO: Madam Speaker I move that Orders of the Day, Number 16 and 17 be stood over until Order of the Day Number 18 has been disposed of.
HON. B. DUBE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
REPARATIONS FOR COLONIAL INJUSTICES PERPETRATED ON ZIMBABWE
Eighteenth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on reparations for colonial injustices perpetrated on Zimbabwe.
Question again propose.
HON. T. MOYO: Madam Speaker, I want to add my voice to a motion that was moved by Hon. Togarepi, seconded by Hon. Raidza. The issue of reparations is very topical and very important, particularly to Zimbabwe. Reparations have become a common legal means of rectifying past injustices against an individual, group or an entire country.
Madam Speaker, colonialism was an era whereby African countries in general were affected politically, socially, culturally and religiously by the former colonial masters. It took more than 90 years in some countries. In other countries colonialism or the era of imperialism took more than 100 years.
According to a renowned scholar, Nelson Mandela, one of the most respected states men said that the former colonial powers had a responsibility to financially assist Africa. He said, ‘Africa does not want charity, they want assistance because the colonial powers have exploited the continent and it is time now that they put these resources back for the development of the continent.’
The era of imperialism witnessed a lot of injustices which were perpetrated by the colonialists on Africans. Africans were abused, exploited in a number of ways and it is high time that Africa should demand that reparations be made. When we talk about reparation we are talking of compensation which should be given to former colonies by former colonial states, in this case Zimbabwe must be compensated for all the resources that were exploited. Zimbabwe needs to be compensated by Britain for all the injustices which were perpetuated to the black majority of Zimbabweans.
I will begin by looking at economic exploitation. The arable virgin and most productive land of Zimbabwe was expropriated and sequestrated by the British imperialists from 1890 up to 1980 when we got our independence. That is a period of 90 years. We could not decide our own economic schemes to benefit the black majority. We were under the yoke of the British administration. We were under the yoke of an oppressive regime whereby the black majority were removed from the fertile land and placed on those poor infertile soils. In case of the areas to the south of Zimbabwe, some reserves were created, notably Gwai-Shangani.
In Mashonaland, quite a number of reserves were created, areas reserved for blacks to settle in. These were regarded as cemeteries by some scholars because the black majority were dumped into those areas so that they were going to die. They were disease infested and there were a number of calamities which were experienced by the blacks in those reserves. It is high time that those injustices should be redressed. Colonial imbalances should be redressed. We are happy that the Government of Zimbabwe created fertile land for the black majority. We need to applaud our President, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa for supporting black majority to regain their lost land.
In 2000, we experienced a fast track land resettlement exercise and that saw the imposition of sanctions as we wanted to address colonial imbalances. These sanctions were not called for. Sanctions are evil. Sanctions are devilish. Sanctions are a form of injustice whereby the Government of Zimbabwe cannot progress well economically because credit lines are blocked. We are calling upon the British Government to compensate and do restitution to the black majority. One should ask a question why it is that almost all African countries are very poor. They are poor because the resources of African countries were taken away by Europeans. Britain is developed because it benefited quite a lot from the resources from Africa, and Zimbabwe in particular.
There was the industrial revolution in Britain and I want to question the word “revolution”. It is not an economic word. You cannot associate an industrial transformation to happen overnight. Revolution implies suddenness as if it is like a political revolution. The word revolution only applies politically and may not apply to economic developments. For example, I will call it industrial evolution because it evolves and takes a lot of time. It is a gradual process. There is no suddenness in terms of economic development. In this case we are saying Britain is developed because of the resources of Zimbabwe which were taken from Zimbabweans. Our gold and labour was taken. A lot of resources were exported to Britain, contributing and culminating in economic development and growth of that country at the expense of the economic development of the African people. We had our cattle, which were sequestrated and stolen away from our African forefathers and that led to development of under-development.
When we talk of under-development, it does not mean absence of development; it means resources of a weak country are taken and used for the benefit of another country. In this case we are saying Zimbabweans will have to be compensated by Britain for the loss of land for a period of 90 years. If we were to do a lot of calculations, in terms of how much money they accumulated during the period of 90 years when we were under colonial rule in terms of loss of our land and cattle that were sequestrated and taken away by European imperialist, in terms of mineral possessions which benefited Britain, we are saying if we were going to cost the value and loss that we got leading to under-development of Zimbabwe, we now want to be compensated. The figure would run into trillions of US dollars that Zimbabwe should be compensated for the loss during the time of imperialism.
Regarding the issue of sanctions, as the Government tried to correct the social injustices in terms of ownership of land, that became a crime as if the black majority of Zimbabweans did wrong in regaining our fertile land. We want those sanctions to go and should go now. We also need compensation, restitution for all the losses that we have incurred since 1890 up to this day. We are a Third World country which is developing largely because of the losses that we incurred as a result of the era of colonialism.
Finally, I want to thank Hon. Togarepi for moving this motion which I feel is very important to us Zimbabwe, that this is the time that we need to be compensated for the losses that we made during the time of colonialism. I want to thank you Madam Speaker for giving me this opportunity to debate on this important motion.
(v)*HON. PRISCILLA MOYO: Thank you Hon. Speaker. I would like to contribute on the issue that was raised by Hon. Togarepi. This issue of compensation from the colonialists is very painful. When we look at this country, we could be in a better position if the colonialists had acknowledged that their scramble for this country actually destroyed it. Today we are in a very disturbing situation because of what they did to us. If we look at women, they were abused against their own will and what they desired. Women were put in cages and were abused in front of the colonialists’ children.
If we look at the wealth of our country, we are a very wealthy nation. We could be way far ahead if it was not for these colonialists. Looking at other countries that experienced the occupation of their country by these colonialists like Kenya, it was given assistance. Zimbabwe has not had anything and we are suffering. On top of not being compensated, we have been slapped with sanctions and we are going nowhere. Our children are suffering and they are scattered everywhere in the world.
They are looking for survival. The root cause was the colonialists destroying our land and its occupation against our wishes. There is little that our children can do about it to survive. They have no option but to leave for other countries. These countries should compensate us. If we are to be paid the same amounts as those paid to other countries that were once occupied by these colonialists, we would be in a better position. Our children will definitely come back to uplift our country. If we look at Ethiopia, they have children that are outside the country. They come back and invested in their own country but because of sanctions, this cannot be done in our own country.
If it was not for these sanctions, our children could be investing in this country and our country would have been doing very well. If we look at the wealth that we had like cattle that our parents had, which were taken away by the colonialists, it is very painful for us to this day. The whole of Southern African - we have more water than any other country. We would be in a better position if colonialists were to pay us back for the things they took away from us. My humble plea is that may we have the sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe removed. Such stringent measures aimed at only a few individuals, what sort of punishment is that? There is nothing like that?
They are just hiding behind a finger. Zimbabwe is suffering because of these sanctions. I am in support of compensation from Britain and they should pay us back for all the things they took from us, the wealth they took away from us to fix their own country. Africa cannot develop when our wealth was channeled out of Africa to develop these colonialists’ empires. Corruption is being caused by sanctions. May they identify exactly where this corruption is coming from? This is the excuse that they are using. Thank you.
(v)+HON. R. MPOFU: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I will start by thanking the Hon. Member who moved the motion Hon. Togarepi, seconded by Hon. Raidza. The issue we are talking about is very painful. The issue which was done by the British in our country of ill treating our ancestors in different ways by taking their wealth, land and in the end, they then ask for compensation for land which is not theirs. In addition to this, they place us on sanctions without any reason just because we took our land. In my view, if there is need for compensation, they should not be given money. How can we compensate them when there are people that they killed during the liberation struggle and those people were not compensated? I thank you.
HON. MUNETSI: Thank you Madam Speaker for giving me this chance to air my views. I want to thank the Chief Whip for bringing this discussion on board and to thank Hon. Raidza for seconding the motion. I believe if you are a true Zimbabwean, this motion is one of the most heartbreaking motions in this House. If you look back and think of what has been done to us by the British, you will discover that everything that was done was very diminutive; there was nothing good for us.
We are suffering double trouble from our colonizers. I was making an analysis on what to colonize is and if you take semi colons in English - why colonize a word; you are a British state in Africa. For us to think that way, it is so heartbreaking. The British took our land, they used us, paid our forefathers nothing, they brainwashed us, they killed our brethren, they fought us, they bombed us in Mozambique, they took our minerals and we went under slave trade.
If you go to Nyanga, you will see what colonization is. There is a place called Little England whereby they even created some little England in Zimbabwe, that is high class colonization. They never dreamt that one day a worm will raise its head to hide – double trouble. After the war, we are under sanctions by the same people. Now you can imagine what these people want. Sanctions are conditions which you are given. You have no freedom if you are sanctioned – conditions which are designed for you to fail, that is to sanction someone, you cannot go back and forth, you are stuck where you are, you cannot move, you try this and that, every corner is blocked, you cannot go anywhere.
You suffer travel bans, trade embargos, even if you have the items. I am a member of the Environment Committee and we always argue that we have enough elephant tusks in the country which we can sell and boost this country in a day but we cannot do that because we are sanctioned. There are some measures that have been put around us. We have elephants in thousands, they are here in Zimbabwe but they are sanctions by someone in Britain. This is one of the motions which must be sent to Britain. When all these Hon. Members have spoken, this must be sent to Britain so that they know that we do not like that. Instead when they were defeated, thank God, they want us to pay them for the defeat. What odds; can that be possible after having done all this to our forefathers and even to us? They want us to pay them. They must pay for all the atrocities during the war, they must pay for all the comrades that did not come back home. They must pay for all the comrades that are living, their gratuities and everything. They must pay for widows of the liberation struggle, they must pay for the mujibhas and chimbwidos, they must pay for the children of the war veterans. This is what all these British must do; why not if they have colonized us for such a long time and took everything away and left us naked? Why do we have a soft hand on these people, we have freedom already and if we go to war, they cannot defeat us, so what do we fear?
I want to think that one of these days if all goes well, after blacks have suffered all this long, carrying them on our shoulders, I have seen pictures in some history books where a British is standing and is holding some breast of an African woman, you have seen that before it is there, trying to show that we are very inhuman. We are humans, God created us and one of these days, if we stand up together as a nation, the British must pay us. I thank you.
HON. T. MOYO: Madam Speaker, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. PETER MOYO: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 2nd March, 2022.
On the motion of HON. T. MOYO, seconded by HON. PETER MOYO the House adjourned at Five Minutes past Six o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 1st March, 2022
The Senate met at Half-past Two o’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE
SWEARING IN OF A NEW MEMBER
THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: In terms of Section 39 (7) (a) of the Electoral Act Chapter 2:13, I have been notified by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) that Nicholas Nkomo of ZANU-PF party has been duly appointed a party-list Senator for the Matebeleland South Province with effect from 18th February 2022. Section 128 (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides that before a Member of Parliament takes his/her seat in Parliament, the Member must take the Oath of a Member of Parliament in the form set out in the Third Schedule, Section 128 (2), which states that the oath must be taken before the Clerk of Parliament. I therefore call upon the Clerk of Parliament to administer the Oath of a Member of Parliament to the Hon. Sen Nicholas Nkomo.
NEW MEMBER SWORN
HON. SEN. NICHOLAS NKOMO subscribed to the Oath of Loyalty as required by the Law and took his seat. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] -
NON-ADVERSE REPORT RECEIVED FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY LEGAL COMMITTEE
THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: I wish to inform the Senate that I have received a Non-Adverse Report from the Parliamentary Legal Committee on the Marriages Bill (H.B.7A, 2019).
COLLECTION OF 2022 DIARIES AND CALENDERS
THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: I also have to inform the House that 2022 diaries and calendars are now ready for collection. Public Relations officers will be stationed at the Members’ Dining Room from 14:30hrs to 16:30hrs.
APPOINTMENT AS DELEGATE TO THE ACP-EU JOINT PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Further to that, I have to inform the House that Hon. Senator Engineer Elias Mudzuri will replace Hon. P. Misihairabwi-Mushonga as delegate to the ACP-EU joint Parliamentary Assembly.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. SEN. MATHUTHU: I move that Order of the Day, No 1 be stood over until the rest of the Orders of the Day have been disposed of.
HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH: DEBATE ON ADDRESS
Second Order read: Adjourned debate on motion in reply to the Presidential Speech.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. KAMBIZI: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 2nd March, 2022.
MOTION
CURBING GENDER BASED VIOLENCE AMONG COMMUNITIES
Third Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the increase of gender based violence since the outbreak of COVID-19.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. MATHUTHU: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 2nd March, 2022.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE VIRTUAL 49TH PLENARY ASSEMBLY SESSION OF THE SADC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM
Fourth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report of the 49th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum held virtually from 25th to 27th June, 2021.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. MATHUTHU: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 2nd March, 2022.
MOTION
CONSTRUCTION, UPGRADING AND REHABILITATION OF THE ROAD NETWORK IN THE COUNTRY
Fifth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the importance of a sound road network.
Question again proposed.
(v) *HON. SEN. CHISOROCHENGWE: The roads that have been refurbished now have potholes and nothing is moving on them. If you look at the vehicles these days, if you try to move with them on those roads, you will end up not having a car at all. I think the roads in the rural areas should be maintained, they should be refurbished. If you look at the tarred roads, they all have potholes. For everything to go on well, we should have good roads. The big trucks are the ones which are damaging our roads.
Now coming to Boterekwa, the road is really bad. My plea is that the Government should urge those people who are mining along the roads to maintain the roads, but in Shurugwi, nothing of that sort is taking place. So we are urging our Government to engage those who are engaged in mining to be careful when they are doing their mining. We are also pleading with the Minister of Mines and Mining Development that he should educate people not to leave holes uncovered after mining.
We are urging the Government to help us when it comes to the maintenance of roads because the roads are being damaged by these big trucks which carry abnormal loads. Some of the roads are now inaccessible. You cannot even tell whether there is a road or no road. We are thankful for some of the roads which have been refurbished.
(v) +HON. SEN. SKANYISIWE MPOFU: Thank you for this opportunity that you have awarded to me so that I can add my voice to this motion which was brought by Senator Mabika, the motion on the maintenance of our road network within this country.
I am really disappointed because most of our roads have been damaged. This is caused by heavy trucks which use these roads. I will dwell much on the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Road because this is a road that I use on a daily basis. This road has been damaged a lot by trucks which carry coal every day. What surprises me is that Victoria Falls has been awarded a city status but the road that links Bulawayo and Victoria Falls has a lot of potholes and it is not drivable. For a trip that used to take four hours, now you take more than that because of the potholes on the road.
The road that stretches from Tsholotsho to Bulawayo is also bad. We expect that this road be repaired because it is one of those roads that have been damaged a lot. We used to travel for an hour from Tsholotsho to Victoria Falls but as of now, it takes four hours due to the bad state of the road. Our farmers and travelers are struggling a lot because the road is not good at all. I appeal that the Government intervenes so that they can repair the roads because I believe that Government is the one that is responsible for repairing of roads so that people can be able to travel easily.
What also surprises me is that these roads that link the central business district are really embarrassing. The local authorities cannot see that it is a shame to them because most of their roads have potholes. Government should monitor the funds that are set aside for devolution so that they may be used to repair the road because the small vehicles that we use now cannot navigate the roads. We buy tyres almost every day because of these roads. I thank you Mr. President.
*HON. SEN. SIPANI-HUNGWE: I want to add my voice on this motion which was raised by Hon. Sen. Mabika because it is very important. For us to have safe journeys, it is because of the roads which will be in good condition. I want to thank our Government and God who gave us a lot of rains. These heavy rains are also contributing to the bad state of our roads. It is well known that when we have heavy rains, that is what happens to our roads.
I want talk about the major roads and say Government is doing its level best. Our roads are now in good shape like the Harare-Beitbridge Road. It is very good. It is not yet complete but it is a good road now. What I am saying is that let us give credit where it is due and thank Government for a job well done. In the urban areas, we have good cars but our vehicles are being damaged because of the many potholes. I do not know whether the local authorities are not collecting revenue from the ratepayers. I also heard that ZINARA also gives them money. I think they should speed up the repairs so that they mend the potholes. Too many potholes are a hazard as they cause accidents.
Specifically, in Harare if you go to residential areas, you cannot drive well. We used to laugh at other African countries which I shall not mention. Our local authorities should focus on the rehabilitation of roads. Where there are potholes, they should go there and repair those potholes, especially Harare City council. It used to happen that before you know it you would find council vehicles mending these roads. Council should take this seriously.
I also want to thank Government for intervening in urban areas by fixing the roads. They have taken charge as they are repairing the major roads in the cities. If Government is taking care of the major roads, councils should now go into the residential areas especially in high density areas because those roads need urgent attention. A few days ago I was in Chinhoyi and I was given directions to where I wanted to go but there was no road at all. Our councils should look for equipment so that they maintain the roads so that people travel well.
Finally, I want to thank Government for its intervention. If you look at Seke Road, it is now in good condition. There are a lot of roads where Government has intervened. Wherever Government is repairing the road they put a billboard to show that they are the ones who are maintaining the road. With these few words, I want to thank Government.
HON. SEN. MATHUTHU: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. SIPANI-HUNGWE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 2nd March, 2022.
MOTION
ENACTMENT OF LAWS THAT CULMINATE IN DETERRENT SENTENCES BEING METED OUT TO CULPRITS FOUND COMMITTING CRIMES THAT DAMAGE THE ENVIRONMENT
Sixth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the grave and rapid environmental damage.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. ENG. MUDZURI: Thank you Hon. President. I just want to add my voice on the motion on environmental degradation which is seen in Zimbabwe and elsewhere in our lives. We are inhabitants of the environment but it is very surprising that sometimes we leave it to Government to sort out environmental issues. I think every human being must work around conserving their environment and ensure that the environmental degradation is reduced. I am not sure how best Government and law enforcements agents can be roped in. In Harare for instance, you find that when farming season comes, farmers go and till along the river banks. They will till and plant maize and if someone slashes that maize, they say you are attacking the poor.
I do not understand how you attack the poor when you are killing the same environment and you are taking sand into the same lake from which we want to get water that we use. Honestly, sometimes I think we should just learn to do it at home. Home lecture should be imported to teach our children and our relatives not to just abuse the environment. It is not easy for any institution to go and police human beings who think they can mess around with our ravines and our mountains. If you go up the hills, people have started farming on certain hills which are so steep that it will wash away everything that has been preserving the soils on those hills. Do you really expect someone to come and police us as individuals?
I think we need serious introspection as a nation. Government can come in but as individuals, parliamentarians and every other person who lives in this environment, we need to work hard. We have just come from Rwanda and I can tell you that the cleanliness of Kigali will shock you. The plants which have been planted there, you can see that everyone is conscious of their environment and I do not know why we are not conscious of that. We go on to celebrate dirt and that is why we end up with so much for some time, when we celebrate dirt and the burning of our environment. Some farmers just put on veld firers and burn all the trees.
We need to set an example. I am not sure how the Ministry of Environment can come in, including the police and EMA people to ensure that we preserve the environment. My suggestion is that we need communities to get involved and t be part of the environment. How best we do it – we can go on television, radio and whatsapp trying to educate each other. I think we need a national programme that teaches people how to preserve their environment. We can go on arguing about who should do what but as long as we consciously are not clean and say we do not want to see this happening, nothing will happen because when someone does it next week, we just watch him doing it and say it is bad but he is damaging the environment.
We can go to several summits elsewhere to talk about the environment and climate change, but what we need is to first do it at home. My debate is all about Zimbabweans that we must do it ourselves and we must learn to preserve our environment, waters, ravines, wetlands and wherever we think we can have a source of life. I want to plead with Government and Hon. Members that we must strengthen our institutions. As long as our institutions are not strong enough to stop certain behaviours, we will not be able to achieve anything and we must stop the corruption that goes with the arresting of those who will have abused their positions in damaging our environment. With these few words or many words, I want to say Zimbabwe must learn to keep its environment and it starts with you and me. Thank you.
HON. SEN. MATHUTHU: Thank you Mr. President. I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. A. DUBE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 2nd March, 2022.
MOTION
ENACTMENT OF LEGISLATION THAT UPHOLDS THE RIGHTS AND WELFARE OF CHILDREN ACCOMPANYING INCARCERATED MOTHERS IN PRISON
Seventh Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on challenges faced by children with incarcerated mothers.
Question again proposed.
*HON. SEN. KOMICHI: Thank you Hon. President of the Senate for the time that you have given me and I also want to thank the Hon. Senator who raised this motion on the growing up of incarcerated children. This is a serious motion which should be looked at and there is need to think of ways to deal with this. . A lot of things happen in jail that could change someone’s’ character. When we are in cells, we meet a lot of people who have different characteristics and you do not want your child to learn from those people. A child can copy what someone else is doing. Children can adopt bad habits and if they grow up, it is very difficult for them to change. When children are incarcerated with their mothers, they are subjected to a lot of people who have bad characters. People in jails use a lot of vulgar words because when in cells, they behave like animals. So when a child is exposed to that, the child will learn that bad behaviour. The Government should look at ways to separate children from their incarcerated mothers.
I was thinking that homes should be set up where those children should be raised up from, something that resembles a nursery like where children are taken, those places where orphaned children are kept. There will be trained people to look after those children. So, I am suggesting that the Government should look at such programmes. It is a programme that can be supported by NGOs because it is a very sensitive issue that deals with the protection of children. You should not forget that people who are in jail, some of them, it is due to circumstances that led them to commit crimes. Children should not be victims but the person who should suffer is the perpetrator. It is our responsibility as leaders of the Government to put our heads together and make sure that we support the idea of institutions that take care of children of parents who are in prison.
(v)HON. SEN. MUPFUMIRA: Thank you Mr. President for allowing me to debate on this very important topic. I would like to refer to our Constitution (No. 20) Chapter 2, which talks about children and that the State must adopt policies and measures to ensure that in matters relating to children, the best interest of the children are paramount. They must enjoy normal care, appropriate when removed from their normal environment.
Mr. President, whilst it is very important and in society’s best interest for crime convicted mothers to be in prison, it is also important to balance things between the convicted mother and the welfare of the children. While children may have to remain with parents or mothers whilst in prison for purposes of bond, attachment as well as breast feeding especially for the critical age of up to two years, it is important that children must live normally. The State should be adopting policies and measures to ensure that in such matters relating to children, the best interests of the children are taken care of. Consideration must be given to what extent can a mother who is in prison is expected to be a normal prisoner and with normal prison routine, be expected to take care of the children and make sure that their interests are looked after.
Yesterday we had oral evidence in two of our Thematic Committees and we had representations from the Zimbabwe Correctional and Prison Services. One of the issues which came out was that they are not adequately funded. They do not have enough resources for food, medical care and other needs for the children whilst on paper, they are supposed to be looking after the children but they do not have the extra facilities and capacity to look after the children. We were also informed that most of our prisons in Zimbabwe were built for men not for women. As a result, no consideration was ever thought to make sure that when women are incarcerated with children, how are they looked after? As Parliamentarians or Hon. Senators, we have to really look at the way we budget to ensure that the basic needs of the child are met, that they have food and medicine. We were told that medicine is only at Chikurubi Female Prison. In the other prisons, there is no such facility at all. So, we will need to refocus, re-strategize and plan so that we take care of women offenders. We have to ensure that there is interaction with other actors, not just Government.
Hon. Sen. Komichi talked about non-government organisations. As
far as the prison is concerned, I think there is need for authorities to explore how they can work together with arms of Government like the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, to ensure that whatever is happening to the children, their needs are met by child care specialists. There should also be involvement, even when employing these specialist services, they should consider those who do not work in prisons. Sometimes if social welfare officers are prison officers, the difference might not be that much. We need other people who are independent and interested in the welfare of the children. There are no facilities in our prisons at the moment for taking care of children. So, we are called out to ensure that we legislate minimum standards for the care of the children who are living in prisons. In a way, these children are serving a prison sentence for something which they did not do. We have to make sure that the facilities in our prisons are friendly to the children who are in the prisons including the food; they were saying they had no food. So, if they have no food to give to little children, how do the children survive? If there is no medication and adequate instruments in the clinics, how do they look after the children? We have to seriously consider that we need to do something in our prisons to ensure that the children are taken care of and it is very difficult like for a two year toddler in a prison environment, the language which is used there and so forth is not good. These children will be affected forever. If there is a well resourced crèche or pre-school and well qualified people to look after the children, it will alleviate the damage to our children. At the moment, government has to seriously consider the plight of women and children in prisons. Yesterday during our discussion on an issue raised by Hon. Sen. Khupe about the women who are physically or mentally challenged, there is no special consideration of such people. These are people without limbs or needing a wheelchair. We should ensure we understand what is going on there and come up with policies which will ensure that the human rights of the children are not affected negatively.
I want to thank Hon. Sen. Chirongoma for bringing this very important issue of children living with their incarcerated mothers. Another issue is that pregnant women and women with newly born babies do not get postnatal and antenatal care. Again, we need to look at how these women can be assisted whilst in prison so that at the end of the day they have safe delivery and the babies are well looked after because the State has a responsibility from what we have in our own Constitution. The issue of an ambulance for the women’s prison should be considered. The judiciary should consider issues of having sentences which are lighter such as community service and having special prisons for women with children so that the children can interact and grow in a semi-normal environment. We thank Government for the women’s prison in Marondera but it will also not be having the facilities and resources to ensure that the children grow in a friendly environment and that their future is not affected. We should also encourage dialogue with the families, social workers and the prison officials to ensure that maybe other family members could look after the children especially if they are three years and above with the assistance of social welfare. There is also need for follow up in the event that a child is taken by a relative by social welfare and Government so these vulnerable children can be assisted.
With those remarks, I want to thank Hon. Sen. Chirongoma for bringing this very important topic and that as legislators we will seriously look into the actual issues. I am sure when the report of our oral evidence comes out, we will bring it to Senate so that together we can look at ways of how we can improve the welfare of the child who is living in prison because of the mother.
HON. SEN. MATHUTHU: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 2nd March, 2022.
On the motion of HON. SEN. MATHUTHU seconded by HON. SEN. TONGOGARA, the Senate adjourned at Twenty-seven Minutes past Three o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Thursday, 24th February, 2022
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER
SWEARING OF A NEW MEMBER
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: In terms of Section 39 (7) (a) of the Electoral Act, Chapter 2 (13), I have been notified by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) that Moreblessing Tembo of MDC-T party has been duly appointed a party list Member of the National Assembly for the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province with effect from 18th February, 2022.
Section 128 (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides that before a Member of Parliament takes his or her seat in Parliament, the Member must take the oath of a Member of Parliament in the form set out in the third schedule. Section 128 (2) states that the oath must be taken before the Clerk of Parliament. I therefore call upon the Clerk of Parliament to administer the Oath of a Member of Parliament to Hon. Moreblessing Tembo.
NEW MEMBER SWORN
HON. MOREBLESSING TEMBO subscribed to the Oath of Loyalty as required by the law and took her seat – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
ACP-EU JOINT PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I have to inform the House that Hon. Sen. Eng. E. Mudzuri is replacing Hon. P. Misihairabwi-Mushonga as delegate for the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly.
HON. TEKESHE: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I would like to compliment Hon. Mhona, Minister of Transport for walking the talk. Last time when he was in the House, he asked Members not to wait for Question Time. If you find anything amiss in his Ministry, you just phone him and he will address the issue. I phoned him and he acted swiftly. I was very happy. He gave me value as an MP – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] - I wish all the Ministers would do the same and act the way Hon. Mhona acted.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. TOGAREPI: I move that Orders of the Day Number 1 to 14 on today’s Order Paper be stood over until Order Number 15 has been disposed of.
HON. TEKESHE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
UNETHICAL PRACTICES BY FORCES OF IMPERIALISM
HON. TOGAREPI: I move the motion standing in my name that this House-
MINDFUL that at the attainment of Zimbabwe` s Independence in 1980, the Government of the First Republic extended an olive branch of peace as an endeavour to show its unwavering commitment to reconciliation with the erstwhile enemies as a way of fostering peace, tranquillity and lasting unity;
DISTURBED that the imperialists and their surrogates deliberately sought to undermine such noble gestures by Government and resorted to diabolic strategies at the instigation of their paymasters and embarked on a smear campaign meant to vilify all noble efforts to achieve everlasting peace for the First Republic and its generations to come;
COGNISANT that the same forces of imperialism supported by their kith and kin have always been at the forefront of the under develop campaign of our motherland and have shamelessly perpetrated the most heinous crimes ever on the black majority since the inception of colonialism;
CONDEMNING IN THE STRONGEST OF TERMS the unethical practice by our former colonisers who de-cultured our people and portrayed our land as that of uncivilised and poverty stricken tribesmen all in the quest to entrench their hegemony and to grab the land for their personal aggrandisement, with no form of reparation to the dispossessed black majority, the rightful owners of the land;
NOTING WITH DISDAIN that more than four decades after the attainment of our independence, there are some die hard imperialists who still suffer from nostalgia and dream of repossessing our land, our heritage, through spurious and unfounded arguments that they deserve reparation from our Government for the land that was rightfully repossessed and handed over to its owners, the people of Zimbabwe,
NOW, THEREFORE, in view of the foregoing,
- Calls upon our citizens to stand firm in solidarity and thwart any attempts by forces of imperialism to even raise in any form, issues to do with any form of compensation to such misguided malcontents;
- Demand restitution from the countries that caused untold sufferings to the Black majority and unduly benefitted from the economic resources of our land;
- Demand reparation for each of the years that the country laboured under the bondage of colonialism; and
Strongly condemn the imposition of sanctions on Zimbabwe for repossessing its land from imperialists.
(V) HON. RAIDZA: I second.
HON. TOGAREPI: Thank you Madam Speaker. I have come here with a heavy heart to move this motion and it has been my wish since I came into Parliament that I would move this motion. I want to speak on behalf of the people of Zimbabwe; on behalf of the veterans of the liberation struggle and many of my people who suffered because they were exposed to the vagaries of colonialism.
As I present this motion, I am aware that at the attainment of Zimbabwe’s independence in 1980, the Government of the First Republic extended an olive branch of peace, as an endevour to show its unwavering commitment to reconciliation with the East world enemies as a way of fostering peace, tranquility and lasting unity. I am disturbed that the imperialists and their surrogates deliberately sought and still seek to undermine such a noble idea by Government and resorted to diabolic strategies of vengeance after losing the war of liberation against the sons and daughters of Zimbabwe.
They have embarked on a smear campaign meant to vilify all noble efforts to achieve everlasting peace during the First Republic and again in the Second Republic, they are still attacking us and causing a lot of suffering to the people of Zimbabwe. I am cognisant that the same forces of imperialism are supported by their kith and keen who are bitter that we repossessed our stolen land. I condemn in the strongest terms the unethical practice by our former colonisers who de-cultured our people, portrayed us as uncivilised and poverty stricken tribesmen, all in the quest to entrench their hegemony and grab the land for their personal use and for their descendants, with no form of reparations to the disposed Blacks, the rightful owners of the land.
I note with disdain that more than four decades after the attainment of independence, there are some die-hard imperialists who still suffer from the nostalgia and dream of re-colonising Zimbabwe. Their descendants must pay for the effects of colonialism. Zimbabwe will never be a colony again.
Madam Speaker Ma’am, the people of Zimbabwe, young and old demand that the British pay reparations for the crimes committed during colonisation and after the creation of their surrogate Government of Rhodesia. The British committed crimes against humanity on our land. They continue to do so to this day with impunity, through imposing illegal sanctions. Zimbabwe has to be compensated for the damage it suffered as a result of colonialism as our forefathers were dispossessed of their assets – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – This disadvantaged the native Blacks to date. The process of colonisation was heinous and very cruel.
The British during colonialism killed our people, tortured those who dared to resist them, forcibly took our land, took our cattle, raped our women, displaced our people to arid and disease infested areas, imposed their culture and religion on us. During the liberation struggle with the complicity of the British, their surrogate Rhodesian Government used chemical weapons on innocent civilians. They poisoned community water sources, hanged thousands of our people, killed children and women, bombed civilians and bombed refugees in Mozambique and Zambia. Mass graves are all over Zimbabwe: Kambingoma and Ndeende, Gutu are evidence to the British atrocities. This is why I say the British must pay for their sins. They must pay the people of Zimbabwe for the heinous colonial process they did to the people of Zimbabwe.
Madam Speaker, the German Government agreed to pay billions of dollars to compensate the Namibians; the Herero, their particular tribe that suffered at the hands of the Germans for the crime of colonisation as they do accept that this was an evil act. Why can the British not do the same here in Zimbabwe for the people they killed, for the torture they did to our people? The British already demonstrated that they can compensate. They have compensated the veterans of the Kenyan people for the same atrocities. Why can they not come and compensate us, pay reparations to the people of Zimbabwe yet they butchered our people, took their skulls for trophies in their museums. Yes, they have remains of our First Chimurenga heroes as trophies of conquest. They have them and that is the evidence that even the United Nations (UN) can use against the British. There is evidence - they took away the remains of our people into their museums, which people they killed, tortured, or hanged - they must pay.
This is indisputable evidence of crimes against humanity perpetrated to our various generations, which can only be healed through reparations and public admission of crimes committed during colonialism. The former colonialists, instead of accepting the responsibility of colonisation and support the Government, they believe they are a superior race. The imposition of illegal sanctions on Zimbabwe, after it embarked on the land reform which was meant to correct the historical injustice, is testimony of how unrepentant these former colonial thieves are.
The other day I saw the Queen going around inspecting gold bars stashed in their volts and I asked myself, whether the old woman had any sense as to where the gold was stolen from. They looted our gold, yet they have the audacity to call Zimbabweans and the rest of Africa poor. We are poor because the British stole our gold; pay it back Your Majesty. Pay back the gold. Pay back the gold and all the minerals you robbed from Zimbabwe.
These former colonial plunderers and allies have been using their local puppets to further their agenda to destabilise Zimbabwe since independence. These puppets are in the form of the opposition, some Non-Governmental Organisations, Churches, Journalists and through these regime change surrogates, the British wish evil upon our motherland. The imperialists and their stooges try to discredit the Government of Zimbabwe. They have not condemned the illegal sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe. Those surrogates, those who run the agenda of the British in Zimbabwe, have refused to condemn sanctions; so we live with them.
The Government of Zimbabwe, after the West imposed sanctions, turned to the nations which help Zimbabwe maintain its hard won independence but the imperialists went on to vilify the support from friendly nations as part of the regime change agenda supposedly imposed on the nation have been termed to be targeted, targeted yes to the people of Zimbabwe. The institutions that were placed on sanctions were economic drivers and this was deliberate to target ordinary citizens of this nation. Madam Speaker, today they have imposed sanctions and we need to take action. The British must pay for their crimes. Those who have collaborated with the British and caused the suffering of ordinary Zimbabweans through subversive and treasonous acts should be ashamed of themselves. I wish they could take their bags and go to their masters.
Madam Speaker, the agents of imperialists sold their souls for the sake of money. The whole world agreed that the imposition of sanctions on Zimbabwe is illegal, even the UN Rapporteur condemned the evil illegal sanctions. What she did was in tandem with the clarion call by SADC, AU, Russia and other progressive nations who want justice for the people of Zimbabwe. The local agents who support and are still supporting these activities that affect the image of Zimbabwe cannot be allowed to have any stake in the leadership of this country. They come up with lies, falsehoods and fake abductions in support of the British Empire. The forces of negation deserve to be thwarted Madam Speaker by enacting a legislation to ban them from public office plus a jail term, which will deter would-be future puppets.
We need to defend our homeland since the nations which are causing anarchy do have stricter laws to safeguard their sovereignty. If you go to America today they have the Logan Act to defend their country against sell-outs in their midst. Here in Zimbabwe, we want to legislate the same to deal with surrogates of imperialism yet the British and their friends claim it is undemocratic; it is against their human rights - very shameful.
Madam Speaker, the time is now to take a firm stance and demand reparations from the stubborn and unrepentant British. I demand reparation from Britain for causing a heinous time to the black Zimbabweans, unduly benefiting from our economic resources. I demand restitution for each of the years that Zimbabwe laboured under the bondage of colonialism. I strongly condemn the imposition of sanctions on Zimbabwe for repossessing its land from imperialists. This shows the former colonizers are still unrepentant, hence I demand that they pay for their sins. I call upon the United Nations to stand firm in solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe and thwart any attempts by the forces of imperialism to resist the payment of reparations.
If the United Nations is a democratic institution, it should stand with the people of Zimbabwe. Our claim is legitimate, many of our people were killed, and our land was taken. Everywhere they have dug holes, taking our gold and diamonds to build their country; we need that money paid back and the Queen must pay. I urge even those in the non-governmental organisations, opposition political parties and human rights activists who are funded by the British to subvert our Government to support the call for the British to pay back our gold, copper and other resources they stole from our motherland.
I demand that the British return the remains of our prophets stashed in their museums; I demand that we get back the remains of Chingaira, Nehanda and all the remains of our leaders whom they killed. My call is for Members of this Parliament to stand with the people of Zimbabwe, to stand with our history and demand that the British pay for their sins, pay for the atrocities and for stealing our resources. This 9th Parliament must stand together and demand that the British pay. Our Government has done everything to seek re-engagement but the British are poisoning every attempt that we make and they forget that we are in the circumstances that we are in because of the atrocities, and the crimes they committed during colonialism.
So, re-engagement may work with other countries but the British cannot forgive us for defeating them on the battlefield when we fought to liberate ourselves. We have evidence in this country, of people who were killed, and if reparations according to the United Nations Charter are paid for what has happened throughout history, they are paying reparations for the reconstruction of Iraq. This is going on as we speak, so the same must be done for this country. We tried reconciliation Madam Speakerbut it is not working because we are dealing with people who are cruel, who have the audacity to discuss Zimbabwe each and every time they meet yet we extended the hand of peace and reconciliation. We still have white people here in Zimbabwe who are roaming and doing their business freely yet we know some of them were part and parcel of the heinous killings of our people but we had said let bygones be bygones.
Madam Speaker, we want our gold, we want those gold bars returned to Zimbabwe. Britain is rich today because of the wealth they have stolen from Africa, Zimbabwe in particular. We want that gold to come back to Africa, to come back to Zimbabwe.
In conclusion, the people of Zimbabwe out there are worried that we seem to be trying to get blood out of a stone; we are dealing with unrepentant colonizers. Some are ashamed, some people fall short to make peace with former colonies progressively but they still have nostalgia. The British feel one day they will recognise Zimbabwe and that is why when they discuss Zimbabwe, they think we are a village. They expect us as their leaders and representatives to demand reparations, and that the British pay back our gold.
Madam Speaker, from today, many likeminded Zimbabweans, wherever we are going to meet Britons, we will ask for our gold; I will personally lead that. They benefited, they are in their state of benefit today because of what was stolen by their forefathers, so I will ask for it. I will urge them to go to the Queen to ask her to pay us because we want our gold back.
Therefore, to the Queen; we want our gold and diamonds. Zimbabwe will never be colonised again, our people are ready to defend it, and so there is no question of re-colonisation. We need our gold now! I thank you – [Hear, hear.] –
HON. RAIDZA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to thank Hon. Togarepi for affording me an opportunity to second his motion. It is a very important motion and core for who we are as Zimbabweans today. We have a history as a nation and it cannot be just wished away like that. We are a recognised country in our own right as Zimbabwe.
Madam Speaker Ma’am, it is not contested up to this day that the land was stolen from us Zimbabweans by our colonisers. Throughout this whole century up to independency, in 1884, I understand there was a Berlin Conference where these European countries sat down and decided to conquer and colonise Africa. However, Britain chose to come here and colonised Zimbabwe.
When they came here, they took land, they did not buy and that is the essence of this whole motion. This land was stolen from us Zimbabweans. This conflict over land led to the war of liberation that happened in Zimbabwe. For us to be independent in 1980, there were a lot of sacrifices that the sons and daughters of Zimbabwe paid through losing their blood.
Madam Speaker Ma’am, when these colonisers came, they created a structural imbalance in terms of our land distribution. They chased the owners of the land to what they used to call the reserved areas where the land was not good for anything and they took over the all the rich land.
At one of the censuses carried out, it was found out that there were not more than 220 000 who took over 80% of the good land here in Zimbabwe. The millions of the black people were driven to the reserved areas or the now called rural areas where the land was not good.
When the British South African Company came here in Zimbabwe, they did not bring any cent and that is why in this motion we are calling for our country to be paid for what Britain has done to this country. They did not bring any investment to this nation and say we are going to invest so much and after investing this much for this period, this is the return that we will get out of Zimbabwe. However, they only got out with the profits that they got from our land; that is why we have a call today to say Britain is liable and they have to pay us back.
The Britons tilled, mined and carried out a number of commercial activities in this country. They benefited a lot whilst we, as the owners of this land, remained poor in our reserved areas.
Therefore, we are saying today, this is the most opportune time for us to call for these reparations. As alluded to by Hon. Togarepi the colonisers of nations like Namibia, Germany and Kenya agreed to compensate but our colonisers as Zimbabwe, have got that history of refusing to honour everything. If we look at the Lancaster House Agreement, we heard that they had agreed that the first 10 years, they were going to find a way to compensate the black majority so they could get their land back.
However, round about 1990 we had the Government of the former Prime Minister of Britain, Tony Blair reneging on that contract saying they were no longer liable. As the owners of the land, we were left with no option but to come up with some legislative processes to make sure that we take back what belonged to us.
The issue of land Madam Speaker, is a very big issue, that is why the sons and daughters of Zimbabwe took up arms and said enough is enough, we want our land back. Land is the means of production and that is why the Britons came here, they knew that. Without land, you cannot talk about any economy. That is why we have decided to say this is the time to get our land back so that we can start working for ourselves because we have realised that nyika inovakwa nevene vayo.
After the processes of taking back the land started, the enemy did not keep quiet but came back with a number of strategies to make sure that they disturb the country because they knew that the moment they do not disturb us, we were going to become very successful. As long as we have our land, we have got the labour because when they came here, they did not bring their own labour. They came and took our brothers, sisters, grandmothers and forefathers to go and work for them and so they did not bring any labour.
They knew that as long as they have got the land, our own land and we have our own labour, it was obvious that we were going to become successful as black Africans. They realised that we will become economically independent but their plan was for us to remain dependent on them. We are grateful for the initiatives which were taken by our First Republic, that they went on despite these things which were already obvious that the coloniser was going to hit us back.
They hit us back in the form of sanctions and I think we are all aware of the reason why we are having the sanctions today as a nation. Some of the people or even these colonisers make our people to believe that these sanctions are targeted. This assertion was already rebutted by the UN representative who came to Zimbabwe to say no, these sanctions that are being publicised like they are targeted were not targeted. Likewisw, the United Nations came and found that out for themselves. The rapporteur found out that these sanctions are hurting ordinary Zimbabweans.
We can give very good examples. We have private companies who have got funds that are locked outside. We have got private companies who cannot access the lines of credit and now we wonder to say some of these companies are not on their list of the targeted people that they want to target. We see that these colonisers were targeting our economy. That is why now if you go to the industries, we realise that there is no serious production that is taking place. Our companies are incapacitated. They cannot do business.
We are going to continue this song that sanctions must go. We are grateful as well on this front that SADC saw it fit to support us as Zimbabwe and declare a day of commemorating these sanctions and continue calling for these sanctions to go. SADC as a block are helping us as well to make sure that these sanctions are removed. Sanctions are hurting all of us and even the people that they are claiming that they are not targeting because if our health infrastructure is not working, who will go to those hospitals? It is us and if we do not have medicine, it is us as ordinary people as well. If our economy is not performing because of these sanctions, it affects us because the prices of goods are going up.
We need to unite and it is not supposed to be a one party song or the Government song but it has to be for all of us. We hear some in our opposition party circles calling for these sanctions to go. This is the kind of spirit that we need. We are Zimbabweans and Zimbabwe comes first to all of us. These issues that affect us lead us to be united and to speak with one voice because the enemy is coming in to divide and rule us. We are saying today, no to divide and rule. We need our country to be allowed to operate as an independent State.
We will never be a colony again. These are some of the moral issues that Britain has to look at and say these people have suffered enough prejudice. So we need to play our part. We need to make sure that we reparate - we pay. What is wrong to bring back what you have stolen? It is not right to take what does not belong to you. This is the time that Britain must bring back what they have stolen. Today we look like we are a poor country – how can we be compared to developed nations whilst we had a century of our resources which were being stolen? There is no way that we can be at the same level with them.
They had an opportunity of more than years of looting from us and now we are starting from where they have lost and you wonder at times what their interest is in a small nation like ours. They know what is in this country and that is why they want to keep their eye on us and in whatever that we do and wherever we go. We understand His Excellency Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa came up with the re-engagement efforts and they are following everywhere like what Hon. Togarepi has said, but we are very grateful as many nations where our President is visiting and is engaging. They are seeing what we are talking about today. That is why we see a number of countries trying to make friendship with us because it is his motto that we must not be an enemy to anyone. We must be a good friend to everyone.
This is the time that Britain must give us an apology and it is good that they apologise so that we move forward. They might think that by giving a hand of reconciliation as a nation, we have forgotten. We have forgiven but we did not forget what they have done to us and that is why we continue to talk about it today. So I am here to support the motion, the request, the proposal and the prayer from the motion by Hon. Togarepi that this is the time that the sanctions must go. We need to get the reparations and we need to be paid for what was stolen from us. Thank you.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Madam Speaker and good afternoon to you.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Good afternoon Hon. Nduna.
HON. NDUNA: I will endeavour to add my voice to the motion by Hon. Togarepi, seconded by Hon. Raidza. I see the Clerk of Parliament and yourself Madam Speaker Ma’am were busy this afternoon making an Hon. Member take the oath. It is just and it is right. I will straight away go to Section 119 of the Constitution that speaks to and about the role of Parliament in particular as it seeks to make laws for the good order and governance of the people of Zimbabwe and also to represent the electorate, the unsuspecting innocent citizens that vote us into office.
This motion speaks to the core, the heart, the pith of the needs and cries of the people of Zimbabwe. As I stand here, I want to ask that the role of parliamentarians and of Parliament be transcribed verbatim from the Constitution into the Hansard so that it actually shows what our role is as parliamentarians.
Hon. Togarepi and Hon. Raidza are in the right place and position to call for the prayer as they do, of the reparation using the ubiquitous amount of our mineral wealth which left gaping holes in our society after the protracted war of liberation. They were supposed to have repaid us because we were provoked without any reason. War is war but I also want to take this House to Section 84, that is the rights of our liberation war heroes. I want that transcribed from the Constitution into the Hansard so that the people of Chegutu West Constituency in particular, and Zimbabwe in general, can see that we are moving in conformity with this noble motion in so far as it relates to both reparation and also compensation by the erstwhile colonisers who fought against us in the quest of the Zimbabweans trying to get their sovereignty, defend the same and also get from the shackles of bondage, the land of both our heroes, forefathers and forebears.
I want to go to the issue of property rights and I ask that Section 71 of the same Constitution be transcribed from the Constitution into the Hansard because Parliament is a place of record. Long after we have gone through natural attrition, there is need for the people of Zimbabwe to get to see that one day we asked for property rights that existed even before the erstwhile colonisers and the law of the Cape of Good Hope, including the law that was established in the Constitution of 1891.
I listened very carefully and the root of the debate is the issue of land. I ask that Section 72 of the Constitution be transcribed from the Constitution into the Hansard so that the people hear us debating and can see the root cause of this debate and also that it is known that when the erstwhile colonisers came into this country, they did not come with any piece of land. They did not come with any piece of mineral. They did not come with any wealth of any nature. Even the horses that they then got they found them here. The Loot Committee that Hon Raidza spoke of, they actually formed a Loot Committee to come and make sure that they separate the people of Zimbabwe from their property, including their cattle and livestock.
The point I seek to make is that they had nothing when they came. Even the Bible says ‘we came with nothing and we shall leave with nothing’. What is very important about the erstwhile colonisers for them to build their nations using our wealth? They came with nothing - let them go with nothing even before their demise. There is only one life to live, we cannot live in abject poverty caused by another man. The prayer is well directed and there is need for those that are still alive to pay for the sins of their fathers and forefathers because the issue that we speak about is wealth. There is value that was exhibited or that was preserved because of our minerals. Therefore, I ask in the same vein that the same mineral wealth and the same value that has been preserved all this time needs to be repatriated back to Zimbabwe. If they cannot repatriate the 100%, at least let them attempt to do it in the manner they did for the aborigines and for the Kenyans and a lot of other European countries standing when they compensated the African countries, especially for having colonised them, plundered their resources, took their women and cattle.
That brings to mind – at some point during the colonial era and also during the slave trade in particular in Rome, the slaves were not allowed to even relate to the European person. The male slaves were not even allowed to procreate, copulate and have conjugal rights with a woman of their race but it was possible for the slave masters to procreate or copulate with the slave women. It is unfortunate that cannot be reversed. However, if it was possible here is an opportunity that the women of the other race now need to be given to the African race so that we can have what we missed during the time that we could indulge in the same process because we are a people together and this was supposed to occur in the same way.
However, what is it that we can put our hands on is the mineral. What is it that we can put our hand on is the decapitated heads of our chiefs, Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi. Those heads that were taken as trophies need to repatriated back to modern Zimbabwe because first and foremost, we are Africans. We should not forget that. These are some of the reasons why there is no copious amount of rainfall. It is because we are still grieving, the bones of Mbuya Nehanda have not risen and the heads of Chief Chingaira, Mbuya Nehanda and Sekuru Kaguvi have not come back.
By the way, the people that I speak to and about were hanged at the current RBZ. That is where they were hanged and it is not mere coincidence that the statue of Mbuya Nehanda is in Samora Machel right at the centre of that road. It is at least that we can appease these spirits.
However, I know for a fact that our mineral resource is finality resource. When you go to Section 72 (vii) (c) of the Constitution, it says the people of Zimbabwe should be enabled to assert their right to land. I will tell you what that means. It means in totality we need to have our minerals and to assert our right to our minerals. It is incumbent upon us to request as we do, that our minerals be given back to us. It will not be enough, sufficient, just or right for us only maybe to get US$4 quintillion as reparations. It would not make any sense.
Madam Speaker, the minerals that were removed from our mines and land are a finality resource, and some of these minerals are the ones that actually make airframes; the tantalite and uranium that they are fighting for in order that they create nuclear bombs. These are some of the minerals that were removed from Zimbabwe and as I talk about uranium in particular, we mean no harm to anybody. We just want to beneficiate and value-add our uranium in order that we get power but I am alive to the fact that the erstwhile colonisers and the Europeans mean no harm. They want to dissipate and make sure they bring each other to extinction through bombing and annihilating each other’s armies.
According to current affairs Madam Speaker, we are just waiting to hear what is happening in Europe because they are busy trying to bomb each other out of this world. As I said yesterday, Psalms 90: 10, there is no one who has any right to kill another person except to remove the shackles of bondage like we did through the protracted liberation struggle. Psalms 90: 10 says a man is appointed to live ‘three score and ten’ which is 70 years. So, if you terminate their life by hook or crook or otherwise, you will always have blood on your hands and it is not right.
I urge the...
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Nduna, you are left with five minutes.
HON. NDUNA: Aah, thank you Madam Speaker. That is more than enough to thank the people of Chegutu West Constituency.
However, I am going to say riding on the prayer as has been requested that those minerals, if they come back in whatever form; either in cash or kind, we certainly can be better than Europe by any stretch of imagination. Section 13 (4) of the Constitution, I ask that you do not get to be surprised because of all these sections. Yours truly is still in his second semester at law in the University of Zimbabwe. It says that the minerals should benefit the places from where they are extracted. So, we cannot benefit London using Zimbabwe’s minerals. We need to benefit Chegutu West using the minerals from Pickstone Peerless Mine which has operated since the time of Rio Tinto, more than 20 years before independence, that is in the 70/60s.
I request that being the second largest gold reserve in the whole of Africa, it should and must relinquish – it should bring back its minerals to Chegutu in particular and Zimbabwe in general, so that we can be at par with all other nations as we fight to have the SDGs 2030, Agenda 2030, Continental Agenda 2063 and Industrialisation SADC Agenda of 2015. We are hamstrung. Our hand is tied at the back and we are fighting with one hand. If all our minerals come back, we can be on a level playing field with all other nations globally and nationalities numbering to seven billion of the electorate.
I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity to vociferously, effectively and efficiently contribute to this noble motion in the manner and way that the people of Chegutu West Constituency have asked me to come and debate. On the 26th March, 2022, I ask that they do not make me unequally yoked. They should give me the other ZANU PF members and make sure that I can fully carry out my mandate in the local authority of the Chegutu Municipality. Thank you.
(V)HON. MUCHIMWE: I would like to thank Hon. Togarepi for the motion he brought up in this august House. I would like to start by saying if someone does wrong and is not powerful they will do a similar or even more battle. These people, the Europeans and Great Britain, when they colonised us knew that in a certain period we would uprise and claim our independence. So, they set up our hearts so that we would remain ignorant in the field of manufacturing. They set systems in education so that our people, instead of learning technical subjects they lured us to advance in academic work in particular.
Up to this date, Zimbabweans cannot manufacture essential commodities like vehicles, phones and even machinery that produce essential commodities. They forced us to learn English. The fact that they introduced their language to us is not bad but the way that they did it made many people desperate and abandoned the studies that they were doing in colleges. The five O’ level system including English was a bottleneck strategy to dismay people from learning how to manufacture.
One would be denied to do a certain course because they had no English after passing seven subjects. They said without English you cannot do this. The CBDs of every city in Zimbabwe are theirs. They never paid money for these. They acquired them when they were in the country so that when they left, they set systems which would make them benefit from these buildings or industries they constructed using our resources. During the struggle, people died and they never cared about this. There are so many graves in Mozambique, Zambia and Botswana, where the remains of young boys and girls who lost their lives fighting for the liberation of their country are interred but they do not even care about that also.
Remember during the liberation struggle and during the colonial regime era, Smith was given sanctions. It was a lie that the Rhodesian dollar had more power than the US dollar.How could the Rhodesian dollar be more than the United States dollar when we were under sanctions? We are under sanctions currently and from the research that we conducted, the United States dollar and bond were 1:1 but look at it today; it is now 1:300 – what is that? These people are not good. This House must consider Hon. Speaker, this motion as very important. Every Member of Parliament must vote to make this a law that the British are not good. They are always harassing and doing things that hurt us. I thank you.
HON. MPARIWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. Let me take this opportunity to thank the mover of this very important motion Hon. Togarepi, seconded by Hon. Raidza.
This motion Madam Speaker takes us down memory lane in terms of what has happened, what was happening and what is obtaining. Perhaps, really to thank the two Hon. Members for the rejuvenated efforts in terms of what needs to be corrected and to be done by us as a country as well as making right what has been wrong.
Why do I say so Hon. Madam Speaker? It is because everyone has a role to play in terms of building the country. I want to say as from our side as the opposition in this Parliament, we have been clear. My President and everyone else, the leadership at our public meetings and rallies have actually said, sanctions must go because they are hurting the ordinary person … - [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – Our own communities, brothers and sisters, when we are here, we may not feel it but down there, people are suffering because of the sanctions. Hence to involve everyone else and to state the opposition’s stance on sanctions. I stood up to correct that because I think, we are open, have said it and denounced sanctions.
I want to applaud the Second Republic Madam Speaker for the re-engagement efforts that His Excellency has put in placewhich have been paying dividends. Of course, here and there you have people who will also go vachinodirajecha, which is very unfortunate - [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – because when we think we have moved 50 steps forward, we are drawn 100 steps backwards. So I think, we need collective effort, be united and need to fight this particular evil that has been in the way of development, employment and everyone.
You will realise Madam Speaker, that 15% of our nationals are in the diaspora. Close to home, we have about 10% of them working in the region. Why is that? This is because whatever was supposed to be benefiting our own nationals is no longer there - the salaries and everything else as well as economically. Zimbabweans are good to such an extent that everywhere you go, you will find that at a platform, sometimes you become so embarrassed because they will say we are from Zimbabwe, we are from Zimbabwe. We have not been able to create more employment, stable salaries and do what we were supposed to be doing as a nation because of the sanctions.
My last point will be on the creation of unity platforms where we can collectively, as political parties in Parliament, stand up and speak against sanctions so that people begin to realise that we are walking the talk as Zimbabweans and we are together in the fight against the evils. Let me take you to the Bible because I saw my Hon. brother, he should be a pastor by now, Hon. Nduna, when he quoted the Bible and it reminded me of what the Bible says. I cannot recall where exactly but I think we should be able to research in which chapter it is in the Bible where it says, ‘The earth is the Lord’s and all that dwelleth in it’, ‘nyikandeyaMwari, nezvesezvirimairi’.
When God gives us gifts, a nation with minerals, resources and everything we should celebrate. So we must guard what we have been given by the Lord jealously because it belongs to us. When God gives us, we are custodians of what he has given us and not for ourselves but for the future generations who are the youths – young boys and girls and everyone else who remains behind. We will be a laughing stock if we are not able to fight against whatever evils are prevailing at the moment that affect the marginalised, the communities, the women and my farvourite area of those with disabilities. I thank you.
*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Chikuni, please switch off one of your phones and remain with one.
(V)*HON. CHIKUNI: Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to add a few words to the motion that was tabled by Hon. Togarepi, seconded by Hon. Raidza.
The imperialists must return what they plundered from our nation. It is important that our schools teach the history of Zimbabwe and imperialist relations.This should be clear in our history for our learners to know. Indeed when you recall some experiences like what Hon. Togarepi was saying, it is really touching. The imperialists closed some mines which were supposed to benefit Zimbabwe so that people cannot get gold and other minerals. They closed even roads that were supposed to be used. There are some things which we see. In urban cities, they built houses, even up to now they are making profits from such houses. It is important that they reimburse the nation for all the resources they plundered, whether it is livestock, mines, animals which were taken to their countries. Let me thank His Excellency, the President for his re-engagement efforts. I believe that some of these efforts are beginning to pay off. For example, we receive Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) which is going to be used in this country. This issue is quite touching. We want whatever is ours and we want to be compensated. The imperialists were plundering Zimbabwe’s resources and this was benefiting their nation. I thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am.
(V)HON. T. MLISWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to commend the mover of the motion, Hon. Togarepi and the Seconder, Hon. Raidza. When you have a lawyer seconding your motion, then it has substance and of course, another second year student, Hon. Nduna, it makes quite a lot of impact. I am not a lawyer but am somebody who appreciates nationalism and patriotism which is in us.
Madam Speaker, it is not a secret that we were colonised and as a result, we went to the liberation struggle which had its own founding principles. The struggle was not about going and fighting,that is what people seem not to understand. What was the struggle about? It was about economic emancipation, meaning that we had to be in charge of the economic affairs of our country. This is because without being in charge of the economic affairs of the country, it becomes a problem. We also have to look at the damage that was caused as a result of the British colonising us. That damage then leads to the aspect of compensation, which Hon. Togarepi talked about and he is right to say compensation. Really, we have not been pushing for what belongs to us. If we have to go for our compensation which the British are guilty as charged, we would actually be a better country from an economic point of view.
I do not want to talk about sanctions. I want to talk about what the country has and what the country is owed. I would like to focus on the low hanging fruits that are before us, compensation. What we must be doing right now is setting up a committee to look into issues of compensation and how much we need to be compensated. The real issue is how much will we be compensated. Nobody talks about the figure. Madam Speaker, you know that our forefathers were moved to land which was tsetse-fly infested, like Gokwe and not even rich soils. They were being removed from the rich soils and the land that has been given to us by God. They suffered. They lost their cattle in the process. Madam Speaker, they lost their cattle and their wealth.
These colonisers came and they had horses. They would be able to ride those horses until the horse was tired, then you mark your piece of land. Whoever is occupying that is relocated. The question where the compensation comes in is justified. How much cattle, infrastructure and business were lost? To me, we need figures on that. When we present those figures, then we are on the right course. All these figures that we are presenting today will never come to beat the figures of compensation and people are compensated at the end of the day. The world over, the Red Indians are talking about compensation as well. We have Australia again, where there are minority groups that are also talking about compensation. It continues. Namibia itself, the Bushmen are also speaking about compensation. The challenge lies within us to come up with figures so that there can be compensation. Once we get that compensation, we have a foundation or basis to resuscitate our economy. If we resuscitate our economy, we are able to then produce. What is also critical is while we have got the land with us Madam Speaker, we must be talking about us being given title deeds. These colonisers had title deeds.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I think we have lost the speaker due to network challenges.
HON. T. MLISWA: Madam Speaker, what I was saying, I do not know if you heard this point and I can repeat it. It is important for us to have title deeds because when they took our land, they then got title deeds after invading our land. How can they be so evil as to invade one’s land and then you have title for it? Today we have repossessed our land and we are sitting on offer letters and 99-year leases. Why is the Government not giving us title? This is our land. They had title deeds for land which was not theirs. Why are we still stuck on offer letters and 99-year leases? Not only that, we are shortchanging ourselves because the offer letters and the 99-year leases do not even give us capital for us to farm. They do not even give us loans in the banks for us to improve our agricultural activities. Madam Speaker, that is the sole reason why you see that most of the land is underutilised. This is not because the farmers cannot till the land or Zimbabweans are lazy. Zimbabweans are hard working in every nation and it is well known world over. What we need is capital and resources to be able to farm - the same resources that were extended to the white farmer who invaded our land.
The Government and the banks surely give money to somebody holding a title deed on land that was invaded. They are not giving money to somebody who repossessed land and has an offer letter and a 99-year lease. These are some of the issues. We are in power and we must not be afraid to be in power. I have always said this and the Speaker always says the ruling party ZANU PF “ndoirikutonga, ndiyo irikutitungamirira.” *What are they afraid of, they have the power. So, they should avail the title deeds. We are grateful because of the land that we were given where we are farming. I am talking to you right now from my farm. The credit goes to the former late President, the icon Cde. R. G. Mugabe, who was relentless in making sure that we get land. If there is anything that we must be all grateful for, it is that we were totally empowered. When you have land, you have a resource which can go on and on. You can build a house to ease housing challenges, which Government is embarking on, making sure that there is a national housing programme. Once you have a farm, it becomes your home. Once you have land, you produce. This will also help in terms of accommodation.
Secondly, it helps in terms of business. You can set up your own shop; you can set up your own factory on your farm, you can set up your own school on your farm, you can set up a clinic on your farm which benefits everyone. This is the empowerment we have but sadly, we have to ensure that the war veterans, the freedom fighters are given their 20% because these are the same people who went and fought for us. Those who died must also be empowered through the families that are alive today. The spouses of these veterans must be rewarded and remembered all the time. That is why it is important that any family, wife/husband of a national war veteran must be seen to be like that war veteran who went to the struggle because that is the face of that man who liberated the country; that woman who liberated the country. So what are we doing to fulfill that mandate of ensuring that the freedom fighters also get their 20% - [Technical glitch]
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Mliswa, I think we have lost him.
(V)HON. T. MLISWA: Madam Speaker, I want to also say that while we were colonised by the British, we must be very clear to know who we re-engage muvengi anoramba ari muvengi. Why are we re-engaging them? What do we need from them? We have more resources than them. They built London and UK because of our resources and we must engage from a position of authority. We cannot re-engage with somebody who has not compensated us; somebody who took a lot of wealth from us. Their kith and kin, no wonder why the land reform itself had so much controversy because the kith and kin were affected. They were enjoying Zimbabwe’s vegetation and service grams in access, Spenser and so forth. They were enjoying the sun of Zimbabwe and all the estates that they owned.
The Government was very kind to them. The Government extended the one man one farm which most of them did not believe in when the land reform was embarked on. Most of them are regretting why they did not follow the one man one farm which was there - surrender all the farms and then we are able to live together and so forth. A hand of reconciliation was extended to the British by the former Prime Minister of Zimbabwe, then the late Robert Mugabe to say, come let us live together. The Union Jack, which we all know was then brought down so that we could be there. We meant well. We reconciled with them, despite them killing our own people. As Zimbabweans, we have been generous, we have been kind enough. Our leaders are God fearing leaders. They said whatever happened in the struggle happened, let us move forward.
The compensation which is being spoken about must be revisited. It should be revisited in exposing the British that they do not stand for their word. They call themselves gentlemen, they call themselves all that but they renege on the Lancaster Gate. So the land reform was as a result of their reneging on an agreement which has been done, ceasefire, compensate us and you will compensate the White farmers and so forth. That is how it was.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Mliswa, you are left with five minutes.
(V)HON. T. MLISWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. So let us revisit the Lancaster Gate, which is the document that guided us towards what we want.
Madam Speaker, I also want to talk about - let us not allow us to be colonised by the Chinese or any other country. We cannot go through that again. The very same land that we fought for, already we are inviting other people to colonise us. We are now reversing the land reform by making sure that the joint ventures which are done are being done by the former White farmers who owned the land, who are being given money by the British through financial institutions; through our own institutions as well. Why are our own institutions giving money to people who already have money? When are we going to be empowered? That is a very difficult one, if a Black farmer goes and asks for money, they do not get it but a White farmer with a joint venture on a farm which was given to a Black farmer, they get money yet the owner of the farm does not get money. We need to be true to ourselves. The land bank, CBZ and all the commercial banks must give money to our farmers because without us being given resources we are not going anywhere.
It is important that the Chinese respect our ancestral land. The British traumatised us. Now, we are facing another trauma by them getting our ancestral land. ZANU PF which is the ruling party, which is the Government of the day, must not contradict itself. While we are fighting the British, they are bringing another coloniser. We will not allow that again. We must protect the innocent people in the rural areas who are the majority; who suffer the most by ensuring that their land is protected.
The title deeds, like I said, which any villager has in the resettlement is ‘guva rasekuru/rambuya’ - may we respect that or else we will not be a people. We cannot allow another form of colonisation to happen to us through any race; through the Chinese. We must stand strong and ZANU PF, despite it having good relationship with China, we are grateful to what China does but China is for the Chinese, Zimbabwe is for the Zimbabweans. There is no Zimbabwean who owns land in China – [Technical glitch]
*HON. NYATHI: Good afternoon Madam Speaker. I would like to thank Hon. Raidza for moving the motion regarding the illegal sanctions that were imposed on Zimbabwe. It is important to know that Zimbabwe is not a country which is volatile. It is a peaceful nation. From the 1960s, our leaders tried by all means to engage in talks so that Zimbabwe, despite being colonised by the British, should be restored to Zimbabweans without bloodshed. This continued for a long time until Zimbabweans understood that the people that they were engaging, who were imperialists, who came using the Bible as Missionaries pretending to be believers but not believing in what they were preaching were not faithful to their word and their commitment. This is what led Zimbabweans deciding to take up arms. It was not difficult because Zimbabweans were just saying that you colonised our country, so we want Zimbabwe to be restored. Zimbabweans were talking of issues like the right to vote, the right to democratic elections and self governance but because the British were greedy they knew that Zimbabwe was created by God and it was like Canaan in the Bible, of which we learn that the children of Israel saw it fit to leave Egypt and go to Canaan. Today Zimbabwe is a blessed nation, it is more blessed than many nations and the world-over, that is why you find that other countries fight Zimbabwe not because we committed any sin but because we are interested in our minerals and at the end of the day, they want us to fight each other as citizens of Zimbabwe.
Madam Speaker, even after attaining independence in 1980, imperialists, our colonizers, even today do not accept that Zimbabwe is independent. That is why you see that they try by all means to recolonise Zimbabwe using different tactics that as Zimbabweans we would fight each other and as we fight each other, they will take advantage of that and plunder resources. We refuse that and we implore that the illegal sanctions should be removed because Zimbabwe did not commit any sin but you discover that the mind of engagement and re-engagement is also seen during the New Dispensation being led by His Excellency Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa who is saying that Zimbabwe needs to re-engage with other countries and Zimbabwe is prepared to re-engage. Those who want to invest in Zimbabwe should approach the Government and discuss modalities.
This is what is happening right now in Zimbabwe; we still have that mind. It is important also that the British would know that whatever they were doing in this country, Zimbabweans who had their wealth were impoverished, even those who were healthy ended up being disabled and sick. Those who owned good houses and homes ended up living in bushes like animals. Those who had families ended up losing their children, some who were healthy were compromised, some were bitten by mosquitoes and tsetse flies and others contracting diseases and mental illnesses like depression and stress because they were burdened by the problems they were facing caused by erstwhile colonisers. Some of our cadres committed suicide because they could not handle the pressure and they did not know where to go and who to approach. Even up to now, there are some who passed away during the liberation struggle who were not properly buried, some in mass graves. There are parents who are suffering right now because they do not have closure and they do not know where their children died and where they were buried. There is no compensation for losing their children.
Madam Speaker, Zimbabwe has been impoverished despite being blessed because of the colonial history between Zimbabwe, Britain and its allies. So, you discover that during the time the British were displacing Zimbabweans they would come to a neighbourhood where relatives were living because in the past, people would build their homes along kinship ties. They would enjoy folktales as families but when the white man came to Zimbabwe, they displaced families and relationships amongst mothers, daughters, fathers and sons. They would just pick people and relocate them to foreign places and some would also be displaced. However, over the years, some would discover their relatives after tracing where they were working, be it at the railways, and others would trace others only to find that some were displaced in Binga, Manicaland, Gokwe and this disturbed the kinship ties and the extended set-up which was there. This came as a result of colonialism.
The other speakers mentioned that some leaders where decapitated and their heads were displaced and taken to the Queen’s residence. These are the people who were preaching that man was created in the image of God but they were destroying the black populace. This is embarrassing and this is an abomination. So, it is important to inform Zimbabweans that no one chose to be born in Zimbabwe. We can differ in ideologies but in terms of being Zimbabweans, we are one. So we need to be together because this is our country. When God created Zimbabwe and Zimbabweans, he knew that during calamities, poverty and other disasters, as citizens of Zimbabwe we would overcome all these challenges because we were created in a different way and the texture of Zimbabweans is different. We are people who are resilient, so as Zimbabweans it is expected that we discuss our own issues, we must not politicize. For example, when Zimbabwe is denigrated, responding to that does not mean that you are being political but you will be defending your nation as you understand what Zimbabwe means.
Madam Speaker, I believe that Zimbabwe was created in a different way. What we were given like crops, climate and our vegetation are sufficient for Zimbabweans so that Zimbabweans can live in abundance. There must not be poverty in Zimbabwe. However, we are poor because of the imperialist system and the imperialists will continue fighting and dividing us as Zimbabweans. At the end of the day, we will end up having different ideologies instead of growing our economy together. As Zimbabweans we end up fighting for petty things.
It is therefore, my plea to Zimbabweans that we need to unite on this issue, advocate for the removal of sanctions and emphasising that there is nothing that we did which qualifies us for sanctions like what His Excellency normally says that Zimbabwe should be peaceful.
It is also important that we all stand together with our SADC leaders who stood with Zimbabwe after having looked at this issue and then came to a decision that Zimbabwe does not deserve to be given economic sanctions. Some even stood up saying that Zimbabwe was not given economic sanctions but these were targeted sanctions.
Madam Speaker, I have children who go to school with others who are in the Diaspora, at one point my uncle had challenges in Britain, so I had to send him some money but the money was brought back to Zimbabwe on the argument that that money cannot be received from a country with economic sanctions. So, sanctions are real, they affect different processes and people. The SADC leaders saw that the economic sanctions that were slapped on Zimbabwe are affecting the progress of different programmes in the SADC region because Zimbabwe contributes to the growth of the SADC region. That is why they set aside a day where SADC will unite with Zimbabwe to fight economic sanctions.
Therefore, if we stand together advocating for the removal of sanctions, then other countries might also stand with us even those who are in the western parts of the world. It is therefore, important to address the British and their allies that it might be difficult for them to own up that for sure they destroyed people’s livelihoods in Zimbabwe by taking their land and other things.
Our leaders are not saying that the whites should leave Zimbabwe but the issue is that those who have multiple farms should relinquish some of the farms and remain with one farm because they did not buy these farms even though they have title deeds. The owners of the land who were dislocated should also benefit. Those who have 5 should relinquish 4 and these other 4 are supposed to benefit local people. That is why you find many white farmers had to relocate because they did not want to do that. However, Zimbabwe maintained its position to sit down and discuss these issues.
Britain and her allies should sit down and discuss the removal of these illegal sanctions because this can be done if British Parliamentarians stand together with Zimbabwean Parliamentarians. This is not difficult, it is a very easy decision which can be made in the British Parliament, and there is no cost that is incurred. If they do that, then we would understand that the British are preaching a religion that they believe in God. If they do that, then we would say since Zimbabwe lost a lot of mineral resources to the British, livestock which was taken from Zimbabwe and other resources, then there will be need for engagement so that Zimbabweans are compensated for what they lost.
I would like to say the Britons should let us work hand-in-hand so that we can sing the same song from the same hymn book, the same chorus that sanctions must go. Zimbabwe must be freed from sanctions. I thank you.
*HON. P. MOYO: I would like to thank Hon. Togarepi for moving this motion which was seconded by Hon. Raidza. Madam Speaker, this is a very critical issue, however, I will not say much because much of what I wanted to say was said by the previous speaker.
So, I would like to say that our brothers and sisters who went out to liberate Zimbabwe bought this nation by their efforts. The other important issue is that title deeds are important in Zimbabwe, whether it is in local government or in different departments. Most title deeds are in the hands of the whites, so it is surprising that most of these title deeds belong to imperialists who even left the country long back.
As I am speaking, I have properties but all my properties do not have title deeds. There are a lot of laws which we inherited from the imperialist system. The good thing is that if I buy a stand or land, after paying, then I should get title deeds. So this motion is pertinent in that it addresses such issues.
It is not right that when there was war, Zimbabweans united to fight the enemy but after attaining independence, then you distribute land to a few individuals not giving land to other people. It is important that things are done in a proper manner. I want this issue to be taken to His Excellency the President or else I will do that on my own to explain that we are being denied to get land and offer letters. Right now I do not have a farm, so I use my rural or communal area for rearing my livestock. So this is quite a touching issue. I will go to His Excellency to explain this.
The other thing is that rural based people – it is painful that white people were killing people who were living in the rural areas so that they occupy their land, not considering that some wanted to stay near their ancestors’ graveyards. People like Roy Bennet used to brew beer to honour traditional leaders. It is unfortunate that we now have people who disturb graveyards of our ancestors’. In the Zvimba area, the Chinese are plundering natural resources, mountains and bio-diversity.
We have sacred mountains which need to be preserved and so we fear for these sacred mountains. At the end of the day, we end up contradicting ourselves by destroying graveyards and other significant artifacts. In our area, when people sleep outside, then it rains. As part of our culture, I would like to implore responsible authorities that we need to honour our ancestors and forefathers, especially when giving concessions to the Chinese who might not value our traditions.
My desire is that Zimbabwean citizens should not complain of being deprived of their basic rights, but they should be beneficiaries of different initiatives. During the liberation struggle, I lost two sisters but two survived and they benefited from the land reform programme. Of course, in other instances, white people did some good things for those who honour and respect our culture. I would also like to commend ZANU PF for the education initiatives which were mooted after independence, the indigenisation programme and other developmental projects.
The land reform programme was a good initiative. However, you find some areas like in Mazowe where people are surrounding a mountain. I would like to thank the Hon. Member who moved this motion and the Hon. Member who seconded the motion. It is important to make sure that whatever we are doing is good for the country. In the past, we saw people like Musorowegomo and Jonathan Moyo hosting biras which were significant to the development of our culture as a nation. Nowadays, we just rush into doing things whether we are ready for elections or not.
Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you for allowing me to contribute to this motion. I will not say much because some of the things that I wanted to talk about have already been said, especially regarding title deeds which are crucial in city councils. It is important that when a citizen buys a piece of land, they get their title deeds. May you please take this concern to His Excellency the President? If you do not do that, then I will take it on my own. I thank you.
(V)*HON. CHIBAGU: I want to add my voice concerning the matter that was raised by Hon. Togarepi, seconded by Hon. Raidza. I want to speak truthfully from what I witnessed. As the people of Zimbabwe, when we come to this beautiful august House, we come here to enact legislation that will enhance development but the people that we have fought against have taken our land and they have left the country. God said Britain is Britain and Zimbabwe is Zimbabwe. These people should learn to do their farming in Britain and they should leave us to do our farming in Zimbabwe. What is it that they envy in Zimbabwe?
It is because they have threatened and intimidated our forefathers in our own land. More than 20 years, they are still interested in Zimbabwe. Let us learn from that as children of Zimbabwe and let us go ahead and get more land. If we are going to share that land as Zimbabweans, let us share the land without any envy or negative feelings. There is no need to use anger in sharing land. What we need is development. We want to thank our President because a country is ruled by its people. No one from Zimbabwe has ever gone to Britain to go and challenge the British. As children of Zimbabwe, let us stand united, protect our country and be patriotic. We are not happy with other people who go there and badmouth our country.
We do a lot of farming as Zimbabweans. What I have seen is that all agricultural products that we farm here are written “made in Britain or whatever country”. Does this mean that we are unable to add value to our products? All what we see is coming from our agriculture. Cotton itself can be value added and we come up with better products. They want to come here because they know that there is cheap labour. Some people do not want to work, they want to feed off other people’s sweat. The milk and honey that they are talking about here in Zimbabwe, I am sure they also have that in their country. What they want here is cheap labour for us to work as slaves. As Zimbabweans, we should know where we are coming from and where we are going.
From Bulawayo to Mutare, from Masvingo to Chirundu, we are all one people. When we are in this august House, let us unite and show that we develop our nation. Let us not fight and cause conflict. We were sent by our representatives to come to Parliament and not to come and tell lies. What we want is to develop our nation and to rule the country as the owners of the land. The President has done well for us and he said that the country is run by its own native people.
Now when you go to Britain you learn all this English and you end up working there because they want cheap labour and use us as slaves. Let us stand as a united people of Zimbabwe and assist each other on how we can develop our country. The clothes that we are wearing today have labels indicating “made in Britain, made in America,” yet the cotton came from here. My request is that we stand as the people of Zimbabwe and plan for our future. Let us remove all anger and hatred. All our vernacular languages should be spoken, knowing that we are one people. That is what we want in Zimbabwe. That is what we want and we should develop our areas and go back to our communities. That way, we will become Zimbabweans who have a future and a vision.
Let us not talk about the white men. They have nothing to do with Zimbabwe. Let us remind ourselves and not forget that we are the people of Zimbabwe. We were brought into this august House by our representatives to build and not for us to fight others. I know amongst us we have others who are sell-outs. After the sitting they are busy making calls to foreigners overseas. My request is that as children of Zimbabwe, let us unite and become one.
As we leave and go to our different constituencies, let us see what resolutions we have agreed on as a nation so that every constituency is able to develop and we also monitor on progress made and how we can continue on that trajectory. Have you ever seen a white man working for a black man? It is the black people who go and work for them and we call them “boss”. When we were created by God, he said we are the natives of Zimbabwe and therefore we should know that we are one people in all the ten provinces. So let us not be divided by other people. My request is that we have come from far - our President keeps reiterating on the issue of development. He has said that a country is developed by its own native people. So let us see what we are doing.
In Mbire where I am from, people looked down upon the Doma people and wanted the white people,but go and see how the Doma people have engaged in irrigation farming. Since yesterday we have received a lot of rainfall in Mbire. People know where they are coming from and where they are going. It is important to educate one another. Let us not look to the white men; we do not have anything to do with them. What did they do that has developed this nation? What they have done is to destroy this nation. Let us look back and see where we have come from and focus on our future and ask each other what we can do to develop ourselves
From Bulawayo to Mutare, we are the ones who are doing all the dirty work. Have you ever seen a white man doing anything that we do? As blacks, we do all the donkey work. Are we donkeys? We do not want that. They are the ones who come here using aeroplanes so that they can use us as cheap labour and they take our resources and they bring them back with the labels “made in Britain, made in America”. Where did our resources go? We were given legs and hands to do that. It is only that they are white skinned. We should know where we are coming from.
Hon. Members, I am happy that God gave us a good President who is bold enough to tell us where are going. He reminds us that a country is developed by its own people. The whites should stay in Britain. We never go there. So, as Zimbabweans we should share the farms that we have acquired and utilise them so that in terms of food security we are covered. We need to change our attitude as Zimbabweans. The white people are the ones who caused wars in Zimbabwe.
My request is that as parliamentarians, we are Zimbabweans and one people. Let us build our nation and let us put our heads together and see how we can develop and not to come here and speak a lot of lies to outsiders about our nation. I thank you.
(V)HON. MUDARIKWA: I want to thank you Madam Speaker for allowing me to debate this very important motion. I also want to thank Hon. Togarepi seconded by Hon Raidza for bringing in the motion. The root cause of African poverty started in 1652 when Jan van Riebeeck began to plunder Africa, they used slave trade. They created the Berlin Conference where they partitioned Africa as a source of raw materials to EU. I have mentioned this element of the Berlin Conference as a source of raw materials for EU because when Zimbabwe was put on sanctions, everybody agreed on the basis of the Berlin Conference. Even ourselves, at one time we were brainwashed by the British. We were taking pride that now we are better off, we were colonised by the British which is the biggest empire in the whole world.
Hon. Speaker, colonialism is colonialism. It is a crime against humanity. It is an evil that was designed to plunder the wealth of Africa. The nationalist uprising displayed by blacks never displaced the ideals of colonialism. What I mean about ideals of colonialism is the element of economic powers. The economic powers remained in the hands of the white people because only after the Land Reform Programme people realised that we must get our land. That is when Zimbabwe was put on sanctions.
Hon. Speaker, I want to explain to people who do not understand the sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe. Our sanctions were imposed outside the UN and AU. What it means is, our sanctions were imposed outside the SADC and on the basis of a particular race which had been benefitting from the plunder and looting of Zimbabwe. If today we are to ask ourselves, how many tonnes of gold were looted from Zimbabwe ever since the opening of the first gold mine? How many tonnes of platinum and coal were looted from Zimbabwe?
On this basis this motion, which was brought by Hon. Togarepi is awakening an opportunity for people to get some form of orientation to understand the basis of the evils that were created by colonialism. Obviously, they used different means. They divided us and started talking about tribalism and that we are not Christians and so on. You know, you would feel very sorry for yourself because you were born African. There were other European churches where I went to be baptised, I cannot mention names and they said no, your name Simbaneuta Mudarikwa is too long. It cannot be said by angels. You will never enter the kingdom of God, we will give you a new name and I said aah, I am sorry. Let me go and ask my father whether I should get a new name. I was given the name Simbaneuta Mudarikwa then but somebody wanted to give me a pro-European name so that I can enter the kingdom of God. These are some of the challenges that we faced as Africans.
The issue of sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe were violations first and foremost of the UN Charter of 1945. It actually violated the other line core International Human Rights Treaties; the International Convention of Civil and Political Rights in 1966 and it was put into force in 1977, International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in 1965 again and enforced in 1969 and the Convention on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women in 1979 and enforced in 1981. Hon. Speaker, why I am trying to give these conventions is for people to understand that these are legal international instruments which are there and I am lucky that I have three daughters who are lawyers, who have assisted me in bringing these conventions which basically are there to say what has been done is outside the international conventions.
The issue we face is how to explain the violation of the human rights. You explain it in such a way that the Government of Zimbabwe is hamstrung. It cannot provide essential services to its people; basic and services like education, health delivery and provision of social welfare to the people because it is under sanctions. By putting the Government of Zimbabwe under sanctions, those people have violated the human rights of the twenty-five million people of Zimbabwe. So, this is where I am coming from so that people understand how these sanctions are affecting our people.
Many people try to say aah; these are targeted sanctions or this and that, which is not it. Sanctions are a violation of human rights. Those countries that have enforced sanctions on Zimbabwe, it is my desire that they be taken to the Hague, the criminal court as they have committed genocide. People are suffering because of sanctions. They have committed a criminal offence and an offence against international statutes which they are signatories to. It is very important that time and again we need to remind ourselves how we should move forward as a nation. We must remind ourselves as Parliament that imposition of sanctions on Zimbabwe is illegal. We must continue singing this song.
Yes, there are some of us who have benefitted from sanctions because they were part of the people who designed these sanctions. They said aah, sanctions are like this because they are benefitting from the sanctions. The whole idea was to have a situation where sanctions are used to create discontentment and an uprising against Government. Zimbabweans have been sent to school and are very educated. They understand that the situation has been imposed by the British and the British have persuaded their kith and kin to say please help me continue stealing from Zimbabwe and make sure that – you know the filtration propaganda that Zimbabwe is doing this and that, and a lot of many other illegal things that can come up in the media.
The Parliament of Zimbabwe must be saluted for allowing such a motion because these types of motions create a situation where those who were lost and who think they can come back repent, but also more importantly, the issue of sanctions must be highlighted by the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission. The ZHRC must take this issue on a national tour of Zimbabwe explaining to the people that sanctions are criminal and a crime against humanity because there is violation of human rights.
The other very important thing is when looking at the poverty of Africa as I mentioned before, it was a product that was created by colonialism. Colonialism has got many institutions that supported it. The legacies of colonialism in Africa are still there everywhere. I remember a situation when I was still a young boy. One of my relatives was working for a white man and when he came home, he bought an ox and called it ‘Kaffrand’ – that is why we have known of cattle ‘Kaffrand’ in the communal lands. It is a process of the liberation of our minds. We must then continue the Chitepo College of Ideology to educate people so that they understand where they are coming from. Certain words like Kaffrand which means kaffirland. A kaffir is a hewer of wood and drawer of water. So these are some of the issues that we must continue to educate our people on that we have been downgraded and must continue to fight.
The other very important thing is; we see it in many instances where you visit other countries. They say, we do not want to see Zimbabweans in this country or we do not want people from Mozambique in this country. Hon. Speaker, Africa was one and all these states that you see are a product of colonialism. Why they partitioned these states is that the more you are partitioned, the more you are weaker and you have no capacity to work on your own. If you look at the Inter-African Trade, it is not much but we look at some of the West African countries and former French colonies. Some of them are very proud that they were colonised by France and that they can fly into Paris without a visa, they have a night club where they can spend the whole night playing Rhumba.
Colonialism is colonialism; it is a crime against humanity. It must be condemned. People must be reminded like when we attend church every Sunday, we must remind our people about the evils of colonialism. We must also remind our people to understand why we are in this current situation.
Hon. Speaker, I can spend the whole day talking about the late President Samora Machel of Mozambique. In one of our interactions when he was addressing one FRELIMO Congress he said, ‘It is the duty of every citizen in Africa to educate others about the evils of colonialism.’ So it is our duty as Hon. Members of Parliament to go out there and preach that the sanctions imposed on Zimbabwe are illegal and criminal. I thank you Hon. Speaker for allowing me to contribute on this very important motion. I think our Hansard producers must increase the number of Hansard copies particularly this week, so that we distribute them to schools in our constituencies. I will send some of the copies to universities in South Africa so that people can actually understand why we are where we are today.
You go to many countries; they do not even understand that the wealth that you see in Europe, most of it came from Africa because there are no minerals in Europe. I will give you an example; France does not have a single gold mine but has huge gold reserves. Hon. Togarepi alluded to the Queen going around seeing gold in every camp. Most of that gold came from Africa and in West Africa they used to call it, the Gold Coast because they were there to loot the gold. These are the same people who are coming back to us and say, Aaah you know, violation of Human Rights; you cannot do this and that. It is important that we continue as an institution of Parliament to remind and educate our Hon. Members about the evils that have been created by sanctions.
I also want to thank Hon. Chibagu, on the way she contributed. She was contributing from a mother’s view point and I think as an aunt, if she tells this to the people in the village – the people will understand her better than us. She was actually expressing that Africa is for Africans. You know during the Second World War, I remember one man who used to say, when the British were giving commands,they would say Germany must remain with Germany; Germany must remain where it is. Germany for Germans, Britain for the British and Africa for us all – that meant that Africa is for everybody, Britain for the British and Germany for Germans.
I want to thank you very much Hon. Speaker. I thank you.
*HON. PORUSINGAZI: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I want to thank the mover of the motion Hon. Togarepi as well as the seconder of the motion Hon. Raidza and all those who debated the motion until now and I am also picking up from there.
I want to talk about the evil nature of our former colonisers especially the British. The wickedness that they had before and even today. As you are aware, in rural areas which are the areas that were most affected, these colonisers came and displaced our ancestors and resettled them in areas that are poor. In my Constituency, Chipinge South, if you see where people reside, that is not the area where they were originally staying. They were resettled in an area where there is a lot of mosquitoes and Tsetse flies; if you know places such as Mahenye, Gonarezhou and Mabewu – that is where they were resettled. The colonisers took the fertile land where there is milk and honey and placed our ancestors in Region Five – that is Chipinge where you see there is Clear Water, South Downs and other places. Then they resettled our people in Mutema, Chibuwe as you go down that area and they went to Region One where there is good rainfall as well as Region Two where they were farming crops such as macadamia nuts, avocado, tea, coffee and other agricultural products. They wanted us to remain dependent on them.
They were evil in the sense that they used our ancestors for cheap labour. They were used to cultivate the land, herd the cattle and all those menial jobs. They were lucky if they got any remuneration. There was no remuneration that they would get as cheap labour.
Their wickedness is also reflected in the sense that an African could not go to school. They had a glass ceiling for African education. That is why you find that our forefathers only went up to standard one and two because of the colonialists. They also destroyed our culture. Sometimes when engaging some cultural practices, you were arrested but that was our culture. Those are is some of the wickedness that this august House should know Madam Speaker to see the evil nature of the colonialists.
In terms of religion, they are the ones who told us how to commune with God. When you come to our traditional African religion, they did not want that. They wanted us to be Christians. That is why we had missionaries and we now have missionary schools. Yes, they provided us with education but we are also sad because they destroyed our culture and we lost out in that area.
What surprises us is that wherever our heritage was, those are the areas that they targeted to be theirs. We talk of areas like Victoria Falls where they talk of David Livingstone. There is also Chilo Gorge around Mahenye. They are running the heritage which belonged to our forefathers. If you go to Chilo Gorge, there is a waterfall that is about 55 metres. They say they discovered that area but traditional leaders like Chief Mahenye knew that area. They used to go and perform rituals to spirit mediums. My question is: does it belong to them? For me, that is colonisation. We are the ones who discovered the area.
Even here in Harare, most streets were named after their people like, John Kawin, Philip Street and so on. We do not even have one in Chipinge to name Porusingazi Street. We are the ones who were born there but we still have Jobert Street, Kirk Street and so forth. That is colonisation. The clubs that are available, most of them even after independence are still in their names. They are the chairpersons and they give each other the clubs as well as name them.
When we talk about compensation, I do not see the transparency of compensating a fraudster. If someone steals from you and you catch the thief, if they demand compensation does that make sense? They are the ones who should compensate us by returning or paying rentals for all the years that they have used our land. They never gave anything to this country but they plundered our land and took resources to their countries.
Madam Speaker, I do not know what influenced Hon. Togarepi. This motion was long overdue and it must be debated and we should come up with watertight solutions on how we can address these issues. In future, our children will blame us and they will ask us what we were doing in Parliament without addressing such issues. We need to come up with an agreement on how we can bring an end to this. Let us come up with a solution. When we talk of colonisation, it affected all the black people. If we look at our background, even those people from various parties were affected by colonisation. This is a challenge for all of us. Let us unite and address this injustice that took place. In Jesus’ name, I want to end here and I thank you Madam Speaker for giving me this opportunity.
*HON. CHIKUKWA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. Most of the things I wanted to say have already been said but I have three issues that I need to add to the debate. Firstly, I am deeply pained that when the colonialists came to this land, they used the Bible but it was not theirs. I realised that they started taking what is not theirs way back. The Bible belonged to the Jews. If you look at what happened to the Jews and what is happening in Zimbabwe, it is only among the Jews that we hear of manna and having food whilst in the desert. From my research, it is only in Zimbabwe where people used to go under the tree and get food showing that Zimbabwe is a nation that has always been loved by God.
For those who research, they would realise that the Old Testament is the same with the traditional religion that we had. We used to take cattle and sheep to sacrifice. I did not see this happening in Britain but I saw this happening in Israel among the Jews. The colonisers envied the gold that was in Zimbabwe. When you talk about demons, for them to say there is marine spirit, it was something known amongst them in Britain. That is why some people say they cannot stay at a residence without a swimming pool. They can tell you that they want to swim at night.
I want to talk about land. That is the issue that God mentioned that he gave Israel land. I want us to look at Israel and look at Zimbabwe. In Joshua, the Bible says, “you Israel, I go to the extent of fighting other nations so that you get independence’, which is the same with us. During the liberation struggle, the spirit mediums used to go and consult the spirit. When we talk of Nehanda, they were the spirit mediums because no one went and brew beer for Nehanda but it was a spirit that possessed her, which is what happened with the Israelites.
So for people to say that because they have taken back their country they then want to impose sanctions on us because we have taken our nation back, I think that is demonic. For me, those are evil spirits because you are taking what God has given me. The Bible says that I will bless you whilst you are in your country. For sure, Zimbabwe is blessed. Our Zimbabwe does not have snow. Our climate is very favourable.
The problem we have is, we are the ones shooting ourselves in the foot when we have misunderstandings or conflicts. I want to urge the people of Zimbabwe that if we look at countries like America, they fought a number of wars such as the Vietnam war but people asked, where were you when the Vietnam war was fought? This means they value the issue of their nation. Likewise, we should value our nation. Let us not go and request for sanctions.
The bad thing about sanctions is that they are not only affecting politicians but everyone. When you go to the hospital, everyone is affected because we all have relatives who need medical attention. I heard someone saying that when money was sent from abroad, it was actually sent back yet the person is not a politician.
Due to these sanctions that were imposed, there are issues that are spoken by people, that of development. There is no country that has made infrastructure without the support from other countries. So the banks that are supposed to assist us withhold their support because of the sanctions that were imposed on us. We are now like people with leprosy and are isolated. Even in Africa, there are other countries that would want to engage with us but for them to openly pledge their support they fear to be also placed on sanctions.
It is important for us who are in Parliament to sing from the same hymn book that sanctions must be removed. Even the person who has requested for those sanctions has a relative who is affected. There is no country that does not have challenges. I went to one of these countries and I was shocked to find out that there are people who live in caravans. In our country, we do not have such type of accommodation but in developed countries there are people who live in caravans. However, they never expose such ills.
The challenge that we have is that we wash our dirty linen in public. So let us unite and know that we can agree to disagree. It is not right for you to go out and tell people that my husband is a bully. Some will envy you and say it is better, as long as I am using his name. So, what I am saying is that sanctions must go because they are demonic. I thank you.
(V)*HON. CHINOTIMBA: I want to thank Hon. Togarepi for moving this motion. It is a very important motion that was well researched. I know there are others who do not like this motion. I also know that as we discuss this motion, most countries will be listening to what we are saying. I remember sometime this month, America and Britain discussed on Russia that it was disturbing the livelihood of the people but they do not know that they are the ones who violated the human rights and who have caused our country to be where it is today. Even our own currency has lost value. There is no country that does not have its own country except Zimbabwe because of the Europeans.
Muammar Gaddafi of Libya had suggested that we can have a United States of Africa and this did not go down well with the British and Americans. They decided to get rid of Muammar Gaddafi and they succeeded. What they do not understand is that we were given this country Zimbabwe by God and our ancestors. We have our own people who want to be licking the toes of the Europeans. Yesterday one person said that when we take over this nation, we want the Europeans to come back and I laughed. A living black individual who has relatives here in Zimbabwe wants the white people to come back, I do not believe in that.
Also to accept the issue of gays and lesbians, those are common among the cultures of Europeans. It is painful to find black people in Zimbabwe wanting to have those whites back in this country. I remember a song that was composed by Cde. Chinx, that the people of Zimbabwe should know that we are who we are.
Many people lost their lives during the liberation struggle in areas such as Nyadzonia, some died in Romania and others in different countries. When they fell sick we could not bring them and repatriate them back to Zimbabwe. There are parents who do not even know where their children died and someone amongst us has the guts to say the white people should come back to Zimbabwe. Let us learn and be careful of what we say. When you see such people talking something like that, they should not be among other men but should go and slaughter the goat. This does not build Zimbabwe. Sanctions affected us. Sanctions are not good. They were imposed on you and me so that we can never enjoy our land. Some people are given money for calling on sanctions but that money does not come to you. They are told if you do this, we will be in good books with you. At first it was the issue of why land was taken and now they ask them to remove certain people. What countries such as Britain, America and European Union want is oil, Afghanistan does not have a bank because the money was taken by the Americans. That is what is happening in Zimbabwe. After 20 years they knew that Zimbabweans would rise. Now the people of Zimbabwe do not know that there are people who died to liberate this country. Hon. Members, we need to educate our people, we need to run this country. We should not call for the Europeans to come and rule the land.
Madam Speaker, there is no love between us as the black people and we should never think the Europeans will ever love us. Hon. Togarepi has been inspired by a spirit to bring this motion, so we want that spirit to reign in Parliament. We should never forget those who lost their lives in the liberation struggle and we should also remember those who suffered during the liberation struggle. We hear that the teachers should continue striking. My question is - what next if they continue striking? We are not able to get money because of sanctions. Nothing is progressing because of sanctions. Satan should leave the nation of Zimbabwe and we should be united and be a people with one vision. If your child asks you where Zimbabwe came from, we should have a history to talk about not to say the country has been destroyed by so and so.
Madam Speaker, some of us are calling for sanctions, so as Africans we should be principled. Those people who call for sanctions should be brought to book, it is a criminal offence. That legislation should come into effect. In America, if you say anything negative about America you are beheaded. Why are we so afraid to put this law into effect? Anyone who talks about sanctions, it is a criminal offence and that person should be beheaded as well because we have a beautiful nation which is a blessed country. Calling for sanctions should attract a life prison sentence.
Madam Speaker, the motion that was brought by Hon. Togarepi should be debated and we come up with legislation for imprisonment of those who call for sanctions. Britain deported our people and likewise those people who are here and are calling for the whites to come should also be chased away from this country. When Britain deported Zimbabweans, they only came with paper bags after years in Britain but when we see the British doing this, we do not even see the bad and evil nature. They should get on the plane and go to Britain and we will then know that we are dealing with our own country.
I request that this motion be debated again and that everyone be given an opportunity to debate this motion until people are tired of debating it. Europeans are not good at all, they are murderers so the farms that we took from them should not in any way compensate them. What compensation should we give them and for what? Compensation for the fact that they took away my father’s land, cattle and all the domestic animals, we were left with very little and we enjoyed milk from our cows. Our President is a listening President and what we are saying is that there should be no compensation. No compensation should be made to the evil white person. Thank you Madam Speaker.
*HON. TEKESHE: Thank you Madam Speaker, I do not have much to say because most of the issues have already been debated. I just want to give my opinion on the issue of sanctions on the experiences that I faced. I was thinking that sanctions were targeted but when I came across this experience, I realised that they are not only targeted. I wanted to send money to Dubai to top up my Parliamentary vehicle, and it was a challenge for me. CBZ was unable to do that four times, I lost money which failed to go through until I had to use illegal means through Steward Bank where they had to change that money to rands. That is how the money then got to Dubai. So, that is when I realised that sanctions are targeted yes, but they affect everyone; so the sanctions are for everyone. I think sanctions should be removed. By the time the money got there I realised that the VX had been phased out and there were now 3-series that had not yet been released. So I will come to the end of the life of Parliament without a vehicle. I think sanctions need to be removed because they are affecting us. I faced challenges in sending my money to Dubai. By the time the money got there, I realised that the VX had been phased out and there were now 300 series that had not yet been released. So, we are almost coming to the end of the life of Parliament without a vehicle. Therefore, sanctions should be removed because they are affecting us.
For us to win this war against sanctions, the battle that we are facing in attacking Britain as called for by Hon. Togarepi, we must be united. If one has a contrary view, then they should be considered as enemies. Even if a person is from the opposition party, for example if you look at Hon. Malema giving advice to President Ramaphosa in Parliament, he said you will not survive if you do these things. So, we should unite as Zimbabweans, if we unite, only then will we be able to fight this battle against sanctions.
Here, as Parliamentarians from different parties, we are friends and we work together very well, so we need to sell it out to our constituencies so that we can fight these battles united.
Compensation is needed because they took our land. I come from Rusape and I want to talk about Chief Chingaira. We want his head to be repatriated back to Zimbabwe. So, I thank you Hon. Togarepi, you have brought in a very good motion. Sanctions must be removed. When there is a delegation going to call for the removal of sanctions, I also want to be part of the team. I thank you.
*HON. MUSARURWA: In 2009, political parties signed the Global Political Agreement. In the GPA we saw political parties in Zimbabwe coming to an agreement that sanctions must be removed. The reason why sanctions had to be removed was that the sanctions were targeting certain individuals. Sanctions affected the livelihoods of the people in Zimbabwe which included the transfer of funds and also the collapse of companies in Zimbabwe. – [Technical glitch] -
*HON. CHITURA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to add my voice concerning the issue of colonialists. They came and took over land and livestock from our ancestors. These people were evil, even the hospitals were written African Hospital and they had a Rusape European Hospital. They used our parents and ancestors as cheap labour and they were just given what was known as a tickey/penny at the end of the month.
If you look at those who have left the country and gone abroad, they are using other parties to come into this country. These colonialists know that in Manicaland, there is gold; they know the different areas where there is a lot of mineral resources and wealth. These British people imposed sanctions on us. They were not targeted but they are for everyone. Even one who does not know about sanctions is also affected. In schools, these colonialist never wanted us to be educated, they only had a few individuals whom they wanted to acquire education. Our fathers were not allowed to have clear beer but our own brewed 7 days and Chibuku. So, I think no compensation should be paid to the European farmers.
+HON. MUDAWU: The sanctions are affecting everyone. When we move around especially in Matabeleland, Matopo there is a very big grave and we realised that there is nothing that we can do to it, because it is for the white people. Even if we go to the grave of Cecil John Rhodes, there is nothing that you can do but you cannot find such a grave for a black person in a foreign land. The white people have their own sacred places where they want everyone to respect them but you cannot find the same thing being done for a black person. Why do white people want to put sanctions even on the dead?
We should take into consideration that these sanctions apply to everyone and it is high time that we remove them. Why should we be sanctioned for our own land and properties? We are having foreigners in our country who are part of those putting sanctions on us. They should leave our country. I therefore, call for the removal of sanctions.
*HON. SHAVA: My view is that these sanctions are supposed to be removed, for those who say they are not supposed to be removed, then they should also leave our country. If you go to their countries and they ask you about your passport, they harass you a lot. I want to thank the President of the country who introduced programmes that our youth are undertaking and anything that they do, they manage to support themselves. The whites say that the Government is not good but His Excellency is a good leader who stands with the citizens of this country. There are citizens of this country who also second these sanctions and all those who are outside the country are evil and are not good at all.
If you see them aligning with a black man, know that there is something that they want that they are interested in. There is nothing they want in this country rather than making the citizens suffer. They are really bad and evil that they also manage to cause conflict amongst us as citizens and cause conflicts amongst us as blacks and they just stand and watch us as we fight each other. Let us unite with our leader and accept his ideas and move forward and build our country. If you see yourself being led by a black man, they are interested in...
HON. T. MOYO: On a point of order Madam Speaker. The Hon. Member should raise her motion and leave Committees and MDC outside because we are the MDC leaders. Thank you.
(V)*HON. SHAVA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I am really sorry for the word that I have used. I was trying to say that those who formed the organisation were not on the lead, but these whites are the ones that are interested in causing conflicts. They want to cause conflicts amongst us. I was saying that those who cause confusion are supposed to be captured and repatriated to their countries. We do not envy anything from their countries but they are the ones that envy our good living that we have within our country. Even if we do not use cooking oil, we can use peanut butter and even grinding mills we can fix them now on our own. We have now learnt a lot. The President brought a lot of projects in this country. They can now leave our country and leave what belongs to Caesar to Caesar. This is our ancestral land and everything that is within the country belongs to our ancestors. The whites did not bring anything here even any cake but they just came with their bags only and they got the money which they got which they raised within our country. If they are tired, they just pack their bags and they go back. They are troubling us and all the confusion that is happening, they are the ones that are causing it. With these few words, I say that let them go back. If anyone is arrested, he is supposed to be thrown into prison for the rest of his/her life. They should just leave us alone to enjoy our beautiful Zimbabwe. Their evilness is even affecting the rainfall pattern.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MAVETERA): Hon. Musarurwa, I will give you the opportunity to contribute to the motion.
(V)*HON. MUSARURWA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I was saying that in 2009 during the global political agreement when all political parties agreed that there is need for the removal of the illegal sanctions, I remember the first speech that was given by the late Dr. Morgan Richard Tsvangirayi. The reason why all political parties agreed to advocate for the removal of these illegal sanctions is because this was affecting all Zimbabweans. So at one point, there was hyper-inflation in Zimbabwe and a lot of companies were forced to close. Even those who were employed lost their jobs. So today, considering this motion which was moved in this august House, I want to support my fellow Members of Parliament and I would like to say that these are not just targeted sanctions but they are affecting ordinary citizens. My plea is that these sanctions should be removed forthwith. I thank you
(V)*HON. MADZIVA: I would like to thank you Madam Speaker for giving me the opportunity to contribute towards this motion which was moved by Hon. Togarepi, seconded by Hon. Raidza. Firstly, I would like to say that sanctions should be removed. Secondly, let me point out that white people are very divisive. They enjoy seeing people fighting so that they take advantage. Thirdly, white people are opportunists who use situations for example right now the CCC party which is clamouring for the return of white people in Zimbabwe. This is not right and this should not be happening in Zimbabwe. We need to unite as Zimbabweans and work together for the development of Zimbabwe because the imperialists, during the struggle made us suffer a lot. Everyone knows the pain that we went through. A lot of comrades were shot but we allowed the white people to continue living in Zimbabwe even after independence.
The illegal sanctions should be removed and white people should go back to their countries of origins. I would like to thank His Excellency the President, E. D. Mnangagwa who came up with the mantra that the country should be ruled by its owners. We are the owners of Zimbabwe. We need to work together; building Zimbabwe, developing different sectors of the economy such as road rehabilitation. If we do not unite then the white people will take advantage of that. The imperialists are only interested in disturbing peace in Zimbabwe and that is why they brought sanctions. So sanctions must go. With these few words, I thank you.
HON. TOGAREPI: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON TEKESHE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Tuesday, 1st March, 2022.
On the motion of HON TOGAREPI seconded by HON TEKESHE, the House adjourned at Eleven minutes to Six o’clock p.m. until Tuesday, 1st March, 2022.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Wednesday, 23rd February, 2022
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. SPEAKER in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE HON. SPEAKER
APPOINTMENT TO THE COMMITTEE ON STANDING RULES AND ORDERS
THE HON. SPEAKER: I have to inform the House that in Terms of Standing Order No. 14 (e) which provides for the composition of the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders, Hon. Paurina Mpariwa is now a member of the Committee in her capacity as the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly. Hon. David Tekeshe becomes a new member of the Committee by virtue of his elevation to the Chief Whip of the Opposition as provided for in terms of Standing Order No. 14 (f).
COLLECTION OF 2022 CALENDARS AND DIARIES
THE HON. SPEAKER: I also wish to inform the House that 2022 diaries and calendars are now ready for collection. Public Relations officers will be stationed at the Member’s Dining Room from 1430 hours to 1630 hours.
APOLOGIES RECEIVED FROM MINISTERS
THE HON. SPEAKER: I want to inform the House that I have received apologies from 18 Cabinet Ministers and I have had some conversation with the Leader of Government Business. He has explained that a high number of Members of the Executive are not here. I will not disaggregate who is where but there is a team in Victoria Falls on the Botswana–Zimbabwe Commission signing ceremonies there. A number is in Dubai Expo promoting our trade, not only with Dubai but with those that are exhibiting there. Then there is a team that is in Geneva, Switzerland led by Hon. Mhona. Basically, they are all on national service. The Deputy Ministers are here. I think there is one or two who are still outstanding but they are here. They should be able to answer some of our questions.
The apologies therefore are as follows;
Hon. Dr. C.D.G.N. Chiwenga, Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care;
Hon. Dr. E. Ndlovu, Minister of Primary and Secondary Education;
Hon. M. Mutsvangwa, Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services;
Hon. O.C.Z. Muchinguri-Kashiri, Minister of Defence and War Veterans;
Hon. Prof. P. Mavima, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare;
Hon. Dr. Masuka, Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement;
Hon. F. Mhona, Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development;
Hon. J. Moyo, Minister of Local Government and Public Works;
Hon. W. Chitando, Minister of Mines and Mining Development;
Hon. Dr. S. Kanhutu-Nzenza, Minister of Industry and Commerce;
Hon. Prof. A. Murwira, Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development;
Hon. Amb. Dr. F. Shava, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade;
Hon. D. Garwe, Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities;
Hon. M. Chombo, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works;
Hon. V. Haritatos, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement;
Hon. D. Karoro, Deputy Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement; and
Hon. K. Kazembe, Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage.
HON. T. MLISWA: I have a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir. A very good afternoon Mr. Speaker Sir. I appreciate your engagement with the Leader of Government Business pertaining to the Ministers who are away on duty but you were not specific which Minister is where. It is important for us to get that information so that we see whether the Deputy Minister is there or not. Some of the Ministers that you mentioned are always absent, so I do not know which other information he will give you to try and exonerate them. To be honest with you, the Leader of Government Business knows very well that most of the Ministers that you read out are never there and we wonder where they are always. Is there proof that they are in Botswana or Geneva. We need to be honest, candid and understand that the portfolios that they hold are critical. For example, Agriculture the Minister and the two Deputy Ministers are not there. This is agriculture season, so how then do you answer us in terms of agriculture, which is critical in terms of our economic turnaround? There is a Minister and two deputies and they are still not there. It only shows that they have never diarised Wednesday as a very important day. So it will also be important for the purpose of honesty to see whether those Ministers who are away have also sent their Deputy Ministers and we know that we mean serious business. What ends up happening Mr. Speaker Sir, the Leader of Government Business, would be inundated with questions which at times he is not clear, for example health, and agriculture. At times he ends up saying things which are not from informed position because he is not good in that area.
We come to Parliament, they have not been serious and they keep not being serious. The Executive has made so many decisions outside Parliament which are subject to scrutiny by Parliament but we cannot do it when they are not there. For me, we need to be honest. Are the Deputy Ministers there Mr. Speaker Sir? It is for us to know. If Hon. Muchinguri-Kashiri is not there, is the Deputy Minister there? If she has no Deputy Minister, we understand. Some of them became provincial chairpersons. My own young brother, Hon. M. Ndlovu used to attend and now he is a provincial chairman, he is not attending. That is party business but we need him to answer questions. He is a very competent person. Hon. Garwe, Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities is a provincial chairperson.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Mliswa, I think you have made your point very forcefully and we take it on board. As far as the reasons why the Hon. Ministers have tendered their leave of absence, I think the Standing Orders are very silent on that. The Standing Orders which you approved after amendment last year, simply say they ask for leave of absence. The Standing Orders do not require the giving of reasons at all. As a way of improving, I have seen some of the Ministers in Dubai. I can vouch for that if you were following your TV sessions. They are definitely out there.
As for Hon. Haritatos, the other Deputy Minister is not well. He is indisposed. There are several Deputy Ministers who are here. Indeed, it is just a coincidence for this particular Wednesday. I am aware of the Minister in Victoria Falls, I am aware of the Ministers in Dubai and I am aware of the Ministers in Geneva. As far as the Chair is concerned, I am satisfied that they are being absent on national duty.
(V)HON. T. MLISWA: Mr. Speaker, I stand guided, I just wish we can amend the Standing Orders so they can be held accountable.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Mliswa, you are online, I am going to indulge you. I do not know whether I should say my son but we have Deputy Ministers here. We have Hon. Paradza, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services. We have Hon. Phuti, Information Communication Technology and Courier Services. We have Hon. Moyo, Primary and Secondary Education. We have Hon. Matuke, Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. We have Hon. Maboyi, Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage. We have Hon. Mudyiwa, Energy and Power Development. So the substantive Ministers of Cabinet are fairly covered by their Deputy Ministers; those that are not there. Just to give you a more comprehensive report, Hon. Mliswa.
(V)HON. T. MLISWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker and I must commend those Deputy Ministers. They are always there. Hon. Maboyi, Hon. Phuti, Hon. Mudyiwa, they are always here. So they are actually doing a good job whether their Ministers are there, they are always there, which is good.
THE HON. SPEAKER: I am going to promote you to be the deputy headmaster – [Laughter.] –
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
HON. DR. MURIRE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My question is directed to the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Fisheries, Climate and Rural Resettlement. Is there any Government programme with regards to the de-siltation of Save River, which is threatening irrigation schemes that are alongside the river? The irrigation schemes include Musikavanhu irrigation in Chipinge, Chibuwe irrigation and Mutenga irrigation schemes. I thank you Mr. Speaker.
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I want to thank the Hon. Member for that question. I can confirm that there was a Cabinet decision some two/three years back to ensure that the river is rehabilitated, including allowing certain individuals and companies to mine within that river and undertake rehabilitation exercises. What I am not very specific about is the progress as regards how far that rehabilitation process has gone. So, if the Hon. Member can put the question in writing so that the Minister can respond to the specific aspect of how far we have gone to ensure that the policy decision to rehabilitate the riverbeds has been undertaken. I thank you.
HON. RTD, BRIG. GEN. MAYIHLOME: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My question is directed to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development. What is the criterion for surfacing primary roads and roads to resort areas in the country seeing that some districts are not getting resurfacing of roads yet others are having many roads being resurfaced? I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I want to thank the Hon. Member for the question. I will respond to this question in two parts. Firstly, we have the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme where local authorities are being asked to identify roads to be rehabilitated within the first phase and then we go to the second phase. Secondly, local authorities are given devolution funds and they have been directed to also buy graders so that they can rehabilitate roads on their own. So, it is an exercise that is not only being undertaken by central Government but local authorities are also involved in ensuring that they identify the roads that they are supposed to re-do under the devolution funds. I thank you.
HON. RTD. BRIG.GEN. MAYIHLOME: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. The question’s mantra is that no place or no person should be left behind as we march towards Vision 2030. You note that some provinces have achieved mileage on resurfacing of roads and yet others are achieving major or significant mileage. So with this unbalanced kind of development, how are we going to have everybody get to Vision 2030 at the same level? I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
Hon. Members having wanted to raise supplementary questions.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order! I have not yet responded. Hon. Mayihlome, the moment you speak of some and you do not mention them, it becomes very difficult for the Hon. Minister to respond accordingly. Such supplementary questions are better tackled when they are in writing, unless the Leader of Government Business can indulge you.
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Firstly, I want to thank you for your intervention which is very correct that the question did not specify which particular province. Secondly, I urge Hon. Members to consult their local authorities and come here with specific provinces where they are alleging that devolution funds were not released and then we can be able to deal with that. Insofar as we are concerned, Treasury released funds to all provinces and all local authorities were requested to adjudicate and identify priority roads first. If the Hon. Member can identify the specific province which has been left behind where the Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Development did not disburse funds, then he will be able to interrogate and explain why that province has been left behind. I thank you.
HON. RTD. BRIG. GEN. MAYIHLOME: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I will put the question in writing but I am talking of Matabeleland South and Umzingwane District in particular, it has been left out. Thank you very much.
HON. ZIYAMBI: My request is if he is very sure of what he is saying, he should put it on record so that we can forward it to the Ministry of Local Government as well as the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to investigate why devolution funds were not disbursed. With your indulgence, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development is here, he can answer that because insofar as we are concerned, all provinces were treated equally by Government.
THE HON. SPEAKER: The Hon. Minister of Finance, could you assist.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I thank the Hon. Member for that very important question which seeks to achieve our priorities as a nation; that of equitable development across all provinces. We, as Government, have also noticed that there is inequity. That is why we came up with this devolution agenda and it is a push and pull process in terms of implementation. It is our expectation that the local authorities, working with the Members of Parliament and whoever is relevant at that local level, identify projects including roads, be it schools and so forth but the focus is on infrastructure development. Then upon identifying such projects and going through the relevant processes through local government, we have a submission to Treasury for funding but we have noticed that there is differential capacity across provinces and districts. We feel there is need for perhaps training in the area of project preparation; there is a huge gap in the area of project preparation.
The Hon. Member raised the issue of Umzingwane specifically but I think the issue is much wider and we have noticed this gap. There is need for capacity building and also need for better working relationship between MPs and leaders of local authorities. We have noticed that there is a gap, you find that the leader of local authority, the executive is fully aware of the funding that has come through and directing it but a Member of Parliament is not aware at all, I have seen that.
Mr. Speaker, it is only those local authorities or provinces that have progressed well that have really benefited from a better coordination between the relevant entities. So, I urge my Hon. Member, perhaps we can all work together and see how we can facilitate coordination on project identification and capacity building in their relevant area.
HON. RTD. BRIG. GEN. MAYIHLOME: As a follow up Mr. Speaker, I think there is a problem. The Hon. Ministers are talking about rehabilitation, I am talking about resurfacing of roads in other words putting tarred roads. Umzingwane has had a lot of roads graded, that is not a problem but we are talking of resurfacing or surfacing of roads. We have roads that go to urban centres and resource centres. They are all gravel and they deteriorate every three months even after grading. That is the question I am asking.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Let us put things under perspective. Hon. Members, in terms of the Rural District Councils Act, you are allowed to attend district council meetings where you are supposed to receive such information and be the couriers of making sure that you approach the Hon. Minister. You do not have to wait for Parliament on Wednesday but you go to his office and indicate that there is some anomaly here and as the Hon. Minister has indicated, there is a question also of capacity in some of these local authorities. I encourage you to read the Auditor General’s Report under local authorities. You will then discover that there are so many inadequacies including usage or presenting of projects under the devolution funds. So, I am asking you to attend these meetings and give guidance accordingly and bring whatever you find some measure of inequity straight to the Minister without waiting for Wednesday Question Time.
(V)HON. MASHONGANYIKA: My question is directed to the Leader of the House, what is Government policy regarding the rehabilitation of boreholes in Government hospitals?
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS: I want to thank the Hon. Member for the question. Hon. Speaker Sir, our policy is that across the board when boreholes break down, we must repair them because water is a right to everyone, especially those that are in hospitals, they are in greater need of water. We have a policy to ensure that if the borehole is under the Rural District Councils, they should repair. If they are under DDF or the Ministry of Water, they should also repair. So I am not sure what specifically the Hon. Member is making reference to.
HON. S. NDLOVU: My question is directed to the Minister of Energy and Power Development. What is Government policy on electrification of the new suburbs in urban areas?
THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER DEVELOPMENT (HON. SODA): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Let me also thank the Hon. Member for asking the question. The policy of Government is that all new suburbs must be electrified and that is the policy of Government. I thank you.
HON. S. NDLOVU: When is ZESA going to work on electrification of Hlalani Khule Housing Unit in Caledon Park, Bulawayo considering that the area has been in existence for a long time?
THE HON. SPEAKER: That is a specific project. Ask that question in writing next week and the Hon. Minister will respond accordingly.
HON. MARKHAM: When the Minister talks of suburbs, does he include the informal settlements, some of which have been in existence for about 20 years? What is the policy of Government for electrifying that? I thank you.
HON. SODA: Mr. Speaker Sir, we are not mandated to electrify informal settlements. We do not want to waste public resources to electrify settlements that are not regularised. However, where there is regularisation, we do electrification.
HON. MARKHAM: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Recently, the Government has been mentioning the regularisation or the giving up of titles to a lot of informal sectors. I would want to know what Government policy is in the formalisation of this because this is close to my heart. I thank you.
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): The Government, through the Ministries of Local Government and that of Higher Education, Science and Technology, Innovation undertook an exercise to ensure that they re-plan and regularise certain settlements, for instance Caledonia, Harare South with a view of ensuring that the house holders get title deeds. This is a process that is on-going. Once it is completed, the relevant individuals will be notified of the processes that they need to do to get the title deeds.
HON. MARKHAM: Could the Hon. Minister confirm that there is the capacity to issue a number of title deeds that will be required for these house holders because there is a substantial number. I thank you.
HON. ZIYAMBI: The Government is undertaking this project fully aware of what is required of it and the number of households that we need to issue with title deeds. So yes, indeed we are up to it and we believe that, that is the only route that is just and equitable that can be done by Government.
HON. NDUNA: I just want the Hon. Minister to confirm whether this is going to be nationally undertaken as I come from a constituency that seriously needs title deeds.
HON. ZIYAMBI: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the Hon. Member and indicate that Government is looking at case by case and merits, so I would not want to say it is nationally to encourage people to go and build where they have not been allocated but Government is going to look at each individual case according to its merit and do the planning accordingly and issue title deeds. So, it is not a call for people to go and invade open spaces but to say that those that have been in certain areas - for instance Glen View. Some of them were settled there in 1979 during the Muzorewa era and they do not have title deeds up to now. This is an exercise to ensure that we regularise and ensure that all those people who occupy houses have title to the piece of land that belongs to them. I thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you. Before I step down, I want it on record that the Deputy Minister of Mines, Hon. Kambarami and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Musabayana have joined us. May I appeal to you Hon. Deputy Ministers that the substantive Ministers have asked for leave of absence, so you are expected to be in the House not later than five minutes past two o’clock p.m. so that you can take over the responsibilities of answering questions on behalf of the substantive ministers. Please make sure that you are on time at five minutes past two o’clock p.m. Thank you very much, nonetheless.
*HON. NYABANI: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. We know that vocational training centres were responsible for training young people –what is Government planning to do regarding training of young people so that they stay off the streets? I thank you.
*THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to thank the Hon. Member for such a pertinent question. The Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation has a number of vocational training centres around the country. What happened is that when the COVID-19 era started, a lot of activities were disturbed but because of the current developments, we hope that vocational training centres are going to continue with their job of training young people and empowering them with skills. I thank you.
*HON. NYABANI: Thank you Hon. Minister for clarifying that such vocational training centres still exist. Are you aware that some training centres like Mazowe Bridge have not been operating for a long time? Is there any funding towards vocational training centres since COVID-19 situation is improving because young people do not have anything to do and they are not empowered with requisite skills? I thank you.
*HON. ZIYAMBI: Thank you Madam Speaker and I would like to thank the Hon. Member for his supplementary question. Government is committed to the empowerment of such vocational training centres so that they continue operating. However, if there is any vocational training centre which is not operational, may the Hon. Member engage the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation so that the Ministry can investigate why the vocational training centre is not operational. Government policy is that such training centres should continue empowering young people with skills. I thank you.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Finance and Economic Development. In so far as it relates to the level of pensions for the pensioners, it was reported last year in 2021, that by December of last year, the pensions would have reached a level of US$65.00 to US$80.00 monthly for pensioners. Have we reached that threshold and if not, is there a likelihood that we will reach that threshold for our pensions?
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): Thank you very much Madam Speaker Ma’am and thank you Hon. Nduna for this very important question regarding the pension issue. In the last month, I have given concurrence as Head of Treasury for the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to increase the pensions for those receiving pensions under NSSA. Secondly, we have also begun the process of compensating those who lost their pensions due to the currency reforms of February 2019. We are about to conclude the framework for the compensation of pensioners who lost their pensions during the currency reforms of 2008 to 2009. So we have a programme to improve the level of pension in the country and compensate those who lost their pensions. I can assure the Hon. Member of Parliament that this is something that we are focused on and we seek to make sure that our pensioners are looked after. I thank you.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. Is it possible to furnish this House with some timelines on when you think we would have reached that threshold and also if you are going to apply that threshold in retrospect maybe up to September last year so that our pensioners might enjoy a little bit of that money before natural attrition takes root?.
HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I thank the Hon. Member for the supplementary question. Certainly, it is Government’s desire to reach the threshold and go beyond that threshold, but of course I cannot give a timeline. It is a function of resources at hand. If you take institutions like NSSA for example, we have to look at the actuarial structure of the institution before we commit to any increases. We want to make sure that the institution remains solvent. The same applies to the Government Pension Fund which we introduced a couple of years ago. That also needs to be subjected to the actuarial valuation to make sure that we can afford to get to the target quickly enough. It is our intention to get there.
In terms of the second question of backdating, we are not likely to do that but of course, we always stand ready to assist our pensioners as much as possible. However, it is unlikely that a decision will be made to backdate the pension.
HON. DUTIRO: My supplementary question is about the insurance inquiry which was done, when is the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development going to implement the recommendations of that inquiry?
HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: Maybe a bit of clarification Madam Speaker. The Hon. Member talked about an insurance inquiry; I am assuming that maybe he is referring to the Smith Commission Inquiry on Pensions. I tried to deal with this and I was not specific so as to mention the Smith Commission but let me do that now. We are working on a framework for compensating pensioners for the loss in 2008/09 when there was a change of currency mainly to the US$. That framework requires some very deep thought and analysis and that is what we have been doing. We are going to make sure private companies, insurers as well as Government and other contributors that we can marshal around come to the party to create a fund that we can make use of in compensating the pensioners.
We are very close to concluding that framework and I am hopeful that in the next couple of months I will be able to announce the conclusion of that framework and we will begin the process of compensating pensioners. We are very serious about this issue and we have already started compensating pensioners on the back of the 2019 reforms. I can assure the Hon. Member that he should watch this space and we will perform.
(V)HON. CHINYANGANYA: My question is directed to the Minister of Local Government and in his absence, to the Leader of Government Business. What is Government policy concerning the sale of communal lands?
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Communal land is vested in the President and is not up for sale. I thank you.
(V)HON. CHINYANGANYA: What is Government doing to bring to book those people who are selling communal land? There is a new wave of people who are selling communal lands in areas around Seke, Goromonzi and Acturus. The reports are awash in the social media whereby people are advertising for the sale of communal lands.
HON. ZIYAMBI: If anyone is selling land, the Hon Member can urge members of the public to report them to the police so that they can be arrested.
*HON. NYATHI: The question to whom the Minister is directed is not in the House and I therefore redirect my question to the Leader of Government Business. Yesterday, the ZINARA Chairman, Mr George Manyaya indicated that in 2021, there was a disbursement of Z$9.billion to different local authorities but he also indicated that two weeks from now, there will be an allocation of Z$17bn. My question is that the funds which were disbursed last year to local authorities were not utilised and used properly, what steps is Government going to take to make sure that these monies are going to be used properly in road rehabilitation programmes in different cities and towns?
*THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Part of the Hon. Member’s question has already been addressed by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development who explained that some of the things which we discussed are that councils should be educated on how to use funds for capacity building. The other thing that is being done by the Minister of Transport through ZINARA is that after receiving their funds, they have to reconcile so that they monitor how the finances are being used. Also, there should be training of officers so that during the next disbursement, they will be able to utilise these funds properly knowing what is expected from them. So, this is an on-going programme which is expected from all municipal authorities after receiving these funds. I thank you.
*HON. RAIDZA: My supplementary question to the Minister is, is it not fit for ZINARA to have another department which concentrates on monitoring and evaluation of all the jobs they have done for rehabilitation to make sure that everything is being done properly? The residents who are supposed to benefit from these programmes end up not benefitting well since the job might not be done properly in the councils. Hence, I encourage that ZINARA must have a department of monitoring and evaluation.
*HON. ZIYAMBI: I want to thank Hon. Raidza for raising a pertinent question. ZINARA was built by the laws of this Parliament. The role of ZINARA was to mobilise funds for rehabilitation of roads. It is not ZINARA’s job to look for engineers and doing monitoring and evaluation. Hence, councils must be capacitated so that they can execute their jobs properly. The Ministry of Transport must have a department for monitoring and evaluation so that ZINARA can continue to mobilise funds for the rehabilitation of roads.
*HON. DUTIRO: The discussion on councils has raised a pertinent issue that the councils are not properly doing their jobs and therefore there must be provincial councillors who must work with these councils to make sure that councils do their work properly. I want to ask when the provincial councils are going to start their work since the councils are not executing their roles properly.
*HON. ZIYAMBI: His first question is on provincial councillors helping councils to execute their work but if the provincial councillors sit in council, they would be like Members of Parliament because their vote is at the provincial council, which is going to be given money by the Ministry of Finance so that they can carry out devolution programmes in provinces. Right now, the Minister is directing funds to the rural district councils so that the devolution programmes can go on in the absence of provincial councils. We started by amending our Constitution so that we can come up with a Bill which enables the provincial councils to execute their work. Since we have managed to pass the Constitution Amendment (No. 2), we will be able to come up with the Bill and pass the Bill so that the provincial council will be able to work.
*(V)HON. SARUWAKA: From the concerns which were raised by Hon. R. Nyathi to which the Minister responded saying they will be training officers, the question is, do they train them or they are supposed to prosecute them? Is it the right way to train people instead of prosecuting them after stealing money? Thank you.
*HON. ZIYAMBI: Hon. Nyathi did not say that councils are stealing any money but in English, there is a word which says acquittal. If there are no concerns and at times there might not be any pilfering of money but there will not be a proper reconciliation, then there is no need for prosecuting people if there is no crime. When a crime is committed and when people have stolen money, then legal action is taken. I did not say that steps should not be taken but if a crime is committed there should be prosecution. I thank you.
*HON. RAIDZA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am, my question is directed to the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement. What is Government policy regarding the selling of grain at the Grain Marketing Board (GMB)? People want to buy grain from the GMB but the GMB is saying that they have not been given permission to sell grain. I thank you.
*THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. The Hon. Member’s question was not very clear because grain, particularly last year, was abundant. There was a bountiful harvest through the expertise that was given to our farmers by Agricultural Extension Workers and the prices for grain were increased at the beginning of the season.
Then we noted that there were some people lying to Members of Parliament that they were facing hunger. Where there is poverty, our Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare has a lot of officers on the ground to give information to the Minister. Our Ministry is prepared and there is a lot of grain in different rural areas. Those who want to buy excess mealie meal should buy from the shops. I thank you.
*HON. RAIDZA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. We have heard the Hon. Minister’s response but my plea is to implore Government to look into the issue and consider looking at the vulnerable people who are in rural areas. The cost of a 10kg bag of mealie meal is around USD$7.00 which is a lot of money for the poor. Is it not possible for the Government to come up with an alternative programme? For example, intervening once or twice considering that there are some unscrupulous individuals who bring such information.
I believe the Government should intervene by assisting the vulnerable groups with 50kgs bags of maize. I thank you.
*HON. ZIYAMBI: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I would like to thank the Hon. Member for his pertinent supplementary question.
Madam Speaker Ma’am, we have Government workers who are Social Welfare Officers in every district. We also have Agriculture Extension Officers who give us feedback about the situation on the ground. The Social Welfare Department is there to assist those who are desperate, even after receiving a bountiful harvest, there are some vulnerable groups. My plea is for the Hon. Member to go and engage Social Welfare Officers in his constituency so that the vulnerable groups can receive support from the Social Welfare Department.
We cannot approach the Grain Marketing Board and say some people want to buy 50kgs of maize. So let the Hon. Member approach the Social Welfare Department so that they give us this information. This is the reason why His Excellency the President said that we should come up with the Zadza Matura Programme to stock our grain reserves in case of such emergency situations. As for selling 50kgs of mealie meal, no, the Grain Marketing Board cannot do that.
*HON. NYABANI: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. The Hon. Minister mentioned that the vulnerable groups should approach the Social Welfare Department. My supplementary question is what plans are there to assist the elderly who live with disabilities, the critically and terminally ill and those with chronic illnesses who do not have food and money to buy food? What is the Government planning to do about those vulnerable people? I thank you.
*HON. ZIYAMBI: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. When I responded to the previous question, I mentioned that this is directed to vulnerable groups and these are the same people that the Hon. Member is asking about. I also mentioned that we have the Maguta Programme and that these vulnerable groups would continue receiving aid from the Social Welfare Department and Government. We are aware of the fact that they are incapacitated and are unable to work on their own.
I would like to urge the Hon. Member to engage the Social Welfare Department in his constituency. If they do not agree to help him and his concerns are not addressed, then the Hon. Member is free to engage the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Hon. Prof. Mavima on the matter. I thank you.
(V)*HON. KASHIRI: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. My question is directed to the Hon. Leader of the House. We have some groups that do not fit into the vulnerable groups like the youths who do not have resources. What is the Government planning to do about these young people? I thank you.
*THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Madam Speaker. When I responded to the previous question, I mentioned that this is directed to vulnerable groups. Concerning the vulnerable people that the Hon. Member is talking about, I mentioned that Government has a programme called Maguta and these vulnerable groups will continue to receive aid from the Social Welfare Department and from Government because we are aware that they are incapacitated. They are not able to work on their own, so I would like to urge the Hon. Member to go and engage the Social Welfare in his constituency. If they do not agree and his concerns are not answered, then the Hon. Member is free to go and engage the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, Hon. Prof. Mavima so that the concerns are addressed.
(V) *HON. KASHIRI: Thank you Madam Speaker. My follow up question is directed to the Leader of the House. We have some groups who do not fit into the vulnerable groups like the young people and youths who do not have resources. What is Government planning to do about these people?
*HON. ZIYAMBI: Thank you Madam Speaker. The network is bad, however I heard that there are youths who are fitter than I am who are failing to feed themselves. His Excellency the President introduced Pfumvudza so much that even if you do not have a plough and oxen, you will be able to farm and harvest. The Government does not have plans in place to feed the able-bodied people who are not ill. If however we experience drought as a country, then the Government would intervene. Young people can engage their Ministry so that they are assisted instead of just looking forward to be fed by the Government as this is only for vulnerable groups.
(V)*HON. KASHIRI: The Hon. Minister misinterpreted my question. My question is - for young people who do not have anywhere to farm but who have their own families and have no land, what can be done about those people?
*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Minister, can you please answer the question. The Hon. Member is saying that the youths are fit and are married but do not have land, how can they be assisted?
*HON. ZIYAMBI: Thank you Madam Speaker. Land cannot be stretched, we need to know that we started the land reform, yes but for us to expect that we are going to give land to everyone over the age of 18 and the married ones, it is not possible. My answer is that we have a Ministry of Youths, not every person is a farmer but they can go and train in vocational training centres for those who are not working. The Ministry of Youth and Ministry of Women’s Affairs are helping by empowering women and youths. There is Empower Bank which was established by the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning; there are a lot of income-generating projects which can be done because not everyone can own a farm. Zimbabwe has a boundary and we cannot go outside that boundary giving people land. Young people can engage in different income generating programmes so that they can be empowered. I thank you.
*HON. TEKESHE: I thank you Madam Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Energy. I would like to know because every person who uses electricity is taxed by REA. The quotations that are given to rural people are so exorbitant. The surprising thing is that the quotations that are given to the rural population are higher than that of urban areas. What is the REA fund meant for if it is not assisting the rural people?
*THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER DEVELOPMENT (HON. SODA): Thank you Madam Speaker, I also thank the Hon. Member for the question. There is a 6% tax which goes to REA as money for the Rural Electrification Programme for the rural people. Besides that money, there is an allocation of a fund which goes through this House in the National Budget which is allocated to the Ministry of Energy and which will cascade down to REA. Let me explain by saying that the Rural Electrification project and the different programmes that are done by REA, as a Ministry, we do not allocate jobs but every province in different areas comes up with a project having looked at the needs for electricity through public institutions like hospitals and schools in different outlying areas. These are the only institutions which are funded by the 6% and the connection of electricity is for free in such institutions in different provinces. There are individuals who request for connection of electricity in rural areas. Government policy is that for individuals who want to connect electricity after a quotation of the necessary materials, an individual should pay a 60% fee towards the completion of the project then Government will put 40% in that project in rural areas. If individuals want it to be lighter for them, they are required to come up with a data base of people who want to have electricity and this makes that lighter. Government would then contribute a small percentage.
*HON. TEKESHE: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I would like to thank the Hon. Minister for his response but there is no coherence when we look at the situation on the ground. We are saying that coming up with different groups is supposed to lighten the burden. For example in Rusape, a quotation was taken and the REA quotation was double the amount on the ZESA quotation.
*HON. SODA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I would like to thank the Hon. Member for his supplementary question. My request is that the Hon. Member should put it in writing explaining the situation on the ground. The Government policy is the one I explained. Thank you.
*HON. MPARIWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to thank the Hon. Minister for the response. Regarding the situation in the rural areas, this is not the first time we are getting such questions that there is need for connection of electricity in rural areas. Can the Hon. Minister explain to the House, chronicling different projects that were done from 2021 to 2022? When you go to growth points and rural schools, there is no connection and there is no electricity. The question then is, people would ask that REA has money but how come people are not connected. This prompts people to ask questions saying, can this issue be taken to the Auditor General? People are dying in hospitals and some are not receiving attention due to electricity challenges. Thank you.
*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: There is a request Hon. Minister for a Ministerial Statement regarding what was said by Hon. Mpariwa.
*HON. SODA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. We will bring a Ministerial Statement so that we explain the situation. Let me clarify that the tax is the same with electricity tariffs. The distribution of this money clarifies the amount that is given to REA and the amounts given to ZESA. We are going to explain that in the Ministerial Statement. However, it must be clear that REA is found in rural provinces, excluding metropolitan provinces. I thank you.
HON. NDEBELE: I may have missed it but I believe the Minister is going to bring a Ministerial Statement. In that statement, could he kindly spell out the steps that he is taking to make the process of just electrifying, for example a single rural homestead to be simple because the process at the moment is very cumbersome. Rural dwellers are expected to complete four or five sets of forms and sometimes they are asked to provide certain equipment themselves which then goes to ZESA for testing and certification, equipment such as transformers. So, could he in that statement, include a paragraph on what he is doing to ease the process of electrifying rural homesteads. It is so cumbersome and I believe that is what is adding to the very fact that even up to now so many years after independence, only 10% of our villages are electrified. Thank you.
HON. H. MGUNI: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. My question is directed to the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage. If I am not mistaken, about two weeks ago, an item came up from the social media saying all the land borders are open now but to date, the borders are still not open. I would like to know why they are still not open when the statement came out.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE (HON. MAVHUNGA-MABOYI): Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. Thank you Hon. Mguni for the question. People are asking why they are not given authority to cross the borders. The borders are said to be open but not to the public. They are open for business. We are going to be given time and it will be announced when the borders are open to the public. Thank you.
HON. CHIKWAMA: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Finance and Economic Development. Do you have any mechanism or plan which reduces black market exchange rate? Most shops in rural areas are using the black market rate on their pricing. As a result, the prices are very high and cannot be afforded by the rural people. Thank you.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): Thank you Hon. Member for that very important question. The issue of the value of our currency is important and as a Government, we have tackled through a package of measures. The first order of business is through fiscal discipline, which tries to ensure that we do not end up printing money to support an excessively large budgetary deficit. We have been much disciplined in that and we thank this august House for supporting us in that fiscal discipline agenda. When it comes to the Central Bank, because there must be coordination between fiscal and monetary policies - Central Bank has put in place a framework where they target the quantity of money in the economy. Currently, we get about 10% per quarter, which has just been reduced to 7½% growth per quarter. That is very important. They also mop up excess liquidity within the banking sector, through what we call the Statutory Reserves Requirement Programme, where they mop up liquidity and make sure it is not over-linked for currency speculation.
Coming specifically to the use of the domestic currency, we have announced policies in the last couple of weeks both on the fiscal and monetary front for promoting the use of the domestic currency. For that, we have basically said that from now on, you only need to pay up to 50% in hard currency and the rest is in domestic currency. Companies have been given a similar leeway when it comes to payment of corporate tax. We are accepting a portion in domestic currency to promote the use and demand for our own domestic currency.
Now, coming to those who are breaking laws and not pricing their goods at the auction rate, we have a Financial Intelligence Unit. If they are stretched, we are supporting them in hiring more personnel so that they can get to those rural areas where the Hon. Member mentioned to enforce the law in terms of compliance. You will see in the last few weeks, a few people and a few companies being mentioned in the media that have been fined for using the black market rate in the pricing of their goods. This is hurting our ordinary citizens. As Government, we are aware of this. We deployed – we do not condone it and we are enforcing the law to make sure that they comply. We believe that all these measures put together with the administrative, economic and so forth, this package will go a long way in strengthening our currency.
I want to be clear, we are not US dollarising. We will not US dollarise. US dollarisation is a very bad idea. The reason why our industry is performing well, the utilisation is up there, the house of souvenirs is because we have a domestic currency. It has made our economy to be competitive; we cannot use the US dollar as a sole currency. That will be a very bad idea indeed. I thank you.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, for the benefit of those who are on virtual, we have been joined by the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development. Thank you.
(V)*HON. C. MOYO: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. If these measures are easily implemented, why is it that there is a huge gap between the Black market rate and inter-bank rate? This gap affects the ordinary citizens Madam Speaker.
HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: The gap between the official auction rate and the parallel rate is very huge. We also realised it has widened, what is more important is that it must stay stable. That is the most critical thing. What we do not like is for it to bounce around but if it is stable; if it narrows, it is even better. If it remains stable that will enable us to control inflation. Why does it exist? It is for speculative reasons. Economic agents always want to take advantage in terms of arbitrary opportunity between the two markets. They will get cheap money from the auction, then go and sell in the parallel market, deals, fuel market and so forth. We are aware of these shenanigans and we have been arresting people for that. They come back and keep round tripping like that. We are aware of this and we are dealing with it in terms of law enforcement but the gap exists because of those arbitrary opportunities. We are also aware that certain agents have also hands over issues in terms of having used only hard currency in the past, so they find it hard to completely migrate to use the Zimbabwe dollar without having to double back into the US dollar. That process of the dual role of the two currencies ends up creating a gap, which we are busy trying to deal with. I thank you.
* HON. NYABANI: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. Hon. Minister, the official rate, we are talking about is in Harare; in rural areas they never access money at interbank rate. Our economy is largely informal and that is where most people buy and for them to access forex using the official rate is difficult. If it was possible, we would request you to come and talk to this august House so that the informal sector can also access the foreign currency at bank rate, especially in the rural areas. Even those who are getting salaries, they are unable to buy using that bank rate. They also want to access goods and services using the local currency but looking at the money available, it can only purchase a few things. What can we do?
HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: I would like to thank the Hon. Member for that intervention and the passion he is showing to our citizens, some in rural areas. We do not have a programme for giving special exchange rate to a specific individual or group of people, region or areas. We do not operate like that. As Government, we have policies that try to establish a universal way, if it is through the auction that is what it is. Then we expect citizens or economic agents to comply. It is clear, not all of them are complying that is why they end up being in the parallel market.
We are aware of this challenge. We are also aware that it is hurting our most vulnerable. So what we try to do of course is to support the vulnerable through different means, not just through the exchange rate. The interesting thing is like this, if you look at the parallel market, the quantum of foreign currency going through that market is actually smaller than the money that is going through the auction and also going through the interbank. In fact, if you take the auction and interbank together, it is over $4 billion; the parallel market in terms of our calculations is about $1 billion. So it is only a quarter of the formal market and yet it ends up driving prices, that is the irony of it but we are aware of this challenge. We cannot then come up with a special exchange rate to support our rural people. We have to use other means to cushion them against high prices but make every effort to make sure that the Zimbabwe dollar remains strong, less volatile so that it can become strong. I thank you.
Questions Without Notice were interrupted by THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER in terms of Standing Order No. 68.
(V)HON. JOSIAH SITHOLE: On a point of order Madam Speaker, may the question time be extended by twenty minutes.
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMB) I object, I propose ten minutes.
Motion put and agreed to.
(V)*HON. CHINOTIMBA: My question is directed to the Minister of Finance and Economic Development. For the past five minutes, we have been asking about the parallel market and you have told us what you have been doing. Are you afraid of putting a law to deal with people who are into this illegal market? You have not put any legislation to curb the parallel market. When are you going to come up with such legislation? I thank you.
HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: Thank you very much Madam Speaker. The Hon. Member, perhaps if he has been following the media and certain information that is dotted around, would realise that we have been arresting people for trading on the parallel market. We have been fining companies, we have capacitated the Financial Intelligence Unit, we even passed S.I.127 which I know some Hon. Members welcomed in this House and some did not, I do not know why. So we have done a lot in terms of dealing and fighting this parallel market. It should be understood that the existence of the parallel market is also a feature of the reforms that we have been implementing and basically trying to get citizens out of the overhang of a pure US dollar economy. It takes time and citizens are still feeling the pain from the introduction of the US dollar. They lost quite a bit of money and it just takes time for them to transition into realising that the Zimbabwe dollar is here and it is here to stay, that it is our currency and we need the currency and it is helpful to us. I think that every Member should realise that we have done a lot indeed in dealing with this parallel market and we continue to do so.
(V)HON. MUDARIKWA: Madam Speaker, the national challenge is why do people go to the black market to buy US dollar? There is no fuel which is being sold in local currency, why do we not have fuel in local currency because those people are getting money from RBZ in RTGs and then they sell the money in US dollars. Teachers and everybody else, you have to sell your money to buy fuel in US dollars. . Why is it that we do not have fuel available in RTGs?
The other thing is fertilizer companies are getting money from the auction system but they are selling their fertilizer in US dollars in communal lands. The issue is we must make commodities, when are we going to get essential commodities available in RTGs, that is fuel and fertilizer?
HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: Thank you very much Madam Speaker Ma’am. We have directed the Central Bank to put in place letter of credit facility to allow for fuel to be supplied in Zimbabwe dollars through NOIC and certain designated stations are supposed to sell fuel in domestic currency. This is a programme that is already in place and I am aware that there are certain service stations that are supplying fuel in Zimbabwe dollars but there are some that are also breaking the law. We are going after them, we fine them and we are suspending them from the auction.
In terms of other basic commodities, which should be available in Zimbabwe dollars, again we are aware of the plight of teachers and civil servants that he talked about. We will make every effort to make sure that we can improve their salaries but also where we think those commodities ought to be sold in Zimbabwe dollars, we will enforce that. He mentioned the example of fertilizer, we have the companies that acquire foreign currency from the auction and then they go on to sell fertilizer in US dollars in rural areas at an unaffordable prices. That is breaking the law, we will blacklist those fertilizer companies from the auction to make sure that they do not continue to reap off our own citizens in rural area
(V)HON. C. MOYO: Thank you Madam Speaker. Can we have a list of service stations nationwide which are selling fuel in RTGs so that we can then help the Hon. Minister with the service stations which are breaking the law as well?
HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: Yes there is a list, it is available from the Ministry of Energy or ZERA. It is available, I have seen it, it exists. I thank you.
(V)HON. SEREMWE: Thank you Madam Speaker, I think the Minister should consider commodities like sugar, these are being sold in US dollars. Why is sugar being sold in US dollars?
HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. The truth of the matter is we have allowed for the use of the US dollar as a transacting currency. So shopkeepers are allowed to sell in foreign currency and not just in Zimbabwe dollars but there are cases where we have stipulated that those goods can only be sold in Zimbabwe dollar. I understand him that we should look into possibilities of doing that, if we have done it with fuel, should we then extend it to fertilizer and now I am hearing something about sugar. It is a proposal but it does not mean that we go through that route, we have heard him but my feeling is that the moment you start doing that, you start creating arbitrage opportunities. If you recall, that is what happened in the fuel market as well. We had long queues and we reduced those queues by making sure that the bulk of the fuel became DFI fuel. However, we hear the Hon. Members saying they are concerned that that kind of proposal will lead to arbitrage opportunities and then the sugar will start running out from the shelves or some other nasty things might happen in terms of that commodity. I thank you.
HON. MUSHORIWA: On a point of order! We have since November, 2021 submitted Questions With Notice to the Journals Office. Unfortunately, the questions have not been appearing on the Order Paper. Initially, we were meant to understand that it was because of the COVID-19 scourge that disturbed Parliament at the end of the year. However, we are now requesting you Hon. Speaker Ma’am, that you ensure that all questions submitted be posted on the Order Paper so that we do not have a repeat of a day like this that goes without Questions With Notice not being on the Order Paper.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Member. I have taken note of that and I will check with the Journals Office.
Questions Without Notice were interrupted by THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER in terms of Standing Order No. 68.
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER
RESUMPTOPN OF FITNESS AND WELLNESS TRAINING
The Administration of Parliament Sports Club (PSC) – “The Patriots”, would like to inform all honourable Members of Parliament that the aforesaid club has prepared a programme to conduct matches in all the ten (10) provinces throughout the year in promotion of members and staff of Parliament’s fitness and wellness.
In this regard, you are reminded to bring your training kits for the resumption of fitness and wellness training at Girls High from 0600 to 0700 hours every Monday to Thursday whenever the Houses are sitting.
Furthermore, the specific training for soccer and netball will also be taking place at Morris depot under Coaches Alois Bunjira and Walter Banga as follows:
Mondays - 1400 hrs to 1600 hrs
Tuesdays - 1130 hrs to 1300 hrs
Thursdays - 1130 hrs to 1300 hrs
The PSC would also like to remind Hon. Members and staff to pay their subscriptions. Hon. Members who wish to affiliate to the club may get in touch with Mr. Nyamuramba on extension 2143/2310 or on mobile numbers 0717 460 345/0775309209.
Our wellness, our health.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS: (HON. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Hon. Speaker Maam. I move that Orders of the Day, Numbers 1 to 19 on today’s Order Paper be stood over until Order of the Day, Number 20 has been disposed of.
Motion put and agreed to.
COMMITTEE STAGE
GUARDIANSHIP OF MINORS AMENDMENT BILL [H.B.7, 2021]
Twentieth Order read: Committee Stage: Guardianship of Minors Amendment Bill [H.B.7, 2021].
House in Committee.
On Clause 1:
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Hon. Chair. I wish to make an amendment in my name as it fully appears on the Order Paper, on the “Short Title to read as Guardianship of Minors Amendment Act, 2021.” I thank you.
Amendment to Clause 1 put and agreed to.
Clause 1, as amended, put and agreed to.
Clause 2 put and agreed to.
On Clause 3;
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): I propose the amendments as they appear on the Order Paper. In Clause 3 on page 2 of the Bill, delete the words “man and wife” in lines 7 and 8 and substitute with “husband and wife”. I thank you.
Amendment to Clause 3 put and agreed to.
Clause 3, as amended, put and agreed to.
Clause 4 put and agreed to.
On Clause 5;
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): I propose the amendment of Section 5 (“Special provisions relating to custody of minors”) is amended—
(a) In subsection (1) by the deletion of “the mother” and the substitution of “either of the parents”;
(b) In subsection (2) and the substitution of—
“(2) Where—
(a) The parent of a minor (“the custodial parent”) has the sole custody of that minor in terms of subsection (1); and
(b) The other parent or some other person removes the minor from the custody of the custodial parent or otherwise denies the custodial parent the custody of that minor;
The custodial parent may apply to a juvenile court for an order declaring that he or she has the sole custody of that minor in terms of subsection (1) and upon such application, the juvenile court may make an order declaring that the custodial parent has the sole custody of that minor and, if necessary, directing the other parent or as the case may be, the other person to return that minor to the custody of the custodial parent.”
Amendment to Clause 5 put and agreed to.
Clause 5, as amended, put and agreed to.
House resumed.
Bill reported with amendments.
Bill referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Madam Speaker. I now move that we revert to Order of the Day, No. 1 on today’s Order Paper.
MOTION
RESTORATION OF THE MOTION ON THE REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON INFORMATION, MEDIA AND BROADCASTING SERVICES ON THE STATE OF MEDIA IN ZIMBABWE ON THE ORDER PAPER
HON. MOKONE: I move the motion standing in my name that the motion on the Report of the Portfolio Committee on Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services on the state of media in Zimbabwe which was superseded by the end of the Third Session of the Ninth Parliament be restored on the Order Paper in terms of Standing Order No. 77.
HON. NGULUVHE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. R. NYATHI: I move that all other Orders of the Day be stood over until Order of the Day Number 5 has been disposed of.
HON. TEKESHE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INSTITUTE OF CHARTERED LOSS CONTROL MANAGEMENT BILL
HON. DR. COL (RTD) MURIRE: I move the motion standing in my name that leave be granted to bring in a Private Member’s Bill to provide for the establishment of the Institute of Chartered Loss Control Management, which shall be administered as set out in this Bill; to provide for the establishment of a regulatory council and institute; and to provide for matters connected with or incidental to the foregoing.
HON. RAIDZA: I second.
HON. NDEBELE: On a point of Order; my point of order is just out of interest. Could the Hon. Dr. Murire explain why a Private Member’s Bill because when he introduced his motion, I really thought it was a soft motion. I just want maybe from the Presiding Officer’s Desk, an explanation why a Private Member’s Bill. Was there a conflict between the Hon. Member and the parent Ministry?
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Ndebele, this is not the first time that we have had a Private Member’s Bill in this august House and it is the right of every Member in this august House to be able to bring in a Private Bill. So, he had to do that because it is his right to be able to do that, that is why he is doing that. Conflicts that you are talking of, you might assume things –
HON. NDEBELE: That is why I am asking a question. You are putting words in my mouth. I never went in that direction. I know it is every Member’s right to introduce a Private Member’s Bill but as you would know very well, it is the last port of call when you have knocked on a Minister’s door endlessly and you have not been granted positive audience -
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: May you please connect and repeat for the benefit of others.
HON. NDEBELE: That was not the import of my question. I know it is every Member’s right to bring in a Private Member’s Bill but that is the last door to open when you have, on several occasions, approached a parent Ministry and you have not been granted positive audience because when the Hon. Member was introducing his Bill, I really felt it is soft law, and given that in the history of this country, no Private Member’s Bill has ever seen the light of day, it may possibly mean we are setting Hon. Murire for a fall, yet this law is very important. So if circumstances could be explained.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: I am going to indulge Hon. Dr. Murire to be able to inform you and maybe motivate his Bill. However I think even on the statutes which allow us to bring in Private Member’s Bill, it never said that it is the last option. That is your own assumption that you are giving. As far as we are concerned, everyone has a right to do that and that is why you see he has managed to do that. You are the one who is making the assumption whereby you are saying yes, you would take that option after. If you can and I know you are a very learned colleague, please get that statute and please, be able to make the House privy to where it is written that it is the last option. Thank you very much.
HON. NDEBELE: Madam Speaker, if I may come in there. You seem to be getting answers from a learned colleague but you are being misdirected. It is not everything that appears on paper that makes an answer. These practices are steeped in the tradition of Parliament itself. A Private Members’ Bill is the last door to open. It is a good law, I agree but nenzira yayauya nayo iyi, it is going to be shot down and it is this Parliament as well as the nation that will lose out on such a good law. That is my position. They will shoot it down – [HON. DR. MURIRE: Saka uri kuda kuti zviitwe sei.] – ngaiende –
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Ndebele, you do not need to be very pessimistic. I think we do not have to act that way. Let us wait and let us cross the bridge when we get there. – [HON. NDEBELE: It is 24 years on that bridge and we know it will not see the light of day. We are wasting time.] - Hon. Ndebele order! Order Hon. Ndebele. Yes Hon. Murire, like I previously said, may you please motivate your motion.
HON. DR. MURIRE: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I start by highlighting that currently there is no law that gives self-regulation to professional Loss Control Managers and private security practitioners in Zimbabwe. I would like just to give a quote before I proceed with details of the principles of the Bill. ‘Our world is evolved and grown not technologically savvy; law makers need therefore to adjust to these changes’, this is by Dennis Hastert.
Firstly, I would like to define to members so that they understand the background of where we are coming from and what loss management is all about. Loss is a situation of having something taken away from someone, a feeling of grief when one is dispossessed of rights to ownership of personal property or is hindered from enjoying such rights Loss of life or property, damage to property and injury to persons arising from crime, negligence, accidental events and breach of the law exposes the State, communities and individuals to economic development impediment and violation of rights. Loss control management is the practice of ensuring individuals, communities and business entities live in safe and secure environments. The practice of loss control management is also known by other terms such as security management, security protection as well as loss prevention. These terms are often used interchangeably depending on how the practice is executed and the environment in which the service is delivered.
Irrespective of which term is used, the objective of loss control management is avoidance of injury, damage or loss involving people and their belongings and prevention of causal incidences, events and occurrences thereof. In this proposal, the term ‘loss control management’ is preferred and adopted because it carries both the objective and title of the practice. However, where the other terms appear, they mean the same thing. The objective of conducting loss control management activities is to prevent breach of the law, violation of rights, negligent or intentional omissions, accidental or intentional actions and occurrence of events whose implication may be deprivation of rights, loss of life or of possessions. Loss control management is a service provided by people who design, develop and implement measures, organization structures and systems meant to prevent damage or loss. Loss control management measures may include designing of systems, hiring and use of security guards, acquisition and use of various tools and equipment, design and application of cyber software, and conducting of private investigation and related activities for the purpose of preventing loss. Many organizations have internal structures whose core function is loss control management. According to United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention of Crime, while States play a primary role, public safety and crime prevention are not the sole responsibility of government or public law enforcement alone. Indeed, individuals, communities and business among other players, all have a role in enhancing loss control management and in ensuring community security and safety.
Again, according to the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF) Base line study on Private Security Regulation in the Southern Africa Region, there is no standard regulatory regime for private security management in the Southern Africa region. At best, it could be argued that private security professions and occupations are either unregulated or ineffectively regulated (Sabe Gumedzo, 2020).
Equally, it is apparent that in Zimbabwe, apart from registration and licencing of private investigators and security guards, there is no regulated requirement for the licencing and registration for practicing loss control management as an occupation or profession. However, there are legislative instruments which prescribe criminal offences for misapplication of certain technologies or equipment and violation of fundamental human rights. Cyber Security and Data protection Act Chapter 11:22, Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act Chapter
9:07, Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act Chapter 9:23, Freedom of Information Act Chapter 10:33, Interception of Communication Act Chapter 11:20, Firearms Act Chapter 10:09 and the Civil Aviation Act Chapter13:16 are examples of such legislations which prescribe breaches of the law that amount to violation of human rights and commitment of offences. The absence of a regulatory framework for participation of private players in the prevention of commitment of such prescribed offences, whose effect is loss of property, damage to reputation, injury to or loss of human life poses a challenge to the State on its ability to guarantee the integrity of the private service providers who are already in the practice and the quality of the service they offer. The growth and impact of technology advancement and its widened application in loss control management has further created a noticeable legislative vacuum.
Cyber-security software, electronic security systems, forensic and digital systems, unmanned aerial vehicles are loss control management equipment or approaches whose development has been aided by technology advancement. Driven by these technologies, physical and virtual loss control management systems have also drifted towards convergence and in the process, increasing the regulatory vacuum which can easily be abused by unscrupulous actors. The private investigators and security guard legislation provides for the registration and licencing of the operation of private investigators and security guards but fails to address the key aspect of their integrity and the quality of service they provide. This can only be achieved through introduction of a regulated requirement for adherence to guidelines and standards in service provision and compliance with an enforceable code of conduct.
1.1. Private Investigators and Security Guards (Control) Act Chapter 27:10
As said above, the Private Investigators and Security Guards (Control) Act Chapter 27:10 is the legislation that provides regulatory framework for the operation of private investigators and security guards in Zimbabwe. The Act is administered by the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage and also provides for the appointment of a Controller of Private Investigators and Security
Guard and in particular, for the licencing of Private Investigators and Security Guards as individuals and corporate entities. This legislation is restricted to activities carried by private investigators and security guards using human beings as direct aids.
1.2. Cyber Security and Data Protection Act Chapter 11:22
Cyber security and data protection is a loss control management practice which uses virtual technology other than human beings as direct aids. There is currently no regulatory framework that requires licencing and registration for practicing of cyber of security and data protection (including digital and forensic investigation) as part of the loss control management profession in Zimbabwe. Most business processes and infrastructure are now cyber systems based and data driven, hence they also require cyber based security protection. Intelligent Video Surveillance Cameras (IVSC) and Close Circuit Television (CCTV), biometric security processors and drone surveillance nowadays constitute a significant part of the private security architecture. All these developments have made the integration of cyber and physical security systems necessary. This is also a reflection of further evidence of the increasing convergence of cyber and physical security management sub systems. Besides prescribing offences, there is no law currently for the regulation of cyber security, data protection and digital investigation occupations as part of the loss control management profession. The Cyber Security and Data Protection Act, Chapter 11:22 only spells out the need to provide protection of cyber based data and the nature of offences that may be committed by data controllers for its abuse or mishandling during collection, processing, transmission or storage. It does not provide for how enforcement of compliance to the regulation is to be done and this is the reason why the enactment of a loss control management occupations regulation is proposed. This will provide room for private entities to hire legally registered competent professionals who can protect them from attacks or abuse of their privacy by cyber criminals.
- Section 18 of the Act requires data controllers to take appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect data from negligent or unauthorized destruction, negligent loss, unauthorized alteration or access or any other unauthorized processing. This provision does not specify what these technical appropriate and organizational measures are. However, employment of legally recognized and competent loss control management professionals is one of the organization measures.
- In Section 8 (1) (f), by allowing the authority to call upon assistance of experts in the enquiry or investigation of data related breaches, the legislation acknowledges existence of independent professional cyber security investigators, also known as digital investigators who should be hired for the purpose and
- Section 18 (4), by requiring the data controller to appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPOs) who should provide sufficient guarantee regarding the technical, and organizational security measures associated with the processing undertaken and ensure strict adherence to such measures, again the legislator acknowledges the existence of data security protection expertise within the domain of the loss control management profession, which can be employed as a separate function within the data control entity.
Apart from requiring the registration and licencing of private investigators and security guard, providing for data protection and setting out cyber security offences, the Private Investigation and Security Guard (Control) Act, Chapter 27:10 and the Cyber Security and Data Protection Act, Chapter 11:22 regulatory frameworks do not respectively, provide self-regulating board for professional management of security guard, investigation and cyber security operations. On this account, there exists a profession regulation vacuum, in the two Acts, which can be filled by the promulgation of the loss control management law. This would then provide for the establishment a relevant profession and controlling council. The proposal to introduce the Institute of Chartered Loss Control Management Bill is therefore to put in place that regulatory framework which facilitates the establishment of a council for the administration of occupations associated with the loss control management profession. Loss control management practitioners exist and are practicing in Zimbabwe. The State is not expected to leave the administration of these security related occupations and their activities unregulated and outside its oversight.
It is therefore necessary that a comprehensive framework for the regulation of loss control management and allied occupations service provision, whether on proprietary or contract basis, be promulgated and administered through an established council for the profession. In the absence of such a regulatory framework, the State is put at the risk of failure to take advantage and making use of private entities who are already delivering the service and to have oversight on their activities. It is a fact that Zimbabwe is now part of the global village, hence introduction of such legislation for private players in the provision of loss control management services and the establishment of a professions council is necessary. It is also prudent for service providers to adopt international protocols, conventions, rules, regulations and universal practices and ensure consumers get services whose integrity is grounded on the law.
Crimes, including cyber terrorism, are now committed using both physical and virtual platforms and attracting socio-political risks that confront society today, all this against unregulated activities puts our citizens at risk. It is also acknowledged by the private security industry itself that it is now mature and in need of review of its regulative framework (Hans Born, 2007). Introduction of appropriate regulatory framework, and in this respect, the Institute of Chartered Loss Control Management Act, may not be a choice for Zimbabwe if relevant service providers are expected to comply with international professional guidelines, standards and code of conduct.
2.0. Justification for introducing the Institute of Chartered Loss Control
Management Bill
As highlighted above, there is a lacuna in the regulatory framework governing the operation of professional loss control management occupations in Zimbabwe. This effectively fails the State on its objective to provide oversight on activities of such essential services. Loss Prevention is a broad profession accommodating various dedicated occupations. The context of the Institute of Chartered Loss control management, as a profession with a controlling council, is similar to Public Accountants and Auditors, Medical and Allied Professions and other regulated professions world-over. From this perspective then, a legislated Institute of Chartered Loss Control Management profession will make affiliated practitioners enjoy deserving status like their counterparts in other professions.
Without a regulatory framework, many activities associated with loss control management occupations remain outside government oversight coverage and practitioners are bound to be unaccountable to stakeholders and the State. It is obvious that an unaccountable profession, especially in the private security industry may be a fertile ground for human rights abuses, organized crime and for breeding of obvious risks that impact on business, social, political and economic stability within a country.
Vigilante groups (such as neighborhood watch committees) and political party affiliated private security outfits are typical examples of groups that may not be accountable to the State for their activities. The thrust of the Institute of Chartered Loss Control Management Regulatory Framework is anchored on the need to address attendant security risks, associated with such informal groups as they operate under the veil of security services provision, which may be inflicted on individuals, the public, the State and business. On this background, regulation of the conduct of professional loss control management institutions and their individual personnel is necessary. Regulated institutions and workers alike, are bound to be accountable to the State by allowing it to exercise effective and efficient oversight over their activities.
3.0. Objective
The objective and prayer in this motion is to beseech Parliament to promulgate a regulatory framework and allow the establishment of an institute to be known as “Institute of Chartered Loss control management” whose objectives are;
- To promote delivery of high quality professional loss prevention and management service by its members.
- To take all steps necessary to promote the professional practice and training of loss control management.
- To raise the character and status of the loss control management professionals and in so doing, preserve the quality of service offered by members.
- To develop standards and guidelines and best practices, adopt code of conduct to be observed by members and provide disciplinary regulations thereof.
- To promote, under the seal of the institute, compliance with standards, guidelines and code of conduct.
- To promote professional integrity, repress malpractices including corrupt practices, and to increase and promote public confidence in those persons practicing or teaching the profession of loss control management.
- To set minimum qualifications for admission of members.
- To keep a register of practicing loss control managers.
- To provide practice and disciplinary regulations of the institute
- To have all persons whose names are entered in the Register of the institute at the commencement of this Act and all persons who may thereafter have their names entered in the register under the provisions of the law or regulations made under it, so long as they continue to have their names borne on the said register.
- To open channels of formal communication between the institute and government on crime and corruption prevention issues.
4.0. Challenges faced by loss control management practitioners
Nowadays, international loss control management service contracts, especially private investigation and security guard, and job opportunities require candidates who are members of professional associations registered under recognized regulatory frameworks (International Code of Conduct Association, 2010). Without any law that guarantees professional integrity, Zimbabwe loss control managers miss on such international contracts and employment opportunities despite possessing competitive requirements and professional and academic qualifications. This compels them to seek membership with foreign professional boards where they pay exorbitant subscriptions fees.
The Institute of Chartered Loss control management Bill will alleviate challenges faced by our loss control managers through establishment of a legalized profession which has a controlling board, the council, to which members can affiliate and enjoy privileges associated with such a profession.
5.0. Loss control management profession in Zimbabwe
Loss control management is a profession made up of several occupations which include security guard, cyber security, physical security, loss assessment, loss adjustment, risk management, debt collection and investigation among others.
5.1. Private Investigation and Security Guard
In Zimbabwe, registration and licencing of the practice of loss prevention is restricted to private investigation and security guards. However, the registration does not take into account the need for professional management of the practice and establishment of a self regulating profession. The proposal for establishment of the Loss Control Management Act is to have a profession that sets management guidelines, standards and code of conduct for private investigation and security guard practices.
5.2. Forensic and Digital Investigation
Forensic and digital investigations are specialized activities carried out by both public and private personnel. Zimbabwe has a number of people who are qualified and carry on forensic and digital investigation as occupations. On this background, no law exists which recognizes such occupations as professions to which practitioners can affiliate or associate and be subjected to State oversight. Without relevant legislation, none of these occupations may have their work recognized by law as professional or expertise. The Private Investigators and Security Guards (Control) Act provides for private investigations but is particularly silent on private digital and forensic investigation.
5.3. Cyber Security
Cyber security is a technology innovation associated with collection, transmission, processing, transacting and storage of information, including monetary transfers, and done via virtual platforms comprising internet and computer network infrastructure or cyber space. As much as assets that flow, or are resident in the physical environment can be exposed to physical attacks and require protection against damage or loss, virtual assets resident in virtual infrastructure are equally vulnerable and exposed to threats and risks that may result in damage or loss and they too require protection. Virtual security tools and systems aid the provision of security of virtual assets and infrastructure. Virtual security protection is also an occupation conducted by trained personnel who do so with the same objective for which physical security and private investigation are conducted. It follows therefore, that the job of a physical security professional is in no way different from that of his or her professional virtual security counterpart. It is the objective of introducing the Institute of Chartered Loss Control Management Bill to provide a legal framework through which Loss Control and Allied Professions can be practiced under a regulated environment. It is equally necessary that the regulatory framework provide for the establishment of the Institute of Chartered Loss Control Management Profession Council and for the State to provide oversight on its activities and those of its constituent associations and members.
5.4. Loss Adjustment and Loss assessment
Loss Adjustment and Loss Assessment are part and parcel of the loss control management profession. Loss adjustment is a situation in which an insurance company decides how much compensation it should pay to a person or company whose insured property is damaged or lost. Loss adjusters work in the handling of insurance claims by providing support and guidance to insurance claimants in the event of a claim. Loss assessment is done on behalf the claimant to determine how much he or she should claim in case of loss of an insured property or asset. A loss adjuster works for an insurance company while a loss assessor works for the claimant. There is no law for the regulation of loss adjustment and loss assessment as occupations practiced by individuals or business entities in Zimbabwe.
5.5. Debt collection
Debt collection is also part and parcel of the loss control management profession. It is the collection of payments from people who fail to pay the money they owe for goods, services, etc that they have already received. There is no law in Zimbabwe which specifically regulates the management of debt collection as a profession practiced by individuals and business entities.
The proposed loss control management profession regulation should provide for a comprehensive regulation of the management of the provision of professional loss control management service including security guard, private and digital investigation, cyber security, debt collection, loss assessment, and loss adjustment.
The motion proposes the introduction of Institute of Chartered Loss Control Management Bill that seeks to provide a comprehensive legislative framework and oversight on occupational activities and professional administration of the loss control management profession in Zimbabwe.
6.0. Contract versus Proprietary Loss Control Management
In Zimbabwe, proprietary and contract loss control management entities are known by various designations. However, it is common for contract security guard companies to have a suffix “Security” on their names. Loss Control; Security and Risk; Risk and Compliance; Security and Investigation are common designations associated with proprietary loss control management departments in corporate organizations, government and State enterprises. It is worth noting that in some instances, proprietary departments exist alongside outsourced private security companies. In such arrangement, proprietary departments supervise the security services contracts in addition to performing their internal functions. Some organizations like ZESA have fully fledged security departments with security guard and investigation units under it and in addition, at times outsource the security guard service to beef up their own units. The fact that both propriety security departments and contract security companies perform more or less the same function imply both should be subjected to regulated professional performance guidelines, standards, code of conduct and oversight. This aspect should be addressed through introduction of the loss control management regulatory framework.
The Institute of Chartered Loss Control Management Bill proposes to subject loss control management occupations, whether practiced under proprietary or contract employment, to the same professional regulatory framework.
7.0. Establishment of Institute of Chartered Loss Control Management Council
Loss control management, whether based on application of physical, cyber, biological, forensic or digital investigations, debt collection, loss adjustment or loss assessment systems or technology, collectively exist under the banner of loss control management occupation in Zimbabwe with no law providing for establishment of self administrating and self-regulating profession council. Even though the “Private Investigators and Security Guards (Control) Ac, Chapter 27:10 provides, in Section 2, for designation of associations of private investigators and security guards communication from the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage’s legal department confirms this provision falls short on clarifying what a “designated or professional association” is and the process by which it can be established. On this account, currently no designated association of private investigators and security guards exist in Zimbabwe.
The introduction of the Institute of Chartered Loss Control Management Bill will pave way for the establishment of a self-regulating loss control management profession and a council that should administer its operation that of its constituent associations.
8.0. Academic and professional curriculum for studies in loss control, private security management and related disciplines
Security management and loss control are disciplines now available and offered by institutions of higher education as study disciplines. Every industry relies on the supply of professional manpower from academic and professional training institutions. The development and introduction of loss control and security management as taught subjects is in response to academically and professionally qualified personnel needs of public and private organizations. As a study discipline, security management has benefited immensely from academic research over the years and this has seen its curriculum enriched. It has also seen and still is, the application of technology increasing in response to personal and community security needs. This advancement, deepening and availability of knowledge has enabled further research and development in methods and approaches to industry appropriate loss prevention education and training.
It is pleasing to note that this offering of loss control management related educational curriculum is compliant with requirements of the Zimbabwe Manpower, Planning and Development Act (Chapter 28:02) of 1995 legislation and the recently launched Zimbabwe National Qualification Framework (ZNQF). The National University of Science and Technology (NUST), University Of Zimbabwe (UZ), Harare Institute of Technology (HIT), Midlands State University (MSU) and Bindura State University of Education (BUSE) all now offer loss prevention related courses; both physical and cyber. They offer the courses as structured certificate, diploma, advanced diploma and degree programmes.
With availability of the academic training and research in loss control and allied disciplines, there should be no debate on the need to provide a regulatory framework that provide for training and continuing professional development in loss control management and award of relevant professional qualifications.
The Institute of Chartered Loss Control Management Bill seeks to have recognition of loss control management as a profession in Zimbabwe with a programme of studies which leads to attainment of professional qualifications.
9.0. Establishment of the Loss control management as a profession
Loss control management is premised on professional application of concepts and theories relating to the deployment of human beings, equipment, technology and systems to mitigate loss arising from damage to or loss of property or injury on human beings or loss of life. The context in which loss control management is delivered as a service is similar to that of other professions in their diversity and specialties. The Public Accountants and Auditors Board (PAB) which regulates the Accountancy and Audit profession through the Public Accountants and Auditors Act (Chapter 27:12) is a good example. It provides for the regulation of accounting as a profession constituent associations as follows;
- The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
- Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA)
- Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAZ) and
- The Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (ICSA).
These constituent associations offer related but specialised accounting occupations under a controlling board; the Public Accountancy and Auditors’ Board. However, while subjected to similar general accepted standards and guidelines, rules and regulations for professional conduct, constituent associations have separate Charters that specify professional specialty and applicable code of conduct for each of them. This arrangement guarantees provision of coordinated administration, role complementarities within the occupations and integrity of the profession.
This motion proposes to introduce the Institute of Chartered Loss Control Management Bill that provides for the establishment of a self regulating loss control management profession with relevant constituent associations in the following specialties
- Loss Control. This is applicable to practitioners engaged in the management of proprietary loss control occupation.
- Security Management. This is applicable to practitioners engaged in the management of security guard occupation
- Cyber Security. This is applicable to practitioners engaged in the management of cyber security occupation
- Private Investigations. This is applicable to practitioners engaged in the management of private investigation occupation including those that relate to digital and forensic.
- Debt collection. This is applicable to practitioners engaged in the management of debt collection occupation.
- Loss Assessment and Loss Adjustment. This is applicable to practitioners engaged in the management of loss adjustment and loss assessment occupations.
10.0. Professional Standards, Guidelines, Internal Regulations and Code of Conduct
Besides deriving its existence from legislation and having self regulatory framework, adoption of a professional code of conduct, internal disciplinary regulations and mechanism for development and implementation of standards and guidelines is an indispensible hallmark of every profession. Standards and guidelines are central to the convergence of professional interests, basis for performance measurement and attainment of professional integrity. Loss control management occupations are practiced and administratively recognised in Zimbabwe. These occupations have adopted internationally established operating standards, guidelines, procedures and codes of conduct. In addition, introduction and adoption of relevant legislative framework for professions is encouraged by United Nations as a board. It would not be an innovation if a legislative framework for the operation of the Institute of Chartered Loss Control Management is introduced in Zimbabwe. South Africa has the Private
Security Regulatory framework which is administered by a statutory board; the South Africa Private Security Regulatory Authority (PSRA) and separate legal frameworks for other occupations. The United Kingdom has the Private Security Industry Act of 2001 that regulates the professional management of private security service providers in line with standards and regulations applicable to the profession. However, the proposal in this motion is the introduction of a comprehensive loss control management regulatory framework that embraces and brings related occupations on oversight and rallying them to comply with both local and international professional performance guidelines, standards, and code of conduct just as other professions do.
10.1. International Code of Conduct Association (ICoCA) Standards
ICoCA standards and principles are based on the Montreux Document developed by the Special Representative of the United Nations (UN) Secretary General on Business and Human Rights, and welcomed by the UN Human Rights Council.
The purpose of the code is to set forth a commonly-agreed set of principles for Private Security Companies (PSCs) and to establish a foundation to translate those principles into related standards as well as governance and oversight and for application by members on the conduct of Private Security Service Providers and their employees worldwide (ICoCA Charter).
10.2. ASIS International Standards and Guidelines
ASIS International is an American based Standards Developing Organisation (SDO). It develops standards and guidelines to serve the needs of private security professions in today’s global environment. ASIS International has developed a series of standards and guidelines for use by the private security profession. The series covers standards and guidelines that include investigation, protection of information, facilities security management, Security Risk Management, physical security management, management systems for performance quality, supply chain security management and cyber based security systems (ASIS International 2009).
10.3. International Standards Organization (ISO) Private Security Standards
Both ASIS International and ICoCA standards, guidelines and principles have been adopted by the International Standards Organisation (ISO) as the basis for performance measurement for private security professions and the conduct of their members. Consequently, most professional security management associations have adopted the ISO Standards for application in their practice. ISO also provides for cyber security standards which are used by practitioners who provide virtual security services.
10.4. Cyber Security or Cyberspace Management Service Provision Standards
Given the critical decision that must be made in an environment of evolving cyber threats, cyber security standards and guidelines are crucial means by which individuals and enterprises ensure protection of resources against abuse, damage or loss. They also serve as the basis on which professional cyber security service performance can be measured and evaluated. Cyber security or cyberspace security is the protection of privacy, integrity, and accessibility of data and information in the cyberspace. The Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec), a United Kingdom based organisation, is one of the professional security institutes that focus on the provision of cyber security management service standards. A typical cyber security standards framework consists of external statutory requirements, selected or mandatory controls, external regulatory requirements, and generic standards baseline and business specific internal controls. International Standards Organisation (ISO) has developed ISO/IEC 27032, ISO 2700 and ISO 22301 standards for application by professional Cyber security practitioners. It envisaged that the Institute of Chartered Loss Control Management Council will facilitate the formation of the Zimbabwe Institute of Cyber Security as a constituent association and encourage it to observe approved standards and guidelines in their service provision.
The Institute of Chartered Loss Control Management Bill would provide for establishment of a professional Council that will facilitate adoption of and compliance with relevant standards, guidelines and code of conduct in the provision and management of loss control and allied services by the institute and its constituent members. It will also facilitate enforcement compliance with regulations and oversight by the State.
The Institute of Chartered Loss Control Management Bill seeks to provide for adoption of and compliance with professional performance standards such as ISO professional standards and guidelines, regulations and code of conduct by loss control management service providers in Zimbabwe.
11.0. Private Security: Implication National Security
Private security is a service provided by private players who are or are not licenced by the State. This is a complementary service since the State has the primary responsibility to provide property and human protection. Security protection practitioners’ work is to design, develop and implement security systems and procedures for the protection of human life and property through enforcement of regulatory compliance on private basis. Private security activities are usually accompanied with use of weapons, instruments, equipment and technology which may also become sources of insecurity to individuals, communities, business and the State itself if left in wrong hands and unregulated. Reliability and safe provision of private security service is dependent on the ability of the profession to design procedures, and systems and using them to enforce compliance with acceptable standards, guidelines, rules and disciplinary regulations and observance of professional code of conduct. Such a profession does not legally exist as a self-regulating professional organisation in Zimbabwe.
11.1. Private Security Guards
With respect to private security guard companies, the mere fact that they are delegated with a licensable function that uses dangerous weapons cannot be a guarantee that the same entities or their individual employees cannot be a threat to the public and the State itself if allowed to operate without appropriate professional legislative framework for oversight and safeguard. Terrorist organisations do not emerge from nowhere. Vigilante committees and unregulated private security organisations may transform into rebellious criminal or terrorist groups; Al-Shabaab, Islamic Courts Union (ICU) and ISIS groups are examples. Vulnerabilities within the private security legislative framework allow this to happen. You need to just burn the building across the road for legislators to believe disaster is real and have them remove the vulnerabilities; here is a proposal, buildings are burning next door; Mozambique is burning. With the emergence of Private Military Security Companies (PMSC) and proliferation of informal players within the private security industry, there is no guarantee that unscrupulous outfits may not drift towards becoming rebellious groups and pose national security threat if allowed to operate without being over sighted and regulated to operate within professional parameters.
11.2. Cyber Security
Cyber technology is now the driving force behind business processes and social life. In wrong hands cyber technology is known to be a source of risk and danger to individuals, organisation and the State itself. Equally, providers of private cyber security services need to be professionally regulated and monitored so that they provide relevant and safe service that also effectively complements the State in its mandate of providing first line security protection to its citizens. This can only be achieved if the sector is placed on oversight for it to operate within the confines of the law, set performance standards and self-regulating code of conduct.
The Institute of Chartered Loss Control Management Bill seeks to prevent emergence of informal outfits or formal ones that may drift towards becoming Private Military Security Companies (PMSC) or cyber-criminal organisations capable of discharging combat operations or engage in cyber terrorism and cyber-criminal activities.
12.0. Loss Control Management as Expertise Based Practice
There is no doubt loss control management occupations are expertise based practices constituting a profession and are critical to the operation of organisations through their provision of protection to personnel, facilities, systems and assets and prevention of resultant loss. Skills and expertise contribution capability displayed by the loss control management profession in providing evidence based solutions to loss occurrences confronting business; the State and society at large deserve legal recognition. At no time is loss prevention a dispensable need for individuals, business, the State and the communities. This has been proved in many situations; the COVID-19 pandemic periods is a good example. Indeed, loss control management, security guards, were treated as essential services. The loss control management profession can be helpful in reducing the workload of our public security agencies, especially the Police Service, if provision is made for the law to grant expert status to qualified members of the profession and for the evidence they adduce and reports they prepare to be admissible in our courts in the same manner the law accepts evidence adduced by public law enforcement officers and recognises private prosecution by members of legal profession. It would as well provide for the profession to legally offer expert assistance to the state in combating crime, especially corruption.
This motion proposes a legislation that should recognise loss control management as an expert based profession whose work is measured, provable and admissible on the basis of its reliance on professional standards, guidelines, and procedures and adherence to rules, regulations and code of conduct.
13.0. Recommendation
It is recommended that Parliament adopts this motion to introduce a Bill that establishes loss control management as a profession which include, under it, occupational activities in physical and bio-forensic and digital investigation, debt collection, cyber security, loss assessment, loss adjustment, physical and virtual security management and security equipment and security technology vending. It is proposed the legislation is called “Institute of Chartered Loss Control Management Act” and should also provide for the establishment of an Institute of Chartered Loss Control Management Council.
14.0. Conclusion
The need for a professionalised loss control management occupations and industry in Zimbabwe is compelling. The scourge of losses that individuals, communities, the State and corporate entities are experiencing through negligence, corruption and technology based crimes and other security breaches requires a robust loss control management profession which is supported by a comprehensive legislative framework and State oversight. Institutions of higher education, training and research are already playing their role of developing and introducing relevant loss control management educational programmes. Parliament is therefore encouraged to put in place a legislative framework that enables Government to facilitate the establishment of the profession of loss control management which will complement it in the provision of security protection to citizens and prevention of damage to or loss of property. Introduction of the “Institute of Chartered Loss Control Management Act” would go a long way in assisting the State in the fight against crime (including corruption) and prevention of loss of property, assets and national resources.
“The Principle of parliamentary sovereignty means neither more nor less than this, namely, that Parliament thus defined has, under the English constitution, the right to make or unmake any law whatever; and, further, that no person or body is recognised by the law of England as having a right to override or set aside the legislation of parliament.” I so move Madam Speaker.
HON. R. R. NYATHI: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. TEKESHIE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 24th February, 2022.
On the motion of HON. R. R. NYATHI, seconded by HON. TEKESHE the House adjourned at Six Minutes to Six o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 22nd February, 2022
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. SPEAKER in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE HON. SPEAKER
TIME FOR ATTENDING THE HOUSE
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Members if you decide to attend in person, can you make sure that you are here by 2.05p.m. Chief Whip, address also the independent Member who is normally very punctual and I am surprised you came after the prayers. That is not the protocol of our proceedings. Thank you.
NON-ADVERSE REPORTS RECEIVED FROM THE PARLIAMENATRY LEGAL COMMITTEE.
THE HON. SPEAKER: I have to inform the House that I have received non-adverse reports from the Parliamentary Legal Committee on the following Bills: The Insurance Bill [H.B. 1, 2021], Insurance and Pensions Commission Amendment Bill [H.B. 6, 2021] and Health SERVICES AMENDMENT BILL [H.B. 8, 2021].
APPOINTMENT OF LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS, CHIEF WHIP AND DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP OF THE OPPOSITION
THE HON. SPEAKER: I also have to inform the House that I have received communication from Hon. Sen. Douglas Togaraseyi Mwonzora, President and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament advising that Hon. Paurina Mpariwa is now the Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly and consequently, Hon. Tekeshe becomes the Opposition Chief Whip, with Hon. Lwazi Sibanda as Deputy Chief Whip in the National Assembly.
HON. MARKHAM: Hon. Speaker, my point is a difficult one, if you will bear with me on the issue. In our area we are suffering from a major increment in pollution and the pollution is noise. We have two areas in specific. Whether it is a night club or a church, but the one I really want to concentrate on is just south east of the Chisipite roundabout. That area has a house that over the years, residents have complained about and the council has changed the use. They have been very foggy about the issue. My concern is, in the last month, it has escalated. Very close to this house, one house away, is one of the Embassies and this house is being used theoretically as a tea room but it is actually acting as a night club. Even during the era of COVID, no one reacted. I will just give two quick examples. The first one is we phoned the Borrowdale Police Station who told us categorically that they could not react because their hierarchy were there themselves. These parties carry on until 2.00 o’clock in the morning. Last week and maybe the week before, there were gun shots from the said house. This is very close…
THE HON. SPEAKER: This is the same house?
HON. MARKHAM: From the same house. The diplomatic police or the arm that deals with the diplomatic corps came there. My issue is residents have been complaining for nearly 18 months about this. This person is using names from the top to the middle management of our Government and it has to be stopped. I would not have brought it to Parliament if we had not tried every single avenue. If the police will not react, then for sure local Government will not react. There is not one response to any of the petitions sent to local government. Mr. Speaker Sir, I beg for your indulgence that the relevant Minister takes cognisance of this serious fact. I do not know whether it is the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works or even the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, but I am now desperate. I thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: The Committee on Home Affairs, we have to summon the Minister of Home Affairs to find out why the police is not reacting accordingly.
HON. MARKHAM: Thank you Mr. Speaker.
THE HON. SPEKAER: Is the Chairman around or any member of the Home Affairs Committee?
HON. BRIG. GEN. NGULUVHE: I am here Hon. Speaker.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Convey the message and that must be done as soon as yesterday.
HON. T. MLISWA: On a point of privilege Hon. Speaker Sir.
THE HON. SPEAKER: What is your point of privilege?
HON. T. MLISWA: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir and my apologies for attending the session late, it will not be repeated again. Mr. Speaker Sir, it is with a heavy heart that I pay my condolences to the Mahoka family for the passing away of the former Member of Parliament for Hurungwe East, Sarah Mahoka. I see that as parliamentarians, we work well together in here but it is with a heavy heart that unfortunately, I was not around. I only arrived today, I learnt that colleague members were not there to mourn their former colleague, especially women. She was a workhorse, she stood for women in every aspect and usually she was a spokesperson because of her courageous nature and the advocacy for women that she had. Mr. Speaker Sir, I say this because a new leaf must be turned in terms of how we must remain human.
When one is no more, we cannot take the personal fights or differences to the grave. In Shona they say ‘wafa wanaka’ no matter how bad Temba was, when I am no more, ndanaka, we cannot again take whatever to the grave and continue to hold grudges. I say so because with you being here, may we as Parliament, because tomorrow it is me or it might be somebody else, we must have a delegation from Parliament that pays respect on your behalf to the family when such bereavement happens. We serve the nation by being here and it has got nothing to do with which political party you belonged to. The fact that you are a Member of Parliament of the National House of Assembly, you represent the nation and as such, this cannot be ignored.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I am really pained that most women were not there, even the Members of Parliament from Hurungwe and Mashonaland West, the Minister of State and Provincial Chairperson of ZANU PF. I personally called her to say you are a woman these children have no mother, tomorrow it is you - why can we not all be together in this time? It is precedence and a culture that I do not know, I cannot hate somebody to the point that I am not there when they die to just pay my final respects. It is really hurtful because she worked hard and when you work hard, people must recognize your work at the end of the day, notwithstanding the differences.
Mr. Speaker Sir, Parliament and Members of Parliament because of the various political parties that they belong to and the various factions that I am not privy to cannot be able to do this. If you then get us to do it from a Parliament point of view, I think it then serves the purpose at the end of the day with so much dignity. So it is my appeal and my condolences to the Mahoka family. Just a recap of the events before her death, she was driving back to Harare with her children and son-in-law, she then decided to jump into her husband’s car that was ahead and this was 10 km before she got into an accident.
She then jumped into her husband’s car and the son-in-law and the daughter were 10 minutes behind and as they were driving, the next thing they saw a car underneath a truck and that was the car that she jumped into. Those were the circumstances. All I am saying and I conclude by saying, I think she wanted to say a few things to her husband but God has his ways of doing things. Clearly, her last words were to her husband. May her soul rest in peace. I pass my condolences to the Mahoka family. I hope you will hear my plea that Parliament conveyance of that dignity and ubuntu remains part of us. I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you very much. There are two sides to your statement: the first being to acknowledge - [HON. MEMBERS ON VIRTUAL: Inaudible interjections.] - Hon. Members on virtual platform, can you be muted please. The first part relates to loss of life of a human being who was once a Member of Parliament. In terms of our culture and tradition, when that happens- within the community, quite often people surrender their differences and ensure that the person who has passed on is given befitting send off within that community and among the people who may know that person outside the immediate community. We share with you the loss of life of the former member Hon. Mahoka. As to having a delegation, you will have to change your Standing Rules and Orders because as things stand, we do recognise sitting Members of Parliament, that is why Parliament goes out of its way to financially assist and also assist in terms of logistics. So the question of delegation, unfortunately, may not take place. We have to look at our Standing Rules and Orders and indeed revise them if that is the agreed position of you Hon. Members, through the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders. May her soul rest in peace and we condole with the immediate family at the sudden loss of their dear one.
(v)HON. MUDARIKWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Mr. Speaker Sir, agriculture is the backbone of the country of Zimbabwe. The point I am raising concerns the price of fertilizer. In December, the price of ammonium nitrate and urea was US$20 per bag but now it is hovering around US$60 per bag. Farmers now cannot afford these prices and people are taking advantage of the situation. Can the Minister of Industry and Commerce present a report on the situation and also allow farmers to import fertiliser without paying surcharge and VAT because most of the fertiliser manufacturers are shortchanging the farmers. This is my humble submission Mr. Speaker Sir. Thank you very much.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Why were you not in the House on Wednesday to ask a direct question to the Hon. Minister?
HON. MUDARIKWA: I can come on Wednesday and ask the question. I thought the Minister would submit a report on the pricing structure. How are they pricing the fertiliser?
THE HON. SPEAKER: That will arise only when you have asked a question. As the House feels that the responses may not be adequate, a Ministerial Statement with fuller details will be asked for from the relevant Minister.
HON. MUDARIKWA: Hon. Speaker Sir, I will be in the House of Parliament on Wednesday at 2p.m.
THE HON. SPEAKER: You will be in the National Assembly. There is no House of Parliament, please.
HON. MUDARIKWA: I will be in the National Assembly Mr. Speaker Sir. I will humbly beg you to put me on top of the list.
THE HON. SPEAKER:You must follow procedure. When it comes to such matters, it is your Chief Whip who must organise and line up the Hon. Members who would like to ask questions.
HON. MUDARIKWA: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir.
HON. NDEBELE: Hon. Speaker Sir, I just want to seek clarity from you in terms of …
THE HON. SPEAKER: Be connected first. You do not start speaking before you are recognised.
HON. NDEBELE: The holiday was too long Mr. Speaker.
THE HON. SPEAKER: No, no. I must recognise you first.
HON. NDEBELE: Hon. Speaker, I just want to seek clarity in terms of the procedure involved in petitioning the SROC as a follow up to Hon. Mliswa’s request that we send delegations as Parliament to the families of deceased former Members of Parliament. I am seeking clarity on how we petition the SROC because many times, I have also petitioned them verbally but it would seem my requests have landed on deaf ears. I just seek your indulgence that you explain to this House how we can with certainty petition the SROC. Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Before you sit down, can you withdraw the statement “your petition landed on deaf ears.” You are suggesting that the Committee on Standing Rules has no ears to hear you.
HON. NDEBELE: Exactly, Mr. Speaker Sir.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Withdraw that statement. I will tell you why.
HON. NDEBELE: That is my position Mr. Speaker unless I am educated otherwise.
THE HON. SPEAKER: I am asking you to withdraw that statement. It is very unparliamentary.
HON. NDEBELE: On that basis Mr. Speaker, I recant my statement.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you. There are two issues that arise Hon. Ndebele. Hon. Members cannot petition Parliament. Read Section 149 of the Constitution and you will be advised who exactly has the right to petition Parliament. Secondly, Members of Parliament have their whips and the whips are part and parcel of the welfare of Members of Parliament Committee under the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders. That Committee would be the appropriate Committee to look into such matters. They would then table the matter to the Chairman of that Committee who is the Chief Whip of the ruling party deputized by the Chief Whip from the opposition.
Let me comment on the part of your statement when you indicated that you verbally approached. As a lawyer, surely verbal communication cannot stand on its feet because if you had written then you will be waving it – [HON. NDEBELE: Inaudible interjection.] – No, you said verbally. Order! Check the Hansard. You said you verbally requested. So, I am taking you on the verbal communication. If you want serious communication, put it in writing to your Chief Whip and there will not be any excuse because you have evidence that you have done so. That is the best way to communicate. Thank you.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. TOGAREPI: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I move that Orders of the Day, Numbers 1 to 16 be stood over until Order of the Day, Number 17 has been disposed of.
HON. TEKESHE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
IDENTIFICATION OF GRAVES OF FREEDOM FIGHTERS
HON. RAIDZA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I move the motion standing in my name that; -
MINDFUL that the Independence of Zimbabwe was attained after exceptional and selfless sacrifices by our freedom fighters who waged the struggle for independence against all odds;
ALSO MINDFUL that some of the gallant sons and daughters of the soil lost their lives at the prime of their youthful years and have been buried in various unknown graves scattered all over the country in areas where they operated;
CONCERNED that more than forty years after independence some of our gallant heroes and heroines are still not yet decently interred as they continue to lie in some unknown graves where they were buried en masse by the oppressive colonial regime;
NOTING the urgent need to identify such graves wherever they exist so that the souls of our departed dear comrades can be finally laid in eternal peace,
NOW, THEREFORE, calls upon this House to
- Assist in disseminating information to the masses of this country which will lead to the identification of graves of our freedom fighters;
- Urge the Executive to set up Committees countrywide to ensure that no late freedom fighter fails to get a decent burial as this resonates extremely well with the selfless sacrifice they made to liberate this country; and
- Sensitize the public through Hon Members of this august House on the indelible footprints that tell the unforgettable history of this great nation.
HON. MUSIKAVANHU: I second.
HON. RAIDZA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Good afternoon. In terms of Section 23 of our national Constitution, under the National Objectives, the law says, the State and all institutions and agencies of Government at every level must accord due respect, honour and recognition to the veterans of the liberation struggle. Subsection 2 says the State must take reasonable measures, including legislative measures for the welfare and economic empowerment of veterans of the liberation struggle.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I moved this motion because of questions and incidences that I have been receiving as a Member of Parliament for Mberengwa East Constituency. I used to receive a lot of questions regarding the decent burial of those veterans of our liberation struggle who were buried in mass graves, particularly in Mberengwa. Through my research, I discovered that this issue is all over the country.
The war of the liberation struggle took both a political and military approach. The independence of our great nation Zimbabwe was gained after a protracted war between our dedicated sons and daughters who are in many literatures referred to as national guerrilla forces, fighting against our oppressors, who were referred to as colonial forces, between 1960 and 1980.
Many scholars and writers wrote a lot about the liberation struggle that we are all aware of. This was focusing mainly on our military movements; on our political practice; the whole experiences and contributions by many of our living and the past heroes and heroines. The issue of mass graves; these graves are dotted around the country and they need to be laid permanently as well so that our departed sons and daughters who paid the supreme sacrifice with their lives are buried decently.
The colonial forces during this time were using various methods to commit these atrocities. Some of them were using – what we call the Rhodesian Selous Scouts to commit these atrocities. They thought that if they continue to bombard the camps, then it will dampen the spirit of our liberation fighters. However, our liberation fighters remained focused on the big cause of liberating our nation from the yoke of slavery. It is this bravery that we want our hard work, under the able leadership of His Excellency, our President, Dr. E. D Mnangagwa, to allow its communities to take initiatives as to appreciate the dedication of our fallen brothers and sisters.
Our liberation fighters used to conduct political mobilisation and teachings during the night. These mobilisation gatherings were used to be known as pungwes to our rural populace. The communities were supporting the war through various logistical support, like food, information and various support services. It was during these pungwes that some places were bombed and several people were killed and buried in shallow mass graves. Much of this war theatre of operation happened in the rural areas.
During the execution of the liberation struggle, many of our brothers and sisters lost their lives in and outside the country. Mr. Speaker Sir, this motion is focusing really on the casualties that happened during these pungwes because that is where many of our brothers and sisters who were called the mujibas and chimbwidos were killed and buried in these shallow graves. The colonial forces used violence against this rural population in order for them to achieve the political control which in many instances led to the death of many civilians.
At State commemorations, we always see the massive construction of monuments. However, as a way of preserving our heritage, we look at conserving and managing the existing remains of the past works of our heroes and heroines. The preservation of this will help our children to understand where we came from as a country and where we are going. The sacrifice of the dead is an ongoing debt to the living and the expectations to finish the work of the liberation struggle. There are many scars that occurred during the liberation struggle andsome of them have been satisfactorily healed and resolved while others need an initiative in order to be healed and preserved.
The bones of the unidentified dead from these violent killings of the past continue to resurface from the earth of unmarked shallow mass graves across the country, as has been heard and even reported in the newspapers. For example, we have an incident which was reported in Mt. Darwin where the community that was ploughing their field found some bones. We are hearing again that there were also some incidences witnessed during some small scale mining activities all over our country. We are hearing many stories of these bones that are found all over the country.
Indeed we have some theories, which are advocating for professional forensic approaches that involve a lot of processes in terms of our burial and cremation legislation but in this motion, my intention is to make the communities aware of what they can do to well known graves and those who are buried there. In addition, it is to encourage us as Hon. Members of Parliament, to make sure that we conscientise our communities on what they can do, as a way of preserving the lives of our departed heroes and heroines.
In our various communities, people know where these graves are located and who is buried in those shallow graves. We still have an advantage as of today that some of the people who saw these things happening or who are witnesses to what happened are still alive. They can also help this cause. We understand there are several places that are like this in our country. There is a saying by the veterans of the liberation struggle that says “we promised each other during the war of liberation that we will come back for each other after the struggle”. Currently, as leaders we are bombarded with these questions in our constituencies. Since 1980, our ZANU PF led Government took various initiatives that we appreciate today in recognising and appreciating these sacrifices.
We are however grateful for the sacrifices that were made by our liberation fighters. We are who we are because of these sacrifices. The initiatives undertaken by the central Government were both legislative and setting up institutions that would manage these processes. The Government went on to set up the National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe, which is a parastatal under the Ministry of Home Affairs that is responsible for cultural heritage and carrying out exhumations and reburials. It focuses more on the freedom war heritage. There were some NGOs which were coming in to assist in this good initiative that our Government was undertaking, like the Foreign Heroes Trust and other organisations that came into existence between that period and now Mr. Speaker Sir. Foreign Heroes Trust exhumed a number of bodies for reburial over a period. It is our opportunity as the living to play our part in this important appreciation of the sacrifices made by our sons and daughters, Mr. Speaker Sir. I thank you.
HON. MUSIKAVANHU: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, for this opportunity and my apologies for breaking protocol earlier on. I had misunderstood the process. Mr. Speaker Sir, it is an honour for me to stand before this august House to second the motion by Hon. Raidza on the need to accord our gallant freedom fighters a decent burial. Mr. Speaker Sir, we just celebrated the National Youth Day yesterday. On 21st February, 2022.
Mr. Speaker Sir, while I am exceedingly pleased by the turnout at the address by His Excellency President Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa, I am saddened that the vast majority of those youths who attended the function yesterday are not adequately informed of the heroic deeds of their compatriots. Yes, Mr. Speaker Sir, I say compatriots because those who are lying in unmarked graves were mainly in their youthful stage, just as the youth we saw yesterday. The vast majority of the youth who participated in the programme yesterday need to be educated as to where these gallant fighters are lying, 40 years after Independence.
It is incumbent upon us as legislators Mr. Speaker Sir, in this august House to ensure that there is a mechanism that is put in place to identify all these unmarked burial sites. I represent Chiredzi West Constituency from Chiredzi District which was part of Gaza province during the liberation struggle. Many veterans of the struggle perished in Gaza province as they were attempting to cross the Gonarezhou sanctuary. They died of thirst, hunger and diseases and they are still lying in unmarked graves in those areas. Mr. Speaker Sir, Chiredzi District has been earmarked as an area where, with water from Tugwi Mukosi and other dams in the low veld which stores more than 50% of our irrigation water, to be our economic enabler as we aspire to attain Vision 2030.
It pains me Mr. Speaker Sir, that a district with such potential to contribute to the economic turnaround of our country also is the home of the vast majority of unmarked graves. It is on that basis Mr. Speaker Sir, that the motion by Hon. Raidza is accorded due cognisance. Mr. Speaker Sir, I know of comrades in Chiredzi who are still alive and they ask us as beneficiaries of their struggle to say we made a pledge as Hon. Raidza reminded us here, that when they fell, they said soldier on and those who soldiered on said when Zimbabwe is liberated, we will come back and give you a decent burial.
It is incumbent upon us who have been given the privilege to be here in this august House to give these heroes a decent burial. - I am honoured to say even as we are talking, there are Members like Hon. Nguluvhe and others who fought in the struggle who are here whom we owe the support to go out there and ensure that the pledge made to their fallen comrades is honoured. It is not them only who should be doing this Madam Speaker Ma’am, we have got a collective responsibility on this one.
Madam Speaker, His Excellency the President has said no one and no place shall be left behind as we endeavor to attain National Development Strategy 1 and 2 towards Vision 2030. Let me propose that this statement by His Excellency the President does not only apply to us the living. It applies to the dead ones who made us come to where we are. So, they must be included in the equation of saying no one and no place shall be left behind. All it takes is to erect simple spires that are replicas of what we have at the National Heroes Acre and I bet you they will not cost us US$1 000 to erect.
Madam Speaker, I have had a privilege of travelling to some countries like Australia. They put up crosses on the roads where accidents happen and there are fatalities. Now, we have got a situation here as put across in the motion by Hon. Raidza, where we are talking of people who paid the ultimate sacrifice for Zimbabwe. Can we fail to just recognise where they are lying. It is in our national interest not-withstanding our political differences that our children know where we came from. Our children must be given the opportunity to visit those places and honour them as much as we respect that which God gave us in the form of natural resources like Victoria Falls, Gonarezhou and those that were constructed by our ancestors like Great Zimbabwe.
Madam Speaker Ma’am, as we journey towards Vision 2030, it is our plea that those places where the fallen heroes are should be treated as national shrines. I believe that no matter what religion we pay allegiance to, when we respect those who have fallen, to enable us to become a free nation, in the process we can then become blessed. Yesterday, His Excellency the President, was talking of the scourge of substance abuse which is wasting our youth. I want to believe that in attending to this issue raised by Hon. Raidza, the good Lord will have mercy on our country as well and will prosper us as we journey towards Vision 2030. I thank you – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]
HON. T. MLISWA: Thank you Madam Speaker, I want to thank Hon. Raidza and Hon. Musikavanhu for moving and seconding this motion which certainly opens a can of worms.. Madam Speaker, if we have to be candid, Hon. Raidza’s motion talks about the incompetence of Government to look after war veterans. The issue of the freedom fighters squarely lies in the office of the Minister of Defence. We have debated this several times.
Madam Speaker, the welfare of the war veterans which he really touched on remains an outstanding issue up to now. Recently, they went to demonstrate on their court order which had allowed their pensions to be reviewed - they were arrested. So those who are alive cannot even get their welfare, what about those who are dead? I do not even want to talk about the dead, but I want to talk about the ones who are alive. They are getting absolutely nothing, and in fact they are as good as dead. That is the truth and we still talk about the struggle which happened years ago. If I am not mistaken, one of the conditions which was given to the leadership of this country from the various areas I have gone and spoken to, the shrines of this country - you go to Njelele, Dungwiza, Dande and all those shrines – which are important for us to understand who we are. The moment that you win the struggle, there must be a national brew, traditional beer is brewed to thank the ancestors that we are back and have won the liberation war. That was one condition and this is one of the conditions which was given to the former late President when he was given the sceptre and told that ‘Gushungo,’ you have taken the land but firstly you should brew some beer as a way of thanksgiving because as the spirit mediums, we are the ones who helped you to reclaim the land and win the battle.
Hon. Mliswa having been mixing both Shona and English languages in his debate.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Please, may you use one language Hon. Mliswa.
*HON. T. MLISWA: I think the spirit mediums want me to speak in vernacular on this issue of war veterans and I will speak in Shona and leave out the English language because they do not understand English. The issue here is, this country has its own history, and the history is that we are human beings who have their own culture. No wonder why His Excellency officiated the unveiling of the statue of Mbuya Nehanda but who was Mbuya Nehanda? A spirit medium, why do we remember her? This is because she was the one leading the Chimurenga battle for us to win. The whites had more guns than we had but we went on to win- how?
When the war was over, the sceptre of kingship for Zimbabwe was given to the late President Robert Gabriel Mugabe to say, ‘you have been given this sceptre but brew some beer and be thankful that you are now liberated and the land belongs to you.’ Secondly, all the children who died in the foreign land like at Chimoio and in Zambia should be repatriated back home so that their remains can be re-buried here. In addition, the children who died in areas such as Mberengwa and so on, these areas should be preserved and honored as places where freedom fighters died and were buried. These things should be done in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans.
To this day, those who died in Zambia during the liberation war have not been repatriated. There are families with children who went out to liberate the country and they never came back. I hear that people visit Chimoio and I also want to go as an individual but I have been told that if you visit the place you hear people crying without seeing any person around. I want to talk about this so we can understand how it is like that, why will they be crying if there are only graves of people who are dead? The issue which has been alluded to by Hon. Raidza is true. In Rusape at St. Faith where my mother originated from and where Mr. Didymus Mutasa resides, there is a place where freedom fighters died at my uncle’s farm where there is a grave site. People are living within a close proximity to the graves and they do not know whose graves they are and yet nothing has been done to find closure. How can someone live peaceful with a gravesite in your backyard, of people whom you are not related to and do not know whose they belong to? The Government has not gone there to rectify this issue.
This issue is bound to raise some spiritual warfare in this country, perhaps which is the reason why things are not well in the country because we are not acting according to our culture. How can we talk of freedom when the graves of people are all over and are not being recognised? What do the ancestors say when children who went to war during the liberation struggle never came back and no one knows where they are. There is no notice being displayed to say, so and so died. The Government has a duty to go back to those families to give closure by indicating that ‘so and so participated in the liberation struggle, we have come to tell you.’ What does the law say concerning someone who disappears - is it two years or five years where if that person is not found, it is pronounced - for example the issue of Itai Dzamara where it is asked when the Government will tell that he is no longer there. There is a timeframe given but since 1980 or before 1980, we are still talking about graves of people who liberated this country and we are wearing suits, driving cars failing to do the right things.
Hon. Raidza is trying to say that the four corners of the world have chiefs and spirit mediums and if the Government fails, it should decentralise and give authority to people on the grassroots level, appointing freedom fighters who used to operate in that area. During the liberation struggle, freedom fighters operated in different areas as commanders. Some of them are no longer alive and you cannot look for them to hear their opinions; some of them are not known where they are today. They can then go and sort out all the cultural ceremonies that need to be done. After that, the rains will pour and there will no longer be hunger. Corruption will come to an end because corruption is a bad spirit and there is need to brew some beer to end the scourge. Our minerals are being taken away and that is why we are refusing entrance by Chinese into our territories because some of these places have our grave-sites. If you hear our elders in the rural areas speaking, it means you have given them a hard time.
Chinese ask us where title deeds are, the title deeds of land in the rural areas is a grave situated somewhere. Where my grandfather or grandmother was buried is my title deed. If you relocate those people, prioritising mineral claims over grave-sites, what do you think should be done? That is why there is commotion on issues to do with mineral claims as people go to places like Mutoko with mineral claims. There are some areas which were known to be sacred but now they are being invaded. For this issue to progress, it will be difficult as there is no history of tracing sacred areas and how they can be accessed and so on.
The Hon. Minister of Defence, Hon. Muchinguri has this issue on her table. This is a pending issue which needs closure and it has been addressed since the time of the late President Robert Mugabe. This is the issue which culminated in war veterans saying they do not want to work with him because he was not addressing the war veterans’ issues.
War veterans should be addressed. It does not matter whether they are few or what. So this issue is very pertinent. We want to know that when the Ministry comes to this august House to request for money for the annual budget, why does the Ministry not request for finances for these issues that we are raising? There are companies which represent war veterans. It is important that information is collected so that people know where the late veterans are buried. This issue was raised because the Government has failed. Hon. Raidza cannot raise it but I will raise it because I am an independent MP. Government has failed to represent war veterans and no one can fire me. So, I will say the truth.
Government is embarrassing us because it has failed in addressing this issue. Government should address this issue and the Ministry should request a supplementary budget particularly for that, then we can pass it as Parliament so that war veterans are catered for. This is an issue which can be rectified so that we stand in truth. It is important that this is tabled. We have seen that His Excellency the President meets with religious leaders and traditional leaders – how about spiritual leaders like the spiritual traditional leaders? There is need for meetings, if those who have ears are listening, please take this issue to His Excellency the President because if this is done, Zimbabwe would prosper.
We desire that the President meets with traditional spiritual leaders and these are the spiritual leaders who were guiding war veterans during the struggle. When the rains came, I had a visit from one of the traditional leaders who asked me what the President is doing regarding meeting them. We have noted that he is meeting traditional leaders and religious leaders. I am not afraid to say it because I was told and they asked why do you not appreciate and thank traditional religious leaders. We all carry out traditional rituals - biras. This is Karanga – why have you discarded Karanga cultures and traditions?
The issue is, let us go back to our norms, our traditional values. When Mbuya Nehanda statue was being erected, we saw traditional leaders, our chiefs putting on suits, but I never saw traditional beer being brewed yet chiefs were putting on suits and ties. So we were wondering where traditional religious leaders or spirit mediums were. I do not know where the nation is heading to and its status but it is only spirit mediums who can do that. We have failed in that.
The President needs a spiritual advisor. On presidential advisors, there should be a traditional advisor who guides His Excellency because spirit mediums were saying, what kind of culture is this. The President is being misled by the Ministry of Local Government and other structures. My request is that the Ministry of Local Government which is responsible for traditional leaders and our culture and the Ministry of Home Affairs, through the Heritage branch should look at this issue so that our traditional system is corrected.
Even the Jews have their own values and traditions that they adhere to. If you find someone coming into this august House with tobacco, they think that he is a traditional healer but when COVID came, people were using snuff and snuff can be used as a healing medicine. When you see people succeeding in this august House, it is people who know their traditional values. I am a Methodist and the Methodist would come and officiate, after that I brew traditional beer and observe our traditions.
At my farm, I always receive rains because I follow traditional culture. That is why even in elections, I win and I do not lose because I put God first then I do my traditional rituals. I am a headman and I cannot be a headman without respecting my traditional values.
Let me sit down, I saw the Clerk looking at me. Thank you very much and may you take this issue up. Thank you Madam Speaker and I would like to thank Hon. Raidza for raising this issue. We need to honour our traditional values. I thank you.
*HON. TOGAREPI: Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to thank Hon. Raidza for moving this pertinent motion of war veterans who liberated the nation. Even if you look at the National Constitution in Chapter 23, it urges every Zimbabwean to respect and honour Zimbabwe’s war veterans. Every war veteran who might belong to different political parties or organs – some were war veterans who were trained in arms and some were war collaborators. There were war detainees and restrictees and some who were trained but who did not participate in the war. These are different arms of war veterans. Most of our war veterans died in different areas, some are known and some are not.
Looking at our Constitution, we are encouraged not only as Government but every citizen to oblige, to respect war veterans, whether it is at their burial, engaging with them in different foras, in churches or Government. Farmers and Members of Parliament, it is important to honour those who fought for the liberation of Zimbabwe.
Government has done a lot like the National Heroes Acres and different shrines that were constructed in different places in the country where our heroes are buried. Even in Gutu, we have Kangoma, a place where war collaborators died. This area was identified by Government. It was made a heritage site for Zimbabwe’s war veterans. We have brothers who were crossing from Zambia and Mozambique, some died in Zambezi River and some in Gonarezhou National Park. Where it is known that there are war veterans who died there, we have the War Veterans Trust which goes to dig their remains and rebury them where they are supposed to be buried. Government is supporting through funding and logistics so that war veterans are repatriated and reburied properly.
What I can urge the people of Zimbabwe, is that there are many citizens who know where our war veterans died, let us disclose that information to the National Museums Department so that our war veterans can be reburied. This is not political and it is not an issue of blame shifting. There are some who are not known where they are buried and if there is a way of knowing where they are - we have spirit mediums. Even for those who went to Mt. Darwin who were identifying people and their origins, Government then funded the programme so that our war veterans are reburied properly. I want to say this is an important motion which was moved by Hon. Raidza; it is not about politics but you lost a relative and today you are in Parliament. During the imperial system, we faced these things. Now that we are independent, let us look at where our relatives are buried so that we can rebury them properly.
I am one of the people who were war collaborators and after Independence, we went to tell the relevant authorities where my brother was buried. We have provincial and district heroes, this is an attempt by Government to demonstrate that these people are very important. I can even talk about the living war veterans. There is no nation which gives every citizen what they desire but it is through passion and the desire to do what is right which prompted our Government to do this since 1980. After Independence, liberation fighters were given the demobilisation fund. It was not much but it was a way of empowering them so that they had a starting point. In 1996, there was another disbursement of money which was supposed to benefit war veterans. Government did that in its quest to make sure that war veterans were catered for. Again Government reviewed the laws of the land and through public hearings and consultations a law regarding war veterans was promulgated in such a way that it looks at the welfare of war veterans.
I have seen Government playing its part. As Zimbabweans, let us commit ourselves to respect and honour our war veterans. We need to know that if possible, they could be given a badge like the chief’s badges so that we honour them because of what they did in liberating Zimbabwe. As Parliament, let us enact laws to support our desires. We need to give Government the budget for such initiatives. We need to agree on a budget of what we desire as the representatives of the people. War veterans, war collaborators, war detainees and restrictees were there and their views were captured and as Members of Parliament, we bring such issues to Government. Let us enact such laws and support our Government.
Finally, I would like to say that I would urge the people of Zimbabwe that in everything that we do, whether in politics or economic sectors, even when we interact with war veterans, let us respect and honour them, whether they are dead or alive, they must be respected. As the august House, we are going to support Government. Let us not blame anyone but let us contribute and play our part. A lot of war veterans died. Some were harmed in different ways but citizens of Zimbabwe, especially Members of Parliament, what have we done for war veterans, war collaborators and war restrictees? We need to do good things for them. We need to make sure that they are catered for. Let us not shift blame and let us not expect it to be anyone else’s responsibility but everyone should play his or her part. I thank you.
HON. T. MLISWA: On a point of order Madam Speaker. My point of order is that it would be not proper for us to continue with the Session without congratulating Hon. Mpariwa for being appointed the Leader of Government Business of the Opposition. It was mentioned by the Speaker and it is only proper for us to congratulate her. You are very capable. You have chaired many Committees; you are experienced and have been in Government before. So, we have no doubt that you will discharge your duties properly.
To my dear colleague, Hon. Tekeshe, again for being made the Chief Whip, we would like to also congratulate you for that. Endai munotendawo midzimu yenyu mobikawo doro kuti murambe muri ipapo. Musangodzingwawo sevanhu vari kundzingwa avo. Vamwe vacho vari kudzingwa havasi kubika doro ndozvinonetsa. Endai munobika doro isu tokupai mombe, but all the best.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Madam Speaker for giving me this opportunity to add my voice to the motion by Hon. Raidza. I ask that the preamble of the Constitution be registered in the Hansard as it is, that:
‘We the people of Zimbabwe,
United in our diversity by our common desire for freedom, justice and equality, and our heroic resistance to colonialism, racism and all forms of domination and oppression,
Exalting and extolling the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives during the Chimurenga / Umvukela and national liberation struggles,
Honouring our forebears and compatriots who toiled for the progress of our country,
Recognising the need to entrench democracy, good, transparent and accountable governance and the rule of law,
Reaffirming our commitment to upholding and defending fundamental human rights and freedoms,
Acknowledging the richness of our natural resources,
Celebrating the vibrancy of our traditions and cultures,
Determined to overcome all challenges and obstacles that impede our progress,
Cherishing freedom, equality, peace, justice, tolerance, prosperity and patriotism in search of new frontiers under a common destiny,
Acknowledging the supremacy of Almighty God, in whose hands our future lies,
Resolve by the tenets of this Constitution to commit ourselves to build a united, just and prosperous nation, founded on values of transparency, equality, freedom, fairness, honesty and the dignity of hard work,
And, imploring the guidance and support of Almighty God, hereby make this Constitution and commit ourselves to it as the fundamental law of our beloved land.’
This is where it is stated that the Umvukela gets to be recognised before everything else. In the diversity of our culture, it is paramount that the war of liberation and the liberation war heroes be observed. I say this because I want it put on record that it should not be recognised partially but in totality.
Madam Speaker, I also want the supremacy of the Constitution in Section 2 to be transcribed as verbatim so that all Acts of Parliament that are ultra vires the Constitution should be repudiated to the extent of their inconsistency:
“2. Supremacy of Constitution (1) This Constitution is the supreme law of Zimbabwe and any law, practice, custom or conduct inconsistent with it is invalid to the extent of the inconsistency. (2) The obligations imposed by this Constitution are binding on every person, natural or juristic, including the State and all executive, legislative and judicial institutions and agencies of government at every level, and must be fulfilled by them.”
Hon. Togarepi has spoken about and to the issue of Section 23 of the Constitution which is also the supreme law of the land. I also ask that Section be transcribed verbatim into the Hansard so that there is a lead into exactly where I want to get to because we are a people together inasmuch as we have adopted a way of making a Constitution in the manner and way that the erstwhile colonisers taught us using the law of 1891 and also the Roman Dutch Law as fused with the English law. We are still a people that are supposed to be deep rooted in our common traditional law that speaks to and about our Africanism:
“23. Veterans of the liberation struggle (1) The State and all institutions and agencies of government at every level must accord due respect, honour and recognition to veterans of the liberation struggle, that is to say— (a) those who fought in the War of Liberation; (b) those who assisted the fighters in the War of Liberation; and (c) those who were imprisoned, detained or restricted for political reasons during the liberation struggle. (2) The State must take reasonable measures, including legislative measures, for the welfare and economic empowerment of veterans of the liberation struggle.”
Madam Speaker, having said that yours truly went to Zambia once and visited the liberation shrine and that shrine was next to Lusaka. It looked and resembled a dilapidated, deplorable, disused shrine and it was in a state of disrepair. It is my thinking that as long as we have our war shrines in the manner that they exhibited and looked; we definitely are not going to have any rain coming into our land. We are going to have a lot of ills befalling the generation that has come after our liberation war heroes.
As I have said, we are Africans first and we are human beings second. We should not ignore our culture because there is now church. If you read the letter by King Leopold II, you are going to see how the erstwhile colonisers brought religion in order to disassociate us from our culture so that they could loot using the Loot Committee the resources that we are endowed with as a community.
Madam Speaker, I am alive and sure to the situation that if we had stayed with our culture, our common laws, values and traditions, their pith and core-values, we would be much more way ahead in terms of ourselves as a nation. We are endowed with ubiquitous amount of mineral wealth. King Leopold II’s letter made sure that we were separated from our culture and also our common law because there was a lacuna and void. They saw the need to bring their culture armed with the Constitution of 1891, the Roman Dutch Law and all other laws infused with the English law so that we can go away from our culture.
Having spoken about the deplorable, dilapidated and disused state of our war shrines, I call upon us as a nation, to put aside some monies gotten from our ubiquitous amount of mineral wealth to go and spruce up those war shrines. Those war shrines are in Zambia, Botswana, Tanzania and Mozambique. Yours truly has taken the war collaborators, restrictees, detainees and war veterans of Chegutu West Constituency and commissioned them to go to war shrines in Mozambique to try and bring up a bill of quantities as to exactly what the need is for those war shrines.
It is said that as they put camp or sleep in those camps where our liberators were massacred en masse, there are voices that are heard. There is also the issue where the graves disintegrate and sometimes there is blood that is also seen in that area. I can only imagine that it is a war cry from those that lie beneath to say may you, if you cannot relocate us, at least put some semblance into the place where we lie. Yours truly is a politician of note and politics is not church by any stretch of imagination. Politics Madam Speaker Ma’am, being a game of numbers, is what brought us this independence.
Madam Speaker Ma’am, what brought us this independence was not church by any stretch of imagination. We could have prayed all we wanted but we were not going to get our country back from the erstwhile colonisers, the colonialists and the imperialists. By the way, for those who were trained to fight and repel imperialism single-handedly, they were trained in North Korea – you know what I mean by North Korea Madam Speaker Ma’am. Also Russia, you have seen what they have shown the European countries as they got amalgamated, Russia has said no.
Madam Speaker Ma’am, I say that as long as we do not recognise them, we are forsaking the values of those who went before us and brought us this country that we call Zimbabwe. Madam Speaker Ma’am, I am glad that we are going to relocate to Mt. Hampden to the new Parliament. We inherited the values of this House from the erstwhile colonisers. It is with a heavy heart that I continue to be saddened by contributing and contribution in this august House whilst I am faced with the royal ethos and values, the kingdom of the former republic. It is not right and it is not just. We need to recollect and go back to our values of pre-independence in terms of how we conduct ourselves. Yes, we can continue to wear the Pierre Cardins and such like but we should not forsake our culture. The culture that I speak to and about is the culture that was brought back by the war of liberation.
Madam Speaker Ma’am, we need to align all the Acts of Parliament to the Constitution because the Constitution attempted to recognise the war or Umvukela. It attempted to recognise the liberators of this country because some of them, as Hon. Temba Mliswa and Hon. Togarepi alluded to, some went to war without even the knowledge that they were going to come back alive, paying the ultimate sacrifice. All they are asking for is for us to spruce up the places where they lie. We have a lot who were maimed and a lot who are crippled and a lot who are going to die before their time is up.
The Bible says, a man is appointed to live threescore years and ten, yet a lot of them have died before 70 years because they wanted this country to be liberated. A lot of them are dying through ailments that they inherited because of the gases that they inhaled during the war of liberation. The shrapnels that went into their bodies and some of them still have bullets of the War of Liberation still stuck in their skulls and the doctors wonder how they can remove those bullets and still have a life for that person.
I say- there is a lot that we can do because there is a lot that has been done for us even to stand here Madam Speaker Ma’am. We are not here in Parliament because of our own choice. We are here because of the liberation war that was protracted and fought and made the erstwhile colonisers submit. They did not just give us this country on a silver platter. They were hammered to submission Madam Speaker Ma’am and I want to repeat that if it was not for these gallant sons of Zimbabwe, we would not be where we are.
Now we have one man one vote. Women were never treated like people – they were treated like children. We did not have the education that we have here today. There were a lot of Acts that were draconian that were passed pre-independence Madam Speaker Ma’am, which Acts were repealed after independence because of those who went before us and fought the protracted War of Liberation. I have such people in my constituency; Cde Chitashu, Cde Tapfuma Wunganayi – he now is in a wheelchair. He no longer has his limbs but still has zest for life.
Madam Speaker Ma’am, there is need to have a safety net for the little part of the life that they still have in them to have a health care institution that is robust, resilient, effective and efficient for them to at least live a longer life that is full of comfort. There is need to have an education system that is going to take care of those that they sired because of their conjugal rights, pro-creation and copulation – for those who have mastered the queen’s language, they would know what I am talking about and those include me.
The university that I am at, the University of Zimbabwe was the only university before independence. Now we have more than 12 universities and I say this because there was a protracted War of Liberation fought for us. It is not asking too much to recognise the graves where these people lie. It is not asking too much to have some bit of the natural resources that we have going towards the sprucing up of these places of establishment of a health care institution, of establishment of an education system and of an establishment of a water and sewer reticulation system that is second to none.
Madam Speaker Ma’am, there are three things that politicians are voted into power for. One of them is accommodation which is infrastructure development so that our people can actually know that they are now independent. The people who I speak to are the formally marginalised majority – the black majority used to stay in dormitories. In Chegutu, they came in and stayed in single-quarters in their quest to be employed at David Whitehead. David Whitehead is a former Lonrho establishment that was established by the whites. Their quest was also to work at ZMDC Mines that is Elvington Mine.
So the men would come and settle in the dormitory areas. The places that I speak to and about are such places like Hwange Colliery. There were dormitories that the husbands went from the rural place that had been established through a Land Apportionment Act parukangarahwe, pamhamhari in sandy places like Gokwe. That is where they were forsaken to until the War of Liberation was fought. Madam Speaker Ma’am, I say there is need to look into the housing infrastructure development; there is need to look into the water and sewer reticulation so that we can pacify the spirits of our war of liberators…
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Nduna, you are left with five minutes.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. There is need to have a robust, resilient, effective and efficient road network Madam Speaker Ma’am to establish communication lines. This is so that the people who lie in the graves that were caused by the War of Liberation can actually happily say now for sure, we have liberated the country that we call Dzimbadzemabwe. I ask Madam Speaker, that as we recognise these war heroes, we also applaud the Second Republic for establishing the African War Museum. In Warren Park, there is a humungous, gigantic mountain where we are going to have a museum for war of liberation and that borders on all the frontline states and the continental countries that speak to and about fighting a protracted battle and war to liberate their country’s kinsmen from the shackles of bondage.
Madam Speaker, lastly I want to say in section 72 (7) (c), there is a need to align all our Acts of Parliament to that section. It reads - the people of Zimbabwe should be enabled to assert their right to land. It was the reason why this war was fought. Right to land means right to minerals, right to self determination, right to agricultural land, right to anything that speaks to and about our nationhood.
I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity to vociferously, effectively and efficiently represent the war collaborators, the war veterans, restrictees and detainees and all those that lie in foreign land and within the borders of Zimbabwe, including the seven heroes of Chinhoyi. I thank you and I want to say, may the spirit of Nehanda arise like she said ‘Mapfupa angu achamuka’ through everyone else including myself in Chegutu West Constituency. I thank you.
*HON. MPARIWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Hon. Raidza seconded by Hon. Musikavanhu, for bringing this motion that touches on reminding the nation that there are those people who perished in the liberation war whose remains are still scattered across the country and whose relatives are still wondering about their whereabouts.
Madam Speaker, for those who watch ZBC, there is a singer, Clive Malunga who has a song titled ‘Nesango’. That song really touches me because the video of the song depicts exactly what happened during the war of liberation. Madam Speaker, we are all where we are today because of those people who fought during the liberation struggle. If it was not for those men and women who sacrificed their lives to liberate this country, we would still be under colonial rule. We should continue to remember our heroes of the liberation struggle.
In this august House, we are always talking about the welfare of the widows and orphans that were left behind by our liberation war heroes. Madam Speaker, our way of living and culture depicts who we are as a people. If you go anywhere in the world people will inquire where you come from. It is not that they want to know that you are coming from Zimbabwe but they want to know who we are as a people - our culture. If a relative passes away and we fail to locate the body and lay it to rest in a proper burial place so that future generations can visit that grave site, there is no closure to the family and the spirit of that person does not rest.
In our culture if a person dies, there are burial rights that are practiced so that the spirit of that person can rest. Where I come from, the spirit of that person then goes on to possess a relative, but if that person is not laid to rest in the proper way the spirit of the dead person instead wanders around restlessly.
This motion states that we should look for the remains of our fallen heroes and rebury them. Madam Speaker, this is a very important motion and it is our hope that we exhume the remains of our fallen heroes and rebury them in marked graves so that the spirits of these people can rest. We need to look for resources so that we can identify these remains and rebury them. Madam Speaker, we have children, relatives of those who died during the war of liberation whose lives have been affected by this. The reburial of these liberation heroes will allow them to live normal lives. I therefore am appealing to the Government that resources be put towards the reburial of these remains.
Madam Speaker, we have burial sites in different places but just burying people without identifying who they are, is wrong. If we exhume the remains and bury them properly, then there is closure. We are told in churches that we must mourn the dead and attend to the sick. This is done so that they rest in peace. There is need for a budget to repatriate the dead so that they are buried in their correct places. There are places like Guruve where people know where the dead are reburied and this is good for the sake of their family and ancestors.
We have young people who do not have peace and who are suffering because their parents were not properly buried. There should be a budget particularly for that. The relevant Ministry should be given money so that the welfare of war veterans who lie in different areas is taken care of. Even their graves should be attended to; new flowers must be put on the graves now and again because it pleases the dead. There should be traditional biras done for the deceased war veterans, this should be done after burying them properly and this is the end. There are some people who disappeared and there is no closure as their relatives are still hoping that may be one day they will come back. Sometimes you will find family members wearing what the deceased in their families used to wear. This is done so that there is closure in the family and this is what we call kuchenura in Shona. This closure sanctifies the family after even holding traditional biras to cleanse such spirits and the ancestors are happy with that because when there is closure, the issue is really closed. Those deceased will come back in the form of spirit mediums and they start to bless and protect the family because tradition has been done properly.
So, I believe that the plea that was brought to this august House should be honoured so that we gather information regarding those who did not come back so that there is a database and the issue is addressed. Before I sit down, I would like to say that I believe that this motion should be given a timeframe so that we have a specific time for addressing these issues and when we say that we completed that programme, then all families would have closure. Every one of us lost a relative during the liberation struggle, so we have a responsibility as Members of Parliament.
Let me also add that our heroes should be commended. We thank you our heroes wherever you are lying, may you help us so that we gather this information that we need for the database so that this is done in the shortest possible time. I thank you.
(v)HON. MUSHORIWA: Thank you very much Madam Speaker for affording me this opportunity to debate this motion by Hon. Raidza, seconded by Hon. Musikavanhu. In 1980 Madam Speaker, when Zimbabwe got independence, that is the year that I started doing grade 1. In 1980 up to today, we are now 42 years after independence and from 1980, this country has had one Government and that is the Government of ZANU PF. Having said that, laying the frame, I just want to state that the motion by Hon. Raidza could have been a very good motion if this motion had been moved in 1980 December or in 1981 soon after independence. For a motion like this to be moved by Hon. Raidza, a member of ZANU PF in 2022, 42 years down the line, is an indictment on the part of Government of ZANU PF. Madam Speaker, there is no reason and no justification because from 1980, we have never had a change of Government, we have had one Government and the Government whose...
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Mushoriwa, please stick to the motion.
(v)HON. MUSHORIWA: Yes it is the motion Madam Speaker. I want to bring this issue to simply say in 1980, my own relatives, we did not bury them because they perished during the war. I am simply raising this issue to simply say the comrades that perished during the struggle, some of them we know where they were buried. Some of them that were not buried are comrades that had been forgotten by some of their comrades those who are now in power and now eating forgetting that we went to war...
HON. MUDARIKWA: On a point of order Hon. Speaker.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: What is your point of order?
HON. MUDARIKWA: My point of order is the Hon. Member is not speaking to the motion, he has got a different agenda because he is trying to mislead the House. He must stick to the motion, I thank you.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Mushoriwa, please stick to the motion.
(v)HON. MUSHORIWA: Madam Speaker, the motion by Hon. Raidza is for us to urge the Government to rebury the fallen heroes and Hon. Mudarikwa is not aware that part of the debate on the motion is to look on both sides of the motion. In this respect, what I am simply saying is that 42 years down the line, some of the people that were on the battle front have perished and we do not have records of where some of the people were.
This motion could have been good if it was brought in 1981 but 42 years down the line, how many people even in this august House are freedom fighters? We now have very few freedom fighters in this august House, even in the Cabinet and when we have such a gap, it is very difficult to implement this motion that Hon. Raidza has actually put on the Order Paper. It is difficult because the memories of people and some of our parents that witnessed this struggle are no more. I once said in 1980, that is when I did my grade one and imagine right now just do a survey where you come from in various constituencies, do we still have the people that still have the information? Yes, we may have memories that at this village and this hill, we buried so and so but what about those comrades who remain unknown. The best thing in my view Madam Speaker, is to simply say it is better for this motion to have called for us to continuously build the tomb of the unknown soldiers because most of our comrades will remain unknown in other places because some of the comrades that they went to war with have since died after 1980. In this regard, I want to simply say that I could have supported this motion in 1981 if I was old enough but in 2022, Madam Speaker, I think this motion falls on the ruling party which is ZANU PF. All those comrades that lie in unmarked graves, whether it is Zimbabwe, Zambia and anywhere else, deserve an apology from their comrades that have been eating, forgetting that there are others who perished during the struggle. I thank you.
(v)*HON. MASHONGANYIKA: Thank you Madam Speaker for giving me the opportunity to contribute and support the motion which was raised by Hon. Raidza, supported by Hon. Musikavanhu. Madam Speaker, I am very grateful to the leadership of this country, the New Dispensation in this country for all the things they have done for war liberators.
If you are to look back, a lot of things have been done for these war liberators. All this was done to aid in their welfare. I think there is need to preserve the history of this country, as Government. We all have war liberators from our constituencies where we come from. I understand things may be difficult because of sanctions. As a way of preserving our history in connection with the liberation of this country, I think it is prudent that our leadership brings these people together. They should be given badges to identify them as war liberators so that wherever they go, they earn their deserved respect for the work they have done in this country. Others were not able to attain education due to various reasons. May their children and grandchildren be assisted. It is possible that the Government may assist by sending them to school so that they attain some form of education.
It was a good gesture that His Excellency had to come down to see how war veterans were living. He saw that they were suffering and something had to be done. As a way of preserving the history of the liberation war, I think it is prudent for us to include such programmes in schools so that children are able to learn. This enables people to fully understand how we came into independence as a country.
War collaborators played a vital role during the liberation struggle. They should be recognised and should be rewarded. They cannot be ignored because the role they played is vital to the independence of this country. We know that money may not be enough but the Government should continue with the programme. War collaborators should be recognised so that they benefit also for the work they did. May the leadership go and look for the elderly people who helped during the liberation struggle. They should be allowed to benefit just like those who fought the liberation struggle are benefiting from the work they did for this country. The work they did was of paramount importance to the liberation of this country. When men and women went to war, a lot of things happened. Some of the problems young women experienced during the liberation struggle as a result of menstrual cycle. Some ended up not following their menstrual cycles but that stoppage caused them never to bear children after the war. These were some of the horrible experiences faced by young girls during the war.
After independence when Government redistributed land to the Zimbabweans, it was not segregating at all. Everyone who wanted land benefitted. It is painful that some veterans of the liberation struggle failed to get that land. Therefore, we urge our Government to consider allocating land to veterans of the liberation struggle who do not have land. They are still suffering, may they be assisted in getting land. They should also be assisted with farming implements so that they can improve their livelihoods and their families will also inherit. The Government has done a lot in assisting us. We have some of us who have begged for sanctions but the Government has continued to assist us during those difficult periods.
Coming to our fallen heroes and heroines, it is my humble plea that we search for those shallow graves scattered around the country and those in other countries, Zambia or Mozambique so that they are decently reburied. Mbuya Nehanda said that ‘my bones will rise’, that is why we fought the liberation struggle and attained independence. What I am saying is, may we expedite this programme because the living who participated in the liberation struggle are dying; they are aging. May this programme be done urgently so that they benefit. Those who are living, may they be assessed by Government so that they get their benefits. Their families should assist them if they are now elderly.
For those who have passed on, some were buried at the Provincial Heroes Acre yet they deserved National Hero status…
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Mashonganyika, you are left with five minutes.
(v)*HON. MASHONGANYIKA: Thank you Madam Speaker. We need to maintain our traditions because if we managed to attain independence because of respecting our ancestors, why should we dump our traditions now. People are complaining that it is not raining properly, this is because we are not following our culture and traditions properly. Even looking at the issue of Comrades who are lying all over the place, how can we expect seasons to be normal? It is not in our culture to ignore our dead people. So we need to honour our traditions so that we receive normal rains. We have people who died and are still lying in the bushes without being accounted for.
In conclusion, I would like to say it is painful but we think- His Excellency the President who does not condone corruption – corruption is a cancer which emanates from greedy individuals. You will find those who are greedy forgetting our war veterans. My plea is, can there be a law that ensures those corrupt people who only think of themselves and their families and forget about our veterans of the liberation struggle be fined so that we get money to rebury those bones which are scattered around our country. I thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am.
(v)*HON. MUDARIKWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. Let me start by thanking Hon. Raidza for the motion. Before I proceed, I would like to convey to you that the revolutionaries’ great yields from the heroic people of Uzumba Constituency, who put up a heroic battle to destroy the British imperialism.
The significance of our struggle gets back to year 1896 during the Matabeleland- Shona uprising against British imperialism, against British hegemonies; against the destruction of our culture by our enemy. Madam Speaker, there are players in the struggle, Ambuya Nehanda played a critical role in the struggle. I want to salute His Excellency the President, Hon. Mnangagwa for the job well done. He erected the statue of Mbuya Nehanda. People are talking about it 42 years after independence but Mbuya Nehanda was killed over 100 years ago…
(v)HON. MUSHORIWA: On a point of order Madam Speaker. My point of order is that the Hon. Member, Hon. Mudarikwa should actually be clear. He does not seem to understand that President Robert Mugabe is no longer the President of Zimbabwe. Can you educate him?
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: May you continue Hon. Mudarikwa.
(v)HON. MUDARIKWA: I did not say President Robert Mugabe, I said Cde. Mnangagwa. I was about to say the lady put up a heroic battle against the British at the Shangaan battle, she has been declared post humorously from 1896 up to now, she has now been declared a national hero. That alone shows there is great work done by our Government. There is Lozikiwa Dlodlo; after the death of Lobengula she was in charge of all the warriors and put up a battle against the British. L. Dlodlo was a woman. We also want to take this opportunity Madam Speaker to salute the woman of Zimbabwe, the woman of Matabeleland for a job well done by L. Dlodlo to put up a battle and fight against the British.
Madam Speaker, it is with this respect that again I went to Matabeleland and I saw there is a school named after Dlodlo. The process of respecting our heroes is a life process, long process and it is a continuous process. The gallant fighters of Chinhoyi battle are lying there, there is a tomb of the unknown soldiers but research is taking place, they have visited their relatives. It is unfortunate that some of this information if made public, our enemies would want to use it and say Government has not helped you, Government has not done this. Our Government through the Land Reform Programme has allocated 10% of all the farms to the war veterans. We need to salute our Government for the work being doing.
There is a department in the Ministry of Home Affairs which is visiting our camps; freedom camp in Zambia and other camps in Mozambique, in Chimoio and Nyadzonya and also doing the great work of documentary. If you watch our television, there is a lot of work that is being done and our youth should know about this. They must know where the struggle emanated from. There is a proposal for the construction of the war veterans hospital, which is going to be dedicated to the injuries that occurred to our war veterans, the issue of mujibha and chimbwido which the second republic has started. They have done the initial compilation, the second thing is coming which is vetting and the third thing is giving of money to war veterans. This has not been possible because the Government is hamstrung by sanctions proposed by some of our Zimbabweans who are accidentally sitting in Parliament and yet they propose the destruction of the nation. They propose suffering of Zimbabweans and want to come to power through discontent but they will never achieve it because Zimbabweans are aware.
Madam Speaker, coming back to my constituency, Uzumba Constituency, we have built a monument at Kangara base massacre for our people who were massacred. Madam Speaker, 42 Zimbabweans were massacred at Kangara and up to now we are still developing the monument. We also have Katiyo base massacre where nine girls were massacred by the Rhodesian regime, the oldest was 17 years. This alone shows that through those institutions we are able to educate our people to understand the evils of imperialism. Our contribution to the struggle as the people of Uzumba remains heroic. We are a niche above most of the people. We had a person who sang sendekera mukoma chakanyuka, his name is Zvichakutambudzai Gawaza. It is our humble wish and submission that Cde. Gawaza be declared a national hero. At the present moment, he is lying at his home village in Uzumba Constituency.
Madam Speaker, the mover of this motion creates a process of reminding people, it is a rejuvenation of the devolution, a rejuvenation of our struggle to continuously remind our people on the importance of the struggle.
Turning to the mechanisation programme, some of the people also benefited, they got tractors and now the Second Republic has moved to a state where they are giving cattle to people who inherited nothing because all our cattle were looted by the loot committee, which was organized by the British settlers but the Government is doing its best. It is giving back cattle to people free of charge and that alone is a revolutionary process to remind people of the evils of the British colonialism, the evils that made us poor. The only thing I inherited from my forefathers were two spares and axes. Their cattle were robbed and we were displaced from Chishawasha to Uzumba where we are today.
Madam Speaker, there are people who do not understand the process of the revolution because the knowledge of some of them is shallow. They want to continue blaming the Government that sent them to school, the Government that made them create an opposition party and the Government that created a situation of a level playing field. They think they will win by waffling things that do not relate to the revolution.
Madam Speaker, let me take this opportunity to thank you. You are the wife of the late Cde B. Gezi whom I worked with in Mashonaland Central. That process is critical, it is a continuous process that the wife of our hero is now the Deputy Speaker. That is the achievement of our struggle, our struggle is not lost, it is looking back at the descendants of our heroes. With these few words Madam Speaker, let me take this opportunity to thank you for allowing me to make a contribution.
HON. GEN. BRIG. (RTD.) MAYIHLOME: Thank you Madam Speaker, for allowing me to add my voice to the motion raised by Hon. Raidza and seconded by Hon. Musikavanhu. We have three or four areas of emphasis. I think most of the Hon. Members have touched on the matters that I wanted to touch on. I would not have done justice to the people who were there in the liberation struggle, who lived through the difficulties and saw our brothers and sisters fall to let this debate go without me saying a word.
Madam Speaker, I know the Government has made a lot of progress in trying to rehabilitate or recognise veterans of the liberation struggle particularly those lying in unknown graves. There is a tendency to put emphasis on Zambia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe forgetting Tanzania, Angola also lies several of our cadres who perished during the liberation struggle, particularly from the ZIPRA side. It is also very pertinent to point out here that, while monuments and shrines have been constructed around the country and in Mozambique and Zambia, their maintenance leaves a lot to be desired. If you compare the monuments in Mozambique and Zambia or even those nationally to what we see at the Africa Museum for Liberation at Warren Hills, then you see the difference and that really gives the perception to our fellow freedom fighters or their families that perhaps those still lying in mass graves or unmarked graves are not recognised as people who really contributed.
We are here today or standing here as Members of Parliament because of the sweat and blood of those dedicated young Zimbabweans who gave it all, the ultimate sacrifice for the liberation of this country. I do not see any problem in creating or constructing even monuments, not necessarily where these fellow freedom fighters are buried but you go to Harare Park today, Harare Gardens, Bulawayo Centenary Park, you should find monuments with names of the people who participated in the liberation struggle.
In our case, those names are still unknown and those monuments are non-existent. You go to various centres around the country, you find there are the moth havens which were referred to as Members of the Tin Helmets, which were members of the junior ranks who participated in the First and Second World Wars. We do not have such things in this country and yet we could easily erect such monuments in our parks so that the nation or even the people know the names and the contributions of the individuals who participated in the liberation struggles.
It would also help even the families to have full closure of what their relatives went through. Some, even I, as a person who was there during the liberation struggle, knew where people lied in particular graves and it is very difficult to come to terms with when you look at yourself in the mirror and think that up to now, we have not recognised them.
It also brings me to the point of recognition in terms of the benefits for the veterans of the liberation struggle. Yes, the Veterans of the Liberation Struggle Act has been gazetted and we are looking at the vetting of other categories of veterans of the liberation struggle but it is taking too long to implement some of these benefits that are expected to be given to the veterans of the liberation struggle. People are still dying and the families need closure but it is taking too long.
Related to that Madam Speaker Ma’am, we have situations where other members of the liberation struggle, particularly on the ZIPRA side, are living in abject poverty when their properties have still not been surrendered to them, It is my hope that this issue will be taken very seriously and the Government should consider relinquishing these properties, some of which are with individuals, and others being run by State agencies so that at least they can alleviate their welfare.
The other issue is of the legacy of the liberation struggle. I am glad that Hon. Mudarikwa fully recognises that the liberation struggle started in the 1890s. From where we come from Madam Speaker Ma’am, particularly in Mzingwane Constituency, we have a rich history of the liberation struggle starting from the 1890s at Kadadi and we have areas like Shangani and Phuphu in Matebeleland North that are hardly mentioned even in our history. It is my clarion call that even the spirit mediums who participated in the liberation of this country like Ginyamathe and Makwathi-Ncube and Tengela, are also recognised as prominent individuals that did similar fits like Mbuya Nehanda in this Northern part of the country.
We have several battles which were fought in the 1890s, such as Phupu, Kadadi, Shangani, and even the final conference, the Nasha Mkondo Conference that took place in the Matopos in my Constituency but are not fully recognised in history. It is my plea that perhaps the relevant Ministries or Government agencies should consider the rewriting of the history so that what is taught in this country is clearly the history that represents the people who participated. As such, even our media houses do not seem to have the full story of what really happened in this country. I want to make this call that the media should know that the war was fought by so many people in this country and they must reach out and find out what really happened.
Finally Madam Speaker Ma’am, I am glad to mention that the department of National Archives is embarking on the writing of the oral history but we are saying, it has taken too long for that oral history to be written. We hope that they will cover every corner of the country and reach out to people who still know and can still remember, otherwise as a nation, we lose a very rich legacy and all that is known by those who are still alive. It is my plea that when they come to this august House looking for more resources to write this history, correctly this time, at least the full story will be known. I want to encourage the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage to relinquish the responsibility of museums and the liberation shrines to the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans. I think that will make it easier now for the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans to be able to administer everything that is associated with the liberation struggle. As such, issues like the war victims compensation and payment of benefits will be adequately catered for. I thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am.
(v)*HON. NYAMUDEZA: Thank you Madam Speaker for giving me this opportunity. I want to thank the mover of the motion, Hon. Raidza and the Seconder. The issue that is before us is important but I see that Hon. Mliswa wants this to be dealt with. I want to thank Father Nkomo for his contribution to the national struggle in 1956. He started the liberation war struggle before all the liberators joined the war. In 1957, Reverend Ndabaningi Sithole gave a lecture in Ghana and Ghana got its independence. In 1958, Ndabaningi Sithole also did a lot of work but that is not recognised. After sitting down with Cde. Morton Malianga, Cde. Enos Nkala, Cde. Robert Mugabe, Cde. Tekere and Cde. Takawira,that is when they decided to leave ZAPU and came up with the liberation struggle. They went to seek divine intervention from spirit mediums in Matopo. They were asked whether they were brave to start the liberation struggle. That is when he consulted the father to Munacho Mutezo and others. Why this white man was killed is because he wanted to take his blood. They went to China and trained and they went to Tanzania and made sure the liberators crossed the border to go and train.
He is the first President of ZANU but he is not mentioned. So there are people who worked hard and we need to respect them. We should respect the chiefs who supported the liberation struggle. In 1998, the war veterans saw that they were not getting anything after the liberation struggle. They were not getting what we fought for and they demonstrated in Chipinge being led by Cde. Hunzvi and they were very successful in this demonstration. The war veterans got Z$50 000 as packages.
The reason for all the trouble was because we did not appease our ancestors after the liberation struggle. What we agreed to say is that collaborators were on the same level as the war veterans. I think there is a problem there. A war veteran was trained and war collaborators were not trained. All they heard was information as war collaborators. I think we are laughing at our ancestors when we equate a war collaborator to a war veteran. This is why we are seeing things not moving well. A comrade is a trained someone...
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Nyamudeza.
HON. TOGAREPI: On a point of order Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, the Hon. Member should just stick to the debate related to the motion raised by Hon. Raidza. I think for him to go into the area of comparison between the freedom fighters – they fought one war for the same cause, they died for the same cause and for him to belittle any of the sections of the veterans of the liberation struggle is unfortunate. I do not think this is the subject of this debate. I thank you.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Nyamudeza, please stick to the motion.
(v)*HON. NYAMUDEZA: This is where we need clarification for the history of this country to have things moving smoothly. I was a war collaborator but I never held a rifle in my hands. Let us respect those who worked hard during the liberation struggle. We are left with a few comrades in this country and they need to be respected - some of them do not even have farms. Soldiers from the Smith regime who fought during World War 1 were given farms. We are moving willy-nilly as people but a Comrade who fought for the liberation struggle does not have a farm.
I am in agreement with Hon. Mayihlome to say our history should properly be written down. We only have Hon. Rugare Gumbo, the only one from Dare reChimurenga High Command. Let us go and consult Comrade Rugare Gumbo if you want to fully understand the liberation struggle. He will explain to us in detail what happened so that we take action and put to rest the spirits and bones of those who passed on during the liberation struggle. Right now those settled comrades are being resettled because we are paving way for mining. We should rectify such scenarios.
Hon. Muchinguri is fully aware that we have Mbuya Nyakopa in Chipinge who worked very hard during the liberation struggle. We might have delayed but there is no problem and that cannot be rectified. We need to honour those who worked hard during the liberation struggle. All the comrades had guns in their hands. Thank you very much.
*HON. TEKESHE: Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to support the motion raised by Hon. Raidza, seconded by Hon. Musikavanhu. I think a lot has already been said. I have a message from the war veterans and I have been given the opportunity to say it now...
*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Why did you not talk about this all this time?
*HON. TEKESHE: When we were burying one of the district war heroes in Makoni, the war veterans had concerns that they were given coffins and other things but their concern is that we honour them when they are dead but whilst they are living, we do not look into their welfare as they are struggling to survive. So in support of this motion, I wish there was a motion that would look into the lives of the living war veterans because it is not easy living a life of poverty. So a law should be put in place to see how war veterans should be considered and the contribution that they made. They should be able to access medical care centres such as Parirenyatwa and not to be at the mercy of people. Look at what happened to war veterans who fought World War 1 and World War 2, they are properly catered for and I know one of the war veterans who lived here in Zimbabwe yet he was British but he got his pensions. The war veterans are raising concerns and I know it is an issue that has been delayed but it is better late than never. I am happy that the Ninth Parliament has realised the need for us to recognise our war veterans.
The war veterans should have a decent living because they fought the liberation struggle. I am happy with what the Chief Whip said that we need to be united on this cause because the war veterans fought for the liberation of everyone. For me to be standing before you, it is because of the war veterans. Had they not sacrificed their lives, we would not be having Africans in this House. There should be a law that covers the war veterans and those who are still living should have a decent living for the remaining years.
HON. RAIDZA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. TEKESHE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 23rd February, 2022.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. TOGAREPI: I move that we revert to Order of the Day, Number 18 on today’s Order Paper.
HON. TEKESHE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE DELEGATION OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC WORKS, NATIONAL HOUSING AND SOCIAL AMENITIES ON A BENCHMARKING VISIT TO KENYAN PARLIAMENT
HON. CHIKUKWA: I move the motion standing in my name that this House takes note of the Report of the Delegation of the Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works, National Housing and Social Amenities to Kenyan Parliament on a benchmarking visit on implementation of devolution.
HON. O. SIBANDA: I second.
HON CHIKUKWA:
- Introduction
1.1 A delegation of the Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works, National Housing and Social Amenities comprising of Hon. Chikukwa, Hon. Chidakwa, Hon. Markham, Hon. Raidza and Hon. O. Sibanda and Ms. Macheza conducted a benchmarking visit to the Parliament of Kenya from 17 to 23 October 2021 on the implementation of devolution. The visit was part of capacity building for the Committee as it strives to understand the implications of devolution. The benchmarking visit was very fruitful as the delegation was able to achieve its main objectives.
2.0 Objectives of the study visit
The objectives of the benchmarking visit to the Parliament of Kenya were specifically aimed at achieving the following:
2.1 To familiarise with the pros and cons of devolution in Kenya with a view to recommending best practice in the implementation of devolution in Zimbabwe;
2.2 To accord Members of the Committee an opportunity to discuss with their counterpart Committee and relevant stakeholders the legal impediments and enablers towards empowering the lower tiers of government and the role that can be played by Parliament; and
- To appreciate challenges faced during the implementation of
devolution.
- Contextual background
3.1 Zimbabwe and Kenya share a common history where both countries were once colonised by Britain, hence inherited a similar parliamentary system of governance. Both parliaments are bicameral in nature, comprising of the National Assembly and the Senate. Kenya and Zimbabwe underwent some strong constitutional reforms in 2010 and 2013 respectively, leading to the enactment of laws aimed at strengthening the role of Parliament.
3.2 The issue of devolution seems to be identical in the Constitutions of the two nations. The Constitution of Kenya devolved power and responsibilities from the national government to 47 elected county governments. Zimbabwe on the other hand has also devolved power from the national government to provincial and district councils.
4.0 Summary of the Programme of the Delegation
4.1 The delegation made a courtesy call to Mr. M. Siali, the Clerk of Parliament of Kenya who gave an overview of the structure of Parliament of Kenya. He explained that Kenya Parliament had two Houses, the Senate (upper house) and the National Assembly (lower house). The two Houses’ political heads are both called Speakers. The National Assembly had 290 members elected from constituencies, 47 women each elected from the counties and 12 members nominated by parliamentary political parties and the Speaker who is an ex officio member. The Senate had 47 members each elected from a county, 16 women members nominated by political parties two members (a man and woman) representing the youth, two members (a man and woman) representing people with disabilities and the Speaker who is an ex officio member.
4.2 The Committee had an opportunity to meet with the Senate Standing Committee on Devolution and Inter-Governmental Relations. The delegation learnt that the Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations was established pursuant to Senate Standing Order 218. The Committee is mandated to consider all matters relating to devolution, intergovernmental and inter-county relations, governance and management of county governments, cities, town and urban areas.
4.3 The delegation attended the Senate sitting where the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Devolution invited through the Speaker, the delegation to attend the national conference which was scheduled from 23 to 26 November 2021. The Chairperson, Hon. Chikukwa attended the conference and was a guest speaker. The conference was meant to enable the delegation to further enhance its understanding of the pros and cons of devolution in Kenya.
4.4 The delegation also met with the Departmental Committee on Transport, Public Works and Housing and observed the meeting’s proceedings. The delegation observed that the meeting was conducted the same way we conduct our Committee meetings. A familiarization visit to the Nairobi County was conducted and the delegation received a brief from the Administrator of the County on the impact of devolution system in Kenya.
5.0 Findings
5.1 Until the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya in 2010, Kenya was divided into eight provinces. Article 6 of the 2010 Kenya Constitution then established forty-seven counties as the units of devolved government. Each county has a County Executive headed by a County Governor elected directly by the people and a county assembly elected with representatives from wards within the county. County Governors have autonomy and liberty to govern their counties. Devolution was introduced and resources were shared from the National Government to the 47 counties which in Zimbabwe’s scenario can be equivalent to the ninety two local authorities. Zimbabwe, on the other hand, still maintains the system of ten provinces even after implementation of devolution. Kenya is a unitary State like Zimbabwe.
5.2 It was explained to the delegation that the Constitution of Kenya provides that at least 15% of the Kenya’s National Budget should go to the counties but the Government of Kenya has been allocating between 22-30%. In Zimbabwe, the Constitution provides that at least 5% of the national revenue should be allocated to provincial and metropolitan provinces and government has not exceeded the 5%. In Kenya, there were other resources besides devolution funds that were allocated to counties such as National Constituency Development Fund from the National Government. Such funds are meant to help disadvantaged groups. Devolution funds allocated to counties were guaranteed and there was no deviation as a matter of principle. The disbursement of devolution funds to counties were not affected by effects of COVID-19 pandemic or any other natural disasters.
5.3 In Kenya, devolution funds were channelled towards development such as building schools, health facilities, roads and business centres. Devolution funds sometimes were also used for recurrent expenditure. The same scenario applies in Zimbabwe where devolution funds are mainly channelled towards developmental projects but not recurrent.
5.4 Counties could make their laws but the National Government laws take precedent. It was explained to the delegation that this scenario was causing a challenge of conflicting laws in terms of taxes as each county can come up with its own taxes. It was then suggested that there be a unified law for all counties to solve the issue of conflicting laws by counties.
5.5 There was debate was on the government structures of Kenya, whether the many structures were really necessary. There was overlap of functions resulting in the many government structures duplicating roles. The delegation learnt from the Clerk of Kenya Parliament that there were some debates pertaining to the number of counties, some arguing that they were too many and were a waste of resources while some argued it was a noble cause.
5.6 Public participation is a requirement in the Constitution of Kenya and very critical when utilising devolution funds. In Kenya, Members of Parliament are allocated National Constituency Development Funds (which is equivalent to Zimbabwe’s Constituency Development Fund) for implementing development projects in the constituencies and were also expected to consult the members of the public. Both County Governors and Members of Parliament were obliged to provide evidence of such consultations on every project undertaken and to account for devolution funds and National Constituency Development Funds respectively.
5.7 The delegation was informed that devolution was one among several forms of decentralisation in Kenya. The 2010 Constitution of Kenya centered on the need for a devolved structure that would ensure the decentralisation of power and resources. The objects of devolution were set out under Article 174 of the Kenya Constitution as follows:
- i) promote democratic and accountable exercise of power;
- ii) foster national unity by recognising diversity;
iii) give powers of self-governance to the people and enhance the participation of the people in the exercise of the powers of the State and in making decisions affecting them;
- iv) recognise the right of communities to manage their own affairs and to further their development;
- v) protect and promote the interests and rights of minorities and marginalised communities;
- vi) promote social and economic development and the provision of proximate, easily accessible services throughout Kenya;
vii) ensure equitable sharing of national and local resources throughout Kenya;
viii) facilitate the decentralisation of State organs, their functions and services from the capital of Kenya; and
- ix) enhance checks and balances and the separation of powers.
5.8 Article 175 of the Constitution of Kenya states that county governments shall reflect the following principles:
- County governments shall be based on democratic principles and the separation of powers;
- County governments shall have reliable sources of revenue to enable them to govern and deliver services effectively; and
- No more than two-thirds of the members of representative bodies in each county government shall be of the same gender.
5.9 Kenya’s devolved structure was provided for in the 2010 Constitution of Kenya and was operationalised by the following nine pieces of legislation among others:
- County Governments Act, No. 17 of 2012
- The Transition to Devolved Government Act of 2012
- The Urban Areas and Cities Act of 2011
- The Public Finance Management Act of 2012
- Inter-governmental Relations Act No. 2 of 2012
- County Assemblies Powers and Privileges Act, No. 6 of 2017
- County Assembly Services Act, No. 24 of 2017
- National Government Coordination Act No. 1 of 2013
- Public Appointments (County Assemblies Approval) Act,
No. 5 of 2017.
5.10 Zimbabwe is yet to come up with relevant pieces of legislation to support the devolution agenda since its introduction in the 2013 Constitution despite the gazetting of the Provincial Councils and Administration Bill on 31 March 2020 but was yet to be passed into an Act.
5.11 The delegation was also told that the roles of Senate as the custodian of devolution were stipulated in Article 96 of the Constitution of Kenya as follows:
- The Senate represents the counties and serves to protect the interests of the counties and their governments.
- he Senate participates in the law making function of Parliament by considering, debating and approving Bills concerning counties, as provided in Articles 109 to 113.
- The Senate determines the allocation of national revenue among counties, as provided in Articles 217 and exercises oversight over national revenue allocated to the county governments.
- The Senate participates in the oversight of State officers by considering and determining any resolution to remove the President of Deputy President from office in accordance with Article 145.
5.12 Zimbabwe Constitution does not provide such provisions for Parliament of Zimbabwe or the Committee responsible for oversight over the Ministry or provincial and metropolitan provinces.
5.13 The delegation learnt that the Senate in Kenya protects the devolution by setting standards for devolved governments through legislation and scrutinises National Government policies to ensure that they cater for the interests of counties. Senate also plays an oversight role over the national government to ensure that adequate resources were allocated to county governments and monitor the use of such resources. Additionally, the Senate has a role to impeach/remove from office county governors for any misconduct where such a motion is submitted by a county assembly and approved by the Senate.
5.14 The Senate also scrutinises the Budget Policy Statement, considers and passes Division of Revenue Bills (vertical allocation) and County Allocation of Revenue Bill (horizontal allocation) while ensuring adequate allocation of resources to county governments.
5.15 It was explained that Senate represents the counties and protects their interests since Senators were elected from a bigger geographical territory, which means Senators represent diverse constituencies and people of different ethnicities and backgrounds, thus providing a political outlet to those outnumbered.
5.16 While in Kenya, the Senate is the custodian of the devolution process yet in Zimbabwe there is no specific House assigned to deal with issues of devolution. The Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works, National Housing and Social Amenities does oversight role on the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works which is responsible for implementation of devolution. Kenya has a Ministry of Devolution which draws its mandate from Articles 6, 10 and 11 of the Constitution of Kenya, the Executive Order No. 1 of June 2018 (Revised) and the various Acts under which devolution is implemented. The Ministry of Devolution in Kenya is mandated to manage the process of implementation of the devolved system of government.
6.0 Successes of the Devolution in Kenya
The delegation was informed by the Senate Committee on Devolution and the Administrator of Nairobi County the following successes of devolution in Kenya:
6.1 The devolution of powers and resources ensured that power and resources from the centre were transferred to autonomous devolved units across the Kenya. These powers and resources enable communities to set their priorities and development objectives at the county level.
6.2 Devolution brought with it access to service delivery. The communities were enjoying efficient service delivery since the implementation of devolution in Kenya considering that government services were brought closer to the people.
6.3 There was an entrenched equity and inclusiveness in development and access to services. The transfer of resources to the devolved units in a fair and equitable manner ensures that previously neglected areas in the county would receive resources for development and provision of essential services.
6.4 Devolution in Kenya has enhanced good governance by incorporating vertical separation of powers and increasing on checks and balances. The division of powers and functions between the county and national governments further enhances accountability through checks and balances so as to guard against abuse of power in either sphere.
6.5 The devolution of power and resources enabled the Kenyans to participate effectively in county governance and thus enhance their perception of political inclusion, the lack of which had led to conflict. Devolution had increased political space especially at the local level.
6.6 Finally devolution came with successes in that rural counties were now boasting of good roads, more hospitals and development.
7.0 Challenges encountered during implementation of devolution
7.1 The delegation learnt that the devolved system in Kenya however came with its own resource challenges. Devolution introduced a new level of government which required a lot of resources to set up new infrastructure and an increase on the public wage bill. Additionally, revenue sharing between the two levels of government is a divisive issue since counties were entitled by law to receive not less than 15% of the national revenue. The guaranteed share was regarded too low for the devolved functions. It was explained that the Kenya Constitution provides maximum threshold to which the county governments can impose on additional taxes. It was noted that one of the areas of improvement in the Kenyan context was the need for alternative options to finance county governments so that they can fund their budgets instead of heavily relying on the national government.
7.2 The devolved system also created duplication of roles as during the transition process there was lack of clear defined structures, processes, guidelines or role clarity. One of the solutions to these challenges was to have a Devolution Policy which would guide the unbundling exercise and proper assignment of duties. The exercise required a lot of cooperation and consultation between national and county governments.
7.3 There were fears that devolution may lead to exclusion of some regions in terms of development and infrastructure. Thus, the allocation of funds and the provision of schools and hospitals might be unevenly distributed and ill equipped in some areas compared to others. As a result, Kenya established a Commission of Revenue Allocation which came up with a Marginalisation Policy and recommended a highly consultative Revenue Sharing Formula which was passed by the Senate in 2020.
7.4 Another challenge was that some counties such as Nairobi, Nakuru and Mombasa had already better infrastructure and public utilities as well as opportunities for employment and investment before devolution compared to counties in the Northern Part of Kenya. Such a scenario was addressed through the revenue sharing formula that ensures marginalisation and poor communities are considered and under developed counties are able to receive more resource support.
7.5 Lack of capacity to facilitate service delivery by some counties was mentioned as another challenge being faced in the implementation of devolution in Kenya. Despite efforts to address the capacity needs of the counties, it was highlighted that skills gaps still existed in the public service. This was attributed to the lack of a coordinated manner in which functions were transferred.
7.6 The other challenge was lack of strong intergovernmental relations mechanism between the two levels of Government. It was however, highlighted that there had been efforts through consultations with the National Government to second skilled personnel especially in the medical field. County Public Service Boards were also put in place to ensure counties have qualified human resource to ensure effective service delivery.
7.7 The delegation learnt that there were challenges pertaining to accountability at the county level. The Auditor General’s reports revealed non-compliance to relevant laws by most County Executives and non-adherence to budgets and irregular procurement processes. This has resulted in various impeachment motions being brought to the Senate by County Assemblies, some of which have been successful.
7.8 The counties’ lack of capacity to manage finances sometimes resulting in new governors incurring outstanding bills from the previous governor’s term of office and the latter refusing to take over the bills.
8.0 Legal Impediments and Enablers towards empowering the lower tiers of Government and the role that Parliament can play
8.1 The Senate Committee on Devolution highlighted that there were also some legal impediments in the implementation process. The Senate had to come up with the Third Basis of the Revenue Sharing Formula which ensured increased allocation to the counties by the government. The Senate emphasised the need for allocating adequate resources from the national government to counties to enable counties to perform their functions. The County Executive and the County Assembly have distinct mandates provided for in the Constitution. Parliament has also sought to strengthen the capacity of County Assemblies through ensuring that resources are allocated to them and that they have financial autonomy from the Executive.
8.2 It was further explained that County Assemblies have the mandate to ensure accountability at the county level. Parliament of Kenya established the Centre for Parliamentary Studies and Training which offers training to Members of County Assemblies and staff. This was meant to build capacity of County Assemblies.
8.3 There is also a Legislative Summit which is a national conference aimed at promoting positive engagement between the Senate and County Assemblies and their staff as well as other institutions relevant to devolution including constitutional offices, development partners, the private sector, civil society, media and technocrats from the public service.
8.4 Additionally, the Senate County Liaison Office was created to coordinate capacity development in the form of exposure at Parliament for County Assembly staff.
9.0 Legal Challenges faced during the implementation of devolution
The Senate Committee on Devolution mentioned the following legal challenges that were faced during the implementation of devolution agenda in Kenya:
9.1 There was some conflict on the role of Senate and the National Assembly when Senate was excluded from debating and passing the Division of Revenue Bill. The National Assembly had debated and passed the Division of the Revenue Bill and sent it for assent to the President without referring the same to the Senate. The Senate took the issue to the Supreme Court which ruled that the Division of Revenue Bill affected counties and as such, the Senate should debate and vote on the Bill.
9.2 The other challenge cited was lack of concurrence between the National Assembly and the Senate on Bills that deal with County Government. Article 110 (3) of the Kenya Constitution requires concurrence on Bills between the Speakers of the National Assembly and Senate on Bills that concern counties. The delegation was informed that the Senate filed a petition in 2019 in the High Court seeking that the twenty-eight Acts of Parliament that were passed by the National Assembly without Senate concurrence be declared unconstitutional, null and void for non-compliance with the legislative process as set out in the Constitution. The High Court’s judgement declared that twenty-three of Acts were indeed unconstitutional, null and void due to lack of concurrence with the Senate.
9.3 While the Senate has the mandate to scrutinise the Budget Policy Statement and allocate national revenue to county governments, one of the gaps in the law had been the lack of a structured interaction between Senators and their respective county governments on division of revenue and allocation of county revenue. A proposal was made to establish a framework on consultation on the budget making process.
10.0 Observations
10.1 The delegation observed that Kenya’s devolved counties can introduce own taxes to complement devolution funds. In that way, the counties have more avenues to raise funds for developing their communities. In Zimbabwe, local authorities collect revenue in the form of rates and user fees besides the 5% constitutional provision from the National Budget.
10.2 The Committee noted that devolution funds allocated to counties were guaranteed. This enables counties to plan their projects knowing that the promised funds will be disbursed and knowing the exact amounts. It would help if devolution funds to be disbursed were guaranteed in our situation and the allocations were disclosed in advance to enable provincial and metropolitan councils to plan in advance.
10.3 Kenya’s devolved system was operationalised by nine Acts of Parliament in an effort to correct any gaps or flaws in the system. Zimbabwe is yet to come up with legislation to operationalise devolution.
10.4 The Constitution of Kenya provides that public consultations are a must by county governments on devolution projects. In Zimbabwe, there is an outcry that local authorities were not consulting members of the public on projects undertaken using devolution funds.
10.5 The Committee noted that the county governments in Kenya also lack the requisite skills in terms of implementation of major devolution projects and accounting for utilisation of devolution funds. Zimbabwe should not take it for granted that local authorities have capacity to implement devolution projects without building the requisite capacity.
11.0 Recommendations
11.1 In terms of accountability and transparency in the implementation of devolution in Zimbabwe, there is need to come up with relevant pieces of legislation that will operationalise the devolution agenda by March 2022.
11.2 The Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works, National Housing and Social Amenities must be involved in coming up with revenue sharing formula to ensure equitable distribution of resources to all provincial councils by June 2022.
11.3 The 5% of the national revenues raised in any financial year must be reviewed upwards to 10% to enable meaning development in the communities in the 2023 National Budget and devolution funds must be guaranteed.
11.4 Two more benchmark visits to South Africa and China should be conducted for comparison purposes and to come up with best practices by December 2022.
11.5 The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works should put in place effective mechanisms for monitoring utilisation of devolution funds and follow up visits are needed to devolution by June 2022.
11.6 The Public Finance Management Act must be reviewed to include a provision that will criminalise those who abuse devolution funds by June 2022.
11.7 The proposed Provincial Councils and Administration Amendment Bill should include a mandatory provision for local authorities to consult members of the public whenever undertaking devolution projects by March 2022.
11.8 There is need to capacitate all local authorities on the utilisation of devolution funds and how to report on the same by March 2022.
12.0 Conclusion
12.1 The Committee would like to express its sincere gratitude for the opportunity to learn the experiences of Kenya in the implementation of devolution. Such experiences are commendable as they are an eye opener to the Members of the Committee and are of benefit in terms of benchmarking ourselves against what other nations are doing. As a Committee, we are yet to visit other countries so that we can compare. I thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am.
HON. O. SIBANDA: Thank you very much Madam Speaker Ma’am. I rise to support what Hon. Chikukwa has just said. It is a very good report and well prepared. I am going to dwell on some of the things that I saw as one of the delegates on a Study Visit to Kenya.
When we arrived in Kenya, we realised that, we operate almost the same way as Kenya. The Parliament of Kenya has an Upper House which is the Senate, the National Assembly and also 47 different counties headed by governors. Unlike in our situation whereby we have districts and provinces. In Kenya. They used to have about eight provinces which were divided into eight counties for ease of management of devolution.
So on this devolution, the Senate of Kenya is in charge of devolution. They have got an extending committee called the Devolution Committee. This visit was part of a capacity building to the delegation and the Committee observed quite a number of things in the Parliament of Kenya such as how they operate, how they do their things and how devolution funds are distributed to various counties. It is only the Senate which sits down and decides how much goes to the counties and this is calculated at the rate of 5% for the national budget but when being implemented, the government pushes it up to about 30% being given to different counties. This makes it easy for the counties to operate in terms of resources and this money given to various counties is distributed immediately after the passing of the budget making it easy for the counties to operate.
The people who are in charge of the counties are the governors and their executive committee. As said before, Madam Speaker, the Senate does the evaluation of the counties operations in terms of devolution funds. We realised that there is people participation. The counties are encouraged to talk to people before they present their budget in the national budget to be used in their various counties.
Our objectives were to get an insight of the operations of the Kenyan Parliament. Devolution counties and the Senate make the development of various counties. While Kenya has counties, we have provinces. Counties make it easy to reach to the targeted beneficiaries on devolution starting with the lowest tiers of various constituencies. The difference between us and Kenya is only the terrain. The terrain of Kenya and the terrain of Zimbabwe are a little bit different. In terms of implementation, Kenya suffers the same way we suffer because of the terrain and geographical positioning of each county as compared to our districts. Some of our districts are covered in mountainous areas so when it comes to the allocation of these funds, the Senate has to go and put a research of how we do it.
Also, Madam Speaker, there is a ministry which is there in Kenya which deals purely and specifically with devolution. It is called the Ministry of Devolution. This Ministry does the monitoring and evaluation of monies distributed to various counties around the country. They are the ones who tell the Senate of the performance of various counties. The Transport Ministry also houses public housing where we had some interest as a Committee. We had to see how this Transport Ministry, the Ministry of Devolution and also the Standing Committee on Devolution which is chaired by Senate function. We realised that the Senate plays a bigger role than the Lower House in terms of implementation of various country projects. Senate passes laws. It does almost everything ahead of the Lower House. We realised that at one point, the Lower House passed a Bill which forced the Senate to go to court and argue and say you had no jurisdiction to pass that law and the Supreme Court awarded the verdict in favour of the Senate, meaning that the Senate is supreme in Kenya. We have realised that our Senate compared to the Kenyan Senate does not do as much as the Kenyan Senate. Kenyan Senate is actually running the show in the governance of Kenya.
Another fund which is given to the county is the National Constituency Development Fund. They boosted their coffers through this money outside the national budget. It is added to various counties. Also Madam Speaker, the MPs there are given CDF over and above the County Constituency Development Fund. So this means that there is quite a bit of money in terms of implementation of development projects in the counties.
Development of schools, roads, dams, irrigation and so forth is made easy because of quick availability of funds which are released by the Government to various counties as compared to us whereby you are told that you have got so much but it does not come in time. Counties make their own law and they must be in concurrence with the laws of the Senate and the laws of other counties. Long back, they used to say each county can make its own laws, but later on they realised that these laws ended up conflicting each other. So now they are saying laws must be made uniform within all the counties so that they speak with one voice in terms of the law.
What we realised again is that the Government workforce is bloated because of these 47 counties instead of eight provinces before where the various ministry departments were fewer. Now they have got more employees than before. So this consumes a lot of money in terms of worker’s welfare and salaries, you name it. So they have got a bloated Government structure.
In Zimbabwe the implementation of devolution is not yet complete as compared to Kenya. It is in its infancy in that the Bill on devolution is not yet passed. So as a result, even if you go to our various districts, provinces, the money is issued to all the councils both rural and urban but accountability there, we do not have checks and balances as compared to the Ministry of Devolution in Kenya which does the monitoring and evaluation of all inputs in terms of money to the counties. Here we just throw money to the councils, we just throw money and nobody goes to do the monitoring and evaluation to see whether a project was done to the best of the ability of the contractor. We are not seeing that so there is urgent need to pass this Bill so that we have the checks and balances.
Also the Senate also has got the power to impeach a non- performing county governor in the counties. It is their duty. That is why I am saying Senate is effectively used in Kenya. So if you compare with our Zimbabwe Senate, you realise that our Senate is not as busy as Kenya’s.
The Public Finance Committee here in Zimbabwe should be given enough powers to criminalise those who fail to use devolution funds properly. Those who misuse devolution funds, this Committee must be able to go and reign them in. What we realised also is that the Kenyan MPs are well kept in terms of devolution, CDF and their salaries. They earn quite higher salaries than us. They have got constituency offices whereby they employ researchers, clerks, you name it, for the MPs. An MP is somebody who is very important in Kenya as compared to here where we see ourselves a little bit on the lower side. We need to raise the bar for the MPs. That is what we want.
We also realise that their CDF comes timeously and therefore they easily can implement the projects which they are supposed to do. As we go, Madam Speaker, we need to do quite a number of bench- marking visits so that we bring them to our Parliament and we make sure that we raise the bar for our Parliament, using what we see in various counties. At one point, our Chairman was invited to Kenya again to go and speak during their National Day on Local Governance but she had to delay and come after the Head of State had presented.
We request, Madam Speaker, that if we have got such cases, can we make sure that these things are done timeously within the Parliament staff not for the MP to run around organising her own trip. We need to do our things timeously so that when somebody goes there as an MP, they are better equipped with research from our Parliament staff so that we bring issues to you here, Madam Speaker and I am sure our Parliament’s bar is going to be raised. I also noted when we visited, the welfare of the Members of Parliament building, their restaurants, there are three star restaurants, Members of Parliament eat proper food, they are well looked after and their car park is neat. Now that we have built our own Parliament, things will change as we go. I thank you very much Hon. Speaker Sir.
HON. RAIDZA: Thank you Madam Speaker for the opportunity for me to add my voice on the motion that was moved by Hon. Chikukwa our Chairperson and seconded by Hon. Sibanda. I am one of your Members of Parliament who went for this benchmarking visit to Kenya. There were things we learnt in Kenya but most importantly, what I learnt is that devolution comes with different forms in each and every country. So, my desire from what I have learned in Kenya is that we need our devolution in Zimbabwe that has Zimbabwean characteristics. We have discovered as well that in Kenya they devolved their politics and their fiscal space as well.
These are some of the things that we can also learn as we are in the process of coming with our own devolution in Zimbabwe. Madam Speaker, from the presentation that we have received and what obtains in Kenya, we discovered they are no longer having the municipalities or the rural district councils like what we are currently having in Zimbabwe. What they are having now that replaced all these municipalities, they used to have them but what they have now are counties. The counties are the ones that are running the affairs in Kenya.
Actually what these counties do is that they took over the responsibilities and the functions of the council. So, what it means is that in Kenya they only have the counties and the national government, of which here in Zimbabwe we have our local authorities and we have them at provincial level and national level as well. In Kenya they have got only two types of government. They came at this position after realizing that having many structures, it will need a lot of money for it to run and all these funds will be needed to be taken from the citizens of Kenya. So, this is one of the things that I learnt that even though we want to have a devolution structure in the country, we must try by all means to be as thin as possible as well. We must look into the funding modalities, see and do what we can afford as a country. The other issue that I have discovered is the clarity on the roles of the counties and the national government. We have discovered that they came up with various laws so as to make sure which responsibilities are going to go with the counties and which responsibilities should remain with the central government. All these functions were transferred using the laws that they are having in that country.
I have discovered that this was a very good arrangement of which here in Zimbabwe, we have serious issues whereby at the end of the day we do not know which responsibilities are for councils and which responsibilities are for national government. We are hearing even small things that the councils are expected to be doing like refuse collection and all these basic social services that the councils are supposed to be doing. We are hearing many of them are saying no, the central government is not doing this and not doing that. In Kenya, we have discovered that the law is very clear on who does what, whereby at the end of the day there is that inter-relationship that is between the central Government and the counties.
The other thing that I also saw is that their governors are Executive and they come to power through the election from the people. If one decides to be a governor in a county, you have to be elected by the people. So there is a bit of independence whereby at the end of the day, the President of the country does not have the authority over the governor. They call them ‘small presidents’ in their own counties. They move around with their escorts and do all the things like ‘small presidents’ of which here in Zimbabwe, we know even in Kenya there is also a unitary State. We do not know what the arrangement was and why they decided to do it that way, for this governor to be removed from office as it was already reported that the governor has to be impeached.
From the stories that we were told when we were there, most of the governors who were impeached already, it was out of financial irregularities that they conducted during their time in office as governors. We discovered as well that this issue of independence of governors was bringing a lot of problems because the governors were not reporting to anyone, so they could do their deals there. They can do their corrupt activities and all sorts of things in the office, only to wait for the Auditor General and if the Auditor General picks it, that is when the issue can be taken for disciplinary action and other impeachment processes.
So, we discovered that that independence allows the governors to be too corrupt. From the explanation that we were hearing since 2010 when they started, they had a number of governors who were impeached and all these governors were impeached because of corruption. They would enter into contracts and that was one of the challenges. We heard that during one’s term, they enter into a contract and when a new governor comes on the next term, he disregards what the other one was doing and he has his new contract because there were some financial benefits for the incumbent. So I propose that such a scenario will not be good for us and some projects, whether it was for the previous governor, the projects are for the people irrespective of who is in the office the projects should proceed. In Kenya, we discovered that if you finish your term without finishing your project then everything will just end there and whoever comes will start his own project and enter into his new contracts with his people.
The other issue is the guarantee of the devolution fund. We discovered that in Kenya, the Constitution says these counties are supposed to get 15% but Parliament, we heard that it used to give them between 22 to 30 percent which was over the constitutional requirement of the constitutional expectation because the Members of Parliament and the Senators of Kenya appreciated the work that the devolution was doing, so they decided to end up giving more money for devolution because many infrastructure developments were being seen in the counties.
However Madam Speaker, I like the way they operate. They have got a law that guarantees the devolution money that the Executive - whether the money is not sufficient but that is what is there. The money for devolution was Minister or the Executive had a statutory duty to make sure that the money is found. Funds for devolution in Kenya were always being made available. The other issue also is on the formula of how to share the money. The Senate in Kenya, during their revenue sharing debates in Parliament – because their money will be shared in Parliament; here in our Parliament, the issue that we are advocating for as a Committee is that when this money is allocated, we need to know how much is going to every local authority. These processes give us an opportunity as your MPs to know how much money goes to this province and local authority. This helps for planning purposes.
Madam Speaker Ma’am, devolution is all about trying to equalize the previously marginalised communities but if these things do not come out in the open so we debate about it, we end up not knowing whether we are equitably distributing the national resources or not.
The issues of efficient service delivery; we heard that since the coming in of the devolution in 2010, there was a remarkable difference in terms of service delivery. People in Kenya started to see service delivery coming to some of the marginalised communities. We are seeing this kind of a situation happening here in Zimbabwe. We have some places that we are coming from where we have not seen development for the past years. However, since we started getting the devolution funds or since the coming in of the Second Republic, we have seen some places getting infrastructure development. For us, that is a great achievement.
Madam Speaker Ma’am, I think the issue of accountability is still a thorn in the flesh. As we are trying to come up with the laws here in Zimbabwe, we need to strengthen our accountability laws to make sure that monies that will be allocated from the national purse will actually benefit the citizens of this country. If we do not come up with strong financial management systems, we end up having serious problems where these funds end up being in the pockets of the few. Thank you very much Madam Speaker Ma’am. These were the issues that I wanted to add in respect of this benchmark visit. I thank you.
HON. TOGAREPI: Thank you Madam Speaker. I will add a few words. I think we need a clear recommendation from this Committee on what we can get from what the Kenyans are doing.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Chief Whip, please may you be connected.
HON. TOGAREPI: This was a very detailed report but I would recommend that it is shared between them and the responsible Ministry and see what we can adopt. It is not just a visit where you write a description of what you saw but what we can also get and take home and implement in our situation in order to improve our devolution. Having said that Madam Speaker, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. TEKESHE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 23rd February, 2022.
On the motion of HON. TOGAREPI, seconded by HON. TEKESHE, the House adjourned at Six o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Thursday, 17th February, 2022
The Senate met at Half-past Two o’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE in the Chair)
HON. SEN. MATHUTHU: I move that Question Time be deferred for now due to the absence of Ministers.
[Two Ministers having walked in]
THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE (HON. SEN. MOHADI): Order Hon. Sen. Mathuthu, if you can withdraw because we have got three Ministers with us. I do not know whether the House agrees that we can continue while we wait for many more to come.
HON. SEN. MATHUTHU: At the time I moved, there was only one Minister. Now that others have come, I withdraw. Thank you.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
*HON. SEN. CHINAKE: My question is directed to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education to say how far are we with the issue of teachers because our children are not learning because teachers are not going to schools. I think our education has gone down because of the strikes by teachers.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (HON. E. MOYO): Thank you very much to the Hon. Member who has raised that question. Yes, there is a national concern that teachers are not fully at work. However, our situation is improving by the day. When schools opened last week, the situation was quite dire because we had less than 50% of teachers reporting for work. With measures that have been taken this far, our situation has improved and as of yesterday, we were at about 55% attendance in schools. It is envisaged that going forward, with the moratorium that has been given by Government to allow teachers to go back to work until Monday next week, our hope is that by then our situation will have greatly improved perhaps to over 80%.
In fact, some of the provinces have quite remarkable attendance figures. In Masvingo as of yesterday, we had 85,4% attendance by teachers in schools which was the highest. The lowest was Bulawayo with 41,5% attendance and the average was 54,6%, almost 55%. We think that we are slowly improving and their issues have already been attended to and to the full, if not having been exceeded. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHINAKE: Madam President, I want to know how the issues that are being raised by teachers are being rectified because the teachers are just going to sit in while the children play outside. How are you solving the issue so that the teachers will go to work?
HON. E. MOYO: The issue of salaries has, to a greater extent, been addressed. Yes, there are gaps here and there. It may not be very prudent for me to discuss the issue of salaries because it does not fall within the Ministry’s purview but let me just give an indication that of the demand which was presented in January, it was further improved last week as per the announcement that you all heard. The variance between the demand and what was offered in USD terms was about US$10.
The issue of school fees which was another issue not raised this year in January, but it has always been on the table. Government then saw it fit to kick it in so that three children of each teaching family could benefit up to Z$20 000 per child. So, the issue of salaries, to a large extent as I indicated earlier, has been addressed. I may not go into talk about other issues that are peripheral to the issue of salaries because those who attend NJC have already acknowledged what Government has given and they have advised members to go back to work.
However, we have others who are not at NJC and for whatever reason, they seem to be declining but bigger organisations have agreed that members go back to work because their demands have largely been met.
*HON. SEN. SHUMBA: I heard that there are percentages on the number of teachers that have gone back to work. I would like to know if there is a way of monitoring whether.....
THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Order, may you raise your voice so that everyone can hear you.
*HON. SEN. SHUMBA: Thank you Madam President. Is there a mechanism of monitoring the teachers’ attendance and whether they are working or not?
HON. E. MOYO: The issue of monitoring attendance is one area that the Ministry is currently strengthening. We have our Provincial Education Directors, District Schools Inspectors and Schools Inspectors on the ground going around monitoring. However, the handicap that we currently have is transport. The Ministry does not have sufficient vehicles to conduct the monitoring.
However, we are encouraging our SDCs to give us information on what is obtaining in their schools. We are also encouraging our Hon. Members to also do some monitoring in their areas and also assist us by giving that information as to what is happening at the schools so that we can get our schools to function normally. At the moment, we have capacitated our different structures in the hierarchy of the Ministry to do the monitoring but we would also want to ask the whole of Government to kick in so that all agencies of Government do the monitoring and also give us feedback on what is happening on the ground.
You will appreciate that education is one of the biggest sector in the country with over 10 500 schools, hence requires huge resource outlets to ensure that effective monitoring takes place. It takes all of us to go into the field to assist in ensuring that education takes place. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHISOROCHENGWE: My question is directed to the Leader of the House....
THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE: There is no Leader of the House. Apart from the Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, we also have the Deputy Minister of Energy and Power Development, Hon. Mudyiwa; Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Hon. Chombo; Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development, Hon. Kambamura and Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, Hon. Maboyi.
You can proceed with your question if it is not directed to the Leader of the House because at the moment we do not have one.
*HON. SEN. CHISOROCHENGWE: My question is directed to the Minister of Health and Child Care. In his absence, I would like to direct it to the Leader of the House. What is the Government policy with regards to timeframe within one should be issued with a COVID-19 vaccination card from the day one is vaccinated?
The Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development having entered the House.
THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Thank you for coming Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education. We were having a problem whereby the Minister of Health and Child Care is not around and also the Leader of the House is not with us. As a Minister, I think you will answer Hon. Sen. Chisorochengwe’s question.
Hon. Senator, may you please repeat your question because when you asked he was just coming in. He might not have heard it.
HON. SEN. CHISOROCHENGWE: Hon. Minister, what is the Government policy regarding the timeframe within which one should be issued with a COVID-19 vaccination card from the day one is vaccinated?
THE MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. MURWIRA): Thank you Hon. President. Hon. I also happen to be the Acting Minister of Health and Child Care.
The Government policy on this issue of issuance of cards, especially the ones that have QR codes which we have now developed; must be immediate. We are aware that there could have been problems at the beginning where cards were issued later. This was because they were being securitised and we were putting QR codes which are security codes on the cards, so there were delays. We are aware of these delays but the policy is that it must be given immediately after the person has been vaccinated.
*HON. SEN. CHIMBUDZI: My question is directed to the Deputy Minister of Energy. When is Government going to rectify load shedding which is hampering our businesses in this country?
*THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER DEVELOPMENT (HON. MUDYIWA): Load shedding is a challenge that we have. I would be lying if I say when it will be ending. We can lower it down through the interventions that we are embarking on. It is well known that the energy that we are generating in this country is not enough for all the people who want electricity. There are a number of challenges that are there, especially at Hwange Power Station where we have a lot of breakdowns. Today, we only have three units which are working and they are producing less than 300 megawatts. That alone will show us that we have a low capacity of electricity. We also buy electricity from outside and we are trying by all means so that the six Hwange units are functional. There is one which was burnt last year and we are trying to repair it. If all the five units are functional, we will be able to reduce the load shedding.
We are also looking at solar plants which are being constructed. If they are completed, they would feed into the grid and that will reduce the load shedding. For me to give an exact date, it will be a lie because the challenges that we are facing at Hwange are just prompt. We will not be ready for them but we are working hard so that we have electricity and will be able to meet the country’s demand. I thank you.
*HON. SEN.TONGOGARA: Thank you Madam President. My question is directed to the Minister of Education. Before schools were closed, there were feeding schemes in the schools because children would faint due to hunger. Now that the schools are open, is there a policy to restore the feeding schemes so that children will have food and not end up fainting in schools due to hunger?
HON. E. MOYO: Thank you Madam Speaker. The issue of school feeding is a Government policy where children are expected to get one hot meal per day. However, due to procurement procedures, processes and challenges thereto, the procurement process is not yet complete but contracts have been signed. It is our hope that within the next few weeks not exceeding a month, we should be having our school feeding situation in place. Most of the schools finished last year’s supplies but the biggest challenge that remained in terms of procurement was that of maize. The contract, I am aware we were discussing that yesterday, have been signed and the procurement process would soon be completed. Thank you.
HON. SEN. KOMICHI: Thank you Madam President. My question is directed to the Minister of Energy and Power Development. Fuel and LP gas is charged in US dollars. We are still waiting to hear when Zimbabweans are going to buy diesel, petrol and LP gas in Zimbabwean RTGS. It is absurd Minister that most of the Zimbabweans are paid in RTGS but there is a fixed commodity which is charged in US dollars. You are encouraging the black market and you are making our lives very difficult. We have been asking these questions for a long time. We are losing patience Minister, what is the problem?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER DEVELOPMENT (HON. MUDYIWA): Thank you Madam President. I would want to thank the Hon. Member for the question. on fuel, we came up with an arrangement with the RBZ, NOIC and ZERA where we went on to select 57 service stations where diesel will be sold in Zimbabwean dollars RTGS. The challenge that we were facing with supplying the RTGS fuel on the market was of foreign currency. We had liberalised the purchase of direct fuel imports (DFI) where companies with their own free funds import fuel and those will go on to sell their fuel in US dollars so that they are able to replenish their stocks. If we look at the loadings from our depots on daily basis, our RTGS fuel is far less than the DFI fuel by almost a third of the DFI fuel. So markets are flooded with DFI fuel and very few have the RTGS fuel. However, we are working on improving or increasing the number of service stations that will sell the fuel in RTGS. The challenge is that of foreign currency.
On the LP gas, it is our wish that we come with the same arrangement that those companies that sell the gas access the foreign currency on the official market which has got a lower rate than the black market rate. However, the challenge is the same that not all companies that sell LP gas have managed to access the foreign currency as per the interbank rate. That is the challenge that we are having. However, we are working with the RBZ so that we improve the allocation of foreign currency to the fuel importing companies and the LP gas importing companies. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHIRONGOMA: Thank you Madam President. My question is directed to the Minister of Mines and Mining Development. When our gold panners are doing their mining activities, they dig everywhere. I want to hear from the Minister on whether they have rectified the issue of owning gold mines so that they know who is mining where. Secondly, during their mining activities, they are sometimes trapped inside because the ground is very wet. Are there people who are doing surveys so that they also advise these miners that no mining should continue as there is the danger of being trapped inside? I will finish by asking if each constituency has the statistics of the miners in its area. I thank you.
THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE: The questions that you have asked are not policy questions but because the Hon. Deputy Minister is here, I will allow him to respond.
*THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MINES AND MINING DEVELOPMENT (HON. KAMBAMURA): Thank you Madam President. Thank you Hon. Sen. Chirongoma for your question. We are encouraging our young miners, the small scale miners that they should register with the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development so that they have their licences. For the people who will be found mining without licences, we have engaged the police so that they are criminalised. We are busy coming up with a consortium which comprises of the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development officials and the police so that we investigate whether the people doing mining are doing it legally and if they are illegal, we will stop them. Those who are mining are leaving open pits from their mining activities and endangering people and animals.
We also encourage that those miners should look after the areas which they are mining and do the Environmental Impact Assessment so that they maintain a sustainable environment. We will increase the number of inspectors and those officers who will be moving around inspecting how the miners will be carrying out their extraction activities and helping them. They will be called mining extension officers. Last week but one, we encouraged our miners to stop mining temporarily during this rainy season because the ground is too humid. We made a press-statement which we also broadcast on our radio stations. In the few coming weeks, those consortiums which I talked about will be starting work but the others have already started in small groups. We want to increase the number of people on the ground because we noted that there are a lot of people engaging in mining illegally. Thank you Madam President.
HON. SEN. KAMBIZI: Thank you Madam President. I wanted to direct my question to the Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Tourism and Hospitality Industry or the Deputy Minister but I realise the two are not in. Therefore, may you allow me to redirect my question to the Leader of Business in the House, I realise you have appointed the Leader of Business in the House. Madam President, may the Hon. Minister favour this honourable House by explaining what the Government, through the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Tourism and Hospitality Industry is doing to ensure sustainable management of natural resources, prevention of the environment, pollution and environmental degradation. We realise that companies that are doing mining in this country in general and the Chinese companies in particular have left vast destruction in the communities that we live and they operate in. I thank you Madam President.
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Madam President. I want to thank the Hon. Senator for the question. Madam President, I want to indicate that the Government has put sufficient laws to ensure that the environment is protected. When those from the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development give permission to mining companies to go and start mining operations, they always give them a check-list to say, ‘you must comply with these conditions before you start your mining operations.’ Among those conditions is the fact that they are required to get an Environmental Impact Assessment Report from the Environmental Management Agency (EMA) once they get everything, including liaising with the Rural District Councils (RDC). So the question of areas where we have environmental degradation due to mining activities is a question of compliance and not a question of lack of a relevant legislative instrument or policies by the Government. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF CHUNDU: Thank you Madam President. My question is addressed to the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage. As chiefs, we want to find out how far the Government has gone concerning the remains of our ancestors which were taken abroad.
+THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE (HON. MAVHUNGA-MABOYI): Thank you Madam President. I do not know if I have understood the question correctly.
THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Order. Hon. Sen. Chief Chundu, can you repeat your question and put on your microphone so that those who are supposed to respond can hear your question clearly.
HON. SEN. CHIEF CHUNDU: Thank you Madam President. My question is directed to the Minister of Home Affairs. We want to know how far the Government has gone in trying to repatriate the skulls and bones of our ancestors which were taken by the Whites during the times of colonialism.
*THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (HON. MAVHUNGA-MABOYI): Thank you Madam President. Thank you Hon. Chief Chundu. We are working on it. What stopped us is COVID -19. Our borders have now been opened - the delegation will go back to Britain so that they work on how we can repatriate the skulls and bones. We are really working hard. Thank you.
HON. SEN. ENG. MUDZURI: Thank you Madam President. My question is directed to the Leader of the House. What is Government policy in consideration of the level of inflation? Today if you go to buy anything, the exchange rate of the Dollar is $250. What is Government policy towards civil servants, Members of Parliament and anyone who have a salary in RTGs, in terms of covering inflation with the dollar?
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Madam President. Firstly, I want to indicate that we now have a Zimbabwe dollar; we no longer have RTGs currency. So it is Zimbabwe dollar. Madam President, what we are doing, which the Reserve Bank and the Minister of Finance have been working on is to ensure that firstly, we stabilise our own currency. They came up with a raft of measures to ensure the continued use - by the way, we will continue with our currency. We will continue to strengthen it by way of ensuring that even taxes that were not paid in Zimbabwe dollar are now being paid in Zimbabwe dollar. They came up again with measures which were widely publicised, which the Hon. Member can get from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development on what they want to do in terms of ensuring that we strengthen our currency.
Coming to the issue of salaries, Madam President, discussions are ongoing to ensure that all our workers get a reasonable salary. I do not want to preempt the negotiations that are going on. Suffice to say, an announcement has already been made on the teachers’ salaries but on the general welfare of civil servants, including Members of Parliament who are not civil servants, that discussion is ongoing. I thank you.
HON. SEN. ENG. MUDZURI: I want to appreciate the response that everything is ongoing but there must be a certain level or a benchmark time, where we think if we cannot reach stabilisation, then we have to think of other means. Considering that when we announced the US dollar, which we had in our accounts as one –to-one with the Zimbabwe dollar, today if you go in the market, everyone takes your dollar first and it is between $250 and $270. For a civil servant, for an ordinary person, this money is not going anywhere and you cannot purchase your drugs even if you go to a pharmacy today, you will get a net of $270. So, what measures – just pronouncing measures and doing nothing about stopping it will not help us? What is the real policy of the target of stopping the runaway exchange rate which has gone to $250 from one-to-one? We might be in a million very soon, we do not know.
HON. ZIYAMBI: Thank you Madam President. I want to thank the Hon. Member for the follow-up question. I am not sure where he is getting the ongoing and unending negotiations. Everywhere we have negotiations that are concluded and a certain agreement is reached. I am aware that we are at the beginning of the year. We had a fourth wave that hit us and now things are starting to normalise and meetings are ongoing.
Secondly, I must say that the most disheartening is when Hon. Members have no confidence in their currency. They speak the language of saying that by such and such a time, it will be a million. The biggest problem that we have in this country is that of confidence. People are always speculating what the currency will be at a particular day and try to peg their prices or whatever, using a speculative rate. That is the work that the Reserve Bank is seized with and we need to deal with those issues to ensure that we stabilise our own currency. There is no country in the world that has developed using other people’s currency. So, it is up to all of us Hon. Members included, to think of ways to ensure that we ring-fence the value of our dollar. If you have any ideas of how to do it rather than speaking of going back where we should not, that will be welcome. The biggest problem that we have at the moment is, some people try to manipulate the system so that the confidence in our currency is eroded. I urge all Hon. Members to speak with one voice. We can do it if we have the will power to ensure that we stick with our own currency and we speak with one voice in terms of ensuring that we revamp our economy. I thank you Madam President.
HON. SEN. ENG. MUDZURI: I have a point of order.
THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE: What is your point of order, Hon. Senator?
HON. SEN. ENG. MUDZURI: I did not say that I have no confidence in the local currency. I was speaking of the run-away in the exchange rate and I asked how it can be stopped. I think what we would want to hear is how we can resolve it. When there are a number of measures that are not getting to a solution, we have the right to ask Government. The majority of people cannot access foreign currency on the auction market. If you want to buy fuel, service stations charge in foreign currency. If you tell me that there is a service station that is charging in local currency, I will be happy to go there. These are the measures that I am asking about. I do not expect you to tell me that I do not have confidence in my currency. What I am simply asking are the measures that the Government is putting in place to try to put an end to this.
HON. ZIYAMBI: Thank you Madam President. I am very happy if that was the thrust. My apologies if I misrepresented what you said. That is exactly what we want to do as a nation and say, let us find solutions Madam President to ensure that we preserve the value of our currency. That is exactly what the Reserve Bank and the Ministry of Finance are trying to do. They came up with measures in January on how to deal with it. I believe that all of us as citizens must run behind that and if we have any ideas on how to reign in errant people who are manipulating the system, let us all come up with solutions so that we preserve the value of our currency. My apologies if I misrepresented you. What you said in the end is what we aspire to do as a Government, to ensure that we run the nation behind our currency and ensure that we preserve its value. We want each and every person to have confidence in our currency as opposed to have this notion that having foreign currency will develop our country. That should not be the case. I thank you Madam President.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF MAKUMBE: My question is directed to the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing. Due to cyclones that are taking place every year, people in the rural areas are having their homes destroyed. Some right now are staying in the open. What is Government policy on the construction of our houses which are being destroyed by rains every year?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. CHOMBO): Thank you Madam President, and thank you Hon. Sen. Makumbe. The question has been directed to me but the housing policy is for the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities. Thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF MAKUMBE: Thank you Madam President. I would want to hear from the Leader of the House what the Government policy is regarding construction of houses. Buildings are being destroyed because of poor planning since we have cyclones every year.
*THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): I want to thank you Madam President for the pertinent question from the Hon. Chief concerning houses that are being destroyed by cyclones in villages. The Government has put in place an extension which looks at the construction of houses countrywide. Last year, there was a launch of the National Housing Policy by the President which articulates what we are supposed to do when it comes to the construction of houses. The report talks about the challenges that we are facing, of houses being destroyed. There are plans in that document concerning rural areas. Strong houses should be constructed so that when we are faced with cyclones, houses are not destroyed. These are some of the things that are in that document which are going to take place when houses are constructed in the rural areas.
What might slow down the progress is that we have a lot of things that we are doing. All of us had plans to do big things but because of the pandemic, we stopped and channeled our resources on the pandemic, vaccinating people against COVID-19. It is there in the plans of Government that we should construct houses in the rural areas which are inspected. Those are some of the things which will be articulated, whose responsibility it is for the construction of houses.
Oral Answers to Questions Without Notice were interrupted by the Acting President of Senate in terms of Standing Order No. 67.
*HON. SEN. KOMICHI: Madam President, I request an extension of Question Time by ten minutes.
HON. SEN. CHISOROCHENGWE: I second.
*HON. SEN. SIPANI-HUNGWE: Thank you Madam President. My question goes to the Hon. Minister of Home Affairs. Madam President, the country has been destroyed. Our children are taking illicit drugs and alcohol. What is the Government policy regarding this issue and how can it be put to an end? They are taking drugs in the sight of policemen. The police will be there watching. If people report those selling the drugs, they go there and do nothing. We think that probably the police are being bribed. What are you doing, because we are seeing that we are losing a generation who are our children because of drug addiction such as mutoriro, bronco and some children become mentally challenged? I have seen children who are now mentally challenged because of the drugs. What is Government policy because our children’s lives are being destroyed?
*THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (HON. MABOYI): Thank you Hon. Sen. Hungwe for the question. It is true our children are dying because of drugs. The police are trying their level best to protect our borders but still these drugs illegally find their way into the country because our borders are porous. However, some of the drugs are being manufactured locally. Yes, you can blame the police that they are not arresting people but because of COVID-19, people were not doing normal business and were engaging in illicit businesses like brewing the drugs in their homes. As police, we are trying our best. Some of the police officers are also young and when they go to make arrests they are enticed into taking the drugs as well.
We implore you as Hon. Members to help us so that we engage the people in our communities and hold awareness campaigns and tell people how bad these drugs are. The Government has a programme in place to construct rehabilitation centres to treat and teach these children after they are arrested, and also parents and chiefs. This is not happening only in towns but also in rural areas. I will also talk to my superiors on how we can curb this. We know it is happening and people are going insane. Even the police, there are some who are also insane because they are also addicted to the drugs. Thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHINAKE: It is very interesting to know that these things are happening in Zimbabwe and people are actually getting licences. Why are people being issued with licences to engage in such production of illicit drugs?
HON. MAVHUNGA-MABOYI: Those who are getting licences are not in the production of such destructive drugs. Let us know that these children of ours or this generation is not coming for this ordinary beer that we are used to. They are now going for hard drugs or liquor that is very destructive. It is not the beer that is being manufactured by the companies that we know. That one is not dangerous but those that are destructive are the individuals who are manufacturing the illicit, destructive liquor.
What we must impress on is working together to help these children as well as help parents so that we educate the people that this mutoriro drug is very dangerous and life threatening. As Hon. Members, chiefs and teachers, let us teach people that these are dangerous drugs but children want them. If a child says he/she is going to kill you after consuming this drug, indeed he will kill you.
HON. SEN. KOMICHI: My question is directed to the Deputy Minister of Local Government. I would like the Minister to listen carefully and think about it. I am not happy with the state of refuse collection in Harare. The city has become so dirty mainly in the high density areas. When you move around Harare and you look at it, you will definitely know that there is a problem and the problem should be huge. I do not know about the problem but the state of affairs of the refuse collection in Harare makes it clear that there is a problem.
Why do we not do what we did with the roads? The Ministry of Transport has taken it upon itself to resolve road challenges, whether they are under council, DDF or wherever the roads are; action is being taken to resolve the problem. When I come back to the councils, the Minister of Local Government is the boss, whether the council is under MDC or ZANU party councillors, the Minister is accountable. It is not possible for the Minister of Local Government to engage with the Council of Harare and collectively approach the challenge of refuse collection. Is it not possible? If it is possible, I think we need to take this matter urgently and if it is not possible, what is the challenge? Thank you so much.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. CHOMBO): Equally, everybody is worried and very concerned about the state of affairs. It is not only Harare but I think all the urban local authorities. The state of affairs is very worrying. It is not only the refuse collection but also sewer and so forth. If you go towards Chitungwiza and so on, you will notice that all the areas are affected. Central Government is equally concerned and we have gone as far as engaging the said local authorities, especially Harare and registered our displeasure in the quality of service delivery. I think it is at the lowest at the moment if you can agree with me.
Cabinet has taken steps to convert refuse to energy. I think Cabinet has passed that. This is a move to show that we are doing something to try to arrest that problem. We have also gone as far as engaging the said local authority to see if we can assist because they said they are incapacitated as far as equipment is concerned. Harare City Council received five dump trucks and the other five are on the way. You will see a marked difference in the coming month or so. Also with the performance appraisal that was introduced by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, you can see that there is a push for everybody to deliver; the CEOs, the Mayors and so forth all signed those performance contracts and they are supposed to deliver.
With these contracts, I think you are going to see a marked difference. We have let you down and we cannot abrogate our responsibility to say it is the MDC Council that has done that. We all know that has happened but we still have to deliver the service to the rate payers. Believe you me, we are taking steps as Local Government to make sure that we meet the challenge. I thank you.
HON. SEN. KOMICHI: My question is directed to the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage. Minister, we are like in a mini civil war. The men from the State organ such as the police and army have been found to be involved in every armed robbery that takes place in this country – if not 100%. Of the armed robberies that are taking place in the country, one or two participants are from the army or policy.
This signifies danger and becomes a security threat. How is it possible for these men and women to access arms to execute their missions? What is Government doing to curtail this challenge?
THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE): I would like to thank the Hon. Sen. for such a pertinent question. Yes, it is indeed worrisome that the level of crime to a certain extent is increasing but if we look at the statistics closely; while it may appear as if the level is going up, statistics are showing otherwise. However, I still agree that it is an issue that is worrisome and needs to be attended to.
Police officers or even members of the army are human beings. Whenever a crime is committed, there is no one who is above the law. I am sure you have seen that regardless of whether the person who has committed the crime or the accused belongs to the police or the army or whatever security organ, still the law takes it course. However, the National Security Council is looking at those issues to ensure that members of the security forces do not get involved, we try and curb the incidences. Otherwise there is no one who is above the law; whoever commits a crime, the law will take its course. I thank you.
Questions Without Notice were interrupted by THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT in terms of Standing Order No. 67.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): I move that Orders of the Day, Numbers 1 to 5 be stood order until Order of the Day Number 6 has been disposed of.
Motion put and agreed to.
COMMITTEE STAGE
MARRIAGES BILL [H.B. 7A, 2019]
House in Committee.
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Madam Chair, I move that Clause 9 be recommitted to the House. I thank you.
HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: Madam Chair, we want clarity so that we do not pass something that will turn against us. What is the Minister saying?
HON. ZIYAMBI: Thank you Madam Chair. If you notice on my notice of amendments, we have passed Clause 9. We had already disposed of it and agreed to it but in consultation with the chiefs, there are certain amendments that we felt are necessary to give effect to what the chiefs wanted. So I am requesting that we go back to Clause 9 and recommit it to the House so that we can then be able to adopt the New Clause 9. I thank you Madam Chair.
HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: Madam Chair, I want to confirm what the Minister is saying that we had some engagement on the matter. Clause 9 (1) seems to be going well. Clause 9 (2)...
THE CHAIRPERSON: We will deal with that when we get to it. Thank you.
Motion put and agreed to.
On Clause 9:
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Madam Chair. I propose amendments to Clause 9 that:
Delete Clause 9 on page 9 of the Bill and substitute it with the following clause:—
9 Chiefs as marriage officers for district
(1) Every chief shall, by virtue of his or her office and so long as he or she holds such office, be a marriage officer for a customary law marriage in the district in which he or she holds office.
(2) No later than four months from the date of commencement of this Act, or from the date of investiture of any chief, as the case may be, the Minister shall (in accordance with such conditions, including the completion of a prescribed course of instruction) ensure that every chief is certified as competent to carry out the duties of a marriage officer for the purposes of solemnising marriages according to customary rites.”. I so submit Madam Chair.
HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: Just for clarity Madam Chair, when we say (In accordance with such conditions including the prescribed course of instruction), maybe that needs to be clarified. Initially, we thought it was a straightforward issue, ‘not later than four months from that date’ but now we have these other conditions which are not mentioned.
HON. ZIYAMBI: Thank you Madam Chair. A marriage comes with responsibilities and other attendant issues that are attached to it. What is done to all marriage officers is that they have to undergo a prescribed training so that they are fully aware of what they are expected to do in terms of their obligations to the State. We cannot then remove that sub-clause because every marriage officer, the State will oblige you to adhere to certain conditions as a marriage officer. That training will ensure that chiefs will undergo that particular training and once you will have finished that, you will then be certified to be a marriage officer. That is all this clause is saying. I thank you.
HON. SEN. CHIEF NECHOMBO: Thank you very much Madam Chair. At the very onset, I also would want to appreciate our Hon. Minister for the consideration of sub-clause 1. Indeed, that is what we agreed on. Going on to sub-clause 2, I want to quote a bit where it is written, ‘the Minister shall ensure that every chief is certified as competent’. ‘Shall ensure’, from our understanding, that is mandatory, which implies that by the end of the day, if we are to be certified that we are competent to carry out these duties, it therefore implies that we may have some chiefs who may qualify or some chiefs who may not qualify. Maybe it is a misunderstanding of sub-clause 2. If the Minister may also clarify that to us but from the onset, from the layman’s understanding that could be the thinking that we may have some chiefs who may fail to be certified.
HON. ZIYAMBI: Thank you Madam Chair. It is indeed correct that there is need of a course of instruction so that chiefs are fully or any marriage officer is fully aware of the obligations that the State expect from them. Once that instruction has been given and the chiefs agree that they are fully aware of the obligations and understand them, then they are certified. It does not mean that they will write a special examination or something like that but a Marriage Certificate will ensure that from that certificate, flows several rights that accrue to the parties.
There are also other attendant issues that have to be taken into consideration. So without that being put in place like this, if we do not put it like this and we leave it open and say that by virtue of you being a chief, you can preside over marriages, if something happens you can say, ‘no, I did not know about this.’ So, this is just for the purposes of ensuring that everyone who is a marriage officer knows the obligation that they have to the State besides their jurisdictional obligation to their subjects. So if we do not put it, it will leave us with a gap that can be abused. I think it is not something that can be said to be restrictive or unreasonable but if you take into consideration that there are several rights that are affected by the solemnisation of that Marriage Certificate, you will appreciate why the State would want some form of instructions to be given to chiefs so that they appreciate the task that would have been bestowed upon them and they take it with the seriousness that it deserves.
This will also help chiefs when they are doing counseling on couples to say, ‘are you aware of these things or ‘are you aware that the authority that I have is both because I am the chief of this area and also as bestowed upon me by the President of the country to do such and such things.’ To me, this clause is very progressive. If you look at Clause 1, we are saying every chief shall be a marriage officer but we are also saying - so that the chiefs are mindful that they are also carrying a responsibility bestowed by the President on them, they must be fully aware that they will be given some form of instruction so that they will be able to appreciate the responsibility that would have been bestowed upon them. I so submit Hon. Chair.
HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: Hon. Chair, I am very reluctant this time around to over-belabour this issue on this Bill. I think we should close this matter and pass this Bill, which is the spirit that we have this afternoon. It is unfortunate that when the amendments were finalised in the Ministry, we never had a caucus. We would have polished up these things without coming here again through the debate we are having. We sat and agreed on all these amendments but they have come with some other additions, that is why we are debating further.
I agree with the Minister that a chief cannot just by virtue of office become a marriage officer. You are right, that is not what we are saying. You have clearly mentioned the need for some prescribed course of instruction. Again we are together, we do not object to that. However, it is when you say ‘in accordance with such conditions, including,’ – the course becomes just one of the conditions. This is why I am saying these other conditions that we are not even aware of, which may actually, when tomorrow we cry foul on them, they are not disclosed. I think even those who are already marriage officers, the main thing is - have the tools of trade been the course itself? In my own view, if this thing reads like, ‘the Minister shall ensure that every chief is certified as competent upon completion of a prescribed course of instruction,’ we have no problem.
It is this word that says, ‘such conditions,’ which conditions we are not even aware of. So we are not against the training of chiefs, we are actually supporting that. So, I stand to actually not object but to say, can we compromise and say, this issue of conditions scares us a bit because it will not always be the good Hon. Minister Ziyambi being in this Ministry. Minister Ziyambi may end up somewhere, maybe promoted – so someone else who comes may not understand the way you are putting it now. We are doing it for anyone. Whoever will be a Minister even 50 years from now, they should be able to read this and interpret it the same way, which is that we do not need those conditions but we need the course. Thank you.
HON. ZIYAMBI: Thank you Hon. Chair. The majority of conditions are within the Act. The Registrar General will then indicate what you are required to do. Over and above the training, the training will give you a general overview and what is expected of you. However, specific conditions are in the Act and from time to time because of the changing nature, there maybe regulations which are approved by Parliament also. So there will not be regulations or conditions that will be imposed by the Minister himself but they will be approved by Parliament and most of them are conditions that are within the Act itself. I believe that whilst I agree that we should have perhaps deliberated on this Hon. Chair, we had this long adjournment and we felt that as soon as we resume, we must deliberate on it. I believe that the way it is now Hon. Senators, it is now very progressive. No conditions will be put that are not in accordance with the Marriage Act. I so submit Hon. Chair.
HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: I am agreeing with the Minister, there is no problem. The Minister is now becoming more specific on these conditions, what the conditions are. In your drafting all the times, all situations Minister, what you then do is, you do not say conditions, simply say ‘of-course, subject to other laws, statute or Acts of Parliament,’ you already referred to the one by the Registrar General’s Office, it is better you put it as ‘they will be trained and also they have to satisfy what other laws require.’ If that is alright then now we know it is all about laws that have passed through Parliament, the Registrar’s Office, whatever about the marriage law, we cannot dispute that. Why do we not put it like we do always by indicating that yes, also they will satisfy, subject to whatever other laws also provide so that it is not just conditions which we do not understand, and now we understand it is other laws that exist.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF MAKUMBE: Thank you Madam President, I just want to buttress what was mentioned by Hon. Sen. Chief Charumbira. It will help us if we get the specific conditions because we are assisting in crafting the law. May we also know the detailed report on what are the exact conditions? For it to be easier for us, may we have a brief picture of what is being mentioned so that we fully understand on behalf of our people? If we say other conditions, it will be a bit vague, we need to understand fully what we are doing and which direction we are taking. Thank you very much.
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Madam President. The way this clause is couched allows for the Registrar - from time to time, ensures that – I will give a very good example. If you are given a booklet of marriage certificates, the Registrar will explain what he expects. When to make returns and whatever changes enshrouds. We cannot then in this legislation specifically say that the Registrar be issued with these conditions to do 1, 2, 3 for that is the functions of regulation that the Registrar will issue. These are public regulations that are subject to interrogation by Parliament.
In general legislation, you can then not specify like that but where something becomes unreasonable, surely there is administrative action to ensure that it is corrected. In terms of the way it is couched, I believe it is very reasonable to state that there will be these conditions because you are supposed to make returns, you are supposed to do certain things, compile certain reports about the work that you are doing. Those are the conditions that you will then be able, among others to say I expect to you to do 1, 2, 3, 4 and they can change depending on circumstances. So the way it is, it has the leeway of ensuring that. I believe Hon. Chair that the way it is, it is not fatally defective. It is pretty much okay in its standard, the way that the drafters use to come up with legislation. I thank you.
HON. SEN. CHIEF NECHOMBO: Thank you Madam President. We are hearing our Hon. Minister very well on the importance of Number 2. It is quite understood that we need to go through some processes but for purposes of understanding, I would want the Hon. Minister to clarify to us that from this statement Number 2, there could be possibilities that one may fail to qualify on this process. That possibility is there. I am saying this because if it was not there, you could have just left point number one alone. So that understanding of wanting to know that there could be a possibility that one may fail, that is what we want you to clarify, not underestimating the importance of going through this training.
*HON. SEN. CHIRONGOMA: Thank you Madam President. When you look at it, you can actually see that it is now in the Minister’s hands to act. In some instances, we are afraid to act or decide in the absence of chiefs. It is my desire that one day we will come together and understand each other, despite the diversity in ideas and opinions. If you look at chiefs and how they do their things, there is a procedure which they follow. How about us as Senators, what are we following; what are we looking at as reference point?
I think these things should be done in a language that we understand as Senators. If law making becomes too technical for us, you would have lost us. We want it simplified in a manner that as Senators we understand and can fully participate. It is even very difficult for us to go back to the people and explain to them in a detailed manner. Thank you Madam Chair.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (HON. SEN. MOHADI): We are now on Clause 9 and I think we should stick to it. According to what you are requesting, you will find that the Bill and amendments were circulated to Senators through their emails. I do not know whether you had a chance to open your email so that you read through. That is the only information that I can give you.
HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: On a point of order Madam Chair. I have received messages that you are not recognising those that are on Virtual who are raising their hands.
(v)HON. SEN. CHIEF NGUNGUMBANE: Thank you Madam Chair. I think as a background to this clause, Madam Chair, you would agree with me that there are serious issues that we need to discuss. I want to thank the Hon. Minister for coming with a revised version of Clause 9 but the same bone of contention is that this clause was discriminatory Madam Chair in that the Minister would qualify the chief, which was not the case with magistrates and ambassadors. He has come up with amendments but these amendments are also silent on heads of embassies and magistrates. Can the Minister clarify on the clause?
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Hon. Chair. This clause in the format that it is, is not discriminatory at all. Those that are in the employ of the State such as the magistrates undergo specific training before they become magistrates. Those from embassies also undergo trainings. Religious leaders also undergo training because they are not within the employ of the State. The Registrar will then train them and they are issued with certificates. Magistrates are trained before they assume duty. I do not see where it is discriminatory. In fact, it would be discriminatory if we say chiefs must not be trained but everyone else is supposed to be trained when there are issues and obligations that each and every marriage officer has to the State. If it was a situation Hon. Chair that the marriage is confined to your area of jurisdiction, I would have immediately removed it. This marriage certificate will be recognised internationally and there are obligations and rights that accrue from that marriage certificate.
A long time ago, there was discrimination. The civil marriage was more recognised than the customary marriage. Now we are saying we want all our marriages to carry the same weight and the same rights to accrue. If we say no, without a prescribed form, without conditions that allow the marriage to be recognised in terms of our laws, we would not have done justice to ourselves. I do not believe that this form of training should scare anyone. It will be tailored in such a way that it will be difficult for anyone to fail but should you fail, it means you will not be able to carry out your obligations as required by the law. We would not want some marriages to be given when we all know that they have not met the requisite standard to ensure that the rights and obligations that will flow with them will be recognised. I so submit Hon. Chair and I believe we have debated this long enough and if the Hon. Senators can concede on this one so that we proceed. This is the reason why I had to go back and request a re-committal, otherwise we would have finished this. If Hon. Senators are happy with the form that it was originally, then I can move that we remove the re-committal and go back to the state that we were. I believe that in this state, the clause is very progressive and it shows a lot of respect to everyone who is supposed to be a marriage officer. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF MAKUMBE: Thank you very much Madam Chair. We are saying marriages are there, they do exist. We are delighted that there is now progress. The issue we are asking is, what are the conditions that are being mentioned for those approaching the chief? May we have clarity on these conditions? There must not be a difference between those that work under the law and the chiefs. Are we going to be able to work under these conditions? That is where the problem is. We are progressing very well in terms of this Bill but we need clarity on this particular issue. What exactly are the conditions so that we are well versed as chiefs and we know beforehand? There are 283 chiefs in this country and they need to know what these conditions are. All other forms of marriage officers are well versed with the conditions they work with but when it comes to the chief, there is no clarity. Thank you.
* HON. ZIYAMBI: Thank you very much Madam Chair. I have answered the question and I do not know what nature of response is expected. If you look at the Bill, there are no conditions written specifically for the magistrate. As I have mentioned before, there are expectations by the Government from the chiefs and those presiding over marriages. This should be internationally recognised. Whenever there is a problem, be it divorce, it should be known. These are the things I am saying are taught to the chiefs. Not everything is written down in this law but it helps when we focus on regulations. They should be in line with the Constitution and not outside the Constitution. Madam Chair, if it is a problem, we may leave that out and proceed with the Bill.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: Thank you Madam Chair. I am the President of the Chiefs Council. It is my view that we have expectations for the chief before he becomes a marriage officer. Madam Chair, the problem that we might experience is the word ‘condition.’ This is what we are fighting. This is what we have refused. Even those outside Parliament are saying the issue of conditions has to be looked at and reviewed. In the near future, this issue of conditions maybe abused. We need clarity on that. This is not a Ziyambi Ministry but for the next future. Other Ministers may come through and may abuse the word condition. May we have clarity on that issue of conditions? The way it reads here, it is actually the Minister of Justice -when he gives us the certificate, not the Registrar General, he will give us in accordance with such conditions. These conditions have not been said. We cannot list every condition but any conditions should be in terms of the law.
If the law is there from the Registrar General which authorises a certain person to be a marriage officer, it binds us. We want this Bill to be passed and not continue arguing. What I think is more progressive is that we should have been given more time outside this Chamber to discuss this issue maybe we would come to an amicable understanding. During drafting, we could understand each other but now it has been changed which becomes very difficult for us. The environment we are debating this issue in is very difficult for chiefs. If we were somewhere else, it could have been easier. However, it is possible to pass this in just five minutes if we agree.
Clause 9, put and negatived.
HON. ZIYAMBI: I just want to explain. Do you know this effect of the ‘no’, it means we are completely removing the clause? Maybe you are not aware of what you are doing, let me explain. If you say no, it means we are expunging this and proceeding.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: Yes.
HON. ZIYAMBI: So, if you want us to expunge it then chiefs will not be marriage officers, unless if you want us to remove the re-committal and we go to the original format.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: Hon. Chair, this is our country and we are all leaders and human beings. We are rejecting Number 2, not Number 1 but if you say once we say no, then we are also doing away with Number 1, then what it means is we should sit down outside the Chamber so that we have a proper discussion. We can leave this out and work on other clauses and come back later if we are having a difficulty around this one.
HON. ZIYAMBI: Hon. Chair, I think we are all chiefs – [HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: No, imimi muri Minister. Kana madzishe vati ngatibvisei 2, ngatibvisei 2 toenda mberi.] – If they say we should remove it, let us remove it. To be honest with you, I do not have time. I will be lying to you if I say I will be working on this. I am committed this week. We have elections this week. Even the traditional courts by chiefs have conditions. If we are happy about removing it and that is the pleasure of the House, let us remove Number 2 and leave Number 1 and then we proceed. This amendment, I proposed it. We had passed this and it is on record. If this amendment is not agreed to, we can revert back to the original one that went through the House.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF MAKUMBE: Thank you very much Madam Chair. The issue here is fixing the laws of this land. We want to agree that we are in this Senate Chamber as Zimbabweans. As chiefs, there are some laws that we actually see as wrong and will affect us in the future. They will affect our culture and the future of our people. Let us not think of ourselves. Let us find each other as a country. As people despite our disagreements or diversity in opinions, that should not divide us. We need to tolerate each other. It is not only about an individual.
As Chief Makumbe, we lead about 50 000 families and we are actually contributing to this debate with the people that we lead in our minds. We cannot hurriedly agree to a law that we do not fully understand. When we are talking about this issue, the Minister should not get emotional. Remember this affects the nation. I would like to encourage those who are involved or have the responsibility of crafting the legislative framework not to play hide and seek on this particular issue. We should be very honest. When we mention some conditions that we are not comfortable with, why do you not accommodate us?
The Hon. Minister should appreciate diversity in opinions and he should understand that there are people that we represent back in the rural areas. There is need to have a detailed understanding. We have a lot of input from these people because those people have different opinions to the ones we have. You might have a particular opinion today here but those people might have something different and politically it may mean something else. Those who come after you may actually change the whole scenario because of political reasons. We want to know as chiefs what we are engaging ourselves into. What are the conditions and that is where we need a detailed explanation for us to understand what those detailed conditions are. If it is a debate, you should allow us to debate freely. Every opinion should be heard because it is for the people of Zimbabwe and not for a particular individual.
HON. ZIYAMBI: Hon Chair, I can amend it to read as follows; no later than four months from the date of commencement of this Act or from the date of investiture of any Chief as the case maybe, the Minister shall ensure that every Chief is certified as competent to carry out the duties of a marriage officer for the purposes of solemnizing marriages according to customary rights – if it pleases the House.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: We have not seen the text but we have heard it and we fully understand. It is agreeable.
Amendment to Clause 12 put and agreed to.
Clause 12, as amended, put and agreed to.
On Clause 16;
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): I move the amendment standing in my name that on page 8 of the Bill, we delete sub-clause (2) on lines 42 to 45 and substitute the following sub-clauses and then the existing sub-clauses 3 and 4 be renumbered sub-clauses 4 and 5 respectively.
(2) A marriage officer in a customary law marriage shall put to either of the parties to a proposed marriage or to the witnesses, any questions relevant to the identity or marital status of the parties to the proposed marriage, to the agreements relating to marriage consideration (lobola or roora), if any, and to the existence of impediments to the marriage.”
(3) At the solemnisation of every customary law marriage, there must be present in addition to the Marriage Officer, the parties to the marriage, two witnesses one from each party to the marriage being a relative who under the customary law of the community concerned is recognised as the primary family witness for the marriage.
On page 8 of the Bill, delete sub-clause (5) which is one sub-clause 6 and substitute the following sub clause;
If a marriage officer is satisfied that the intended husband and wife freely and fully consent to the marriage and that from the two family witnesses, it is apparent that customary law formalities have been met and that no lawful impediments exist to the proposed marriage, he or she shall proceed in terms of section 30 and such marriage shall be a valid marriage contracted under customary law. I so submit Hon. Chair.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: Hon. Chair, I would like to seek some clarification. Amendment of Clause 16 under (3) – where it says two witnesses, one for each party to the marriage being a relative who under customary consent to witness one for each…
Does this mean I bring two relatives, one should be my relative and the other should be whatever? The language is not very clear. Can both be relatives or only one?
HON. ZIYAMBI: Hon. Sen. Chief Charumbira, do you have the Order Paper?
HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: Yes I have.
HON. ZIYAMBI: Let me repeat it, it says –
At the solemnisation of every customary law marriage, there must be present in addition to the Marriage Officer, the parties to the marriage, two witnesses one from each party to the marriage….
*There should be two people; one is the wife’s relative and the other the husband’s relative. This means you are not bringing a friend but a relative who under the Customary Law of the community concerned must be known as a relative.
HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: Thank you, it is now clear.
HON. ZIYAMBI: Thank you very much.
Amendment to Clause 16 put and agreed to.
Clause 16, as amended, put and agreed to.
Clauses 17 to 40 put and agreed to.
On Clause 41:
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): I put amendments to Clause 41 in my name that. On pages 17 to 18 of the Bill, to delete sub-clauses 5 and 6 and substitute the following sub-clauses;
Sub-clause 5: Where one of the persons in a civil partnership is legally married to someone else, hereinafter called the spouse of the civil partner, a court applying Sections 7 to 11 of the Matrimonial Causes Act [Chapter 5.13] to the division apportionment or distribution of assets of the civil partnership shall pay due regard to the rights and interests of the spouse of the civil partner and ensure that its order shall not extend to any assets, which approved to the satisfaction of the court to be assets properly belonging to the spouse of the civil partner.
Sub-clause 6: It is here provided that by virtue of the partners dissolving their civil partnership, neither of them shall be deemed to be guilty of bigamy contrary to Section 104 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23] if either of them is legally married to someone else. I submit Hon. Chair. This is basically to ensure that the argument that we wanted to put across, those that are married will lose their property, this will take care of that particular situation. Thank you Hon. Chair.
Amendment to Clause 41 put and agreed to.
Clause 41 as amended, put and agreed to.
Clauses 42 and 43 put and agreed to.
On Clause 44:
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Hon. Chair. I put the amendments in my name, New Clause substituted for 44 and the other clauses renumbered accordingly. Delete Clause 44 on Page 3 of the Bill and substitute with the following clauses and renumber it;
- The New Clause 44 is the recognition of marriages of foreigners or former foreigners. A foreign marriage is recognised as valid if at the time the marriage was contracted in any country;
- None of the spouses were already married as a part to a civil marriage or already married under the law of a third country that forbids marriage while either party is a part to a marriage that still subsists in that third country or,
- The spouses are not related to one another within a degree of relationship prohibited for the purposes of Section 75, that is sexual intercourse within a prohibited degree of relationship of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23] or,
- None of the spouse was under the age of 18 years or,
- None of the spouses suffered a mental incapacity to consent or,
- The spouse freely and fully consented to the marriage.
New sub-section 2 reads;
- For the avoidance of doubt, no party to a polygamous marriage contracted in a foreign country where such marriage was contracted lawfully and without contravening sub-section 1 shall be guilty of bigamy under Section 104 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23] if at the time of the marriage the husband was domiciled in that country;
- In accordance with the common law, the law of the husband’s domicile at the time of the marriage, governs the matrimonial property regime of the spouses even if the husband subsequently re-domiciles in Zimbabwe;
- Proceedings for the dissolution of a marriage referred to in paragraph A and the consequent disposition of the assets of the spouses and the award of the custody of any children may be conducted in Zimbabwe on the basis of the applicable foreign law in accordance with Section 25 of the Civil Evidence Act.
I submit Hon. Chair. The first part was similar; I think it is the sub-section 2 that is now the addition. I thank you.
Amendment to New Clause 44 put and agreed to.
New Clause 44, as amended put and agreed to.
On New Clause 45:
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): I move the amendments in my name on new clause 45 and the other clauses will be re-numbered accordingly. The new clause 45 will now read as -the title will be application of Act to certain marriages other than civil or customary marriages. This sub-clause, I will just summarise, the Muslim community in Zimbabwe, their marriages cannot be classified as customary. So this clause will take care of Muslim marriages to ensure that they are also recognised in terms of our law as fully described in the amendment. It just caters for Muslim marriages. This was done in consultation with that community that inserted this clause. I so submit.
(v)HON. SEN. CHIEF NGUNGUMBANE: I wanted to contribute on this clause before but you closed the debate without recognising those that on virtual platform. I feel there is need to consider those that are physically present and those that are on virtual platform.
HON. SEN. CHIEF MATUPULA: Thank you Hon. Chair. It is the same as what was raised by Hon. Sen. Chief Ngungumbane that just check on the virtual platform as well.
Amendment to new Clause 45 put and agreed to.
New Clause 45, as amended put and agreed to.
Clauses 46 to 55 put and agreed to.
House resumed.
Bill reported with amendments.
Bill referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee.
On the motion of THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI), the House adjourned at Twenty-Two Minutes past Five O’clock p.m. until Tuesday, 1st March, 2022.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Thursday, 17th February, 2022
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. SPEAKER in the Chair)
(v)HON. CHIDAKWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker for recognising me. I am raising a point of privilege on a matter of national interest. The Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Prof. M. Ncube granted a five-year tax holiday through SI 26 of, 2021 Great Dyke investment under special lease agreement. The Vice Chairperson of the Great Dyke Investment, Mr. Igo Higer was quoted in the Herald of 2nd February, 2021 saying that this tax relief was a culmination of the promise that had been made to Russia. The principles of Public Finance Management, specifically Section 298 (1) says that the burden of taxation must be shared fairly. Now therefore Mr. Speaker Sir, may the Minister bring to this House a full detailed report stating why as a nation we issued the lease and are we able to quantify the tax incentive in monetary terms? If it is a joint venture between a Russian company and a local company, who exactly did we give these two?
Mr. Speaker Sir, what is the name of the local company and who are the directors of this local company that is in the joint venture? Can the Minister, in his response inform us of the promise that was made to Russia as mentioned by Mr. Higer. Lastly, can the list be presented to Parliament for transparency’s sake? I thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you, I suggest that you put it in writing as a Question With Notice for next week.
+HON. MATHE: Thank you Mr. Speaker for giving me this opportunity to express my concerns regarding issues that are affecting us. My point of privilege is, we requested during the Budget presentation that we should go to our constituencies which are far apart, some as far as 177 kilometres. We requested that Parliament should capacitate us with resources so that we have access to constituencies. The budget was passed in 2021 and it got the President’s signature that we be given that money in 2021. We did not get that money during the whole of 2021 and now we are in 2022. We are not getting that fuel and we did not get that money so that we access our constituencies for us to perform our oversight role as we collect reports.
Mr. Speaker, the fuel that we get from here is not enough for us to move around constituencies. Our constituents want to hear Parliamentary reports and they want to share with us what they want us to say in Parliament. If we do not receive the rural constituency funds, then we are not able to discharge our duties properly and we are forced to debate off-the cuff without engaging our people. We end up expressing our own opinions instead of the people’s opinions. Why have we not received that money Mr. Speaker?
+THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Mathe. I heard what you said. We are going to assist you but the problem is that you waited for the whole year before expressing your concern up to end of 2021. We are in a new year now and you are raising these issues after this long. The Speaker is in the office, so you need to inform the Speaker. My office is open, what are you afraid of Hon. Member? The Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Development comes to the House but you do not ask him, yet you will be facing these challenges. We need to introspect; we must not keep quiet about such issues. I heard your concern, I am going to take steps but please do not keep quiet if there are issues affecting you, do not suffer in silence. I heard you and we are going to assist you.
FIRST READING
STATE UNVERSITIES STATUTES AMENDMENT BILL [H. B. 13, 2021]
THE MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. MURWIRA) presented the State Universities Statutes Amendment Bill [H. B. 13, 2021].
Bill read the first time.
Bill referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Before I read the Notice of Presentation of Bill No. 2 [Pointing to cameraman]. Are you from ZBC? [No, from Zimpapers TV]. I thought you were from ZBC because you are in the habit of taking pictures of the Speaker at the back - [Laughter.]- and I appear on TV with my back. They see the back of my head and my two ears. Do not do as ZBC does.
FIRST READING
LABOUR AMENDMENT BILL [H. B. 14, 2021]
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON ZIYAMBI) on behalf of THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE presented the Labour Amendment Bill [H. B. 14, 2021].
Bill read the first time.
Bill referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee.
FIRST READING
CHILD JUSTICE BILL [H. B. 11, 2021]
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON ZIYAMBI) presented the Child Justice Bill [H. B. 11, 2021].
Bill read the first time.
Bill referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee.
FIRST READING
CHILDREN’S AMENDMENT BILL [H. B. 12, 2021]
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON ZIYAMBI) presented the Children’s Amendment Bill [H. B. 12, 2021].
Bill read the first time.
Bill referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee.
FIRST READING
PRIVATE VOLUNTARY ORGANISATION AMENDMENT BILL [H.B. 10, 2021]
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON ZIYAMBI) on behalf of THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE presented the Private Voluntary Organisation Amendment Bill [H.B. 10, 2021].
Bill read the first time.
Bill referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee.
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
EXPLANATION ON INDUSTRIAL ACTION BY TEACHERS
THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (HON. DR. E. NDLOVU) [Speaking]: Mr. Speaker Sir the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is mandated by Government to provide relevant high quality education product to all its clients through both the formal and non-formal routes. In terms of section 75(IV) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe concerning the right to education, the Government of Zimbabwe has taken reasonable legislative and other measures within the limit of the resources made available to it to achieve the progressive realisation of a right to education. One of the key resources that enable the Ministry to fulfill its mandate is a teaching force that can continuously engage the clients on their educational journey namely its teachers.
Since my appointment as Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Mr. Speaker Sir, in September 2021, I have been seized with the matter of conditions of service for teachers. I have met unions in the education sector towards the end of 2021 to discuss conditions of service for teachers and seek their views. At the end of the meeting, I requested the unions to prepare their submissions to Government on the same. One of the unions fortunately presented its position and other unions concurred that it was representative of their position. On the basis of this submission I engaged the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to discuss the unions’ proposals. At this point, I was advised that Government was already working on some package. This is about the time that Government then announced that it was going to pay civil servants bonuses in hard currency.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I managed to meet the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare this year on the same subject. The Minister indicated that some proposals would be met but this will be done under the auspices of the National Joint Negotiation Council. I also engaged the Public Service Commission Chairperson and Commissioners to discuss the draft position paper and other related issues.
The week before schools were set to open, when it became apparent that there would be problems with the opening of schools as teachers had started talking about incapacitation, I raised the issue again with the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare and then escalated it to the Acting President.
On the opening day (7th February 2022), when statistics from the Permanent Secretary and other officials from my Ministry indicated that schools would not open and function normally, I raised the issue with the Acting President who summoned the Ministers of Finance and Economic Development, Public Services, Labour and Social Welfare, the Chairman of the Public Service Commission and myself to a meeting.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the meeting of the Ministers culminated in the announcement of the most recent package by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development. The Minister of Labour and Social Welfare and myself accompanied the Minister of Finance and Economic Development. I am now showing on the board an analysis that we have produced as a Ministry on the daily attendance of teachers post the announcement of the new package.
Trend Analysis of Attendance since Opening Day.
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
No. |
Province |
07/02 |
08/02 |
09/02 |
10/02 |
11/02 |
14/02 |
15/02 |
16/02 |
Average weekly tr. attendance |
1 |
Bulawayo |
5902 |
36.2 |
27.1 |
27.4 |
32.1 |
44.0 |
47.9 |
57.8 |
41.5 |
2 |
Harare |
86.6 |
55.3 |
49.5 |
43.6 |
51.2 |
52.1 |
50.4 |
64.0 |
56.6 |
3 |
Manicaland |
56.6 |
78.5 |
62.4 |
73.6 |
52.3 |
78.6 |
79.1 |
78.6 |
70.0 |
4 |
Mash. Cent |
44.5 |
44.2 |
32.2 |
35.3 |
42.3 |
52.6 |
57.0 |
58.0 |
45.8 |
5 |
Mash East |
48.6 |
59.0 |
51.0 |
41.9 |
66.7 |
58.9 |
73.7 |
58.8 |
57.3 |
6 |
Mash West |
50.1 |
44.1 |
41.5 |
43.3 |
48.9 |
51.8 |
59.3 |
56.2 |
49.4 |
7 |
Masvingo |
89.2 |
88.8 |
83.7 |
73.3 |
82.1 |
84.3 |
88.2 |
93.4 |
85.4 |
8 |
Mat North |
42.9 |
38.7 |
37.6 |
36.5 |
42.8 |
51.3 |
50.9 |
55.3 |
44.5 |
9 |
Mat South |
46.0 |
43.4 |
46.2 |
46.7 |
51.7 |
51.7 |
52.9 |
61.9 |
50.1 |
10 |
Midlands |
39.9 |
41.6 |
32.6 |
36.4 |
40.2 |
55.6 |
57.9 |
61.6 |
45.7 |
Prov. Ave |
|
56.4 |
53.0 |
46.4 |
45.8 |
51.0 |
58.1 |
61.7 |
64.6 |
54.6 |
On average on the list, Masvingo Province were attending at least 85.4% teachers were attending lessons followed by Manicaland which has 70% attendance, Mashonaland East had 57.3%. The rest were 50% and below. The average attendance for the whole country, all 10 provinces was 54.6% which is very low. We expected the attendance to improve and the figures that we have thereafter rose from 45.8% on Thursday the 10th of February 2022 to 65.6% on the 16th of February this month.
When some teachers continued not to report for duty after the announcement of the new improved package, Cabinet agreed that a Committee of Ministers and the Chairman of the Public Service Commission come up with a statement that summarises the Cabinet position on this issue, which statement is in the public media today. Government took into consideration that teachers were getting paid on Friday the 18th of February and they can take advantage of the weekend to travel to their respect workplaces and those teachers who genuinely did not have money to travel to their schools should have gone back to work by Tuesday 22nd February 2022.
I will now move on to the Cabinet resolution on issues in the Education sector as released in the press statement by the Public Service Commission yesterday. I seek your authority to proceed Hon. Speaker.
THE HON. SPEAKER: You can go ahead.
HON. DR. E. NDLOVU: Please allow me to read this slowly but surely, - verbatim. The opening of schools has brought to the fore the importance of safeguarding the inalienable right of every Zimbabwean child to an education as provided for in section 75 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. It is within this context that Government has in its effort to improve the welfare of workers continued to engage with the workers’ representative in the National Joint Negotiation Council. The National Joint Negotiation Council meeting held on the 11th February, 2022 welcomed the directive by His Excellency the President Cde. E. D. Mnangagwa to improve the Government to its employees’ relations through a combination of monetary and non-monetary incentives.
In the category of non-monetary benefits, teachers would benefit from the school fees exemption to cover 3 children per family. Plans were also announced to construct institutional accommodation for teachers at and around the school premises. This will be a total of 34 000 units over a 5-year period. Mr. Speaker Sir. Government shall maintain the current vehicle duty free privilege to civil servants. Advancement awards within grades which had been suspended for some time will be resumed with immediate effect to recognise seniority. Government notes with concern that in spite of the significant steps it has taken to improve conditions of service, working with the APEX Council, some teachers continue to absent themselves from work with some reporting for duty but not working.
Mr. Speaker Sir, this has had the effect of depriving learners of their inalienable right to education as well as prejudicing parents of their significant investment in their children’s education. This behaviour, Mr. Speaker Sir, on the part of some teachers, is all the more distressing in view of the fact that it is coming at a time when learners have already lost more than a month of learning in 2022 due to COVID-19 pandemic and were therefore looking forward to the opportunity to catch up with their studies.
Such behaviour cannot be tolerated as it will have a lasting negative impact on the whole generation of our children. It is in this context that Government is taking the following measures which were published today in the media that all teachers, deputy heads and heads of schools who do not report for duty by Tuesday, 22 February, 2022 will be deemed to have resigned from service.
Those reporting for duty but not teaching will also be deemed to have resigned. All those who will have in that manner so resigned and were occupying institutional accommodation are expected to vacate the same with immediate effect. Unemployed trained teachers, university and college graduates in the science, engineering, technical vocational areas and other disciplines interested in joining the teaching profession should ensure that they are registered at the nearest district education offices as the recruitment process shall begin soon after 22nd February, 2022 and those deemed to have resigned shall not be eligible for this recruitment. Government has taken the position that it will work with those who demonstrate their commitment by performing their duties at all times to serve the nation.
The Government of Zimbabwe continues to work towards the provision of inclusive, equitable quality education for socio-economic transformation by 2030. Pursuant to this, the School Improvement Grant (SIG) which has been in place since 2013 has continued to target the most fragile schools where parents are less able to pay fees and levies. The SIG allocation for 2022 amounts to US$12 million. The Ministry is also grateful that this year’s ZW$4.1 billion allocation for the Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) is almost double the 2021 allocation, meaning we will be able to assist more vulnerable children than last year.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the Ministry has also been dealing with effects of natural disasters which have hit the country in the recent past. As you are aware Cyclone Idai, and this year there was Ana, destroyed a number of schools and violent storms have also become a menace in the recent past, especially in Mashonaland Central and Matabeleland South Provinces. As a result, financial support has also been directed towards the rehabilitation of these schools.
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the education sector hard with prolonged school closures and infection, prevention and control measures meaning more funding was needed in the schools for boreholes, infrastructure masks, disinfectant and sanitisers among others. We have, as a Ministry, received support from Government, our partners and stakeholders which we are very grateful for. Mr. Speaker Sir, I submit.
THE HON. SPEAKER: In terms of procedure, I will now invite questions for clarifications.
HON. T. MOYO: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir. I want to thank the Hon. Minister for the statement. I seek clarification on a few issues. The first one concerns the measures that the Ministry is going to take to make up for lost time. I am sure the learners have lost a lot of time because of prolonged closure of schools because of the COVID-19 pandemic and now because of industrial action, they are also losing a lot of time violating their rights to education. What measures are going to be put in place by the Ministry after the 22nd to ensure that lost time has been made available for the learners?
The second area that needs clarification is who is going to supervise or to monitor deputy heads and headmasters after the 22nd? Do you have capacity as a Ministry to visit all schools because I am aware that a number of headmasters are participating in this strike? Then on non-monetary benefits - the issue of housing, stands and flats…
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Member, you are overstepping your right to ask for clarification, you are now debating.
HON. T. MOYO: No, I am seeking clarification.
THE HON. SPEAKER: You are now debating. Others also want to seek clarification.
HON. T. MOYO: The last point Hon. Speaker.
THE HON. SPEAKER: I will indulge you because you are the Chairman.
HON. T. MOYO: Thank you. I want to know about security of tenure for accommodation that is going to be provided to those teachers. I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
HON. MPARIWA: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Please be pointed.
HON. MPARIWA: Yes, Hon. Speaker Sir. Let me just acknowledge the speed that the Minister has taken in terms of coming with a response as per the request of the House.
The clarification that I want to find out from the Minister is on the non-monetary benefits, the institutional accommodation of 34 000. What is the criterion that Government will use in order to ensure that there is regional balance in terms of beneficiaries of the 34 000 housing units. Thank you.
HON. KWARAMBA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My question to the Minister of Education is that we have seen the list of attendance that you have shown us on the screen. I would like to seek clarification on what measures the Hon. Minister is taking to ensure that actual teaching is taking place because most of the schoolchildren where I come from are just going to school, the teachers will be there but they are not conducting lessons. Is the Hon. Minister aware that this is what is happening at schools? Thank you.
(v)HON. WATSON: Thank you Hon. Speaker. I want the Hon. Minister to clarify on the grants made to schools that are deemed to be needier than others because of parental poverty. What are they intended to be used for because they are not very apparent in terms of text books and issues like that. Thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Minister, did you talk about availability of text books in your presentation?
HON. E. NDLOVU: No, I did not talk about that.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Watson, we must stick to...
(v)HON. WATSON: Could the Hon. Minister clarify what the grants that are given to the needier schools are used for, she mentioned this in the Ministerial Statement. Thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: I hope the Hon. Minister mentioned that but I do not recall, I will give you the benefit of the doubt.
(v)HON. DUTIRO: Thank you Hon. Speaker. I want to seek clarity on the structuring of the school holiday because we have realised that most of the learning disturbances were emanating from COVID-19 which spread very fast during the cold season. I have realised that the holiday system has excluded the cold winter where children as young as four years go to school. I want to seek clarity...
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order. Can you speak to what the Hon. Minister stated in the statement?
(v)HON. DUTIRO: Yes, it also concerns the issues of holidays and COVID-19 Hon. Speaker.
THE HON. SPEAKER: How does that relate to teachers and schools? I strike down your question please - think of another one.
HON. MADHUKU: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir. I would like to seek some clarification from the Hon. Minister on the issue of payment of school fees for three biological children. We have circumstances where some teachers have not been blessed enough to have children but they are also rendering service. So we think these are disregarded. Some are not married and in other cases we have teachers who no longer have children attending school - maybe they have graduated but these teachers also need to benefit. My question is whether the Ministry could look into such issues so that these teachers also benefit because they are rendering very important service. Thank you.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I want to know from the Hon. Minister what will be the fate of those teachers and headmasters that are refusing to admit children into their schools? Those that have attended Grade 7 and have got higher points than those schools require?
THE HON. SPEAKER: Does this question arise from the ministerial statement?
HON. NDUNA: Those who are refusing admittance of those children into those schools, I have bunched them into the class of teachers that the Hon. Minister referred to that are being delinquent, those that are not coming to school, those that are coming to school and not teaching. Therefore, I seek clarity on those that are not admitting children into those schools turning them away because of high points at Grade 7.
(v)HON. MARKHAM: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. The Hon. Minister mentioned BEAM. Can the Hon. Minister confirm that the two billion dollars that was allocated for last year was received by the Ministry?
HON. T. MLISWA: I am seeking clarity from the Hon. Minister in terms of the time span of this impasse of the remuneration and welfare of the teachers. Is firing or suspending the teachers who are not reporting for work healthy in any way and what guarantee is there that those that are going to replace these teachers will be happy with the remuneration being offered? What guarantee is there to bring this to a logical conclusion?
The suspended teachers; yesterday the Deputy Minister of Labour and Social Welfare was very clear in that if they do not attend work by the 22nd February, 2022, they will be fired but they have been suspended already by the Ministry before they are fired. Does the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education have the power to suspend these teachers? For example…
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order! Hon. Member, the question is understood, otherwise you will give examples of all those teachers you know in your constituency who have been suspended or are allegedly suspended.
HON. TOGAREPI: Firstly, I would like to thank the Minister’s proactive approach to this problem by engaging various stakeholders to come up with what Government has offered our teachers. I would like the Minister to clarify whether this time around we will follow through our warning to teachers, that after the 22nd those who are not in agreement will go home for good.
HON. MBONDIAH: Thank you Hon. Speaker. I seek clarity from the Hon. Minister regarding the accommodation of teachers where the Hon. Minister said teachers who are not reporting for duty should vacate accommodation with immediate effect.
HON. GABBUZA: I just want to know if the Minister was able to calculate all the things that they are offering to the teachers, the houses, duty free cars and all the other free things. How much will these cost if it is converted to money, how much additional salaries can that be on the teachers’ salary?
Secondly, the Minister indicated that there was an agreement, they consulted with unions and agreed with their position paper that if these issues that the Hon. Minister and the Ministry are offering, if they came from the teachers and they agreed, why are they still on strike?
HON. L. SIBANDA: Why did the Ministry suspend teachers whilst they know very well that teachers are incapacitated? Secondly, the ZUPCO buses are cheap, but are these buses going to reach all rural schools and if yes, how about the groceries? I thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Those are the questions raised Hon. Minister. I have gone through my list. May I ask you to respond according to the questions raised for clarification?
THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (HON. DR. E. NDLOVU): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I would like to thank all the Hon. Members who have put questions forward.
I will start with Hon. Mpariwa, was she the first one? The Hon. Chairman of the Committee on Education asked about the measures that we are taking to address loss of time for the children during the period that we had COVID and the current strikes. What we did Mr. Speaker Sir, is we worked with the development partners to come up with a compressed syllabus in order to address the short terms that we resulted with.
Then we also came up with online learning programmes as a solution and these are ongoing.. We are also assisted by the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services by making sure that all the schools that do not have ICT gadgets and electricity; we facilitate by donations from the particular ministry and its parastatals. I think most of you have seen them going into our schools, donating computers and also facilitating access to electricity within schools. We are also very grateful to the Ministry of Energy and Power Development who have been cooperating with us on that issue.
We introduced radio and television lessons. I think some of you have seen and heard them. The development partners also assisted us so that we could have those sticks that pupils use to listen to the lesson. Teachers can do that at community level.
In terms of the monitoring of our teachers, we have the District Schools Inspectors (DSIs), then we have the Provincial. Of course, we start with the Provincial Education Directors (PEDs) who supervise the District Schools Inspectors; those are the people working on the ground. We get those statistics through them. As you are aware, one of the Hon. Members asked what we are going to do since the headmasters are not cooperating. We are using some members of the community, very responsible who took it upon themselves to give us information on who is attending lessons and who is not conducting lessons.
Mai Mpariwa, on monetary criteria to ensure the beneficiary is the same - [HON. KWARAMBA: It is Hon. Mpariwa.] – The non-monetary I think we have got - [(v)AN HON. MEMBER: Hon. Minister, it is not mai Mpariwa but Hon. Mpariwa.] – the Public Service Commission has got staff on the ground who monitor and they also complete application forms for these benefits, that is the housing benefit, the motor vehicle scheme; those are some of the non-monetary benefits. I hope I got her question, if I have not answered you; please you can raise a new question.
THE HON. SPEAKER: The Hon. Member. You do not say her but the Hon. Member.
+HON. DR. E. NDLOVU: I did not take note of the question thinking I had responded to the question earlier. Mr. Speaker Sir, Hon. Kwaramba, the list of attendance that we
were showing you there is very doubtful even to us, the Ministry. We have received information that some of these people are just attending and not teaching by the villagers themselves. The villagers call my office, my contact is very popular because I was at the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises so a lot of people know me and I am still using the same contact. So they call and tell us that we are being lied to, these people are just seated. At times we are informed that it is the headmaster who is turning away teachers. Even the teachers are calling to say, what can I do? This was especially so after my statement of suspension, most teachers called to say, what should we do seeing as we are being advised by the headmaster not to report for duty? Endai kumba, murikutsvagei pano?
So it is a problem, when you have got a manager who is unionized, how do you work?
Heads of schools, their deputies and senior teachers are my managers on the ground who are supposed to be helping and assisting me to get things happening. I was shocked to find that they are unionized in this country. Where in this world are managers unionized? I am yet to hear from the International Labour Organisation (ILO). I think I will seek clarity on this one from the International Labour Organisation… - [(v)HON. T. MLISWA: On a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir!] – Mr. Speaker Sir, Mr. Austin - we are also using …
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order. Hon. Minister, can we hear the point of order from Hon. Mliswa?
(v)HON. T. MLISWA: Mr. Speaker Sir, my point of order is what does the Hon. Minister mean when she says they are unionized? Can she clarify that because I do not know what it means?
THE HON. SPEAKER: You are out of order because if you are not clear, you wait for the Hon. Minister to finish the responses. You are given a second chance to seek clarification. Thank you.
(v)HON. T. MLISWA: I stand guided Mr. Speaker Sir.
HON. DR. E. NDLOVU: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir. Hon. Kwaramba, we have taken a whole Government approach in monitoring the schools. The Ministry was monitoring on its own but now we have decided to take a whole Government approach. Each institution will be reporting to their respective Ministers regarding the situation on the ground. As a group of Ministers, we then analyse the information. That is the approach that we have taken as Government to make sure that we get correct statistics regarding attendance. We are also appealing to parents to phone or visit our offices to report those teachers who will not take up the offer to go back to schools and teach.
Hon. Watson, on grants made to schools, I am new in the Ministry but I visited various schools in rural areas that have benefited from this grant. I think in my statement that this grant will assist children from poor families because they cannot afford to pay levies which are usually used for infrastructural purposes. Part of the levies goes towards the running of the school. I cannot list off the cuff the areas the investments that are directed to schools but I know that I found in one of the schools, bricks that were bought through that particular scheme of grant aid.
On restructuring of school holiday systems that affected the winter holiday, yes we restructured because we were late in opening, we had to cut the first term shorter and made the second and third term longer. That affected the holidays, I hope it is appreciated because we lost one month this year, so we are trying to cover up and we are now losing more than one month because of the strike.
Hon. Madhuku asked about the three biological children, yes it is nature, when we grow old, we do not have children so we took it into account that those can give service to the nation. They have grandchildren but they are not biological children. Hon. Nduna on the issue of schools which are refusing to admit children from Grade 7 to Form one, we need evidence from the Hon. Member so that we can come up with administrative measures to correct the situation.
On the allocation of the 2 billion, the Ministry did not receive all of it but this year, let me assure Hon. Members that we are committed to pushing for the release of the allocated resources timeously. We have so far received some of our money. I think the releases were very slow last year and the Minister of Finance and Economic Development has assured us that as long as we have put committees to come up with budgets for each session, they will timeously release our money. We also encourage you as Parliamentarians, to help also push the Ministry of Finance to assist us with the relevant resources timeously.
Hon. Mliswa raised the issue of the package, that this has taken a very long time. When I was appointed Minister by His Excellency, he told me that I should push this agenda because the negotiations had been going on for a long time and we had to address this. I made sure that this package is negotiated and finalised. I think if it was at a rally, I was going to ask you to clap hands for me. I pushed and the impasse started when we were about to write examinations last year. Actually that pushed me to negotiate with the Unions because they were demanding that they must be paid an allowance for invigilation and I informed them that they cannot just say we want an incentive, I asked them to come and discuss the issue. That resulted in us receiving some submissions from one of the unions but it had been going on for a long time. Of late, they escalated the issue by not attending to students.
On what guarantee there is that the new employees will not strike, of course we cannot talk of guarantees but we are saying those people are unemployed, most of our graduates are loitering on the streets and we hope that they are patriotic enough to sympathise with the young children in our society. We cannot guarantee that they will not strike but we assure you that some of our children who are not working, if given an opportunity, they can do well for us.
I want to thank Hon. Togarepi for the comment, I am quite sure that this time around, we hope that attendance will improve. Personally, I believe that at times as human beings, we feel for others. I hope that the teachers will feel for our children and go back to school and feel for the parents. These are our future leaders, tomorrow’s parliamentarians, tomorrow’s ministers, tomorrow’s doctors to mention but a few.
Hon. Mbondiah asked about accommodation for teachers. The question did not come out clearly but I will try to answer by saying that one of the conditions for going back to work, if one has not gone back to work surely the circular says, if you have not gone back to work, it means automatically you have resigned. If you have resigned, you have to vacate that accommodation immediately after 22 February 2022.
Hon. Binga -I call you Mr. Binga.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon Gabbuza. It is not parliamentary Hon. Minister.
HON. DR. E. NDLOVU: My apologies. I withdraw again. Hon. Gabbuza, this morning we sat down with our staff when we were finalising our presentation. We said what we should have done is that we should have compiled the value of non monetary benefits and then looked at the variance and see if it is justified for them to say it is not enough. That is an exercise that we are doing. This afternoon, my officials were doing that and trying to link up with the Ministry of Finance to make sure that we come up with actual figures of the benefits that accrue to them.
Whilst still on strike, one of the demands from teachers was that sometime back when US$1 was equivalent to Z$1, they were given US$540 which in actual fact was not US$. They are claiming that they were given that US$540 and they are still demanding that they be paid that US$540. That is where it comes - that benefits – can we calculate those benefits against that US$540 and see if the actual cash that we are paying and the benefits match that demand. It is a good idea to sit down and calculate.
Towards the end of the year, I heard the National Joint Negotiating Forum agreed that Government should give them at least US$185 in hard cash and that US$185 in hard cash, Government so far has offered them US$175 against US$185. There is a shortfall of US$10 from the demands that they put in the Joint Negotiation Committee. When we calculate all these figures, it will take us somewhere to try and reason with our staff to make sure that they go back to work and do their national duty.
On whether ZUPCO buses will reach all teachers and how about groceries - on groceries I do not know. On ZUPCO buses, we have said every month end if teachers want to go to town to buy their groceries, they will be given a coupon or card which is used to board ZUPCO buses. I am sure you are all aware that ZUPCO has subcontracted some bus companies to also provide transport in rural areas. We believe that we will have more buses in towns and other smaller kombis under the ZUPCO label in the rural areas to assist the teachers to come to town and buy their groceries. I hope and believe that I have responded. I hope that you can allow me to rest my case now.
HON. RAIDZA: Thank you very much Madam Speaker. My point of clarification is with regards to a permanent solution. It looks like as we are moving from the COVID pandemic, we are getting another teaching pandemic as well. I want to hear from the Minister the permanent plans that they are having as a Ministry to make sure that our children will not lose time again in the education sector. Whenever the schools are opening, they come again and say we are striking. When they want to write examinations either in November or June, there is an issue and strike again. What plans is the Ministry having to make sure these issues do not recur again?
(v)HON. MUSHORIWA: I want to seek clarification from the Minister. The first clarification from the Minister is to say, if in your letter you had indicated that if teachers do not report by the 22nd so that you allow them to travel after they got their pay on the 18th, technically it means that the schools and children are starting to learn on the 22nd. Given that the school calendar had already been publicised, is there any leeway to amend that calendar so that the school days are increased?
The second clarification comes from your response pertaining to the actions of the heads and deputies whom you said are managers and they are supposed to be helping you. Does remuneration and packages of these heads and deputies qualify them to be managers or they easily associate themselves with ordinary teachers because there is no difference in terms of the package?
The last issue I want to seek clarification on is to say, if the teachers have been demanding US$540 and the amount of money that they are getting is less than US$200. Do you not think Hon. Minister, that our children are going to continue to suffer especially the children of the poor because there is no way you can remove the children from these public schools and yet those that are rich will have the leeway to take their children to a private school? I thank you.
(v)HON. GANDAWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I wanted to seek clarity from the Minister. In her presentation, she indicated that on STEM subjects they are going to recruit graduates from universities. Why is it so when you have got teachers who are trained in STEM subjects? Why is there an appetite to pick graduates in the streets who are not trained yet we have got teachers from teaching institutions that are still roaming the streets?
Secondly, the intervention or solution that she came up with, to have online learning to recover the lost time for our students who have not been in class - I need clarity from the Minister, how effective is this in our rural communities where there is no power and computers in schools? I understand ministries of ICT have been equipped with computers but confined to mostly urban schools and not schools in the remote villages. What is the Ministry doing to assist those schools in remote areas where there is no activity, radio or television? I thank you.
(v)HON. SARUWAKA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to seek clarification from the Hon. Minister, to understand how she thinks the heavy-handed approach of the Ministry, which started by illegally suspending and then threatening to fire teachers and replace them with inexperienced teachers, will help to introduce better learning in our schools especially if the idea is to recruit from unemployed graduates, some of whom do not have any sort of teaching experience. Will that lead to any learning for our children?
I also wanted to understand the approach by the Ministry or Government, whether it is intended at helping our children or the idea is simply to open schools and present a picture of learning in schools. Do they really believe that approach will lead to better learning for our children?
Lastly, I simply wanted to understand from the Hon. Minister whether she does not think it is prudent that she issues an apology for having overstepped her mandate when she reportedly fired the teachers. What it has done is that it has plunged the education sector into darkness. Is she going to apologize to the teachers, to the nation and parents for having taken the wrong step?
*HON. NYABANI: When negotiating with these teachers’ unions, do you then come to report to the public what you would have agreed with these teachers’ representatives? I see a problem when you say we have agreed this and that and then the teachers’ representatives will come out and say we never agreed on that. It was a good idea like we used to see in the past when you would sit in meetings with these people and you make it public so that when they come back and say we never agreed, it will be in the public domain. If you do that we will not see any problems. I thank you.
HON. B. DUBE: Thank you very much Madam Speaker. My supplementary is just to get clarity from the Minister on the labour ideology to the fact that the Ministry is implementing and whether or not it is a sustainable one where every time you will then get disagreements with your employees, you will be threatening to fire and replace them. Is it a sustainable ideology and is there any example of implementation in any part of the world where things of this nature are actually being implemented, where if there is a disagreement you threaten to fire en masse and if the new ones come and do the same, you will also fire them en masse? Is this sustainable?
(v)HON. MBODIAH: Thank you Madam Speaker. My point of clarification was with regard to the accommodation of teachers where the Hon. Minister mentioned that teachers who do not attend classes on the 23rd will be evicted immediately. My point of clarification is that - is that the normal procedure of eviction because the norm is that you are given three months to vacate any residence? I thank you.
HON. MPARIWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. My first point of clarification will come from the previous question that I posed to the Minister on the 34 000 housing units that the Government will construct. I seek to find out the criteria that the Government will use in order to ensure equal regional distribution for benefits in terms of who is going to benefit and from which region so that there is a balance and that we continue to be attracted from all the reasons.
I am provoked Madam Speaker, to further find out from the Minister whether all the packages that have been laid on the screen in terms of the Hon. Minister’s presentation were agreed to with the National Joint Negotiating Council. I also want clarity on the modalities in terms of the message of the 22nd as a deadline on how the Ministry is going to ensure that every teacher who is on strike gets the message that they must go back to work.
HON. BHUDA-MASARA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to seek clarity from the Hon. Minister on the following issues, the first one is on the 20% increment that she said is going to be backdated to January and the US$100 will begin in March; why can they not backdate the US$100 to January as well? Then on the US$75 COVID-19 allowance, I would like to seek clarity on whether teachers were not receiving that US$75. If they were not receiving it, why can it not be backdated to when it started?
The last one is on the issue of organisations that the Acting Minister yesterday responded to saying there are some organisations that they have spoken to, those that will provide loans to teachers. I am also saying why can your Ministry not consider buying those vehicles for the teachers and then allow them time to pay back in small amounts. Thank you
(v)HON. T. MLISWA: Madam Speaker first of all, the 20% increment and other benefits - are they enough and back dating again it seems to be a piecemeal, it seems to be a package which is really coming out of a reactionary approach rather than being sustainable because we cannot continue like this. I want to know if this is sustainable?
Secondly, the Minister says headmasters, deputy headmasters are unionised leaders. What does she mean? She also spoke about getting information from parents that teachers and headmasters are not coming to school. Is that a credible source? What is the role of us Members of Parliament or councillors? Are we not the ones to be telling her that we think in my constituency in Norton, this headmaster, this school is doing A, B, C, D. What if these parents have got a tiff with the headmaster or the teachers? Teachers who do a good job are strict. Is this not an opportunity to get rid of them? So to me it is important that the Minister responds to this.
Finally, what is the role of us Members of Parliament? We represent people constitutionally. Do these parents represent people constitutionally? I am quite disappointed that we have not been asked to give reports from our constituencies on schools, teachers and heads who are not doing things in an appropriate manner. I think this is an insult to us Members of Parliament because a fight against the teachers and civil servants is a fight against the country. They have performed well in achieving good results.
Again finally, Madam Speaker, is it really the way to go about solving issues in terms of us giving this the last resort of finance? Does the Ministry have the mandate to suspend because they fall under the Public Service Commission, but she admits she went on to suspend them and is that the right approach to bypass the Public Service Commission? So to me these issues have to be answered because there are those suspended teachers who were suspended by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education through her statement which is illegal in terms of who they report to at the end of the day. Can she also, moving forward, withdraw that suspension statement and allow the necessary institution to do its role.
HON. T. MOYO: Thank you Madam Speaker, I seek clarification on two issues. The first one the Hon. Minister did not respond to it when I raised it. It is on security of tenure for the 34 000 housing units to be built for teachers. Are teachers going to be provided with title deeds for these housing units or not and how different are they from those that are being provided by schools today?
Finally, the issue of recruitment, those who failed to attend to their classes by the 22nd would have fired themselves. So my question is, are we deviating from the centralised way of recruitment? Are we going to decentralise as from 22nd of February? Thank you.
*HON. MADHUKU: Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to comment on the issue of those three biological children of teachers who are being paid fees for. Those are some things that cause problems to teachers because if a person is a teacher and he is not gifted with children, will they be punished because they are not going to get the bonuses for children because they did not give birth to any children? Those teachers who do not have children or are barren, are rendering the same services as those who have children. Is it a problem for teachers that are barren? Those are things that are supposed to be taken note of. Their bareness is a curse from God and they are being told that they are not getting anything because they do not have any children.
*THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MAVETERA): Order Hon. Member. Can you withdraw the statement that their bareness is a curse from God?
*HON. MADHUKU: I withdraw that statement that it is a curse that they are barren. What about those who are barren, is it their fault that they are barren? It is painful for teachers who are barren not to be given money because if they have problems in bearing children and they are not getting anything, that will stress them because others will be receiving bonuses for their children. This will demotivate them because they will be saying let those that are not barren teach the children because I am not getting anything in return. Let the teachers’ unions reverse their deals of not paying fees for non-biological children for teachers.
(v)HON. HOUGHTON: Thank you Madam Speaker. The arrangement for getting teachers to their schools in Kariba rural district is not practical. First of all, there is no bus service at all. Secondly, if the teachers are to buy a vehicle on the import duty free scheme, then they would have to buy a 4x4 road clearance vehicle because the roads are very bad and lastly there is no fuel outlet in Kariba rural. There is nowhere for them to buy the fuel. Can the Minister please make some other arrangement to get those teachers to school? Thank you Madam Speaker
(v)HON. NYAMUDEZA: My question is how long will the Government intend to facilitate e-learning in rural schools?
THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (HON. DR. E. NDLOVU): Thank you Madam Speaker. The university graduates that we are employing, we considered that we will recruit first of all unemployed teachers. That is the first group of people that we are going to engage and then we move onto the other graduates who have got mathematics, physics and chemistry because we are in short supply in this country of teachers in those fields. So this is also a mitigatory measure to make sure that we meet the requirement of schools.
Most of our schools in rural areas do not have science, mathematics, physics, chemistry and commerce teachers. So recruitment of graduates is to try and address that gap. We will first of all take in the qualified teachers. Where there is no power and no radios, it is unfortunate that with Government’s programme, we want to make sure that all rural areas can access our local radios. Where there is no power, I think we are trying to work with the Ministry of Energy and Power Development and the Ministry of ICT to make sure that we use solar and we install solar panels to facilitate access to ICT programmes.
On the heavy handed approach – I really want to emphasise that taking teachers that are not experienced, we saw it after independence. We took Form 2s, Standard 6 and they were teaching in our schools when we came back from the liberation struggle. We had no teachers and we did not have enough teachers but we were pushing for the construction of schools and for children to go back to school. We recruited untrained teachers and some of us were untrained teachers to make sure that we close the gap.
I think Hon. Mliswa has asked me to apologise. I cannot apologise because I was delegated the responsibility by the Public Service Commission when they wrote officially to my Ministry to say the Permanent Secretary should suspend those people. I made the statement of behalf of Government. I did not make a statement as Minister of Primary and Secondary Education but was making the statement on behalf of Government.
(v)HON. MUSHORIWA: On a point of order Madam Speaker. When you gave us the chance to ask for clarification, we stood and we raised the questions but it appears as if the Hon. Minister was not even recording or hearing our questions and she is jumping from one MP to the other. I am just wondering why it is like that because Hon. Raidza came first, I came second and I am still waiting for my response and now she is calling for Hon. Mliswa. I am not so sure why she is doing that.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: I think before you raised your point of order, she had said Hon. Raidza’s question. So she was just going to your question. Let us give her an opportunity so that at least we can be able to see if she is not going to respond to all the questions.
HON. DR. E. NDLOVU: Thank you Madam Speaker. Hon. Raidza asked about the permanent plan that we are making to make sure the children have teachers...
(v)HON. SARUWAKA: Madam Speaker, I think the Hon. Minister must take the business of Parliament seriously. Yesterday we had the Deputy Minister of Public Service and it was very clear that the Hon. Minister did not make that statement representing the Public Service Commission but she had done that in her own right as the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education. This is why I have also asked her when she was going to issue an apology. I was disappointed that she has not mentioned my name but all she said was this other Hon. Member. This shows that there is lack of seriousness on the way she is treating the questions and the education sector and the teachers. May she please retract the position that she was representing the Ministry of Public Service because he can represent himself?
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Thank you for that point of order. It is true but I am sure what the Hon. Minister is saying is that she does not employ but it is the Public Service which employs. I think that is why she was responding that way. She was speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Public Service and that is what she is saying.
(v)HON. SARUWAKA: Madam Speaker, I do not want to make a debate out of this but I think you would agree with me that even the State Broadcaster never said the Public Service or what. It was the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education – that is what was communicated by the Government of Zimbabwe. This is why we are saying she must apologise because she was wrongly quoted and she must indicate that and not to make us believe that we are the ones who are mad.
(v)HON. T. MLISWA: Madam Speaker, I think it is part of leadership to apologise when you are wrong. You cannot be stubborn about something. She cannot speak on behalf of that Ministry. The Ministry of Information and Publicity is responsible for gathering the information and hers is not. Hers is Primary and Secondary Education. The Public Service Commission has got its PR officer who can do that and for her to come to this Parliament and lie to us and want to treat us like kids, is not acceptable. We have to hold them accountable and it is important we do our job of representing people. She cannot speak on behalf of the Public Service Commission. Can she show us an affidavit and power of attorney that she has been given that by the Chairperson? It does not work like that.
She is a very Hon. Minister who has a great future and who is passionate about what she does but when you are wrong, you are wrong. She suspended the teachers and she had no right to do that but the Public Service Commission could have done that. The Hon. Deputy Minister Matuke came here and he was speaking and so who do we listen to, the Minister of Public Service Commission or her in terms of the teachers? We are now confused because Hon. Matuke was here yesterday during Question Time and he said they will only be fired if they do not come on the 22nd which means it is under the ambit of that Ministry not her role.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: That is quite noted. I think there is need for clarity here, Hon. Matuke yesterday came and mentioned exactly what the Hon. Minister has done. When Hon. Matuke came yesterday during Question Time he was representing the Ministry of Public Service and Social Welfare which I believe he has got the capacity to be doing that.
Now, I do not think it would be fair for us to be asking for affidavits for us to know who was supposed to say what, especially on a public forum like this. As far as I saw it, it is quite clear that the Hon. Minister is saying he was representing the Minister of Public Service. So, as Parliament to then say we need an affidavit to see where the Hon. Minister got the powers to do that, I think we will be going out of line. The Hon. Minister is saying she was representing the Ministry of Public Service and it was not within her capacity, she was doing it on behalf of the Public Service Commission.
Hon. Minister did you say anything contrary?
HON. DR. E. NDLOVU: Yes.
HON. T. MLISWA: Madam Speaker, take note that this is a Parliament of records, I am going to bring that out and I want to know who is supposed to be speaking on behalf of the Ministry in charge of Public Service Commission. If the Hon. Minister has dual role then we must know because when there is an acting Minister in Cabinet it is announced. The Hon. Minister is contradicting herself and it creates confusion moving forward, that is why we need to know how we are going to move forward when there is no clarity of knowing who the authority is really.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: To respond to you Hon. Saruwaka and Hon. Mliswa, we need to understand that in the Executive and the Cabinet, there is what we call collective responsibility of which any Minister can be able to represent another especially on issues of national interest. So, that is why the Hon. Minister had to act in that capacity.
HON. B. DUBE: On clarity relating to that, the Public Service Commission is an independent institution; it is not supposed to be having the Cabinet as its spokesperson. The Public Service Commission does its own things, it is the employer that we are talking about and that answer may not directly respond to the issues that the Hon. Members have raised because in any event even if it was the Minister of Public Service, still he is not the employer.
Public Service Commission is an independent institution in terms of the Constitution and it has powers to hire and fire its employees in terms of the laws of this country and not the Minister. That responsibility cannot be delegated by the Commission to the Cabinet, that is the intention of the Legislature and they established the Commission, the intention was to make sure the Minister is not the employer.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: I think the Hon. Minister was clear when she presented her statement. She said this is a Cabinet directive.
HON. B. DUBE: Madam Speaker, the point I am making is, Cabinet itself cannot even decide or agree to make a decision on behalf of the Public Service Commission. The costs for these blunders will come to the tax payer because already they will be sued in court and they have no leg to stand on. My point is - is it correct that the Public Service Commission can be represented by Cabinet on the status of its employees? The answer is no. I do not want us Madam Speaker to be acting outside the law by pacifying illegalities. The Public Service Commission is the employer and it is a statutory establishment in terms of the Constitution, so is Cabinet and Parliament. There is nowhere it is explained by the Hon. Minister where those powers derive from because even when you are suing, you sue the Public Service Commission.
So, it is these ideological concoctions that lead to all these problems where people end up doing things that are outside their mandate and their constitutional obligations. We believe what Hon. Saruwaka said is the smartest thing to do, just apologise for having done the wrong things and allow Public Service Commission to do its own job.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: This issue is in the courts, so let us wait for the courts to be able to decide on that matter.
(v)*HON. T. MLISWA: Yes, because we will soon ask for those Cabinet Minutes. We have the authority to do so over this, where are the Cabinet Minutes? We will now request the Minutes at the top so that we resolve matters.
*THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Member, let us wait for the resolution of the matter in the courts. Hon. Minister Ndlovu, you may proceed.
* HON. DR. E. NDLOVU: Thank you. I am lost because this debate has dragged for a long time. I apologise for not noting the names of the Hon. Members who posed questions. I was not writing names unfortunately and I apologise, next time I will write the names. Now and again, I was writing down the names but in most cases I was just writing the question.
The question by Hon. Raidza on a permanent plan to make sure children have teachers; the plan that we have as Government is that we have a continuous negotiation platform under the National Joint Negotiation Committee (NJNC). Even on the day that the Committee met to review the package that had been offered by Government, it was agreed that there would be continuous review of the package as a whole to make sure that we do not go back to the same in future.
On whether we will create time for children to learn – I think that was the question. Unfortunately on time, in some schools for instance, I went to Manicaland Province. The headmasters and teachers agreed to conduct lessons on Saturdays to make sure that children cover their syllabus. Arrangements have been made in other schools to make sure that we cover the time that we have lost.
Then on remuneration of heads, i.e. Headmasters and Deputy Headmasters; recently the Public Service Commission gave responsibility allowances to headmasters – sorry not headmasters but we had allowances for headmasters, yes and then our heads at the Ministry were given allowances - so they are really our managers on the ground.
Hon. Mbondiah asked about the vacation period that is given. According to the law, we are supposed to give three months notice.
I feel constrained now to respond to questions that are supposed to be answered by the Public Service Commission because the House feels that I am not supposed to answer on behalf of the Commission. The package was announced by the Public Service Commission, so I have been constrained and cannot answer that. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
The Hon. Member continued to ask about the biological child. Again, I will now refer to the Public Service Commission – [Laughter.] – I think, I cannot respond to the majority of questions - yes, only those that are related to my Ministry like Grant-in-aid. Otherwise, the House is telling me that I should not answer on behalf of Government issues that were discussed in a Cabinet Committee meeting and approved by Cabinet and then assigned to the Public Service Commission …
HON. B. DUBE: On a point of order Madam Speaker Ma’am. It was never alluded in this House that the Hon. Minister must not answer those questions. The point that was just alluded to was that the firing of teachers was an illegality but I do not understand where the Hon. Minister is deriving refusal to respond to questions from. The questions arise from her report in the House.
What we indicated as a House was that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is not the employer of teachers. It is supposed to apologise for having unlawfully fired or threatened to fire teachers. Asking on issues of policy relating to the educational policy, for example if there is a policy in the education system that siblings or offspring of teachers may attend school for free – that is not a Public Service issue. It is actually her Ministry’s issue because it is a policy on education which is affecting whether or not children will go to school and it is within her purview.
The Hon. Minister must answer our questions. It was wrong for her to refuse to respond to our questions simply because we advised her that she erred by taking action against civil servants whilst it was the responsibility of the Public Service Commission to do so. Hence, the Hon. Minister must respond to questions that relate to policy. She must not refuse to answer our questions because policy questions are directed to the Hon. Minister.
HON. DR. E. NDLOVU: Madam Speaker Ma’am, this is a legal mind – a legal mind has spoken that I should not speak on behalf of the Public Service Commission as it is an independent body. I am not refusing to answer the questions but am just speaking about law as it is. I am just going to respond to questions that are directly linked to the Ministry. I am not going to answer anything pertaining to the Public Service Commission. I was only reading what we agreed on as Cabinet. Right now, I am just going to talk about the STEM subjects that states that we are going to recruit teachers to help us and on the issue of power on radio – that is what is within my purview.
The issue of heavy-handedness which is being done, I am not the employer, hence I am not going to answer questions which are related to the Public Service Commission.
On the issue of 34 000 houses and that the package must be directed throughout the country, Hon. Mpariwa, I will make sure that the 34 000 houses are built in various schools throughout the country. Actually, we have 3 000 000 schools which we are constructing so that all people benefit throughout the country. On the issue of 20% salary increment, again, I cannot speak about that issue because it falls under Public Service Commission. It is the only Ministry which can handle and talk about this issue. Hence I cannot comment on that issue. On the issue of security of tenure, the Public Service is responsible for that.
HON. T. MOYO: Madam Speaker, I have realised that issues to do with the welfare of teachers affect the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education as well as Public Service Commission. May I appeal to your esteemed office to invite the Hon. Minister of Public Service to come to this House and present a Ministerial Statement?
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Thank you very much Hon. T. Moyo, the Chairperson of Portfolio Committee of Primary and Secondary Education. I think it is quite prudent that we invite the Minister of Public Service since most of these issues are pertinent and they should be addressed so that he comes and gives us a Ministerial Statement.
HON. E. NDLOVU: On the security of tenure for the houses that we are going to build, we are going to build 34 000, these are institutional accommodation. We also have a guarantee for teachers’ houses so that when they retire, they will be having their own accommodation. That is the scheme that we have and this can be rightfully explained by the Public Service Commission. About Hon. Madhuku’s issue, on those teachers who do not have young children, I have to consult the Committee that I am working with that was put by His Excellency to look at these benefits. On the issue of roads, I will liaise with the Ministry of Transport so that they work on the roads in Kariba so that our teachers can have good roads and also facilitate the issue of fuel. Thank you Madam Speaker.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: This was quite a heated debate and a very pertinent Ministerial Statement. Thank you for presenting it quite well.
(v)HON. BHUDA-MASARA: Thank you Madam Speaker, the Hon. Minister did not answer my question and the issue of online lessons raised by other Members.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Minister, there is the issue of online lessons in the rural areas, it was asked by two Hon. Members.
HON. DR. E. NDLOVU: Madam Speaker, I think I spoke about online lessons and said that we are working very hard with the Ministry of ICT and the Ministry of Energy and Power Development to try and have computers in areas where we do not have electricity or radio signals. Where electricity is not available, we are devising new methods of using solar. For example, in Beitbridge last week, we put solar in schools that had no electricity. I thank you Madam Speaker.
(v)HON. T. MLISWA: I want to commend the Minister for her approach towards this session. It has given me some understanding that she is totally competent and passionate about driving education. She is passionate about the welfare of teachers but it is something which also involves other Ministries. Like Hon. Moyo, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee was right to say the Minister of Public Service, Hon. Prof. Mavima must come in to be able to respond to issues of welfare which are not under her ambit. In the end, she was responding to issues which are not under her and it becomes difficult.
I would like to thank you and other Members of Parliament for taking this issue seriously. This is when people say there is a Parliament that represents people, the teachers’ welfare, civil servants and many others. Despite our welfare being bad, we still represent other people. That is nationalism and patriotism of the highest order. May I commend this Parliament for highlighting these issues in a professional manner and putting national interest first? There was no whipping, no nothing, just togetherness and a quest to have a better country and future for our kids. Education is a foundation for the future of any country. I thank you.
(v)HON. HOUGHTON: I have a supplementary question to the response that the Minister gave me on teachers in schools in Kariba. In her response, she said the roads are being attended to and I greatly appreciate but the teachers are expected to be in school on 22nd and that is not going to assist them. Can the Minister try to make some other arrangements to get the teachers in Kariba rural district to school on time?
HON. DR. E. NDLOVU: Thank you Madam Speaker. The request is taken. We will talk to the Ministry of Local Government under whose purview ZUPCO falls to try and facilitate if it is possible. I thank you.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: I am sure this then brings us to the end of the Ministerial Statement brought in by the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Hon. Dr Ndlovu. Thank you very much for your indulgence. I think it was quite in time, considering that this was a very pertinent issue. We would like to thank you very much. I am sure the Clerk is going to make sure this is expedited and we will have the Minister of Public Service to come through next week if he is available so that we are not overtaken by events –[AH HON MEMBER: We want him on Tuesday]. I have given a leeway. I have ruled that he will give us next week if he is available. We will be able to indulge him. I am sure the Leader of the House will be able to indulge him so that this can be done in the quickest possible time as it can be. Thank you very much Hon Minister for this Ministerial Statement.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. TOGAREPI: I move that all other Orders of the Day on today’s Order Paper be stood over until Order of the Day Number 14 has been disposed of
HON. MPARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
PROVISION OF SANITARY WEAR TO THE WOMEN AND THE GIRL CHILD
HON. MASANGO: I move the motion standing in my name that this House-
MINDFUL that menstrual hygiene day is marked on May 28 every year.
ALSO MINDFUL the ability of women and girls to manage their menstruation and health as they could not access menstrual hygiene products during the lockdown period was affected negatively by the COVID-19 due to reduction in income levels.
COGNISANT that Government has endeavored to ensure that sanitary wear remains affordable to women and girls through Statutory Instruments Nos. 65 of 2018, 3 of 2020 also the introduction of programmes on free sanitary wear in rural schools to assist children from disadvantaged families.
NOTING disadvantaged children are accessing sanitary wear despite concerted efforts by various stakeholders to assist the Ministry of Health and Childcare in the noble cause to address menstrual hygiene challenges.
NOW, THEREFORE calls upon the Ministry of Health and Child Care to:
- Empower women and girls who are already in the sewing industry to double their efforts in providing sanitary wear;
- Donate to school girls the much needed materials for sanitary wear, and
- Ensure uniformity in the procurement of sanitary ware so that all women and girls benefit and in particular the girls from disadvantaged communities of the country.
HON. TSVUURA: I second.
HON. MASANGO: As we are all aware Madam Speaker Ma’am, every year May 1 marks the first day of the Menstrual Hygiene Month culminating to the menstrual hygiene day on 28 May. Reproductive health which includes menstrual health is not a privilege but a constitutional right guaranteed to every citizen under Section 76 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment No. 20 of 2013. I applaud the efforts made every year by the then Hon Misihairabwi-Mushonga. She has been pushing for provision of sanitary wear for girls for quite a long time which led to the following Government efforts to ensure that sanitary wear remains affordable to women and girls.
- Statutory Instrument 3 of 2020 under which Government suspended payment of customs duty on the importation of sanitary wear including menstrual cups made of rubber and plastic.
- Statutory 65 of 2018 and Statutory Instrument 4 of 2020 under which Sanitary wear is exempted from paying import value added tax.
- The programme of free sanitary wear in rural schools in 2020 reportedly funded to the tune of Z$5 million to assist children from disadvantaged families who are losing out on valuable learning due to their menstrual cycle.
I have noted Madam Speaker that the Parliamentary Committee on Primary and Secondary Education, in its report to the National Assembly, noted with concern the poor quality of reusable pads supplied by Government to some schools. The report indicated that these reusable pads do not meet the menstrual hygiene standards. On this issue I have seen some of these pads which are made in partnership with the Ministry of Health. They are actually up to standard. For those others who are sewing the reusable pads, they should be in partnership with the Ministry of Health so that quality control is maintained.
I have also observed and I am troubled that not all disadvantaged girls are getting the sanitary wear despite the fact that Government is making an effort to avail to them. Government is using more money buying sanitary wear inoraswa isiri reusable which means every month these girls need more sanitary wear. Last year 2021, a total number of 1 759 456 girls enrolled in primary schools countrywide and 574 099 girls enrolled in secondary schools. If distribution is done systematically, we will definitely reach our goal of giving sanitary wear to every girl child especially those in rural areas.
I have also noted with great interest that on 7 October 2020, the Health and Child Care Ambassador, our First Lady Amai Auxilia Mnangagwa, launched a nationwide reusable pads project as part of a measure to improve menstrual hygiene. Her Angel of Hope Foundation partnered with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints to involve women in sanitary wear sewing. This shows how serious the issue of sanitary wear is and we cannot be seen and be heard always repeating that these young girls are using newspapers, old rags, grass, tree leaves and cow-dung. All this was spoken and repeated again, we now need action as what our First Lady is doing. Reusable sanitary pads are more breathable than disposable pads. They do not smell compared to the disposable ones, they are more cost effective and they really are better for the environment. What is there not to love about the reusable pads? I have also noted Madam Speaker that we have companies liked Rooted in Love which is in Mashonaland West which has partnered with the Ministry of Health in making reusable pads which are environmentally friendly and they do not contribute to land fill as they are reusable. The Rooted in Love company comprises of youths, both young men and young women who go around schools teaching the young girls on issues of menstrual hygiene, how to use the reusable pads, how to wash them and then each girl in primary and secondary has her package of pads.
The package Madam Speaker includes four reusable pads, a bed, soap for washing the pads, three pairs of underwear and pads, these pads last for a period of not less three years. If we can cover nearly all girls in primary and secondary schools, we will know that on the issue sanitary wear we are home and dry but I have noted that these youths who are making reusable sanitary wear at times face problems in accessing the much needed materials, especially the fleece materials and this affects the flow of the programme.
Madam Speaker, the Republic of Kenya launched the reusable sanitary towels in 2012. They have never looked back and right now they are above the situation. Young girls are not missing out on school and are no longer getting sick by using unhygienic methods during their periods. The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education has recommended that the Government should centralize the procurement of sanitary wear to ensure uniformity and benefit from economies of scale since it is cheaper to procure more, that is national tender versus provincial tender. My prayer is for the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to work in partnership with the Ministry by empowering women and youths who are already into the sewing of reusable sanitary wear and donating to schools by providing them with the much needed material. If that is done per province, we will then be reassured of having girls getting the sanitary wear. If we provide reusable sanitary wear to a million girls in 2022, be rest assured that these will not need any more sanitary wear for the coming three years. The following year we will provide for the same figure and we will end up covering nearly all these girls in need.
In the meantime, the Committee of Primary and Secondary Education can plan and go for a visit to Kenya, Uganda, Ghana where I understand they have really benefited from usable sanitary wear programme to learn on how they did it and what really made this programme a success. Kukopa chinhu chakanaka hakuna kuipa. I know that if we can really help these young girls, we can be rest assured that the issues of cervical cancer will be minimised and they will have less visits to the hospital because most of their time will be utilised in school work and not being ill.
Madam Speaker, if other countries did this and reported a success rate, why can we not? Most of our school going girls are really too poor to buy the necessary things required for the monthly periods and we have to be there for them, stand up for them, provide sanitary wear for them so that they enjoy their periods. There are reusable, save money and they are the game changer when it comes to handling a period. I thank you Madam Speaker.
*HON. TSUURA: Thank you Madam Speaker for affording me this opportunity to add a few words regarding sanitary wear for women, which is a motion that was moved by Hon. Masango. Let me thank the Primary and Secondary Education Portfolio Committee for considering the issue and working towards availing sanitary wear to women. I believe this is a good thing especially taking into consideration the contribution of the First Lady Amai Mnangagwa who moved around the country supporting women through the provision of sanitary wear. Why I am saying that is because of many women and girls who cannot afford sanitary wear.
Some do not go to work, some are orphans, some live with disabilities and others are in the streets. It is very difficult for such vulnerable people to purchase sanitary wear. Let me give an example that some can go for their monthly periods for five days and they are expected to change the pads five times a day. So per month and per year, how many pads will they buy? I It will be quite a significant amount they will use despite the fact that they do not have any source of income. They also deserve to have good reproductive health and this makes them vulnerable. They end up using cow-dung and other alternatives because they do not know what might have contaminated the cow dung or grass or whatever form of sanitary wear they end up using.
So my point is that it is important for the nation to procure sanitary pads which will be used by women and girls. The State can engage tailors who can manufacture reusable sanitary pads for the vulnerable. If each and every woman is given sanitary wear which is reusable, then they can benefit from this for quite some time, whether it is one to three years. Those who might have benefited from this scheme will not have challenges of sanitary wear. If they work with the Ministry of Health and Child Care then this will benefit our children and women throughout Zimbabwe. I thank you.
*HON. MPARIWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. Let me start by thanking Hon. Masango and Hon. Svuure for moving this motion in this august House. Looking at this motion Madam Speaker, most of the things that are found on this motion are issues which have been brought to this august House since 2018, whether it is questions or other reports, motions and Committees but the challenge is - why is there no positive response regarding these issues?
I am happy because Minister Dr. Ndlovu is here in this august House. Her Ministry is burdened with vulnerable children who face challenges of sanitary wear. It is good because she is a woman and the Hon. Minister is running the Ministry. My plea is that if the Hon. Minister could engage other Ministers so that they come up with a position, an agreement because if one child is facing a challenge then it means every child is facing the same challenge or it becomes a national issue. So Parliament and different ministries which have something to do with reproductive health and sanitary issues should join hands.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care was mentioned, which means that there are some women who have factories that are already in the process of manufacturing sanitary pads but they do not have enough resources. If you give someone a task of cultivating but without giving that person a hoe to cultivate, then they might not be able to discharge their duties.
There was a time in this Parliament when companies brought sanitary wear, for example samples of what they could manufacture. Then after seeing what they are capable of doing, it means that when there is a budget for sanitary wear then the Ministry of Health and Child Care should organise funds for funding that project. It is not the only Ministry which is responsible for that. The responsible Minister is a woman. So I believe that if female Ministers and the Women’s Caucus have a round table meeting discussing these issues, then I believe that there will be a positive outcome.
Madam Speaker, we are going back for elections in 2023 and as female MPs, it is important that we come up with a position which will benefit people and we would have something to talk about. It will be an achievement during our tenure in this Parliament. There were issues like free production for those who produce sanitary wear, the Minister should capacitate different departments which are responsible for that. I believe that for disabled children, women and others, there should be free sanitary wear. If the disabled face challenges, how about those who do not go to work, how about women who do not have any other income?
Madam Speaker, let me also look at the second point regarding the distribution of sanitary wear in schools. This is a valid point which has been mentioned several times that students should not pay for sanitary pads. There must be a database of girls who are of school going age. For example if it is 11 Bere, Mufakose there are how many girls and they should benefit, they should be given their package of sanitary wear. This is not a challenge because in Zimbabwe, we have a population of 52% women out of the national population and if capacitated with this, it will solve the challenge of shortage of sanitary wear.
Our young girls are suffering, the orphans, vulnerable children and old women are facing the same challenge. They do not have anything to use when going through their periods. Sometimes they end up using old towels which is not healthy. At this time and in this generation, we are supposed to be far ahead as Zimbabwe.
Let me also look at point C regarding the equal distribution of sanitary wear where young girls and women should be accessing sanitary wear. Madam Speaker, this motion speaks clearly on what should be done, the challenges. Madam Speaker, every year we speak about these issues. So my point is - where is the problem? Even in Victoria Falls, the Women’s Caucus spoke about this issue. Hon. Kwaramba raised the issue, so where is the challenge, where are we going wrong? What we agreed in Victoria Falls is not being done. We came up with another motion but without implementing whatever we would have spoken about or whatever we would have requested. So my plea is that the responsible Ministers should come together and pull resources. They must be seen coming to caucus so that we alleviate this challenge of shortage of sanitary wear where you find women and orphans who do not have any breadwinners who should also benefit Madam Speaker.
A girl who experiences her periods without proper sanitary wear loses confidence and she cannot learn like others because some people will be looking at her and others will be judging her. Madam Speaker, now is the time to take action as Zimbabwe, being people who are known as clean people and who are capable of doing their own things.
Looking at results, you find that girls are performing better than boys in schools. So I believe that we can excel, we can do better than that. If girls were getting all they need, I believe that they could even excel and maybe we could get 75% pass rate for girls, but without enough resources and without their rights being met, they face challenges. Madam Speaker, we can succeed.
I do not want to continue repeating the same things because this has been said over and over again. Madam Speaker, there is a challenge of using sanitary wear. I do not think that it is hard to solve this problem. The Minister of Finance and Economic Development in Victoria Falls accepted that this is a challenge. The Ministry of Health and Child Care and the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, I believe that there are people who are already manufacturing sanitary wear, so what we need to do is to come together and work to alleviate this problem. Madam Speaker, I would like to propose that we recognise Hon. Masango and Hon. Tsuura and we desire that the Executive should intervene so that girls benefit from sanitary wear provision. Those who are of school going age, our young girls are tomorrow’s leaders, they are the speakers of tomorrow, and they are the Members of Parliament for tomorrow. I thank you Madam Speaker.
*HON. CHIBAGU: I would like to add a few words also. Let me say thank the Hon. Member for raising this important motion on sanitary wear. We have learnt an important lesson is that it is a good thing upon our children to have free sanitary wear. When you have your periods, you tend to have mood swings to the extent that people misunderstand them. Therefore, they should have sanitary wear during such a periods and not use cow dung.
As women in Zimbabwe, we are also counted as people or citizens of this nation. In the past, such issues were swept under the carpet. Even the tissues and other cloths that were used which were compromising the reproductive health of our children but providing them with sanitary wear shows that our girls can grow up in a healthy environment. As women and as Honourable Members, let us unite and work together so that we come up with a position which will benefit young girls. Let me thank you Hon. Members and I would like to thank the First Lady for moving around and assisting young girls.
We are now enlightened as Zimbabweans and we know the rights of our people. In every province in Zimbabwe, let us as women MPs move around assisting women because we know their rights and what should be done. The point is that when God created men and women, he created them with different biological make-ups. We are different and so, I would like to thank the First Lady for her assistance. You find that while other girls are being helped, you find vulnerable girls and orphans without sanitary wear. We need to work on that so that every province is provided with sanitary wear. I would not say much but I would like to thank you and as women, this is why we came to this House. I thank you.
(v)HON. T. MLISWA: Thank you very much Madam Speaker for this opportunity to debate on a matter I view as one of national importance moved by Hon. Masango and seconded by Hon. Tsuura and then of course, Hon. Mpariwa came in with some hard hitting facts. I have been part of this from the 8th Parliament and I remember working with Hon. Majome and Hon. Mpariwa and the record speaks for itself and I am a HeforSshe champion. I have always said that it is a shame that we are still debating about this like what Hon. Mpariwa said. If I recall the last time Hon. Misiharaibwi-Mushonga so heavily came to Parliament and kneeled before the Minister of Finance to thank him for disbursing if not mistaken $15 million towards sanitary wear and that it should be duty free in this country and all that.
The question now is what has happened to that $15 million which was said to go towards sanitary wear? I remember saying that you see condoms in male toilets and they are free and yet using condoms is optional but you do not see free sanitary wear in the ladies’ toilets. I know somebody might ask why I know all this. It is because I also run a restaurant and there is a ladies’ toilet and male toilet and I check to see how clean it is. I do not see any sanitary wear in the ladies’ toilet yet it is not by choice for them to go through that. It is the will of God and that is how they were made.
So, how can we prioritise an option by having more condoms for free and at the same time we do not have free sanitary wear for the girl child? You will appreciate that it has a lot to do with one’s self esteem in society. There you are and you are standing uncomfortable. A lot has been said about the numerous ways that they have tried to use from cow dung, grass and socks not only that – the diseases which will come with that into your body are untold just because you are struck.
Let me say that the sanitary wear issue has got to be something which is of national interest - national interest by the national priorities. When I say this, we must, without any further delays, see us having facilitated this for the girl child in the schools and public toilets and so forth. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education said that there are many that they distributed to schools but there was no transport which was taking them from district offices to then leave them in the schools. We then ask now where these sanitary wear is so that as Members of Parliament, we can assist to be able to make sure that they get to the intended beneficiaries.
Madam Speaker, up to date, we have not seen that. The DA in my constituency has not got that. The schools’ inspector has not got that and so where is this? I go back to saying that you cannot promise and say you are going to fulfill this because this has a lot to do with building the nation, a nation which cannot be built in the girl child if women are not part of it. 55.5% of the people who vote are women. So to me, I am saying to the women, I am fully in support of this proportional representation of women in terms of CDF which we do not control but you are able to sit on the Committees, what have you done to budget for it? Let us also look at what we have first. I wanted for the first time to say that it is about time that women who represent women, represent women to the full and to the end because the political parties are looking for votes and for me, if I was anybody else, I would say whichever political party, which is not at all providing sanitary wear for the nation must never be in power because at the end of the day, like Hon. Mpariwa said, we are a laughing stock of the nation, very educated but we do not prioritise something which is needed. When we talk about self esteem, it is you feeling confident amongst others, be it in class or meeting but that is unfortunately not the case. It has battered, it has propertied these young girls to a point that they suffer from self esteem, inferiority complex.
*We have even mentioned it before that condoms can be found in male toilets. You can either use the condom or not but sanitary wear is required by every woman. This is nature, it is not by choice. God created the girl child with a different physiology from their male counterparts, we are failing our children.
I would like to request that as Female Members of Parliament, it is important to push the issue so that our girls would get what they did not get when they were growing up, for example, going to different schools. If this is not done, it means they will be frustrated because they are not getting what they expect. There is an issue which was raised by Hon. Mpariwa which has always been discussed in this august House. Why not go to the Minister of Finance and Economic Development regarding this issue so that there is funding for sanitary wear.
We do not want to be in a position where we promise people things without delivery. We need to go and report to the people we represent that we were given money by Government for example, Government through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, we find schools without cars and resources for different logistics. This is affecting the growth of our children. If we are representing people and the people of Zimbabwe, then they must have sanitary wear. However, as female legislators, if you do not do that, it means you have failed in representing that constituency of women.
Besides that point, we need to support national policies and programmes so that this initiative is supported by everyone. As an Hon. Member of Parliament, these are issues that are raised because I have our maSibandas in the constituency who should shine in their beauty, having everything they need. We need to have a sanitary bank which pulls resources in the constituencies where different companies contribute towards sanitary wear, for example we have Tariro Foundation for women. We had a launch at one time, at Ruwe Secondary School in Ward 13 and 14. The Youths Desk which is led by Langton and others moved around the constituency distributing sanitary wear.
I ask for sanitary wear because I do not sell but I do that so that schools in my Constituency might be capacitated with sanitary wear. All women with different positions in companies should donate and submit sanitary wear at Parliament of Zimbabwe so that different Members of Parliament can take from the pool of such resources and distribute to their constituencies. When girls do not have sanitary wear, then they might be abused because of lack of sanitary wear. They end up falling in love with people that they do not love so that they have sanitary wear. So it is my plea that we do not want to continue discussing this issue until we know and account for the monies that are directed towards sanitary wear.
The different projects that are there should continue manufacturing sanitary wear. There must be sewing machines and different equipment for the production of sanitary wear so that reusable sanitary wear is found; it is cheaper and affordable. People should be taught how to use reusable sanitary wear in different constituencies. This should be done at no cost whilst young women and girls should be trained how to manufacture sanitary wear on their own. So, we do not have to import sanitary wear from Zambia, DRC, Botswana and Mozambique because we have everything in Zimbabwe to manufacture sanitary wear. This can be an income generating project for women, it can generate revenue for them, and we do not want to continue discussing this issue.
It is a good thing Hon. Masango that you brought it to the august House. This issue has been spoken about in the women’s caucus, so, what caucus are you doing without solving this issue? What will be happening at the women’s caucus then? One of these days I will come to the caucus.
This issue should be done properly. I had to stand up and speak because this is a passionate issue. Now we need action instead of asking questions of no substance but we need to ask questions like who did you give sanitary wear. Ministry of Women’s Affairs, what are you doing regarding provision of sewing machines to women so that they produce sanitary wear on their own. This should culminate into the schools.
We need to keep pushing this issue of sanitary wear so that we develop our nation. This is a painful issue; we need to stand with the young women and girls. Thank you very much Hon. Speaker. I know that you an expert in women’s issues, so let us take up this issue so that sanitary wear is found in schools. This is a mark which is needed even for the Second Republic so that people see that it is working before talking about different issues. We can even continue talking about other issues of national interest but this one is very important. Even devolution fund should be used in that regard.
So, Hon. Members, we need action, as Parliament our term is ending very soon but we have been talking about this issue for a long time. So let us work on it and raise the sanitary wear issue too. I thank you.
*HON. NYATHI: Thank you Hon. Speaker Ma’am. I would like to debate on the issue that was tabled by Hon. Masango. Firstly, I would like to highlight the importance of sanitary wear. I realised that this issue should not be debated on by women alone as the girl child is borne by both mothers and fathers, so we need to support them together.
I want to affirm that this is a very pertinent issue because in the rural areas, there are people living in extreme poverty where they cannot even get food. It also becomes worse for them to be able to afford sanitary wear. There are widows and other destitute people who require assistance from Government. Hence I saw it fit that I speak about the fact that we need to take care of the girl child because if we fail, we will have destroyed the whole country as they are the basis for the foundation of the growth of the nation. So it is very important that for every girl child, the Government should take care of their needs in order for us to take care of that foundation for prosperity. Failure to do so will result in our girl child falling sick and we will be forced to spend more money on treatment instead of spending that money on other development projects.
We now live in a global village. Today, we cannot be speaking about a girl or woman using cow dung, leaves or torn blankets as sanitary wear – that time is long gone. I would like to leave the onus upon Hon. Mpariwa and the supporters of this motion. They need to support this motion and take it up to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development because talking continuously does not help.
Hon. Mliswa stated that he raised this issue in the Eighth Parliament but we are still talking about it to date. Hon. Mpariwa also lamented the fact that they went to Victoria Falls and spoke about it but nothing was done. So thinking about it and not doing anything is not helpful. We keep on planning but if we do not fulfill those plans, we may as well die before we fulfill those ideas. So we need to take action to fulfill those plans.
It is also important for me to thank the Government of Zimbabwe for keeping on trying as much as they can together with some of the ministries that I made reference to. We now have a different idea. It is no longer positive the moment we talk about the girl child; they now have a positive attitude. We should also acknowledge the efforts being taken by the First Lady, Mrs. Auxillia Mnangagwa. She is going around educating people and encouraging them to make reusable sanitary pads.
I would like to advise the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus. I thought it would be good if we could come up with community production systems or areas where they make sanitary pads, possibly in every constituency so that girls simply go to those areas to collect and sign a register for their sanitary wear during the time of their monthly flow. The system can involve head teachers or headmasters to make the register to ensure that the girls have collected their pads so that they focus on education when they get to school.
We also realise that industry and other sectors prosper when they are led by women. So when girls attend school without absenting during their menstrual periods simply because they cannot get access to sanitary wear, it is very retrogressive. We have a very important resource that is put in the women’s mind, of taking care of families as well as the nation. Hon. Speaker Ma’am, I would like to thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to add my voice to this debate. I expect that the relevant ministries will contribute positively to save this issue so that it does not only become a motion that is raised but that it succeeds. I thank you.
HON. T. MOYO: Madam Speaker Ma’am, I want to thank you for recognising me. May I add my voice on a motion raised by Hon. Masango and seconded by Hon. Svuura.
The issue of menstrual hygiene Madam Speaker Ma’am, is now a constitutional issue. The Government of Zimbabwe is heavily involved in supporting young girls, women, those who stay in rural areas and some who stay in urban areas. I need to commend the role played by my predecessor, Amb. Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga who was so vociferous in championing the need for provision of free sanitary wear. I also need to applaud the great and invaluable role played by our mother, the First Lady, Mrs. Auxillia Mnangagwa for preaching the importance of providing reusable sanitary wear and for providing free sanitary wear to schools for the benefit of girls and women.
It is also important to commend the Government for passing Statutory Instrument No. 65 of 2018 and Statutory Instrument No. 3 of 2020. The provisions of these Statutory Instruments among others include the issue that importation of sanitary wear is done free of duty so that those women who reside in urban areas can manage to afford the procurement of sanitary pads at very affordable prices. We need to commend the Government for a job well done.
The other provision is that girls who include learners from primary up to university level are being provided with free sanitary wear by the Government. A lot of budgeting has been done by the Government and of course we want to ask for more. For the 2022 National Budget, the Ministry of Finance allocated 3.8 billion for learners’ welfare including the purchase of sanitary wear. I am happy the Hon. Minister of Primary and Secondary Education is here.
Last year, as a Committee on Primary and Secondary Education, we invited the Hon. Minister for oral evidence when we had observed that there were tedious delays which were made in the procurement of sanitary wear. They had centralised the procurement exercise. I am not impressed because for 2021, sanitary wear was purchased in October and that time she was new in the Ministry. So, we had to make some corrective measures as a Committee- whereby we agreed with the Ministry that from 2022 they should now have a procurement committee so that as a Ministry they were going to respect the Public Finance Management Act which speaks to the issue of accountability of public funds. We are happy with the 3.8 billion that was allocated to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education by the Government. We are going to see very soon the procurement being done and the distribution of sanitary wear should not take long. I am sure the Ministry has a number of vehicles which can transport sanitary wear to provinces for onward delivery to our students.
I happen to be a member of the He-For-She as a champion where we feel that women and children need to be empowered through the provision of free sanitary wear. According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, for effective teaching and learning to take place, physiological needs must be fulfilled and satisfied. One of the physiological needs is the provision of free sanitary wear. Menstrual hygiene is very important to our learners. It reminds me of a day when we received submissions in Kariba during the 2020 Budget where we got disturbing information that children along the Zambezi were using droppings from the elephants and in other areas, cow dung as sanitary wear.
Madam Speaker, you can imagine such a learner going to school, she will not concentrate. Sometimes that learner will also face some challenges of being regarded as an outcast for failing to have proper sanitary wear and the Government had to intervene through the provision of free sanitary wear. Because of the interventions by the Government, effective learning is likely to take place.
I will now turn to benchmarking visits, as a Committee, we went to Zambia and Kenya in 2019, and last year we went to Ghana where we wanted to compare notes. We discovered that in Ghana, the Government provides free sanitary wear for all students, just like what we do in Zimbabwe especially for the rural students who are being provided with free sanitary wear. I am sure as time progresses, we need to push the Hon. Minister of Finance to provide free sanitary wear for every woman in Zimbabwe, and that can be achieved. So, we are going to report our findings in this House as soon as the secretariat finishes with the report. We must commend the Government that it is doing quite well in as far as provision of free sanitary wear is concerned. Without wasting time, I want to thank Hon. Masango and Hon. Tsuura for moving this motion. Thank you.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Madam Speaker for affording me this opportunity to speak to the aspirations of more than 10 000 youths and women of Chegutu West Constituency as it relates to sanitary wear and menstrual hygiene issues that have been raised by Hon. Masango and seconded by Hon. Tsuura.
The advent of the COVID pandemic has seen an acrimonious outcome in terms of affordability and access of the sanitary wear for girls in particular and for all the women in general. I have research that speaks to that, of about 15% access to sanitary wear that obtained because of the COVID situation that the global community went through besides the 15% access. The sanitary wear and hygiene pads and equipment went up astronomically in terms of prices besides just the affordability and the issue of access to those pads.
Having said that, we as a nation like the global community, viewed in the manner that we uphold our own Constitution, Sections 17, 20, 56 speak to and about the empowerment of youths and women and we can never be even closer to attempting to empower our women and youth if we do not adhere to the values of apportioning them or the access of giving them access to menstrual hygiene equipment, which is sanitary pads. We have aspirations as a nation that speak to the Beijing Declaration of 50:50 in terms of representation both here in Parliament and in positions of authority. Those aspirations they speak first and foremost to the local agenda, regional agenda and Agenda 2063, the continental agenda – ultimately to the Sustainable Development Goals of 2030. As long as we do not address this void that has been created by the need of the other gender – by the way I am a gender champion. I am a gender agenda champion, I am a HeforShe champion and when I speak, I speak from good authority. I stand on this platform to vociferously point out the progressive nature of speaking for women because what men can do women can do better. Everyone is born of a woman and when women go and give birth, it is national duty in the same way when they go for their menstrual cycle. That is national duty.
I ride on the words of Hon. Mliswa and say there is need to have those pads in the ablution facilities so that they can be accessed for free by the other gender. What the word man means, it means singular man. What the word w-o-m-e-n means, it means many men. When we speak about women, we are speaking at the plurality of man. This is why I said it is just and right to champion the issues of women. No matter how big, huge and humongous you are, you will still go back to the roots and cry mai wee in the face of danger, when you are faced with a lot of calamities. It is right Madam Speaker for us to stand here and hold each other’s hands because as a group men and women are as weak or as strong as the weakest link. If we do not speak to and about women’s issues, there will always be a disjoint and there will always be a need to make sure that we strengthen that link. Now I come here before you and I ask Madam Speaker so eloquently because people of Chegutu West Constituency have sent me to come in and speak about the issues of women menstrual cycles and pads.
I have in my constituency and I am blessed to have a junior MP who is a lady, Evelyn Usayiwevhu. She moves around and criss-crosses the width and breadth of schools and amongst her friends are the youths between the ages of 15 and 35 and those people just number over 10 000 and when they speak about the issue of pads and menstrual hygiene, they speak to the core, heart and pith of their concern. As has been alluded to, someone can actually be abused so that they can access the menstrual hygiene equipment. It is now time for Parliament to stand in that gap and make sure that our children are not abused.
I am also elated that the Child President is also differently abled. She moves on a wheelchair and she is a SHE and there is no better time to actually speak so loudly about women’s issues than now because the children that we speak about are so ably represented by these two young ladies amongst a plethora of other young ladies who are junior MPs in other various constituencies. I speak in good authority because I hosted these youths in my constituency not so long ago and I come here to represent their concerns as enshrined in the Constitution. Zimbabwe is a constitutional democracy and 15% of our people are differently abled as I have spoken about the child MP who is differently abled.
So, there should be no time that these people are left behind. We should take this opportunity that now they are represented. 15% of differently abled people are represented at the highest level. The way I speak to you Madam Speaker is the way the Child President speaks to Her Excellency Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa and her Angel of Hope Foundation and it is the same way she relates to the President, His Excellency, Cde E. D. Mnangagwa. Armed with that strength, it is time that we pull together with Parliament and the Child President and Junior Parliament in order that we start off where Hon Misihairabwi-Mushonga left and where the Eighth Parliament left so that we can never again go back retrospectively and talk about the issues of menstrual health and the pads for our children.
We owe it to posterity. Redu zuva ratovira. But for our children, it is time that we speak about their issues. There is no reason for us to speak about the youths without the youths. I stand here and champion their cause. I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity to ably represent the 14 districts where I come from, the party districts and the constituency districts championed by Lameck Nyamarango and Charles Makoni and a host of other chairpersons who speak to and about this issue including the War Collaborators, Restrictee and Detainees mai Merjury Ruzha and mai Chikukwa in Chegutu West Constituency. I thank you.
*HON. KWARAMBA: Thank you Madam Speaker, I would like to thank you for giving me this opportunity to debate on this motion raised by Hon. Masango, supported by Hon. Tsuura. I do not have much more words to say but since I have already indicated that I want to speak, let me just contribute something. This is a very sad story. In the past, it was a taboo to talk about menstruation in public. When a girl was menstruating, she would be hidden from the public because it was a taboo. I remember Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga debating on that in which she actually demonstrated in the House bringing the sanitary wear.
I am glad that the Government agreed that the girl child must get assistance. I also want to thank the First Lady for teaching people on how to make reusable pads. During the war, we used to use cow dung and leaves as sanitary wear. We are now living in a modern world and we should be using modern methods. I also want to thank the new dispensation – the First Lady Amai Mnangagwa, we now can use reusable pads. The Government can now set aside money for this. My wish and encouragement is that these pads be made available. Women groups must learn to make these reusable pads so that every girl child has that pad and they are able to reuse it time and again.
I would like to applaud Government for supporting women and allocating a budget for this. Some people living with disabilities really suffer and find it hard to acquire these pads because sometimes they depend on well wishers for pads. They are supposed to be taught to make sanitary pads. If that spreads, that will be a very good thing. They should also be able to access water in school so that they can wash the pads and reuse them.
As Women’s Caucus, some may think that this is only a women’s issue but you heard male counterparts contributing also to this debate. There is a saying that goes ‘iwe neni tine basa’. It means that the mother and the father have work to do. When girls advance in age without menstruating, it will be a cause for concern to the parents. They will be asking themselves whether there is anything wrong or if they will be able to have children in future. This is a subject of concern to women.
Sometimes the use of other substitutes for pads will lead to infections like cervical cancer and other infections may make them sterile or sometimes cause genital infections. As Women’s Caucus, we need to encourage fathers and our male counterparts to support us. With these few words, I want to end here, I thank you Madam Speaker.
HON. TOGAREPI: Madam Speaker, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. MPARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Tuesday 22nd February, 2022.
On the motion of HON. TOGAREPI, seconded by HON. MPARIWA the House adjourned at Twenty Minutes past Six o’clock p.m. until Tuesday, 22nd February, 2022.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Wednesday, 16th February, 2022
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. SPEAKER in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE HON. SPEAKER
VACANCIES IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
THE HON. SPEAKER: On 24th January, 2022, Parliament was notified by the Movement for Democratic Change-Tsvangirai Party (MDC-T) and the MDC Alliance that Hon. Dr. Thokozani Khupe and Hon. Nomvula Mguni, Proportional Representation Members had ceased to be members of the MDC-T Party and the MDC Alliance.
Section 129 (1) (k) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides that, “The seat of a Member of Parliament becomes vacant if the member has ceased to belong to the political party of which he or she was a member when elected to Parliament and the political party concerned, by written notice to the Speaker or to the President of the Senate, as the case may be, has declared that the Member has ceased to belong to it.”
Pursuant to the above, I do hereby inform the House that two vacancies have arisen in the National Assembly by the operation of the law. The necessary administrative measures were made to inform the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) of the existence of the vacancies in line with Section 39 (1) of the Electoral Act [Chapter 213] as amended.
The Hon. Members in question were duly notified.
PETITIONS RECEIVED FROM SELF SUSTENANCE PROGRESSIVE PEOPLE’S DEMOCRACY, MS. H. MANYAKWE, MR. CHARLES MAZORODZE, MR. WALTER MUZAMANI, THE ZIMBABWE PENSIONS AND INSURANCE RIGHT TRUST, RESIDENTS FOR ELECTORAL REFORMS, NOBLE HANDS ZIMBABWE TRUST, COMBINED HARARE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION AND DEAF ZIMBAWE TRUST.
THE HON. SPEAKER: I have to inform the House that Parliament of Zimbabwe received petitions from the following petitioners and the petitions did not meet the requirements as required by the Standing Orders and were therefore, deemed inadmissible. The petitioners have since been informed accordingly.
- Four petitions were received from Self Sustenance Progressive People’s Democracy requesting Parliament to amend Section 72 of the Electoral Act to include persons living in diaspora; Section 10 of the Electoral Act to permit the Electoral Commission to recruit and dismiss its own staff; to repeal Section 255 of the Constitution relating to the functions of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission on the account that it duplicates the work of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage; to amend Section 65 Subsections (2) and (5) of the Constitution in order to permit members of the security forces to join Trade Unions; and that the role of councillors be given to traditional leaders;
- H. Manyakwe, of United Mutare Residents and Ratepayers Trust requesting Parliament to insist on the lifting up of the suspension on By-Elections so that all vacant seats are put up for election by 31st December, 2021;
- Charles Mazorodze, of Gweru Residents Forum, requesting Parliament to ensure upholding of the existing provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act with regard to how By-Elections should be conducted;
- Walter Muzamani of Council of Student Teachers, requesting Parliament to ensure that a circular is sent to institutions of Higher and Tertiary Learning clearly warning Heads of Institutions against using institutions for political events and that Student Teachers in universities be entitled to Teaching Practice allowances like their counterparts in Teachers’ Colleges;
- The Zimbabwe Pensions and Insurance Right Trust requesting Parliament to bring back the Pension and Provident Funds Amendment Bill before the National Assembly for the incorporation of amendments proposed by the public and the ones presented to the National Assembly by the Portfolio Committee on Finance and Economic Development;
- Residents for Electoral Reforms of No. 14679, Chitungwiza, requesting Parliament to repeal Statutory Instrument 225A/2020 which suspended By-Elections in light of the fact that COVID-19 has visibly slowed.
I also have to inform the House that on Tuesday, 4th February, 2022, Parliament of Zimbabwe received a petition from the Noble Hands Zimbabwe Trust from Bulawayo, requesting Parliament to enact laws and policies that promote and protect the human rights and welfare of people with albinism.
The petition has since been referred to the Portfolio Committee on Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare and Thematic Committee on Human Rights.
Furthermore, on 4th February 2022, Parliament of Zimbabwe received another petition from Combined Harare Residents Association, beseeching Parliament to summon the City of Harare to explain the reasons for the massive resignations and exodus of midwives and nurses from council clinics and hospitals resulting in the deterioration of maternal health services in council clinics.
The petition has since been referred to the Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works, National Housing and Social Amenities.
On 9th February, 2022, Parliament of Zimbabwe received another petition from Deaf Zimbabwe Trust beseeching Parliament to protect the constitutionally guaranteed rights of learners with disabilities as provided for in Sections 22, 56 and 83 of the Zimbabwe Constitution.
The petition has since been referred to the Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education.
APOLOGIES RECEIVED FROM MINISTERS
THE HON. SPEAKER: I have received apologies from the following Hon. Ministers:
-Hon. Rtd. General Dr. G. D. N. Chiwenga – Vice President and Minister of Health,
Dr. S. Kanhutu-Nzenza – The Minister of Industry and Commerce,
Hon. Prof. M. Ncube – The Minister of Finance and Economic Development,
Hon. Prof. Mavima – The Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare,
Hon. Sen. M. Mutsvangwa – The Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services,
Hon. O. C. Z. Muchinguri-Kashiri- The Minister of Defence and War Veterans,
Hon. W. Chitando – The Minister of Mines and Mining Development,
Hon. Dr. J. C. Mangwiro – The Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care and
Hon. Ambassador F. Shava - The Minister of Foreign Affairs.
HON. MUCHIMWE: Point of privilege!
*THE HON. SPEAKER: Do not criss-cross my chairing please, can you wait. You are raising a point of privilege, have you forgotten that points of privilege are not raised on Wednesdays? You can raise points of privilege any day but not on Wednesdays, there are no points of privilege. You should read the Hansard Hon. Muchimwe.
(v)HON. T. MLISWA: On a point of order Hon. Speaker.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Point of order when there is no debate!
(v)HON. T. MLISWA: It is quite important in terms of the attendance of Ministers, and Members of Parliament as well whom I think in a way are not – if you look at the participants...
THE HON. SPEAKER: That is your point of observation.
(v)HON. T. MLISWA: There are only 131 participants yet we are supposed to be 270. The Ministers should attend - we cannot start the year on such an attendance, most of the Ministers who hold key positions to the transformation of this country economically are not there. It is important that they respect this House by attending such a session, which is the first after the festive season. It is also good to see their faces, whether they are well or not.
*Sometimes it is good to greet others and check if they are okay or not. Members of Parliament are running away; only 131 are attending Parliament, they are given data, why are they not coming? Thank you very much.
*THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you very much, Hon. Members of the Executive I have announced are on national duty and the majority have travelled with His Excellency the President on an international engagement. As for the MPs, others are following proceedings from their hotels. We have limited the number of those who should attend physically to 80 in the National Assembly and 80 in the Senate. So the attendance is fairly good and we are quite happy about that. As to whether they are well or not, why do you not send them some WhatsApp messages and talk to them individually, I am sure they will be happy to receive some compliments of the season from Hon. T. Mliswa.
(v)HON. T. MLISWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
(v)HON. MUCHIMWE: Point of privilege Hon. Speaker.
*THE HON. SPEAKER: Point of privilege, Have you forgotten that points of privilege are not raised on Wednesdays. You should read the Hansard on every sitting day.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
HON. DR. MURIRE: What is Government doing concerning companies that were given tenders to construct roads and they are failing to complete their projects, for example Rimbi-Chiridza Road?
THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA): I want to thank Hon. Murire for that very important question. It is true that we have non performers as well, contractors who have been bidding, tendering at a very low price in order to attract the contract. I have assigned my team to prepare a list, which I will bring to this august House so that we blacklist such type of contractors for wasting the time of Government and the citizenry. Precisely, I do concur that we have got a number of such contractors who have failed to run with the agenda of His Excellency Cde. E. D. Mnangagwa to rehabilitate our roads.
So, we are not hesitating to cancel those contracts. We have been doing that and assigning competitive contractors to take charge of such contracts. I thank you.
HON. NDUNA: My supplementary question borders on the timelines of the said contractor, the repudiation or rescinding of the contracts. Would the Hon. Minister favour us with the timelines, in particular as it relates to those contractors that have not performed on the ERRP? Where I come from, there is Great Dyke Resources that falls on the class of contractors he has spoken to and about. Would he favour us with timelines on repudiation or cancellation of contracts?
THE HON. SPEAKER: I thought the Hon Minister was very clear. The contracts are terminated immediately once shoddy work has emerged. So, there is no timeline required there.
HON. CHINYANGANYA: My supplementary question relates to the ones that have already been made but two or three months down the line, there are potholes that exist. What is the Ministry doing to make sure that roads are made in a proper manner which makes them to last for more than five years rather than three months after construction.
HON. MHONA: Let me thank Hon. Chinyanganya for that very important question. According to the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme, it is a programme that has been phased and you will find that we have been seized with Phase 1 where it entailed pothole patching and bush clearance. Apparently, some of the roads were patched and because these roads have been abandoned for years without being maintained and being rehabilitated, I want to thank the Second Republic for coming up with this vibrant programme to rehabilitate roads.
Where potholes are coming, it is because the roads were weak and we are now seeing some potholes. Also, some local authorities were not actually doing the perfect work that they were supposed to do. We are doing the monitoring and evaluation together with my team, to go through such roads and make sure that we rehabilitate back to the status quo of those roads.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Minister, while you are up standing, the import of the question is; the contractor has completed the road and within three months there are potholes emerging. What is the Ministry doing about that to forestall future happenings of that nature?
HON. MHONA: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir. I think I will be happy to have such kind of roads from the Hon Member that were rehabilitated and within a short space of time potholes are surfacing so that we will then take that contractor to account for that kind of shoddy work.
HON. HAMAUSWA: My supplementary question is, - what is the Ministry doing to the abandoned roads where they have cancelled the contracts, where there are some detours and it is now impossible for motorists to pass through those roads because the contractors have closed the actual roads creating detours which are now impassable due to rains, for example Ganges Road in Belvedere.
HON. MHONA: Let me also thank Hon Hamauswa and also to thank him, in particular where I requested that we work together with Hon. Members as a team. I am aware of the predicament that he has highlighted in terms of a detour which has been created and he has cited the road which I am aware of. Because of the challenges of the heavy rains that we are witnessing, we have rehabilitated those detours. We actually mandated the contractor to mann the detour that he has created. The essence of a detour is to allow the works to proceed and it is a permanent road. A detour is just there to make sure that there is passability during the construction of a road.
HON. MARKHAM: I would like to request the Minister if possible, to release all the roads that are scheduled for works throughout the year, whether it is ERRP1, 2, 3 so that we could follow and check what the scope of works are because a lot of work is happening and we do not know how it was selected. Secondly, the biggest problem that we have is that we do not know where it is. We would be most grateful if the Minister could actually release the programme to us.
*HON. TOGAREPI: My question is that, Hon. Minister, people who rehabilitate our roads do that using gravel taken from other roads be it the existing roads that we were using as a community and when they finish rehabilitating the road, they do not rehabilitate the roads that they would have destroyed that are used by farmers and the community. What are Government plans to maintain our existing roads so that when they finish rehabilitating other roads, they will also rehabilitate road that were being used by the community before they came?
*THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA): I thank you Mr. Speaker and I thank Hon. Togarepi for his question. Those who are responsible for repairing our roads must be informed that they must rehabilitate the roads or places where they will be taking gravel from before they leave. Like what Hon. Togarepi has said, let us work together and see that all places that were being degraded by taking gravel; we must see that those places are rehabilitated. If this does not happen, we must see it as a community that we rehabilitate these places and fill up the holes. We must work together to overcome this problem.
HON. MARKHAM: My question goes to the Minister of Transport, could the Minister of Transport release a record of all the roads that are under the Road Rehabilitation Programme, the emergency one so that we could follow up as well?
HON. MHONA: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir and let me also thank Hon. Markham for that very important question. Hon. Speaker Sir, before your august House, I will come with a compendium of all the roads we have done under the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme II and also the roads that we are going to be partaking in this particular year 2022. So, I do concur with him that it is of paramount importance to table that report and I promise that within this coming month before end of February, we would have received that report in this august House. I thank you Hon. Speaker Sir.
HON. MARKHAM: Mine is also just to add that it will be important for us to know who the contractor is and who is the authority overseeing it; is it the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development or it has been handed down to the local authority? I thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon Minister, please take note and no further supplementary questions unfortunately.
(V)HON. T. MLISWA: It was in terms of the rule of law, I do not know which ones fall under him but can he coordinate it as well because the rural roads are looking so good while some may not be under him, he is a competent Minister to be able to speak to the line Ministry in terms of local authorities because rural roads are also in a bad state. If he can also bring a record as what Hon. Markham asked for the rural roads as well.
THE HON. SPEAKER: I do not want confusion here, let the Hon. Minister stick to his portfolio. If you want rural roads, that fall under rural district council or local authorities. You ask the appropriate authority accordingly, who is the Minister of Local Government.
(V)*HON. T. MLISWA: It is only that he does due diligence to his work and I applaud him for that.
*THE HON. SPEAKER: Yes, he is very good in doing his work and we must not ask him questions that do not pertain to his Ministry
+HON. MATHE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
+THE HON. SPEAKER: Where is your Ipad we gave you all.
+HON. MATHE: I failed to connect on my Ipad and I want to thank the Hon. Member who gave me his.
+HON. MATHE: My question is directed to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development. Mr. Speaker, I would like the Minister to inform us, there are roads that were supposed to be tarred in 2021 but those roads have still not been tarred what is going to happen to those roads including the Nkayi-Bulawayo Road?
+THE HON. SPEAKER: Our questions should be direct questions not to ask about one particular road that would require the question to be written down so that the Minister can bring us a full answer. I would like you to put that question in writing so that we can reply it next week.
+HON. MATHE: Thank you Mr. Speaker.
(v)HON. NYABANI: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My question is directed to the Minister of Finance and Economic Development and in his absence, I will direct my question to the Leader of the House. My question is on ZIMRA. ZIMRA is not able to release tax clearance forms and this is affecting a lot of businesses to operate legally. How long is this going to take so that tax clearance forms are made available? Secondly, …
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Nyabani, you are not allowed to ask two questions at one go.
*THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. CHIDUWA): I would like to thank Hon. Nyabani for that question. It is true that ZIMRA this time of the year, January and February, gets a lot of challenges. We get a lot of challenges because many companies will be looking for tax clearances. The main problem is that most companies want to pay all at once so our computer system crashes. That is the main challenge but right now ZIMRA has since rectified the system so that people can get their clearances on time, but that is a problem that usually occurs in January. So by now, expect that many companies have got their tax clearances.
HON. MBONDIAH: My question is directed to the Minister of Energy and Power Development. Hon. Minister, what is the Government policy regarding the acquisition of ZESA meters for residential new clients.
THE HON. MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER DEVELOPMENT (HON. SODA): The policy of Government is that when a new client wants to be connected, they can purchase their meter and that value of purchase will be reimbursed through electricity units. The other option would be if ZESA has the meters, you are provided with a meter for free.
HON. MBONDIAH: My supplementary question Hon. Minister is, how long does this reimbursement take and how long does it take for that amount to be put into the meter because in Kwekwe, I have residents who bought their own meters but they have not yet been reimbursed the money for the meters?
HON. SODA: The reimbursement is supposed to be done immediately after connection. I think you have noticed most of the consumers whenever they are connected, especially for the first time, there is some 50 units that offered and that is part of the payment for the meter that you would have purchased and that is happening immediately after connection. Thank you.
*HON. MANGORA: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir. My question is directed to the Hon. Minister of Energy and Power Development. Do ZESA service providers not have a facility where someone may want to install their own meter because there are some people who did not get those prepaid meters? Sometimes there will be a fault where they will have no electricity. So my question is Minister, what is Government policy when people or clients are now required to provide fuel or cater for the transportation for ZESA employees to come and install the meter yet they are the ones who are supposed to get money from that service? I thank you.
*HON. SODA: I would like to thank the Hon. Member for that pertinent question. There are two questions and the first one was those who may want to get their meters installed, can they not get that free of charge? I had responded to that but let me respond once again that that is possible when there are meters available. What we are saying is when you get free electricity units after buying your own meter, it means ZESA will now be buying that meter through that way. That is why it is now considered ZESA property because you have been reimbursed through those units, but very soon you will see ZESA installing those meters for free. They are now purchasing those meters - so very soon, you will see them installing those meters for free.
The second question was what really happens when the client is requested to provide transport for those ZESA employees. The reality is that ZESA has a shortage of vehicles, so Government is also considering providing a facility for retooling ZESA so that they may attend to your faults and other services, but before those vehicles are purchased, sometimes you will get an urgent problem where someone may need electricity to be installed very early because they may not be patient enough to wait for ZESA transport. The workers will be there but the shortage is transport. So you may be requested to assist by providing transport so that you will get assisted for the reinstallation or restoration of any problem, but you are not forced to provide fuel in order for your fault to be attended to. So that only happens considering the time that you may need a problem to be attended to.
(v)*HON. MUDARIKWA: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir. My supplementary question to the Minister is when ZESA takes that meter to become ZESA property, are they installing those meters because when those meters are struck by lightning, it takes time for them to replace them as compared to insured meters.
HON. SODA: Thank you Hon. Speaker. I would like to thank the Hon. Member for that pertinent question. When it comes to insurance, ZESA equipment is supposed to be insured but that does not mean that any equipment that is insured is replaced there and then. Like what happens in the case of an accident, sometimes it may take time. So what we are saying is, any equipment that is now under ZESA becomes insured but the replacement may take time because sometimes they take time to assess in order to replace that equipment.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Hon. Speaker. I will preface my question with sections of the supreme law of the land, that is the Constitution and it is directed to the Hon. Minister of Transport. Section72 (7) (c) of the Constitution says the people of Zimbabwe should be able to assert their right to learn and Section 13 (4) says the resources that are extracted...
THE HON. SPEAKER: Just say as the Constitution provides and then you ask your question.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My question borders on the resources that are extracted in the place where they are extracted, that the land from where they are extracted, the people that are extracting those resources should rehabilitate the land where they are extracting those resources from, in particular the roads. What is Government policy in relationship to the rehabilitation of the roads in the places where the resources are extracted by the miners that are involved in the extractive industry?
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Nduna, the Hon. Minister responded to that question earlier on, that there is an obligation for the contractor to rehabilitate the environment.
HON. NDUNA: It is not the contractor Mr. Speaker Sir. It is the miner that I am talking about.
THE HON. SPEAKER: If it is the miner, then that has nothing to do with the Minister of Transport. The responsibility is on the one who has caused the damage. Why do you not direct your question to the Minister of Mines?
HON. NDUNA: May I direct it to the Leader of Government business. What is Government policy in so far as it relates to forcing the miners who are leaving our roads in a dilapidated, deplorable, and disused manner after they have extracted the resources in those areas?
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMEBNTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I was looking for the Deputy Minister of Environment but I will respond...
THE HON. SPEAKER: No, the Chair has said the matter is directed to the offender, which is the Ministry of Mines and so you are answering on behalf of the Minister of Mines who are carrying out extractive business there.
HON. ZIYAMBI: Yes Mr. Speaker. You are partly right that the offender is Ministry of Mines but we have the Ministry of Environment on issues of EIA and they have to monitor that the environment is left...
THE HON. SPEAKER: I am not partly right – I am wholly right. In your response, you can mention collaboration between the Ministry of Mines and the Ministry of Environment.
HON. ZIYAMBI: Mr. Speaker Sir, let me respond by saying that the Ministry of Mines issues a provisional licence initially and when they have done that, what they then do is that there are several compliance issues that need to be done before you start mining. One of those is to ensure that you go to the Ministry of Environment and you comply with their requirements in terms of preservation of the environment and ensure that the environment is left intact. The others are not related to what he asked. So the response is, we need to ensure that we strengthen the enforcement procedures to ensure that the environment is not left in a degradable state like what he is saying. I thank you.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. For those miners who are defiant to stop their operations?
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Nduna, you did not listen carefully – what the Hon. Minister did not mention is the Environmental Impact Assessment Report that is produced before mining, which the Hon. Leader of the House said must be complied with. That is all.
Hon. Nduna having stood up again.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Can I help you Hon. Nduna. Once there is no compliance with the Environmental Impact Assessment Report, the Minister of Environment is obligated at law to charge the offender. That is what the Minister has said and he is perfectly correct, even closure.
HON. NDUNA: I ask that the closure part be adhered to.
THE HON. SPEAKER: It is addressed in the Environmental Assessment Report.
(v)*HON. HAMAUSWA: On a point of clarity Mr. Speaker Sir. I wanted to ask for an explanation with regards to the Environmental Impact Assessment. Are they aware that there are people who are operating or mining without compliance, such as mining that is happening in some areas? I am kindly asking the Minister to explain to the House on the issue of Environmental Impact Assessments. Is the Ministry aware that there are other places where mining is taking place whilst residents of those places were not consulted in terms of compiling the Environmental Impact Assessment? For example, the mining that is taking place in Warren Park, in areas close to Mereki.
THE HON. SPEAKER: The Hon. Member of that particular constituency should address them and if they do not understand, they should seek further clarification at the Ministry of Environment.
HON. RTD. BRIG. GEN. MAYIHLOME: Thank you Hon. Speaker. What policy measures are there to dissuade road haulage trucks carrying mineral products from our roads to rail? I am looking at increasing the haulage price to make it very punitive for these truckers to get off the road and leave the traffic to rail.
HON. MHONA: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir, let me also thank Hon. Rtd. Brig. Gen. Mayihlome for that very important question.
It is true that some of the damages that we are witnessing, especially on our roads are being attributed to the issues of failure to move cargo to the railway lines. I agree with the Hon. Member, that yes it is very important for now so that we then move with speed to bring back the railway line to its original state where bulky goods were being transported through the railway line. So, I do agree with Hon. Mayihlome, that yes some of the truckers that are using these heavy loads to ply our roads are damaging the roads though not out of their own making but there is no alternative at the moment.
If we are not offering an alternative, we have to move with speed and make sure that there is connectivity. There is the issue of pot to pit where we then re-channel those loads to the rail line.
HON. S. BANDA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My question goes to the Minister of Finance and Economic Development. While appreciating the movement from 2000 to 5000 RTGS that we can now withdraw from the bank, what other measures are being made so that there is also more free flow of cash circulating in the economy such that we eventually move away from having limited funds which we can withdraw in a week.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. CHIDUWA): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. In terms of the policy trajectory, where we are going is the digital economy that is in line with the National Development Strategy 1 and Vision 2030.
So, we are moving away from situations where we heavily rely on the usage of cash and we embrace digital technologies. Digital technologies are going to be good for us in terms of anti-money laundering activities. We should be able to monitor who is doing what and there is always a digital footprint when we move away from the usage of cash. I thank you.
HON. TOGAREPI: My question is directed to the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology. May he avail to the House a run down on how far they have gone with the industrialization agenda?
THE HON. SPEAKER: That question goes to the purview of a written question, it is too detailed. May you put it in writing so that the Hon. Minister can do justice to it?
HON. T. MLISWA: My question is directed to the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. What is being done in order to address the issue of the welfare of teachers?
HON. MATUKE: Most of the issues which were affecting the teachers were addressed. The teachers were awarded 75 USD for COVID allowance and on top of that they were given 100 USD to supplement their salaries. Above that they were given 20% increment and in addition, the Government is going to pay for three biological kids school fees. The other issue which is very important which was added again to the teachers is that they are going to get duty free vehicles. The scheme was already in existence and is going to be speeded up so that teachers get their vehicles as soon as they pay for them duty free.
There may be a question as to those teachers who could not turn up for duty. They have been given up to 22nd February, 2022 so that if they do not turn up for duty, then they are deemed to have been fired by the Public Service Commission. Teachers who will be reporting for duty and just sit without teaching, will also be treated the same. I thank you.
(v)HON. T. MLISWA: My supplementary question is, the Hon. Minister has spoken about the package but as usual, nothing gets to the people. The USD$75.00 allowance and USD$100.00 allowance baffles my mind when the Government has RTGS Zimbabwe Dollar. They seem to have more USD$ than the Zimbabwe Dollar. Is the Government not supposed to pay them in RTGS because by paying them in USD$, you are more or less saying that the USD$ is the currency of the day.
It invites a further question that why do we not dollarise but more importantly, why has the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education fired the teachers when the Hon. Minister himself has admitted that the Public Service Commission is responsible for that? The firing of the teachers is by the Public Service Commission and not the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
I need him to clarify that and I hope the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare will issue a statement and Mr. Vincent Hungwe, who is the key person there. So there is some confusion as to who they report to and who fires them.
THE HON. SPEAKER: On the first part of firing, I thought that the Hon. Deputy Minister was very clear. He said that all those who suffered some disciplinary action are given up to 22nd February, 2022 – so no action has been taken so far. So wait for 22nd February and see what happens according to what …
(v)HON. T. MLISWA: Mr. Speaker Sir, the brain drain that we talk about in the country is as a result of the Government being heavy handed in firing teachers and nurses.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order, order! Please accept that no teacher has been fired until 22nd February. That is the reply from the Minister responsible for hiring civil servants. So that is clear, there is no debate on that one.
Perhaps the Hon. Minister may want to comment on the issue of mixed payment in USD$ and RTGS.
HON. MATUKE:Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir. I think the Government was responding to a request that was put forward by the different unions. I think the teachers and civil servants had been appealing for a mixed bag so that they are not affected by the fall of the ZWL$. I think we should thank the Government for providing such a good reward. I do not think, going forward, we will get teachers complaining but as our economy improves, I think we will still revert to our Zimbabwe Dollar 100%. I thank you. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
(v)HON. T. MLISWA: So it is an admission Hon. Speaker Sir; clarity. It is an admission that the ZWL$ has failed and the USD$ is stronger. So why do you not just pay them in USD$ all the way?
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order Hon. Mliswa … - [(v)HON. CHIDAKWA: On a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir!] – Order Hon. Chidakwa! Please listen carefully to the responses by the Hon. Minister. If the teaching fraternity has agreed to the mixed bag, what more is required? –[(v)HON. T. MLISWA: Mr. Speaker Sir, they have not agreed. It is being imposed on them.] - [(v)HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Order!
Hon. Mliswa you can submit a written question for further clarification next week - [(v)HON. CHIDHAKWA: Supplementary question Mr. Speaker Sir!] – I had recognised Hon. Maphosa there. – [(v)HON. T. MLISWA: Mr. Speaker Sir, can we get a Ministerial Statement from the Hon. Minister?] - Hon. Mliswa, I advised you to put your question in writing for next week. It will be dealt with accordingly.
HON. MAPHOSA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My supplementary question to the Hon. Minister is on the ZWL$20 000.00 fees payment for biological children. Is it not better to give teachers what they want than to give piece meals that you think can solve a problem in a short term than in a longer term? As we know Mr. Speaker Sir, as Africans we have extended families and teachers with no biological children of their own are taking care of children who are not biologically theirs. Is it not better to award a benefit that will relieve teachers than to award benefits that will cause friction among teachers? Those who have biological children are better but what about those who are taking care of other children? Would it not be better to give teachers that amount so that they see how they pay than to say we are going to give you? Better still, would it not be better Mr. Speaker Sir, to give into the demands and pay …
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order! Hon. Member, you are now debating!
HON. MAPHOSA: I stand guided Mr. Speaker Sir.
HON. MATUKE: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir, this request to pay for three biological children was put forward by the Teachers’ Unions to Government and the Government accepted. It was the unions who requested for that, maybe that is the long and short of the answer that it is not us who requested. It was the unions and the Government agreed to pay for the biological children.
(v)HON. MUSHORIWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My supplementary question to the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare is, in the opinion of the Government, is it fair to award three despite the fact that it came from the unions? The question that I then have is, is it prudent and fair to …
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Member, you are out of order! When there are two parties negotiating, one has come up with a proposition and that proposition is accepted. You cannot go further than that. Thank you.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, would it please the Minister to adjust the issue of payment of the 20 000 on the three kids to direct it to the perceived parent because seriously some teachers do not have children, because procreation, copulation and conjugal rights have not yielded to them siring kids, would it please the Minister to direct .....
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, do not trouble the Minister, you do not negotiate for exigencies that are not there. There was a proposal, the Hon. Minister explained what was proposed. So do not talk about those who cannot conjugally procreate – [Laughter.]
HON. MARKHAM: Can we confirm that the Unions gave a proposal and the Ministers accepted. Thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: I thought the Hon. Minister confirmed. If there is any knowledge you know to the contrary, please raise the matter under Written Questions.
(v)HON. L. SIBANDA: Thank you Hon. Speaker. The Minister of Public Service said teachers have been given duty free to import vehicles; where are the teachers going to get the money to buy vehicles?
* HON. MATUKE: Government has availed a loan facility for our civil servants. Recently it had dwindled because of inflation so there is now a plan to boost that Fund so that those who want to buy vehicles may get loans from that fund. Government will also have a facility for buying houses. Government has availed a Fund where they can get loans to buy vehicles, houses or any other project that they may want. Very soon that fund will be boosted.
*HON. CHIKUKWA: My question is directed to the Minister of Local Government. How far have you prepared for possible floods that we hear about? I thank you.
*THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. CHOMBO): I want to thank Government for giving us support to boost our preparedness. If you look at what happened when we got floods recently, you realise that there was not much damage, we did not get a lot of fatalities but if we look at the damages with regards to infrastructure such as roads, they were indeed affected by those floods. Our Ministry is well prepared so we have teams that are ready to attend to such floods and they are well equipped including local leaders such as chiefs and village heads. All those on the ground are well prepared for those floods including food and medication.
If you look at Manicaland where such disasters are prevalent, there are about 394 - that is the number where we have relocated people, so we had 394 places. We also prepared ZUPCO buses where people are transported for relocation. There are areas where we may not get buses and we spoke to farmers to provide us with lorries and tractors to transport people in the event of a disaster. In some areas, we have constructed shelters that we call prefab. In Manicaland, we have constructed 100 such houses; Mbire there are 98; Muzarabani there are 19. There is also a school called Keche in Muzarabani and we have eight houses as well. So far, that is what we have since done. I thank you.
*THE HON. SPEAKER: This question required a long response but for now, I think that response is enough.
(v)HON. S. NDLOVU: My question is directed to the Minister of Transport. What is Government policy with regards to ZUPCO buses which are not roadworthy?
THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA): Let me thank Hon. Ndlovu for that question. At times it is quite difficult to then separate our roles when it comes to ZUPCO because we are intertwined. We do permit issuance and we also superintendent over the checks along the roads through VID. So, any unroadworthy buses are not supposed to ply our roads. The status quo now, buses are coming through ZUPCO and private players are also joining ZUPCO. It is an understanding that those buses are not supposed to be accommodated under that franchise. I say to Hon. Ndlovu that it is not Government policy to allow unroadworthy buses to ply our roads. I thank you.
(v)HON. S. NDLOVU: Of late, we have seen these buses breaking down and causing accidents, injuring passengers and in some instances killing passengers. As a nation, we are really worried that something has to be done. We feel that the police are not issuing arrests for these buses as they pass through road blocks. Something has to be done because lives are being lost – even children going to school do not get to school on time. Those going to work do not get to work on time. One morning I counted five buses that had broken down. It is really a cause for concern. I thank you.
HON. MHONA: Let me also thank Hon Ndlovu for that follow up question which is emanating from an emotional perspective. I do agree and concur with her emotions. If you look at one of our core values as a Ministry, it is to uphold issues of safety. It is true that unroadworthy vehicles, in particular buses, are not supposed to ply. I will also liaise with my counterparts where we have got the police for enforcement and where we have ZUPCO under Local Government so that we address some of the challenges highlighted by the Hon Member. I thank you.
HON. NDUNA: As we deal with the roadworthiness of the buses, it is also key to deal with the insurance of the passengers who will be in those buses. Is it also key or is it something that has been attributed to the new buses, that all ZUPCO buses have passenger insurance which is about US$15 per each seat which affords the passengers insurance after the bus has been involved in an accident for both those that are injured and those that are deceased.
HON. MHONA: Let me thank Hon.Nduna but let me not hasten to address the question that has been asked by Hon.Nduna since it is not within my jurisdiction. I indicated the issues to do with ZUPCO that they are under the purview of Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. With your indulgence Mr. Speaker Sir, Hon.Nduna can put the question in writing, so that the Minister of Local Government can address that very important question.
HON. NDUNA: Just your indulgence, to get to know from the Deputy Minister of Local Government whether she has fully insured the passengers that are plying the roads within her buses. If not, when can she comply with the ethos and values of road safety on passenger insurance, US$15 per seat affording the passenger a US$1500 if they are injured and US$4000 if they have been deceased?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON CHOMBO):We have put in the works a process whereby we are insuring all our ZUPCO buses. I cannot give you the details because it is something that is in progress but we have prioritized that. Believe you me, we have insured all our buses. I thank you.
(v)HON. CHIDHAKWA: Madam Speaker, thank you so much for this opportunity. Madam Speaker, I am directing my question to the Minister of Finance and Economic Development. My question is, we have noted that ZIMRA revenue generation report and the tax expenditure reports are just included as a small summary in the Budget Statement. My question is - what is the Government position on corporate tax disclosure, tax expenditure reporting and making it accessible to the general public given that the report is not even in the public domain? I thank you Madam Speaker.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. CHIDUWA): Thank you Madam Speaker and thank you Hon. Member for the question. The disclosure of corporate information is guided by the Company’s Act and in cases where a company is listed on the stock exchange, this is where we can disclose all the information because that is public information, but where we are dealing with a private corporate that is not listed on the stock exchange, we may not divulge the financials to the public. I thank you.
(v)HON. CHIDAKWA: My supplementary question Madam Speaker is to say for those that can publish, where are we going to see them on the public domain?
HON. CHIDUWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. It is a requirement under the Zimbabwe Exchange Rules, that all companies that are listed on the stock exchange advertise their financials and they have been on the public domain. Unless the Hon. Member would want those financials to be published specifically by the Ministry of Finance but it is a requirement that all listed companies list and publish in newspapers. I thank you.
(v)HON. MUSHORIWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. Could the Hon. Minister clarify his answer when he says that in respect to corporate tax disclosure there are limitations as per the Company’s Act. My understanding is that the question by the Hon. Member Hon. Chidakwa, is to simply say this information is actually supposed to be public in nature and there is nothing that is contained within the Company’s Act that precludes the Government to make this information public.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MAVETERA): Thank you Hon. Minister, there is a point of clarity that is being sought there.
HON. CHIDUWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. Can the Hon. Member repeat the question because I did not get the question?
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: He is saying, can you please clarify on the issue of corporate tax disclosure. He is saying he does not think there are any limitations which preclude the companies not to then be able to disclose their tax within the Company’s Act.
HON. CHIDUWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I think I would need to be guided because in terms of my understanding, if it is a private company, we cannot disclose such information unless it is a listed company, so I would need to be guided on that one, I thank you.
(v)HON. MUSHORIWA: Madam Speaker, I think the Hon. Minister, it is only fair that he goes and do a research rather than for us to argue on this matter. I actually believe he has told me that there is nothing that precludes the Government from disclosing that information and maybe he could actually research and then bring the response next week.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Minister, may you please find out about that and then you can bring us the response next week.
HON. CHIDUWA: Thank you Madam Speaker, I will do that.
*HON. R. R. NYATHI: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Local Government. I heard she spoke about the country’s preparedness relating to floods. She mentioned problems where we can use vehicles but some floods would require us to use helicopters. How prepared is the Government so that we can use helicopters to rescue our people? I thank you.
*THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS (HON. CHOMBO): Thank you Madam Speaker and I thank Hon. Nyathi for this question in relation to floods. As you all know, we did not get enough funds to buy helicopters that can enable us to do that job. Now we are being helped by Air Force of Zimbabwe and our neighbouring countries like Namibia, South Africa and Botswana. If we have floods, we agreed that we can talk to them and they will help us. I thank you.
HON. BRIG. GEN. (RTD.) MAYIHLOME: Thank you very much Madam Speaker. My supplementary question to the Hon. Deputy Minister is; at local level district, how resourced are these Civil Protection Units because you come across situations where houses and schools are blown off or washed away. The next thing people run around looking for donations. What resource do they have to be able to respond to such disasters at local level? I thank you Hon. Speaker.
HON. CHOMBO: Thank you very much Hon. Speaker and I thank the Hon. Member for that follow up question. You know there are competing needs for the resources that are there but we have been lucky. Prior to cyclone, yes we were not that prepared but I have indicated that right now we have been a little bit more resourced. As I explained earlier in terms of food items, we have enough and in terms of non-food items like sanitary wear, BP tablets and so forth, we have put all those contingencies in place. I think that is all I can say as far as being prepared is concerned. Also, I indicated that we have prefab houses that have been put all over the place, in areas that we think are more prone to those cyclones. As I indicated, they are in Manicaland, Chimanimani, Mbire, Muzarabani and so forth. We also have other non-governmental agencies that have also come on board, like World Vision, UNICEF and so forth. We have resources and I think we are a little bit more prepared. We cannot be 100% prepared but we are more prepared than during the Cyclone Idai era.
(v)HON. BHUDA-MASARA: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question goes to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education. In the event that he is not in the House I direct my question to the Leader of Government Business.
Hon. Minister, the duty free scheme that is offered to teachers and considering their current salary, why can Government not just come up with a scheme that will enable teachers to be able to purchase cars because considering their situation currently, they cannot put food on the table and then there is an offer there. Where do we expect the teachers to get the money? I thank you.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MAVETERA): Thank you Hon. Masara. This question was responded to by the Hon. Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. He said there are already facilities which are there from NBS for loans for teachers to be able to access. So in terms of that, it was responded to. Thank you.
(v)HON. I. NYONI: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Energy and Power Development. What is Government policy on the replacement of copper cables that would have been stolen considering that the stealing is not receding, it is actually getting out of hand right now?
THE HON. MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER DEVELOPMENT (HON. SODA): Thank you Madam Speaker. Yes, we are currently replacing those cables with aluminium cables and it is a way of reducing like the Hon. Member has just indicated. It is a way of curtailing the rate of vandalism and we are currently working on power lines especially in the western region affecting Bulawayo mainly. We hope by the end of this year, we should have completed all the replacements. Thank you Madam Speaker.
(v)HON. I. NYONI: My supplementary question is that it takes quite some time if the cables are stolen in a particular area for the power utility company to replace those cables. For example, in my constituency and other areas there have been cases whereby residents and companies have gone over six months without electricity and the utility company has advised residents to pool resources together and buy the aluminium cables for replacement. What measures are in place to ensure that those who would have used their own resources to purchase the cables are refunded? Thank you Madam Speaker.
HON. SODA: Madam Speaker, the question was not very clear, if the Hon. Member could come again on his question.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: He is saying that it is taking time to replace copper cables, so what measures have you put in place to make sure at least that this is expedited and also residents are using their own resources. What is it that you are going to do to make sure that at least they will be able to get their funds back?
HON. SODA: Madam Speaker, like I indicated, the policy is we are supposed to replace those cables with aluminium cables. It might take a bit of time like the Hon. Member has just observed, but this is what we are committed to do as Government to reduce the cases of vandalism. Yes, it is unfortunate that at times it is taking too long for the cables to be replaced leaving people to be in darkness for some time, but this is what we are going to do and we think that is the best way to deal with the issue of copper cables.
Yes, we have some other measures like deterrent charges especially when one is caught and is convicted for stealing the copper cables, but we think the lasting solution would be when we would have replaced those cables with aluminium cables. There are contracts that were given to CAFCA where we are currently exchanging the copper cables with aluminium cables and that is the way we think as Government we will stop the issue of vandalism of copper cables and also ensure people will always be having electricity because we are trying to deal with the motivation which is actually the copper cables. Thank you Madam Speaker.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: We have the second part of the question, Hon. Soda, which was about residents paying but not getting reimbursements of their money. It has not been responded to.
HON. SODA: Thank you Madam Speaker. Apparently the norm is whenever cables are supposed to be replaced this is supposed to be done by the Government through the power utility but there are times when the power utility does not have adequate equipment and the residents or some consumers are asked to provide their own equipment. I think I answered, it was one of the first questions that I answered in this House today to say they will be reimbursed through electricity units for every purchase that they do because ultimately, that would have been paid for by the power utility and the equipment is owned by ZESA Holdings. So the payment is done through reimbursement in electricity units. Thank you Madam Speaker.
(v)HON. MUDARIKWA: Thieves are now going for copper cables and they will sooner or later go for the aluminium cables. Why do we not, as Government, recommend to say anyone who vandalises ZESA equipment must go to jail for 40 years because they started with copper and they will soon go for aluminum and people will remain in darkness? Thank you very much.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: That is a recommendation Hon. Minister. I am sure it will go to the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.
Questions Without Notice were interrupted by THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER in terms of Standing Order No. 68.
On the motion of THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE), the House adjourned at Eighteen Minutes past Four o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Wednesday, 16th February, 2022
The Senate met at Half-past Two o’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF SENATE
PETITION RECEIVED FROM THE NOBLE HANDS TRUST
THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE (HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA): I have to inform the Senate that on Monday 14th February, 2022, the Parliament of Zimbabwe received a petition from Noble Hands Trust requesting Parliament to approve the ratification of the Protocol to the African Charter on Human Rights and People’s Rights on Persons with Disabilities in Africa and enact legislation that protects and promotes the rights of People with Albinism. The petition has since been referred to the Thematic Committee on Human Rights.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. SEN. MUZENDA: I move that Orders of the Day, Numbers 1 and 2 be stood over until the rest of the Orders of the Day have been disposed of.
HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH: DEBATE ON ADDRESS
Third Order read: Adjourned debate on motion in reply to the Presidential Speech.
Question again proposed.
*HON. SEN. SIPANI-HUNGWE: First of all, I would like to congratulate you Mr. President and Hon. Members of this House by saying the Lord has kept us safe and we are now in the year 2022. The previous year was a very difficult one as we lost quite a number of Members of this House. I would like to express my condolences and grief for the loss of those whom we lost in the previous year and those we continue to lose.
I would like to contribute towards the motion that was raised by Hon. Senator Kambizi. I would like to thank our Hon. President who touched on a number of issues but I will just focus on two issues. I would like to talk about COVID-19. With regard to COVID-19, a lot of preventative measures were taken into place. A lot of things were done. If you look at what happened in other countries, we see that quite a number of people died. Despite the fact that in this country we also lost a number of people, our leadership was proactive and made sure that they looked for the vaccine in order to protect us from the pandemic as a nation.
He also touched on issues of water. Even in the previous year, a lot of dams were constructed. This indicates that a lot of work is being done. He also touched on the issue of roads. A lot of work is being done on the roads. Other projects have not been completed but they are being worked on. We thought that we could not reconstruct our major roads on our own, for example Harare-Beitbridge but we have managed to construct it using our local workmanship.
There are Bills that have not yet been passed and His Excellency emphasised that these should be passed. He gave a task to both Houses to make sure that all the outstanding Bills are passed. I just want to express my gratitude to the President. He is a hard worker and he also wants us to be like him. I thank you.
HON. SEN. MUZENDA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 17th February, 2022.
MOTION
CURBING GENDER BASED VIOLENCE AMONG COMMUNITIES
Fourth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the increase of gender based violence since the outbreak of COVID-19.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. CHIMBUDZI: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 17th February, 2022.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE VIRTUAL 49TH PLENARY ASSEMBLY SESSION OF THE SADC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM
Fifth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report of the Virtual 49th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. MUZENDA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. SIPANI-HUNGWE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 17th February, 2022.
MOTION
CONSTRUCTION, UPGRADING AND REHABILITATION OF THE ROAD NETWORK IN THE COUNTRY
Sixth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the importance of sound road network.
Question again proposed.
*HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: Thank you very much Mr. President for giving me the opportunity to contribute towards the motion raised by Hon. Sen. Mabika and the seconder.
As we all know, for us to have progress in our country, we should have well established roads. It is now a thing of the past for people to travel on foot. For a country to be developed there is need for an established road network for ease of access to destinations. If the roads are bad, there is no progress at all. This year we had a lot of rainfall and a number of roads were washed away. For example in Muzarabani, roads were washed away. Inasmuch as we love the rain, it came in its heaviness and washed away the roads. We remain thankful to His Excellency for the announcement on taking over the rehabilitation of roads after seeing that as a result of the heavy rains, most of the roads were damaged and washed away.
We are thankful for Government on undertaking the task of rehabilitating intercity roads. Mr. President, when roads are repaired, we have reduced accidents. In most cases, most of the accidents occur after hitting potholes. However, we remain grateful when we hear that Government has tasked itself with the rehabilitation of roads in the country. If the devolution funds are disbursed, it is my humble request that the local authorities focus on repairing roads in the rural areas. You will see that many people walk long distances in an effort to access health services. Some of them even die on the roads on their way going to seek help from hospitals. Most of pregnant women in rural areas fail to reach their destination to seek health services.
It is my wish that the devolution funds that are being channelled to local authorities are put towards roads rehabilitation so that it becomes easy for people in the rural areas to move from one point to another. The work at hand is huge and the country is big on its own and funds may not be enough to cover all those projects. If there happens to be any private companies, investors and those who have the country at heart who understand fully that a country is developed by its citizens, it is possible and we can succeed in rehabilitating those roads. I thank you Mr. President for the opportunity that you have given me. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHIRONGOMA: Thank you very much Mr. President for this opportunity to contribute on the motion which was raised by Hon. Sen. Mabika and all those who supported. A country is defined as a country because of accessible roads. Firstly, I would like to thank His Excellency, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa for declaring a national disaster on all the roads in the country and he gave power to the Minister of Transport. I would like to thank him for the work that he has done. When the Ministry was assigned this job, you could see that the job was done wholeheartedly, even the nation saw it that the Minister is hard working.
If you travel on the Beitbridge-Harare road, you can see that great work was done on this particular road. That is not the only road but a number of roads that link rural areas and big cities were well repaired. This is a great job and we are grateful. Even the DDF roads were repaired. We are grateful for the great rains we received this year but despite that, we see that roads that had been rehabilitated and roads that were still to be repaired continue to be damaged. The Minister has not stopped working on the roads. Roads were fixed in all the provinces.
We would be happy as motorists if roads are fixed. It is my wish that we have good roads in the country. We have big lorries in the country that carry cargo around the country using these roads. Most of the goods used to be carried by railway but now we have seen a decrease in that. I do not know how he is going to fix the issue of lorries on our highways. They continue to use these particular roads. It is my wish that there be policy or legislation that directs lorries to use particular roads so as not to damage already fixed roads. Those roads were constructed for use by light vehicles but lorries and haulage trucks also use these roads and damage them as the roads have no capacity to withstand the heavy trucks but small cars. We would like to thank His Excellency who led this initiative and gave authority to the responsible Ministry to do the work. With these few words, I would like to thank you Mr. President.
HON. SEN. M. R. DUBE: Thank you Mr. President for giving me this opportunity to also contribute to this motion which was brought in by Hon. Sen. Mabika. It is a pertinent motion indeed and there is nothing we can do without roads. Roads are there for us to relate well with our neighbours. Without roads it is difficult to engage with neighbours. Roads are pertinent and we should support each other through the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development so that we can build economic relations with our neighbours.
However, because of the rainy season, there are damages on these roads. Most of our roads were repaired but because of rains, we now have potholes and as a result, vehicles have their suspensions broken when they ride through those potholes. It would be important that after every rainy season, we attend to these roads. We also have haulage trucks which damage our roads. If you look at the Victoria Falls Road to Zambia, it was repaired but because a lot of haulage trucks ride through that road, it does not take long for the road to be damaged again. As said by another Hon. Senator, some of these roads are meant to be used by small vehicles. It is important that rural roads be taken care of all the time. Rural roads should also be attended to as well. Some places do not even have transportation like buses because of the bad state of roads. It is important that such roads be repaired. We have rains and our roads are damaged by these rains. It is important to attend to these roads.
We are aware that people vandalise the road network like the railway line and there is need to re-examine that to help the situation because trains carry a lot of passengers. We thank the Government for the rehabilitation of the Beitbridge-Masvingo Road, we hear that it is now a very good road. We are grateful to His Excellency, a listening President. If we look at my constituency, the Tsholotsho Road, that road had been damaged but now it is being repaired. Yes, because of COVID-19, the pace is slow; it could have been repaired had it not been for COVID-19. There was nothing to be done about that because of the natural disaster we were facing then. We implore you to continue to repair these roads. Even those which were repaired before but now damaged by incessant rains should also be attended to.
This is a very important motion. Roads are our life and everything that we get, we access through roads. We use roads to access hospitals, schools, export and import and so on. This motion is important and it is pertinent that as Members of Parliament, we should always look at the roads and put it to the attention of Parliament so that damaged roads can be repaired quickly. Some roads have been repaired but because of rains, the roads are damaged again. This motion brought in by Hon. Sen. Mabika is very important. Roads are as important as water; no one can travel where there is no road. I stood up to support the motion and I thank the Hon. Member for bringing this pertinent motion. I thank you Mr. President for the opportunity.
^HON. SEN. MALULEKE: Thank you Mr. President for giving me this opportunity to add my voice to the motion on roads. There is no country which is good without proper roads. I also thank the Hon. Senator who raised the motion, Hon. Sen. Mabika. A country with people also needs proper roads and to have friends who visit us, there is need for proper roads. For all economic activities to be a success, it is necessary to have proper roads.
At one point in time, I felt bitter as we travelled with a Committee from Harare to Mutare, the road infrastructure is good from Harare to Victoria Falls, the road infrastructure was good again but when it comes to our Masvingo-Harare-Beitbridge Highway, it was in a bad state. Every week there was an accident happening. I had many questions as to why our road was not being attended to or refurbished by the Government. However, they said the Government is the one which is there in Masvingo. We thank our President, His Excellency, Hon. Mnangagwa who saw it fit to rehabilitate this road. When I was travelling here to Harare, I used a small car but I did not have any challenges since the road is very good. There are still a few detours but generally the road is very good.
Let us give His Excellency a round of applause for he worked very hard. Hon. Members, let us work hard to improve the infrastructure of our country. There is no other person who is going to come and improve our country. When we go back to our constituencies, let us work hard and improve our economy. Let us encourage even the councils to work hard in improving the road infrastructure and all other activities which need their attention.
Councils must work hard to improve road infrastructure so that we can be able to boost our economy. Let us work to develop our country. There is no one who is going to come from another country or continent and develop our country. This country needs its citizens to develop it. We must also develop the schools to the extent that our children learn here in Zimbabwe rather than going to other countries seeking education. This can only be achieved if we dedicate ourselves to work hard for the betterment of our country.
Last month there was an accident involving a bus and a haulage truck and many people were injured because the road in that area is not good. Hence, there is need for us to work hard to improve our road infrastructure. His Excellency is also complimenting the work of rehabilitation of roads by providing buses to ferry people to different areas but these buses need proper roads. Let us encourage each other to work hard for the socio-economic development of our country. I thank you Mr. President.
**HON. SEN. NYATHI: Thank you Mr. President. I would like to applaud Hon. Sen. Mabika for bringing up the motion in this House. This motion is very relevant because in the country, when there is no road network, there can be no development. Our roads are dilapidated.
I come from Matabeleland region and there are no roads. We actually travel by the grace of God, especially at crossroads or intersections. I heard somebody talking about the Masvingo Road, I have not been to that area. If possible, the work that was done can also be done on Victoria Falls Road because it is very bad. There are huge ditches where a Honda Fit can be totally covered if it falls in. What is worsening the situation is haulage vehicles that are now over using that road. If only the railway transportation can be resuscitated to minimise loads being transported by road. Our roads are being destroyed even if they are repaired, they are quickly degraded. I do not know whether it is the quality of the material being used which is no longer durable.
Roads are very important for people’s livelihoods, including agricultural produce or ferrying the sick to hospitals. Right now it is difficult to use roads even for the sick. They cannot be transported by rail, so that is why I am applauding Hon. Sen. Mabika for the motion because she is a woman who is particular about people’s welfare. The Hon. Senator realised that roads are in a bad state, including gravel roads, they are not being repaired. I speak on behalf of Matabeleland where I come from- there is no single road that is in good condition. As we speak, the Victoria Falls-Bulawayo Road is in a bad state.
We understand that there are works being done, but let us be honest, there is no visible roadwork happening. For some of us who travel by road for long distance, you have to repair your car every day. I wish Government or the responsible Minister could come and discuss this matter. School children travel by road in most cases and drivers are no longer careful along those roads. That is why we hear of accidents every day; it is because of bad roads. We would like to see a lot of progress on roadworks. Since we are at the beginning of the year, by the end of the year, we would like to witness that progress in all provinces so that people can travel safely. That is a very good sign of development in our country. With those few words, I would like to thank you Mr. President
HON. SEN. MABIKA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. SIPANI-HUNGWE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 17th February, 2022.
MOTION
ENACTMENT OF LAWS THAT CULMINATE IN DETERRENT SENTENCES BEING METED OUT TO CULPRITS FOUND COMMITTING CRIMES THAT DAMAGE THE ENVIRONMENT
Seventh Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on grave and rapid environmental damage.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. CHIRONGOMA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. MATHUTHU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 17th February, 2022.
MOTION
ENACTMENT OF LEGISLATION THAT UPHOLDS THE RIGHTS AND WELFARE OF CHILDREN ACCOMPANYING INCARCERATED MOTHERS IN PRISON
Eighth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on challenges faced by children with incarcerated mothers.
Question again proposed.
+HON. SEN. A. DUBE: Thank you Mr. President for awarding me this opportunity. I support Hon. Sen. Chirongoma’s motion. This is a very important motion which pertains to children with incarcerated parents who now act as if they are also incarcerated. It is something that we do not take note of.
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE (HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA): Order. Our records show that you have contributed on this motion before. If it is not true, you can correct us. You contributed on 23rd November 2021.
*HON. SEN. MABIKA: Thank you Mr. President. I would like to thank Hon. Sen. Chirongoma for moving the motion. The issue of children whose mothers are in prison is painful. It is difficult for children and the environment they grow up in. The children suffer abuse in different forms. There are children whose breadwinners have been imprisoned. Automatically, these children face challenges with food, clothes and school fees. We see these children coming across difficult scenarios because it is very difficult to make ends meet as children.
These children are involved greatly in anti-social behaviour because there is no one nearby to reprimand them. They can also suffer depression. Whilst they attend classes, you can actually notice that the child is absent-minded. They cannot concentrate in class because back at home there is no one to render them social support. As a result of parents going to prison, most of the children cannot finish their studies because there is no one to pay for their school fees. Their upbringing is not very good. No one is there to play the parental role in their lives. No one is there to mould these children and give them direction. So, we see these children are ashamed to walk in the communities because some will laugh at them because of their situation. This destroys their ego and they lose confidence. This has got effects on their mental health and upbringing as children. Growing up without parents nearby is a very difficult situation for children.
It is my humble plea that we do something about these children who are left behind whilst their mothers go to prison. It is my wish that children are united with their parents so that their lives are not ruined growing up alone. Thank you very much Mr. President.
HON. SEN. CHIRONGOMA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. A. DUBE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 17th February, 2022.
On the motion of HON. SEN. MUZENDA seconded by HON. SEN. TONGOGARA the Senate adjourned at Half past Three O’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 15th February, 2022
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. SPEAKER in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE HON. SPEAKER
PETITIONS RECEIVED FROM MESSRS SAMSON MUGWAGWA, CLEMENTS GONDE AND PETER MASHAYAMOMBE AND SANITARY AID ZIMBABWE TRUST
THE HON. SPEAKER: I have to inform the House that on Tuesday, 14th December, 2021, Parliament of Zimbabwe received a petition from Messrs Samson Mugwagwa, Clements Gonde and Peter Mashayamombe of Mutorashanga, requesting Parliament to guarantee the protection of Mutorashanga Green Pools from the damage arising from mining activities in the area by ensuring that the tourist attraction is placed under protection of the Protected Places and Areas Act [Chapter 11:12] or The Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27].
The petition has since been referred to the Portfolio Committees on Home Affairs, Defence and Security Services; Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry and Mines and Mining Development.
On 11th January, 2022, Parliament of Zimbabwe received a petition from Sanitary Aid Zimbabwe Trust of No. 9 Hillview Drive, Borrowdale, beseeching Parliament to craft a Free Menstrual Products and Services Act which makes it a legal requirement for all underprivileged women and girls to get free menstrual products and services.
The petition has since been referred to the Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education.
INVITATION TO A ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICE
THE HON. SPEAKER: I also wish to inform the House that there will be a Catholic Church Service and a talk on the SYNOD, tomorrow 16th February, 2022, at 1145 hours in the Senate Chamber. All Hon. Members are invited. Non-Catholic Members are welcome.
HON. T. MOYO: Good afternoon Mr. Speaker Sir. I rise on a matter of national importance. Mr. Speaker Sir, the situation obtaining in our schools is a cause for concern. The industrial action by teachers and subsequent suspension of educators by the Hon. Minister of Primary and Secondary Education has imminently violated Section 75 (1) (a) that speaks to education as a fundamental basic human right Mr. Speaker Sir. Teaching and learning activities have been disrupted.
Mr. Speaker Sir, we want to appeal to your esteemed office to ask the Hon. Minister of Primary and Secondary Education to come to this House and give a Ministerial Statement. We want to suggest that the Hon. Minister can attempt to bring harmony and efficiency in schools as we recommend the establishment of a Teaching Profession Council that will professionalize teaching. This will not only lift the status of teaching and consequently its personnel, but codifies behaviour and management of teachers. It is also prudent to pay the educators specific allowances for posts of special responsibilities such as Head of Departments, TICs and acting allowances.
Finally Mr. Speaker Sir, it is important for the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to expeditiously implement and meet all the promises that were made by the Government, particularly monetary and non-monetary incentives should be paid to the teachers. These include housing stands and payment of school fees. If all these are done, there is going to be harmony in the teaching profession.
(v)HON. MUCHIMWE: On a point of order Mr. Speaker!
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Muchimwe, I have not responded to the point of privilege raised by Hon. Moyo. Can you wait?
(v)HON. MUCHIMWE: Thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you very much Hon. Moyo for raising this matter. We shall advise the Hon. Minister of Primary and Secondary Education to present a Ministerial Statement on the issues that you have raised just now. Hon. Muchimwe, you can go ahead.
(v)HON. MUCHIMWE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. May the ICT Department improve on their systems. We have a problem of connectivity, we can hardly hear what is taking place in Parliament.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Muchimwe, may you try to be present physically, you may be having problems from your side. . However, we shall check from this side as well.
*HON. NYABANI: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir for giving me this opportunity. Good Afternoon. Since we are just returning from holiday, I would like to speak about a few things that are happening in our country. There are illicit alcohol brews such as mutoriro, musombodhia or tumbwa. These are destroying this country. If possible, may you get in touch with the responsible ministries such as the Ministry of Industry and the Ministry of Home Affairs. Our people in the rural areas are being destroyed by those cheap alcohol brands. The people are now concentrating on drinking beer. Even school children are no longer going to school and that is why I decided to come to you Mr. Speaker Sir, to look into this because our country is being destroyed by these illicit beers. May the Ministry of Home Affairs ascertain whether these are allowed because they are being sold everywhere? This is a big problem and I decided to come to you so that you help because it is destroying the rural communities.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Member, you raised a critically important matter, which I think will require a substantive motion – if you can move it in this House so that it is fully debated and the nation can hear what the Members of Parliament are saying on the matter.
The gentleman there, are you from ZBC? I want to warn you and advise you that the House sits here immediately after two o’clock p.m. So, you must come and set up here at 1:45 p.m. Tell your colleagues. Either you come or you do not. You must respect this institution. Do not start setting up when we are in the middle of our debates. [Cameraman having retreated.] Handisati ndapedza, uri kuenda kupi? Mira! We value the role of the media. It is very important that what happens in the people’s institution Parliament, is heard all over Zimbabwe and the world at large. So, you play a very important role in disseminating what takes places in the House here, the House where we make laws that governs us all in Zimbabwe. I thank you.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. TOGAREPI: Compliments of the season Mr. Speaker Sir.
THE HON. SPEAKER: I thank you and I reciprocate the same to you and all other Hon Members.
HON. TOGAREPI: I move that Orders of the Day, Numbers 1 to 9 be stood over until Order of the Day, Number 10 has been disposed of.
HON. MPARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
FIRST REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC WORKS, NATIONAL HOUSING AND SOCIAL AMENITIES ON AN INQUIRY INTO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF DEVOLUTION
HON CHIKUKWA: I move the motion standing in my name that this House takes note of the Report of the Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works, National Housing and Social Amenities on an inquiry into the implementation of devolution in Zimbabwe.
HON. RAIDZA: I second.
HON. CHIKUKWA:
1.0 Introduction
1.1 The Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works, National Housing and Social Amenities conducted an inquiry into the implementation of Chapter 14 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe on devolution. The 2013 Constitution, in Chapter 14 established a devolved system of government in Zimbabwe. However, between 2013 and 2018, there was little to no traction in the operationalisation of devolution. The New Dispensation emerged as the champions of implementing devolution. Despite the absence of a legislative framework, this firm commitment was heralded and buttressed by the inter-governmental funds’ transfers (herein after referred to as devolution funds), to all local authorities which were meant for the implementation of devolution programmes. Bearing this in mind, the Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works and National Housing resolved to conduct an enquiry into the implementation of Chapter 14 of the Constitution on devolution in Zimbabwe.
2.0 Objectives
The objectives of the enquiry were:
2.1 To assess the implementation of devolution and the utilization of devolution funds in Zimbabwe.
2.2 To understand the challenges faced in the implementation of devolution by local authorities.
2.3 To recommend action for the speedy implementation of devolution.
3.0 Methodology
3.1 The Committee first had an opportunity to engage the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works at a workshop which was facilitated by Silveira House on the implementation of devolution in Zimbabwe on 22 April 2021.The Committee then conducted fact-finding visits to selected local authorities. The Committee was divided into three teams with Team A visiting Mutasa Rural District Council (RDC), Mutare City Council and Nyanga RDC. Team B visited Gweru City Council, Gokwe Town Council and Kwekwe City Council. Team C visited Kariba Municipality, Karoi Town Council, Bindura Town Council and Epworth Local Board. The Committee visited Marondera Municipality and Marondera RDC. The visits were conducted from 2 to 6 May 2021.
4.0 Committee’s Findings
4.1 Workshop on the Implementation of Devolution and Utilisation of Devolution Funds in Zimbabwe
- Shumba, the Chief Director in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works presented on the status of the implementation of devolution. He highlighted that the Constitution in Section 5 of the Constitution established the three tiers of government; the National Government, Provincial and Metropolitan Councils then local authorities. Further in Chapter 14, the government established the devolution framework, outlining the tiers of government, their constitution and their roles and responsibilities. Section 264 of the Constitution provides for the devolution of governmental power and responsibilities. Section 265 provides the general principles of provincial and local government. Central to that provision is that provincial, metropolitan and local authorities must within their spheres ensure good governance, assume functions conferred on them by the Constitution or an Act of Parliament and cooperate with one another. The objectives of devolution were drawn from the Constitution. In terms of progress made in implementing devolution agenda, Treasury had disbursed devolution funds to local authorities for implementation of capital projects since 2019 and the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works had submitted to Parliament the much awaited Provincial Councils and Administration Bill which was published in the Gazette on 31 March 2021.
- Bopoto, the Legal Officer in the Ministry, presented on the legislative and policy framework undergirding devolution in Zimbabwe. The presentation, in addition to Section 264 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, identified pieces of legislation that govern local authorities namely; the Urban Councils Act, the Regional Town and Country Planning Act, the Rural District Councils Act, the Provincial Councils and Administration Act as well as the Traditional Leadership Act. She further highlighted that the Ministry was in the process of reviewing and realigning the various Acts of Parliament to the Constitution of Zimbabwe. She pointed out that the Bills would be submitted to Parliament by June 2021.
- Nhamo, the Chief Accountant in the Ministry, explained that Section 301 of the Constitution provides for Intergovernmental Fiscal Transfers from Central Government to provincial and local tiers of government.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Did you say 2021?
HON. CHIKUKWA: That is what they had said but remember they later withdrew. That is what she said unless they made a mistake also.
THE HON. SPEAKER: But as a Committee, you must have raised that.
HON. CHIKUKWA: Yes Sir.
HON. SPEAKER: Unless if this report was written last year, somewhere in March 2021, otherwise the date there is a bit misleading.
HON. CHIKUKWA: It was last year when we went to Gweru.
THE HON. SPEAKER: You do not recall the dates.
HON. CHIKUKWA: I think it was 2021, sometime in September, I am not very sure and I do not want to mix the dates Sir.
HON. SPEAKER: It is either this report is ....
HON. CHIKUKWA: I know I was supposed to present it last year.
THE HON. SPEAKER: This report is very old and our understanding is that within two weeks of your outreach programme, the report must have been tabled.
HON. CHIKUKWA: True Sir, the problem was beyond our control.
HON. SPEAKER: Please, next time you must raise that with your Chief Whip and the Clerk of Parliament, otherwise what you report might not make sense.
HON. CHIKUKWA: The problem was not with our Chief Whip, it was a problem with the secretariat because it went back and forth before it was approved.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Approved by who?
HON. CHIKUKWA: The problem was within the secretariat not the Committee because we had done it. Remember when the Committee finishes, we take it up the line. It is within that period that it was delayed.
THE HON. SPEAKER: As the Chairperson of the Committee, the Standing Rules and Orders state that the Chairperson is responsible for the report and not the support staff. So, in terms of timing, the responsibility lies with the Chair.
HON. CHIKUKWA: I agree totally Mr. Speaker Sir, I am not arguing but we followed the procedure. We even spoke to Mrs. Nyawo., May be in future we have to put more pressure like what you are saying but for it to be completed, it took some time.
THE HON. SPEAKER: In future when you have problems with staff, can you raise that with the Clerk of Parliament. Otherwise the staff concerned does not deserve to be there. They should be disciplined. I will allow you to proceed.
HON. CHIKUKWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker.
(V) HON. T. MLISWA: On a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Can you allow the Chairperson to proceed, you will raise your point of order later.
HON. CHIKUKWA: Let me continue Mr. Speaker Sir. However, an Act of Parliament must provide for an equitable allocation of capital grants among provincial, metropolitan and local authorities. The provincial councils and local authorities allocations were distributed using an objective and transparent formula that had three components; namely population, poverty prevalence and infrastructure deficit. Local authorities were expected to utilise transferred resources on the serviced areas recommended by council such as schools, clinics, roads, plant and equipment, water, waste management, social amenities, electrification and facilities that promote tourism. The 2019 Circular pointed out that devolution funds were capital funds which were not to be used for recurrent expenditure and transfers were to be done in batches to fund approved projects. Further, it was highlighted that there was need for local authorities to have a dedicated bank account and Provincial Development Coordinators and District Development Coordinators were to monitor project planning and implementation. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (MoFED), each year provided an estimate for devolution funds and each local authority was advised of the estimated allocation for budgeting purposes. The Ministry disbursed the devolution funds as per Treasury Circular No. 3 of 2021 which required local authorities to provide stage of completion certificates/invoices and progress reports on projects being implemented.
4.1.4 Mr Jaji, the Provincial Development Coordinator for Mashonaland West Province, explained to the Committee that identification of projects was done by local authorities through budget and stakeholder consultations. He emphasised that devolution projects and programmes identification and prioritization should be a product of extensive consultation from village level upwards and that the process was a bottom-up approach. He informed participants that most local authorities implemented water and sanitation, road rehabilitation, health and education facilities projects from 2019. Urban local authorities prioritised water and sewer rehabilitation and rural local authorities concentrated on purchasing of water drilling equipment and equipment for road rehabilitation. The purchase of equipment was done in accordance with Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act.
- Fact-Finding Visits to Selected Local Authorities
Tour of Mutare City Council
4.2.1 In Mutare, the Committee received presentations from the Finance Director, Mr. Chafesuka on the implementation of devolution by Mutare City Council. He highlighted that the council received ZWL36 257 785 as devolution funds from Central Government between 2019 and 2021. These funds were used to implement a wide range of projects and had benefitted four wards out of a possible 19. The Engineer, Mr. Mtetwa, mentioned that the council used ZWL2 million for the rehabilitation of the Sakubva Stadium and this project focused on renovations of the changing rooms and construction of the tunnel. Of concern, the Acting Town Clerk, Dr. Mutara, mentioned that the council had been instructed by Hon. Machakaire, the Deputy Minister of Youth, Sport, Art and Recreation to use devolution funds for the rehabilitation of the stadium.
- It was highlighted that the devolution funds had been used to rehabilitate the square tank which was leaking and leading to high non-revenue water. Through the funds, the council introduced the Geographic Information System (GIS) to detect non-revenue water. The pilot project was implemented in Hobhouse and had been rolled out in Dangamvura. Part of the devolution funds were used in the Dangamvura Pipeline Project which had been lying idle for the past two decades. Additionally, the council managed to rehabilitate manholes and sewer lines in Sakubva which, due to their old age, had posed a great threat to public health and safety. The council further managed to calibrate two flow measuring devices to enable them to measure the amount of water produced and that which is going to waste. Furthermore, in a bid to improve water quality, the council purchased in-line water chlorinators to eliminate any pathogens that may cause enteric infections.
- Mutare City Council undertook a solar lighting project with two solar traffic lights installed in the CBD, a tower light to improve public lighting at Chikanga Extension and 22 street lights in various wards. It was reported that Mutare City Council received ZWL12 million from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works for the rehabilitation of the Mutare Infectious Diseases Hospital (MIDH) which the Committee had an opportunity to tour. Of concern, it was highlighted that for 2021, Mutare City Council had not received any devolution funds despite follow-ups to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. Further, the Committee learnt that the council did not have a monitoring and evaluation unit to monitor any council programmes. Instead, the council was using the Accountant and the Project Management Officer to oversee the implementation of devolution projects. In terms of identifying priority projects, the Committee learnt that consultations were done through the budget consultative process where residents would identify priority areas. There were no consultations specifically directed towards devolution.
Tour of Mutasa RDC
4.2.4 During the meeting with Mutasa RDC, the Engineer, Mr. Danana revealed that the RDC had received ZWL14 million as devolution funds. They had used ZWL13 million on various rehabilitation, recapitalisation and they had a balance of ZWL1.5 million. The RDC used part of the funds to purchase a high-powered server that will enable them to digitise their licensing database. They installed a biometric system for enhanced security at the council offices. This was the only local authority that the Committee visited that had deliberately moved towards digitising their systems. The RDC used the funds to rehabilitate the community hall that had been destroyed by the torrential rains. At the same site, the council constructed improved sanitation facilities. The market stall at the bus terminus was rehabilitated. However, there was limited uptake of the bays in the market stall because most of the vendors preferred to conduct their business along the highway where there is a high volume of traffic. Additionally, it was highlighted that very few buses made use of the bus terminus as most of the buses loaded and off-loaded along the highway.
- The council had rolled-out the Mutasa District Service Centre (DSC) Causeway Project. The project, when completed will provide a link between the low-density areas and the service centre. The council was utilising labour from the community to construct the causeway. The Engineer reported that they had used devolution funds to refurbish the old people’s home in Mutasa. The RDC pursued a massive recapitalisation project and had managed to purchase a front end loader, a tractor and trailer and a large truck. The Engineer reported that they had purchased a refuse compactor which was in Harare awaiting delivery. The equipment was clearly labelled that it was bought using devolution funds. The council indicated that for consultations, they utilised the budget consultative process as well as VIDCO and WADCO meetings to determine the priority areas.
Tour of Nyanga RDC
- During the presentation, the CEO of Nyanga RDC informed the Committee that, to date, the council had received a total ZWL10 980 000.00. Table 1 below summarises the disbursement by month and year of the funds received by Nyanga RDC. In 2019, the local authority received ZWL7 342 000 (24.5%) against an allocation of ZWL30 000 000. In 2020, the council received ZWL5 700 000 (3.7%) against an allocation of ZWL153 000 000. In 2021, council had not received any devolution funds.
- The funds were used in the implementation of various Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), education and health projects. Table 2 summarises the projects and cost thereof of the various projects implemented by Nyanga RDC.
The RDC managed to repair their two motorised graders using the devolution funds. At the time of the enquiry, it was reported that the two graders were down. In light of the frequent breakdown of the graders, council indicated that there were plans to purchase new graders in the 2021 budget. The Committee sought clarity on the rationale behind continuously repairing the old and worn out graders instead of purchasing new equipment, to which the DDC responded by highlighting that the council had included that in their 2021 budget. They had prioritised the purchase of drilling rigs that will aid in the efficient provision of water service to the communities. Of concern however, the DDC reported that the graders they had received from ZINARA only worked for about three months and were now in need of repairs.
- The RDC entered into partnership with World Vision for the completion of the Fombe Clinic where council constructed the staff houses at a cost of ZWL563 731. At the time of the enquiry, `the council had committed ZWL2 million for the construction of staff houses at Mapako Rural Clinic, despite the high cost of implementing the project. The DDC highlighted that the contractor was charging about ZWL4 million for an F14 structure.
- The council highlighted that it did not have an independent monitoring and evaluation unit within its structures. As a result, monitoring and evaluation of projects was done by the technical department which continuously engaged the contractor at every stage of the project and payment was only effected after the job was completed. It was indicated that monitoring was done by the local councillors and health committees when it comes to health projects. In relation to community participation, it was indicated that communities were constantly engaged in both project selection and implementation. This was done through budget consultations in addition to local structures such as VIDCOs and WADCOs. The RDC recruited local labour during project implementation.
- Kusena indicated that there were no clear guidelines on how or when a local authority can receive devolution funds. He asserted that the RDC had received communication from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, that funds would be released after a project had been implemented. However, when council met the Minister of Finance and Economic Development in Mutare, it was indicated that there was no such directive yet the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works insisted that the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development had issued the directive through Circular 3 of 2021. This is contrary to the provisions of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act which stipulates that a contractor cannot be engaged without funds.
Tour of Gweru City Council
- In Gweru, the Committee was informed that Gweru City Council had received ZWL28 909 036.02 to date. In 2019, the council received ZWL9 349 036.02. This was followed by ZWL13 030 000 in 2020 and ZWL6 530 000 in 2021.The Committee was further informed that in 2019, the city was facing acute water shortages following the decommissioning of Gwenoro Dam due to low water levels. The alternative water source, Amapongokwe Dam, had no treatment plant, hence the need to extract raw water from Amapongokwe Dam to Gwenoro water treatment plant arose. It is against this backdrop that the city of Gweru resolved to utilise the devolution funds to procure four low lift pumps and other equipment to extract raw water from Amapongokwe.
4.2.12 The Committee was further informed that the city had presented its predicament to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works and this resulted in the identification of a South African Company, AGRICO (PVT) LTD, which was prepared to supply four low lift pumps at a total price of ZAR6 510 000.00. The city was advanced a loan amounting to USD455 000.00 which was paid direct to the supplier. However, due to the volatility in the exchange rate at the time, when the money was eventually cleared by the bank, it was now ZAR6 376 227.00 leaving a shortfall of ZAR 133 773.00.
- Additionally, the Committee was informed that the purchase of the low lift pumps exposed the need to replace the obsolete high lift pumps which had proven ineffective in pumping water to the city. There arose a need for an additional three high lift pumps to fully capacitate the plant to deliver adequate treated water to the city. AGRICO (Pvt) Ltd was engaged to supply three high lift pumps and these were quoted at USD516 000.00 or R7 418 577.00. It was highlighted that the Central Government had released another ZWL7 000 000.00 which was termed a water grant and this constituted an additional devolution grant. The amount was used to purchase foreign currency amounting to USD340 404.70 required for the procurement of the three high lift pumps. This amount was paid directly to the supplier.
- In 2020, the council informed the Committee that they received ZWL19 560 000 and this was used to purchase an additional three high lift pumps from AGRICO Pvt Ltd. The three high lift pumps were delivered in early January 2021 and have since been installed but could not be commissioned due to technical challenges. It highlighted the urgent need for a transformer to add more power to the station in order to power the new pumps. The plant experienced burnt motors and pumps due to inadequate power for the treatment plant.
Tour of Kwekwe City Council
- In Kwekwe, it was highlighted by the Finance Director, Mrs. Maweni, that to date, Kwekwe City Council had received a total disbursement of ZWL19 824 000 between 2019 and 2020. In 2021, the council was allocated ZWL111 125 442 and at the time of the enquiry, the council was yet to receive any disbursement. The funds received in 2019 were used to upgrade Mbizo 7, construct the New Farmers Market, Prince Park as well as the implementation of various WASH projects and the refurbishment of the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH). In 2020, the devolution funds were used to purchase PVC sewer pipes, procurement of solar street lights and the refurbishment of the Garandichauya IDH. Additionally, the funds were used for water works and road rehabilitation.
Tour of Gokwe RDC
- In Gokwe, the Committee was informed that in 2019, the council received ZWL2 846 000 and ZWL6 659 000 in 2020. The council was allocated ZWL9 505 000 in 2021 and it is yet to receive the funds. The funds received were used to construct Mapfungautsi and Sasame Clinics, installation of solar street lights, the purchase of Town House furniture, procurement of a tow grader, tractors and a tipper truck as well as a refuse trailer and tractor.
Tour of Kariba Municipality
- In Kariba, it was highlighted that the local authority had received a total of ZWL20 000 000 as devolution funds. The funds were used to construct two large flea markets for the vendors in the resort town. It was further mentioned that the delay in the completion of the flea markets was due to the lockdown imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tour of Karoi Town Council
- The presentation in Karoi highlighted that the town had received a total of ZWL7 725 000 from 2019 to date in devolution funds from the government and has utilised ZWL5 768 124.05. A total of ZWL92 500.00 was used to purchase solar street lights (Kabinet-Petrotrade area). A further ZWL294 601.25 was used on solar lights around the Petro trade – police. The town financed the Zuva filling station and ZESA area street lights to a tune of ZWL110 040.
- Additionally, the local authority bought TAFE 75HP power tractor at a cost of ZWL499 000. The equipment was functional at the time of the enquiry. The local authority procured a tar baby with hand held spray at a cost of ZWL64 515.00 to benefit stakeholders and was currently functional in the town as intended. Cognisant of the many vendors in the town, devolution funds were channeled towards the construction of two flea markets projects at a cost of ZWL 3 851 819 and the construction works were in progress. Finally, the council dedicated ZWL314 886 towards the construction of Westview Primary School and the construction works were in progress. The balance of the total devolution funds of ZWL1 956 875.95 was earmarked for the construction of the clinic and flea markets.
Tour of Bindura Municipality
- In Bindura, the local authority acknowledged receipt of the devolution funds but was not able to present the exact amount received. The presentation however pointed out that two tractors were procured in 2020 using the devolution funds. The funds were used to construct Brokdale Primary school block (pictured below) at a cost of ZWL2 205 975. Furthermore, it was highlighted that some of the funds were utilized in the construction of their central stores at cost of ZWL540 738; a project which the Committee was not convinced was a priority for the residents. In determining the priority areas, the municipality indicated that the council conducted extensive consultations which included ward-based consultations on WhatsApp. The local authority implemented the Bindura Water and Wastewater Rehabilitation Project which cost ZWL10 219 799. This project included the procurement of high lift pipes, valves and raw water pump sets. In addition, it constructed office space for the Housing and Health Departments in Chipadze at a cost of ZWL180 617.80. Below is the office block that was constructed.
Tour of Epworth Local Board
- In Epworth, the Committee learnt that the local authority received a total of ZWL14 746 359 since 2019 as devolution funds. From the funds, the local authority managed to sink two boreholes in each of the seven wards which comes to a total of 14 boreholes. The local authority had adopted a three-phased approach in the restoration of street-lighting and in that regard, it had installed forty-three solar street lights and an additional ten were being installed. The local authority further procured a tractor and the twelve skip bins to aid in waste management.
- The funds were again utilized to complete Mabvazuva clinic which was equipped with a solar power system. The funds were used to erect the perimeter fence at the newly constructed Adelaide Secondary School. The local authority constructed Munyuki Market for the vendors in the area (pictured below). They further installed and established two solar powered piped water schemes in a bid to enhance water service delivery. The local authority constructed two state of the art model public toilets and financed the construction of four classroom blocks at Glenwood which was still to be completed. Below is the Munyuki Vendors Market in Epworth.
Munyuki Vendors Market (Epworth)
Tour of Marondera Municipality
- Marondera Municipality highlighted that between 2019 and 2021, the local authority had received ZWL27 441 525 as devolution funds. The bulk of these funds were earmarked for the implementation of the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Project. The local authority managed to do emergency water repairs at Wenimbi Dam, purchase new chlorinators, fix and supply of new gate valves, purchase of new taper bearings as well as the purchase of a new aluminum injector. Further, the local authority managed to install a solar system and sink boreholes within the community. These projects were implemented in 2019 at a cost of ZWL4 600 426.47.
- In 2020, the local authority prioritised the implementation of various WASH projects. This included the procurement of water bowsers, rehabilitation of water tanks, sand filtration units, solar street lights, new Rufaro water pump, new electricity transformer, fencing off Hokoyo-Ngozi (Quarry Pond). This was done at a cost of ZWL22 106 289.97 and at the time of the inquiry, ZWL21 723 173.78 had been paid to the contractors.
- Gundo, the CEO of Marondera RDC, highlighted that the local authority had received a total ofZWL12 860 000, receiving ZWL7 160 000 and ZWL5 700 000 in 2019 and 2020 respectively. In 2021, the local authority was yet to receive any devolution funds.
- The RDC constructed Chakadini Clinic at an estimated cost of ZWL3 591 680. It commenced the implementation of the Mandoga Primary School and Grand Chase Secondary School and the rehabilitation of the St Anna Sadza School at a cost of ZWL6 477 112. They managed to install solar street lights in Mahusekwa at a cost of ZWL783 840 and the procurement of equipment (8-tonne lorry, towed grader and the dumper truck) at a cost of ZWL1 827 368. As with all other local authorities, it utilized the budget consultation process in soliciting the views of the residents in prioritizing projects. They pointed out that project selection was guided by the Marondera RDC strategic plan (2018-2020), ward and district profiles and stakeholder engagements. The CEO further highlighted that the local authority did not have a stand-alone monitoring and evaluation unit to continuously monitor the implementation and utilization of devolution funds.
5.0 Challenges in the Implementation of Devolution
The following challenges were highlighted by the local authorities visited:
5.1 Disbursements from the central government were unpredictable and this affects the timely planning and utilization of the devolution funds. This further affects the procurement processes since prices keep changing. Before the introduction of the foreign currency auction system, foreign currency exchange rates were volatile and this made procurement further complicated.
5.2 The lack of a devolution legislative framework has resulted in widespread bottlenecks in the operationalisation of devolution and the subsequent utilisation of the devolution funds.
5.3 The councils bemoaned the lengthy procurement process which has negatively impacted on the pricing of goods and services. In most cases, the local authorities highlighted that after receiving invoices from the suppliers, it is sent to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development which has to approve the purchase and then disburse the funds to the local authorities for onward payment to the suppliers. This process as it was highlighted, may take over a month.
5.4 Devolution funds are not exempt from Intermediated Money Transfer Tax. Resultantly, with each IGFT received, council has to pay 2%. This is on top of other taxes and services charges which in most cases amount to 6% of the disbursement to the local authorities.
5.5 There were widespread delays in delivery of imported equipment due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
5.6 Local authorities bemoaned the lack of capacity by local contractors to produce or provide the various goods services. Resultantly, the local authorities have resorted to procuring the goods and services from foreign contractors who require payments in foreign currency yet the local authorities cannot access the foreign currency.
6.0 Committee’s Observations
6.1 The absence of a devolution framework had resulted in the lack of clear directives or procedures in the implementation of devolution by local authorities.
6.2 There were marked differences in the understanding of devolution among the different local authorities. Resultantly, there were disparities in the implementation of devolution as well as the utilisation of devolution funds.
6.3 The formula currently used to determine the allocation of devolution funds is not fair as it did not take into consideration other factors of development such as the vehicle population in urban areas.
6.4 The lengthy procurement process as well as the delays in the disbursement of the funds had greatly militated against the efficiency of local authorities in implementing their projects. In most cases, the local authorities were either overcharged or had to restart the procurement process.
6.5 By May 2021, some local authorities were yet to receive their 2021 devolution funds allocation which is nearly six months into the fiscal year.
6.6 Local authorities were not exempted from paying the IMT Tax (2% Tax) and as a result, they were losing a large part of their funds to tax. For example, in the case of Gokwe Town Council which received ZWL6 659 000 in 2020, ZWL133 180 went towards the IMT Tax which is an amount that could be channeled towards supporting a project. This tax is charged on every other transaction that is carried out by the local authority.
6.7 Some of the local authorities such as Mutare City Council and Kariba Municipality were ill-prepared for the engagements with the Committee. Resultantly, presentations lacked detail and even after they were tasked to send a comprehensive report, the report particularly in the case of Kariba Municipality, lacked detail on the utilisation of devolution funds.
6.8 The Committee was concerned by the limited number of projects implemented by Kariba Municipality following the disbursement of the devolution funds.
6.9 In most of the local authorities visited, there was little to no civic/community participation in the determination of projects to be carried out using the devolution funds. In most cases, the local authorities mentioned that they used budget consultations as the basis for project selection. There was no differentiation between the normal budget consultations and those for devolution funds. Moreover, in some local authorities, consultations were conducted through the existing Village and Ward Development Committees (VIDCOs/WADCOs) but these are largely dysfunctional.
6.10 The Committee bemoaned the lack of an efficient system of monitoring and evaluation of the utilisation of devolution funds. This, as the Committee notes, goes against the fundamental principles of transparency and accountability.
6.11 The Committee was impressed by the projects in Epworth. It however noted the high level of the donor community involvement in the implementation of various capital projects in the area. There was a likelihood of attributing projects being implemented by partners to devolution funds.
7.0 Committee’s Recommendations
The Committee therefore recommends the following:
7.1 There is need to realign the laws that govern procurement to ensure that there is clarity in the procurement process by June 2022.
7.2 The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development should efficiently and timeously disburse funds to local authorities for use within the budget year.
7.3 All local authorities need to be capacitated on how to utilise and account for the devolution funds utilized by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development by December 2021.
7.4 Local authorities should establish a framework for engagements and consultations with the communities in the utilisation of devolution funds by December 2021.
7.5 There is need by both the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works and the local authorities, to establish and strengthen their monitoring and evaluation units in a bid to ensure value-for-money when utilising the devolution funds by December 2021.
7.6 There is need to come up with a devolution framework that outlines the devolution financing model and this should exempt local authorities from the IMT Tax by June 2022.
8.0 Conclusion
8.1 In conclusion, devolution has played a significant role in the recapitalisation of local authorities coupled with the widespread stimulation of infrastructure development in most areas. More importantly, devolution has provided a platform for civic participation in shaping the overall development agenda in any jurisdiction as envisaged in Section 264 (2a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe. Additionally, predictability in terms of disbursements from Treasury is key in ensuring effectiveness and efficiency in the implementation of projects. I thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Chikukwa for your detailed report. May I also urge you again, to make sure that such wonderful reports are timeously presented to the House? Thank you. – [(v)HON. T. MLISWA: Mr. Speaker Sir, may I come in with my Point of Order which is brief?] -
THE HON. SPEAKER: Yes, I had not forgotten Hon. Mliswa.
(v)HON. T. MLISWA: Mr. Speaker Sir, thank you very much for bringing up that point that reports seem to come in late. May you indulge the Clerk to also look at all the reports to just review them if they are up to the current situation? Most of these reports are re-instated without due diligence being done. May your good Office implore the Clerk to go through all of them so that we do not waste time?
Some of these reports are overtaken by events like you mentioned. I cannot over emphasize your point but maybe the Clerk can help by going through these reports so that they are up to speed when they are brought before Parliament.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you very much for your observation. We will also ensure that we take into account the exigencies of COVID-19 that also delayed the sitting of Parliament but that should not be a total excuse at all.
HON. RAIDZA: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir and complements of the new season. I rise to second the motion of the Report of the Local Government Portfolio Committee regarding the issue of the visit that the Committee undertook on devolution.
Indeed, devolution came in at the right time, in the coming of the Second Republic. We always hear and have been hearing our President, His Excellency Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa, emphasising the issues that are enshrined in Chapter 14 of our Constitution of giving power to communities when it comes to decision making on issues that affect them. Since 2019, we have been seeing devolution funds being given to local authorities so that they carryout infrastructural development as per the national Constitution.
However, Mr. Speaker Sir, during the tour that we undertook as your Committee, we realised that there are a number of issues that need to be corrected and attended to. Before undertaking the tour, some time from 2nd to the 5th May, 2021, we had an opportunity to engage with officials from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works. In the engagement, several issues came out of the engagement as has been alluded to by the Hon. Chairperson, Hon. Chikukwa. Even the Ministry officials were also not clear on a number of issues.
One of the issues that they were not clear on is about the framework on how the money is being allocated to respective local authorities. They were not very clear about the formula as to how it came about. As your Committee, we found out that even the local authorities were not aware as to why they we allocated different amounts from the other local authorities.
Our recommendation Mr. Speaker Sir …
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order! Hon. Member, can you push your gadget slightly away from the mic?
HON. RAIDZA: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir. As your Committee, on our engagement with the local authorities, we found out that we really need a law or framework as Parliament that will guide the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works or the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development on how these funds can be disbursed to local authorities so that we can achieve the desire of our Constitution to have equity in terms of our distribution of these national resources.
In our engagements with the local authorities, we found out that as of May, some of the local authorities had not yet even received a cent but others had already received two, three or five disbursements. Then we were wondering as to what type of formula was being used by the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to say, let us give these three times and let us not give the other one. I think it is very important that, as Parliament, we take note of these serious issues because we want the whole of Zimbabwe to be developed.
The other issue, from our engagement with the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works officials, was the issue of the Devolution Bill that was supposed to be in Parliament. They also were not very sure as to when this Bill is going to come to Parliament. We realised, in our tours, that some of the problems that we are finding in councils are caused by the lack of the Devolution Bill or the devolution law that is expected to be there in terms of our Constitution. All these issues that we hear about monitoring and evaluation that is supposed to be conducted on monies that are disbursed to local authorities are not properly happening because of the lack of this legislation. I want to encourage this House that we also need to move with speed to make sure that this law is in place so that, at least, this good initiative of empowering our communities is fully realised.
However, Mr. Speaker Sir, with the little that has been happening, there is serious progress in our local communities in terms of the funds being disbursed. We hear that they have been buying a lot of road equipment, wash equipment; all these are positives that are coming out of these devolution funds that are being disbursed by our Central Government to local authorities. However, our concern as a Committee is that some of these local authorities as they were being given these funds, they were focusing mainly on acquisition of the machinery and they were also not looking into the low hanging fruits in some of the smaller projects that they could have been doing that could bring benefits to our local communities. Some of the local authorities that we have visited, we have realised that they have some unfinished clinics, schools and a lot of dilapidated infrastructure. Our suggestion to them was that they could have just used part of that money to bring some quick gains to our communities because we were not happy with the buying much of the equipment instead of carrying out work that was going to bring quick gains to the communities.
I also want to touch on the issue of PRAZ - on our engagement with the local authorities, we have realised that the process that is currently being carried out when people are procuring the goods and services was too long for the devolution funds to have a meaningful impact in our communities because the process is long. If you look at the stages that the entities take whenever they want to procure something, the whole process was taking plus or minus sixty days. With what is happening in our economy, if you decide to buy something today and you wait for other processes to happen and they finish after 60 days, we know the effect of changing of prices and all these others elements.
Mr. Speaker, I want to encourage that we look into that area so that we realise the full value of the intention of releasing these devolution funds to these communities. I want to look at the issue of public consultations. We have realised that these local authorities, not even one of them did consult the public as per the expectation of the Constitution. They were not consulting. What they were doing is that they were getting the money, as soon as they got the money, they got back to their strategic plans and the priorities that they might have as officials, then decided on what to do with the money.
On this tour, we had an opportunity to engage the local communities to find out if they were aware of the devolution funds and we discovered that the majority of the people do not know. We did encourage the local authorities that they must take it upon themselves to make sure that their communities are aware of the efforts of the Central Government, the efforts of the Second Republic in terms of empowering the communities. I can give an example like the one in Kwekwe. At one time our Vice President Dr. Chiwenga went to inspect an infectious clinic in Mbizo. It was a good initiative that the Council turned a bar into a clinic and renovated it but as we were consulting around, they did not know that the good work was done by the devolution funds. We instructed the local authority that it should put a signage to indicate who was doing the good work. We are very happy that they also heeded our advice and have put a notice board to indicate which fund was used to carry out such a noble project.
Mr. Speaker Sir, these are some of the issues that I want to raise so that they can push forward for an enhancement of our framework to make sure that the devolution funds are properly used and the citizens of Zimbabwe benefit. As soon as we deal with that, I believe that a number of issues that we are raising today will be dealt with in that note.
THE HON. SPEAKER: I made two observations from the Chair. The seconder speaks about lack of legal framework but in your recommendation you did not raise that important aspect that a law must be in place that will give legal framework to the devolution.
HON. NDUNA: They did in the conclusion.
THE HON. SPEAKER: The conclusion is not a recommendation, there are six recommendations and out of that conclusion, 7.7 should actually give some timelines to the Ministry that by such and such a day, that law must be in place and not under conclusion. Secondly, I hope the Committee has the devolution copy, have you seen a copy – [AN HON. MEMBER: Yes.] - did you discuss it as a Committee? I am asking this deliberately because in that policy, it gives guidelines on how the provincial councils should be put in such a way that there are committees, for example, economic committees and planning committees that will discuss the issues of the funds arising from devolution. If you read that policy, it gives you clear guidelines on how the structure should be put in place in terms of Committees under the Office of the Minister of State and Devolution. Please revisit that policy attentively and you will be guided accordingly when you investigate further about how we can improve the issue of devolved funds from Central Government.
HON. T. MOYO: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir for giving me this opportunity to contribute to this very important debate on the significance of devolution. May I also add my voice on a motion raised by Hon. Chikukwa and Hon. Raidza. Devolution funds were a culmination of the 2013 Constitution but it must be observed that in terms of implementation, credit must be given to the Second Republic, headed by His Excellency the President, Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa. You can calculate the number of years that were spent before devolution funds were sent to different provinces. From 2013 up to 2019, it took us almost six years before implementation was done. We need to commend the Government for a job well done.
The new dispensation introduced the issue of devolution funds as a game changer. The impact of devolution is prodigious or great. Devolution brought about sustainable economic development and even now, the impact or effect of these devolution funds is being felt in various regions, especially in the marginalised districts where I come in Gokwe North where we are beginning to realise that the funds are very important, particularly for the livelihoods for the majority of Zimbabweans especially to be better.
The devolution funds have the potential to propel development in Zimbabwe and that will lead towards an upper middle income economy. As engines for economic growth, the devolution funds will undoubtedly lead towards poverty eradication. We must take note of the fact that since the introduction of devolution funds, a number of projects have mushroomed in both urban and rural areas. Some of the projects that we have witnessed include construction of schools. We have seen a number of schools that have been constructed in our rural areas. In my constituency, I can name schools like Gura Primary School which was constructed as a result of the use of devolutions funds.
The people who were employed by the companies that were awarded tender to construct those schools ended up being employed and that became an advantage of on the use of devolution funds. A number of clinics were constructed and are still being constructed throughout Zimbabwe. This is also very important because the distance from people’s homes to the nearest clinic should not be too big just like the distance from home to the nearest school should not exceed 5km. We have seen that the devolution funds are very important, especially in trying to reduce the distance that school learners walk to their nearest school. That has been very important, particularly in trying to reduce the distance covered by our students.
We have also witnessed some marketing places also being constructed as a result of devolution funds. However, we must mention that there are challenges associated with the disbursements of these funds. The Ministry of Finance sometimes delays in terms of the payment of these funds and in an environment where there is inflation, some of the projects that would have been prioritised may not be adequately covered. It is our clarion call for the Minister of Finance to expeditiously release those funds so that the people who are responsible for procurement are accorded the chance before erosion by inflation takes place.
Some of the challenges associated with these funds is the issue of rural personnel who work for RDCs who are not properly qualified to handle these funds. There is no proper consultation that is done. Sometimes we have seen equipment that is obsolete being bought. I will give an example of what is happening in Gokwe North. Sometimes we are told that we have just bought this for you before even Hon Members are consulted. There is need to involve everyone from the grassroots, even the ordinary person should be consulted on what projects are being prioritised so that people are not shocked when they see machinery or equipment that is obsolete when it is bought. If you go to Gokwe North today at Nembudziya, you will see some earthmoving machines which were bought but are not very important, particularly for the people in those areas. It is necessary to engage everyone so that people agree on what should be bought and what should not be bought because people would be facing a number of challenges like water. So it is better to prioritise drilling of boreholes because that is the major challenge which will be faced by the people.
Another problem concerns those people who are called Provincial Councillors. They were voted into power in 2018 doing nothing. Provincial Councillors are not even receiving their salaries. I think it is because of the problem that has been mentioned by Hon. Raidza, that we need to align the issue of devolution to the Constitution because we cannot elect people who are not effective. The ordinary councillor in charge of a ward, his/her roles are known but what about the provincial councilor - we do not see their roles. They do not know what to do because the clause on devolution has to be aligned to the Constitution.
Finally, the challenge of COVID-19 which inhibited procurement processes to be done in time. I really appreciate the importance of devolution funds in trying to bring about sustainable economic development. We have to move with speed as an august House to ensure that the clauses associated with devolution are aligned to the Constitution. With those remarks, I thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: In order to balance our debate, so far it is one side that has been debating. So, I need to have a stew of debate. I will call upon
(V)HON. T. MLISWA: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir, for allowing this motion to be moved by Hon. Chikukwa and equally supported by Hon. T. Moyo. Mr. Speaker Sir, the issues that have been brought are issues of a serious nature. You are aware of the number of times that your Parliament brought this up to the relevant Ministers, the Minister of Finance in terms of disbursement of this fund, and not only that, but they even went as far as engaging the Minister of Local Government because the Minister of Finance exonerated himself by saying that his job is to release funds and the onus is upon the responsible Ministry to ensure that there is an Act of Parliament which must support this. I remember, you equally mandated the Minister of Justice to talk to the Attorney General together with the Minister of Local Government on these issues. As usual, they did not report back as to what the outcome was. This has led to the issues which have been raised by the Hon. Members of Parliament in terms of accountability, transparency, monitoring and evaluation.
When the Constitution speaks to the role of the provincial council being able to monitor and evaluate, Hon. Chikukwa was very clear that the missing link in all this was the aspect of evaluation and monitoring of this fund. As you see, the legislator was quite aware of the fact that he needed a superior person to be able to see this. Mr. Speaker, can you hear me?
THE HON. SPEAKER: Proceed.
(v)HON. T. MLISWA: So, the legislator enacted a law which allows the Members of Parliament to also be part of it. Unfortunately, while this initiative was excellent the Second Republic has seen it fit to reverse that. The aspect of oversight is not on us being in Parliament. These are Government funds and we must be able to monitor them.
Hon. T. Moyo was very clear in saying that even us Members of Parliament do not know about this. The reason why we do not know about this is because this has become a plundering, looting and corrupt vehicle on the devolution funds, the intention being good but it has been spoiled by us. Allow the Executive to do as it wishes. It is on record and because of that, it now leaves me with one issue, which is, what is the motive of the Executive not wanting Parliamentarians to be part of this devolution fund which is State fund which we can monitor like any other funds. It is because of the corruption which is rampant in the country.
The report spoke about how the disbursement of funds is not that equal. One rural council is given this little bit of money and the other one is given this little bit of money and so forth. Why then the disbursement is not done at once because there is inflation? We are in an inflationary environment and it only makes sense for money to be disbursed at once timeously but it is done piece-meal. Whoever goes on their knees and they patronize the responsible authority which gives money then they are given the money. It is as if you are only giving money when it is a favour that if you give us money we will be able to give you a certain percentage. It only leaves us to now wonder why it is that there is piece-meal distribution in the manner in which money is disbursed at the end of the day.
The Second Republic has been very clear about wanting to see development happening. We have seen development in many ways but it cannot be the cost of tax payers’ money despite all the infrastructure that is being built. The next question is - at what cost, who cares? If it is the public that pays then there is no accountability and there is a problem. The aspect of accountability has got to happen and I am glad that the Committee itself behaves as more or less like an Auditor General’s Office. The Auditor General’s Office has been very clear on all these issues. Recommendations have come through from the Auditor General’s Office; they are never implemented by the Executive at the end of the day.
The Executive believes that they have a right to do as they wish but this report does not do the Executive any good. I want to commend, despite this report being late; a lot has been exposed and a lot more is happening. That outreach programme, which happened enabling that within two weeks there must be a report because time passes and it is overtaken by events, this is a job well done and these are the very same issues we brought up from the beginning and up to now, the Executive has not been able to come before Parliament with a Bill. Hon. Members and local authorities do not even know what they are doing Mr. Speaker. How can you honestly as a Parliament know when your Members do not know what is happening at the end of the day? Fortunately, you have a Parliament with some Members like Hon. Chikukwa seconded by Hon. Raidza, who know what they are doing and I say it is a good statement to people that we as Members of Parliament, are quite on top of the situation and the Executive is behind it. It has been exposed to answer to these issues. The law enforcement agency must move in. The recommendations must be pretty clear on what should happen to any money that has not been used for its purpose.
If a company is being recommended to do a good job at a much lesser price, what is the motive of you picking a company which is higher, which is not able? It has been exposed that the companies which have been given contracts, most of them have not been able to do anything. The ZINARA graders only lasted for three months. An enquiry needs to be put into place on how they were bought. Was due diligence done? What did they cost? Three months Mr. Speaker Sir, the graders are still parked. Who made money and who is going to pay for the money; it is the tax payer, it is the public, we must defend and protect the public. That ZINARA issue, we all celebrated and we are tired of going to these occasions where we all sit, look at the equipment which is before us yet this equipment is fake and it only works for three months. The roads have not been done and we are constantly behind on maintenance and so forth. That cannot be allowed to continue. These ZINARA graders, we need whoever was the Minister that time to account how they brought about these graders that only lasted for three months. Right now, they are parked, they are white elephants on tax payer’s money.
Mr. Speaker, I want to conclude by saying it is a very enlightening report, well done to the Committee. Your Auditor General’s recommendations must be implemented. The Committee’s recommendations must be implemented; they must go further to ensure that the Anti-Corruption Commission does not have to be invited to this. No one needs to report; you are part of this country, it is an institution that looks into corruption and as a result, it must carry on with their mandate, so is the ZRP and again the Prosecutor General’s Office must not be just an office with all these files before them and not being able to investigate.
The other issue is that corruption continues in these local authorities because no one has gone to jail yet the case would be clear. Most of these cases are clear. Mr. Speaker, being a lawyer yourself and an Advocate, you can actually see a prima facie case. This must go to trial and it must go before the courts. We are not seeing any of that. You are letting down the law enforcement agency; the Anti-Corruption Commission does not prosecute. The Prosecutor Generals’ Office prosecutes such atrocities and the entire judiciary which is a package for the arresting authorities, the Prosecuting Authority and the Judiciary at the end of the day. I want to leave others to debate but I just want to thank you, Mr. Speaker Sir, for being part of this session with the devolution fund. It is very important. A lot more needs to be done and we need to pull up our socks and ensure that we account.
Mr. Speaker Sir, finally, before the Constitution is amended, why are we not sitting as Members of Parliament for those provincial councils? I have asked that before and it is only when a Constitution has changed or an Act comes through saying that we are not supposed to be there that we can stop. We are not even being paid our allowances yet provincial council members are being paid allowances. How do you explain that to anybody? It is not that we want their money but the Constitution says that we must be part of the provincial councils. Why are we not part of the provincial council because they know that you have men and women who are capable of asking questions on oversight to monitor and evaluate the resources of the State? May we sit on these committees and may we do our job until the Constitution speaks otherwise. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you very much Hon. Mliswa. I just checked with the Clerk of Parliament, the Provincial Councils Act was gazetted on 31st March 2021 and that is why I had said in the recommendations, the recommendation that should have been there should have been recommendation 7.7 that the Provincial Councils Act be tabled before this House immediately because it has been gazetted already since March 31, 2021. I hope the Committee will be able to summon the Minister and find out why there is delay in tabling that gazetted Bill.
HON. S. BANDA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir for affording me this opportunity to stand before this august House. Mr. Speaker Sir, compliments of the new season. I will avoid the temptation to discuss what has already been discussed and I will go in a slightly different direction.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the report, I think, did not specifically specify that 5% of funds which are approved in this budget are supposed to go towards devolution, so we wanted that to also be captured by the vote to say 5% is supposed to be set aside. Then that is when we now go into the issues of disbursement where we are urging the Hon. Minister responsible to indeed ensure that the 5%, as a minimum should be provided towards devolution.
As an opposition party, Madam Speaker, we are convinced that devolution is the way to go. So we want to commend the Government for taking the devolution route because that is what Baba Tsvangirai used to cry for. That is the legacy that he left with us that we should move towards devolution. So I am glad that is being done and I think he may even be smiling in his grave saying that is a brain child I was responsible for and it is proceeding very well.
Madam Speaker, while at that, I also want to thank the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works and even the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development. There is a road called Connaught Road and King George which are now in a better situation. They have now been repaired and rehabilitated and we are very happy and excited about it. It gives me a wing to fly that come 2023 I, at least have something that can make me be elected again. I now also ask those Hon. Ministers to do something about Teviotdale or Alps Road as promised. I think it is in an even worse situation than the one that has just been rehabilitated. So I am expecting that in 2022, in this quarter, Madam Speaker, that road will also be there. That way we can be smiling together again in 2023 when I will be here standing in this place.
When we also go to devolution, Madam Speaker, I think the national law is supposed to be in touch with the local by-laws set up by municipalities or councils, wherein the money that is collected at a specific point, let me say in my constituency in Mt. Pleasant, the money that we collect at Mt. Pleasant branch at Bond Street office, at least 25% of that money should remain there. That way we will be able to repair things like potholes because for now, if you are approaching that office, there are a number of potholes around. If we are unable to repair potholes that are near the office, how about those which are further. So I am also asking that the law that is being proposed should take into consideration that 25% of the money that is receipted by councils should remain at that particular collection centre so that it can work around that area.
Madam Speaker, there is also a contested issue, the issue of vehicle licence fees. I am of the opinion that maybe part of it should be devolved back to local councils so that they can be empowered to produce more through devolution. Potholes are now, especially at this point in time when there are a lot of rains, all over and some of them…
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MAVETERA): Order! Hon. Kapuya you are out of order. May you please stop screen sharing. Thank you, you can proceed.
HON. S. BANDA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I was just referring to the issue of vehicle licence so that at least they can also be devolved. We have got potholes due to rains and legacy issues, so we would like to make sure that devolution funds go towards the roads and then we can be able to have a better Zimbabwe.
Finally Madam Speaker, it is almost at the end of the term and your MPs, are all learned. So I think there were supposed to be efforts for them to be devolved around the country so that this outstanding issue is resolved with urgency. I will not go into other welfare issues which I wanted to speak about. I think I will speak about them at the relevant time but it also concerns Parliament staff, your own MPs, and even the generality of the civil servants, but for now, I will not go into that. The devolution, because we hear that there is a surplus, I think part of the devolution funds should go towards those areas so that once these institutions are happy, you find that the country will start to flow and will be in very good agreement and the Government will be able to work properly without having problems with anyone. I thank you for affording me this opportunity Madam Speaker.
HON. DR. MURIRE: Thank you Madam Speaker. Compliments of the season to you Madam Speaker and all fellow Hon. Members.
Madam Speaker I rise to add my voice to the report presented here by Hon. Chikukwa, Chairman of the Portfolio Committee on Local Government and her team. Madam Speaker, from all that has been said; from my understanding and experience interacting with people who are dealing with devolution, it appears that there is a lack of understanding of devolution by most people who are tasked to implement that provision of the Act. We are here concentrating more on the devolution funds as disbursed by Treasury but it is my belief and understanding that devolution as envisaged in the Act, goes beyond the funds that are allocated constitutionally by Treasury.
So the Committee should encourage Central Government to come out clear in terms of the concepts in policies. The policy is there but the concept of devolution is not understood. Even Members of Parliament, if asked what exactly we should be doing with regards to devolution, there is little understanding. Therefore, I believe Government should put programmes to ensure that all those who are supposed to be involved with this devolution have a clear understanding and ensure that the proper monitoring mechanism is effective. That goes the same with other Hon. Members who have observed issues with regards to legislative framework. We have got the Traditional Leaders Act and the Rural District Councils Act...
(v)HON. NDEBELE: On a point of order Madam Speaker. I am wondering if IT could assist – there is a lot of echo, as a result we can hardly hear what the Hon. Dr. Murire is saying. He is a solid debater and we would like to benefit from his wisdom. There is a lot of feedback and echo on our side. Thank you.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MAVETERA): Thank you for that note Hon. Ndebele. I am sure that is going to be fixed just now. I am being advised by the IT specialist that Hon. Murire needs to move his gadget away from the microphone because it will have that feedback. If you can just push it away a little bit, I am sure we will not be able to get the feedback.
HON. DR. MURIRE: I was now on the promulgation of the relevant legislative framework as alluded to be my colleagues who spoke earlier. I was saying the Traditional Leaders Act and the Rural District Councils Act play a significant role in terms of delivery and implementation of devolution. If you go on the ground and see what is practically happening, these pieces of legislation are not operational. As a result, the communities who are supposed to be the drivers of the devolution are left out. Devolution is supposed to be from bottom up but it is from top down at the moment because it starts with allocation by Treasury of funds that are supposed to go to communities. Communities are not asked to say which areas they want the funds to go to.
For example, in 2021 we gathered in our provinces and Treasury came down with priority areas that they had already made in their offices. MPs, provincial councillors, rural district councils and local authorities were called in and all they were asked to do is to say you should plan along these priorities – that is priorities that had been determined by Central Government which is not the spirit of devolution. I am sure that the new Act that is going to be tabled before this Parliament will take into account the need to speak to the Traditional Leaders Act and the Rural District Councils Act and other statutes that guide rural district councils in their operations. Also, there is lack of appropriate structures.
At the moment, devolution is being implemented but there are no appropriate structures to ensure that the funds are efficiently managed. Right now at provincial level, we now have provincial development coordinators and other supporting staff – those are the structures that have been put in place without the relevant legislative framework. My worry now is how those are synchronised because it is supposed to be the law first and then structures later.
The impact of the devolution – we commend Government for having budgeted for those funds but one thing that is there is in my district, the impact of devolution is not noticeable. It is not noticeable because the whole amount that was allocated to Chipinge Rural District Council, less than 10%, was released and yet when we come here we are told that Government does not have the surplus. If we are serious in ensuring that we observe constitutional provisions, I am sure the 5% that is supposed to be released if we collect all revenue that is budgeted for, it means that 5% should be wholly released by year end, but that is not the case. Therefore the impact from 10% is very insignificant.
I know that for the two years that we have gone, Chipinge Rural District Council has managed to build one clinic, one classroom block, repair one clinic and buy a tipper truck. To me, if all the funds had been released, the council could have done a lot and it could have had impact on the ground. What we are saying is that the community is not seeing the impact of devolution because of the non-release of the funds that would have been budgeted for. I encourage Government to ensure that by year end, all funds that are allocated for devolution as a constitutional provision are released in full.
On the issue of inter-departmental coordination, we have got mono-agencies of Government that are involved in community development. DDF is one such agent that is responsible for roads. The RDCs are also responsible for construction of their own roads and the department for State roads, but if you go to rural communities, most of the roads belong to DDF. Rural District Councils own very small stretches of roads and when it comes to prioritisation, you will see that most of the roads remain unattended to because the money that is allocated to Rural District Councils cannot go to road maintenance or development because those roads do not belong to that particular agency.
We also have Central Government coming into rural development. Last time in our constituency, we experienced a situation where Ministry of Education was coming in with UNICEF to drill a borehole at a site. DDF and RDC were all coming to that same place. To us it reflects lack of coordination by these agencies for the same purpose. There is need therefore, for all Government agencies in terms of devolution provisions to coordinate so that there is no duplication and that also will ensure that fraud and corruption are prevented. Assuming that the Ministry has come to drill a borehole, then funds allocated under devolution to a Rural District Council are used for other purposes, but on the books they will indicate that they have drilled a borehole. When audit comes, they will be shown the borehole that has been drilled by UNICEF, hence we are saying it facilitates fraud and corruption.
Madam Speaker, I commend the job that has been done by the Committee and urge them to closely look and enforce compliance on the promulgation of appropriate legislation and alignment of those that are in existence, ensuring that the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing coordinate with sister departments so that there is proper synchronization of activities with regards to implementation of devolutions funds. I thank you.
HON. MUSAKWA: I would like to add my voice to the motion brought to the House by Hon. Chikukwa, seconded by Hon. Raidza on the issue of devolution and the tour they had which went on to prove that devolution is a great step forward. However, there are things that we need to learn as it is the first time that such an innovative programme has ever been implemented.
We have noticed quite a number of positive changes around the country based on devolution, but I think we need to improve as highlighted in the report that the issue of IMT tax which was raised by the Committee that the IMT tax, if levied on the implementing agency for the devolution fund defeats the purpose because the same money has come from Treasury and then it is taken back to Treasury again. So I think there must be a way of making sure that such processes are exempt from IMT tax to avoid recycling of the same funds which then creates a lot of unnecessary accounting processes.
The report also raised a very important and pertinent issue on timeous disbursement of the funds - a lot of Hon. Members have raised the fact that in the current inflationary environment, it is very important that funds are released on time. At the same time, there is also the notion that when these funds are released, the public must be consulted and all the stakeholders must consult before projects are implemented.
At the same time, we have noticed that when these projects are implemented throughout the country, there is lack of technical standardization. You may find that a clinic built in one province maybe under the same commercial environment which is prevailing in the country might cost 10 million and you go to the next province, the same one or even bigger one, has costed seven million. So you wonder what has happened. I think there is need now as we improve on the devolution, to standardize designs of common infrastructure like classroom blocks, clinics, houses and things like that. Also, standardize even bills of quantities to make sure that one building in Matabeleland North uses 300 bags of cement and one in Mashonaland East might use 200. Therefore, there must be standardization so that monitoring and evaluation becomes easier even in terms of strength of infrastructure; this becomes standard.
However, in a nutshell, devolution is playing a very important role like in my constituency Bikita West, there are quite a lot of projects that are going on. We have classrooms being constructed; we have a second classroom block being constructed at Musiya Primary School. We have got a clinic at Dungu being earmarked for devolution, Chivaka and others, there are so many to mention. We are moving in a positive direction. We only need to tighten screws here and there just to make sure that things flow in the right direction.
The cumbersome procurement procedures should be streamlined to make sure that there is timeous implementation of projects. We have noticed that some councils end up being shortchanged by unscrupulous people who, after being allocated tenders, demand pre-payment, and they then disappear with devotion funds. Some of these loop- holes need to be closed up and tighten the process. I thank you.
(v)HON. MOKONE: Compliments of the new season Hon. Madam Speaker. I would like to thank Hon. Chikukwa for such a pertinent report being supported by Hon. Raidza.
Madam Speaker, given that devolution funds came in 2013, through the Constitution Amendment (No. 20) of 2013, up to now there has been no clear legislative framework to that effect. Yes, we applaud the Government for disbursing devolution funds but this is not enough. A million dollar question that is arising is - who is monitoring the funds that are being disbursed? We have seen a lot of corruption that occurs in the provinces. Madam Speaker, we all know that where there is money there has to be accountability and transparency. I would suggest that there be audits in the provinces and whoever is found on the wrong side of the law be brought to book.
Madam Speaker, another issue is that these funds are also being disbursed late. Some provinces complain of the amounts that they are receiving. For instance, the province where I come from in Matabeleland South, the amount that this province has been receiving is very little and we wonder how the Ministry arrives at such a figure that he has always allocated to our province. Lastly Madam Speaker, we have provincial councillors who are receiving allowances to date yet they have not been sworn in. When are these provincial councillors going to be sworn in? This is a cause of concern. With these few words, I rest my case.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Madam Speaker. Compliments of the new season!
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Thank you and same to you.
HON. NDUNA: I want to applaud the report by Hon. Chikukwa and I urge all other chairpersons of Committees, the 20 Portfolio Committees and the seven Thematics in the Senate, to take cue from Hon. Chikukwa. She has been doing an excellent job in her Committee. There are other complementing committees which have not been doing the same. I cannot shy away from this because during my time in the Eighth Parliament, I was robust, resilient, effective and efficient chair of a Committee in the mould of the Committee on Local Government. I applaud her for taking over from where she left off in the Eighth Parliament. Madam Speaker, I also applaud Hon. Raidza for having seconded this noble motion.
I now zero in on applauding Government for disbursing devolution funds even in the absence of legislation. I think it was just, it was right and it was a positive gesture that was supposed to be done and seen to be done. I applaud the Second Republic for having disbursed those funds even in the absence of legislation. Madam Speaker Ma’am, as a student of law, I want to say the law is law, just or unjust, it is still law. I applaud the Speaker of the National Assembly for having recommended that I take up that subject at the University of Zimbabwe.
There is need to bring the law on devolution so that we can safeguard as the Speaker says, make it a safety net so that there is no illicit outflows, no revenue leakages and there is optimum, effective and efficient use of the meagre resources that would have been disbursed by Government. The devolution funds, as they speak to and about the issues of Chegutu West Constituency in particular and the other local authorities in general, they speak of augmenting and complementing the pittance amount of water and infrastructure, both housing, water and sewer reticulation.
Madam Speaker Ma’am, a lot of perforated use of funds in the local authorities is premised on the Urban Councils Act non-adherence to it. Section 137 (2) where you would see that in the absence of a Town Clerk, there is need to fill the void of that position using the Chamber Secretary who by his nature is a lawyer. An example would be Masvingo City Council. A report will be tabled by the sub-committee Public Accounts on Local Government in this House. It is chaired by yours truly. You will find that in Masvingo, there is a void on the position of Town Clerk that was filled in avoiding Section 137 (2) Madam Speaker, which the legislature contemplated when he made that law, that there was supposed to be someone filling those shoes. Humongous, big, gigantic shoes who is schooled at law so that they can have safety nets in management of funds and also dealing with delinquent behaviour in terms of other workers and other avenues who would otherwise misuse funds.
The way that position was filled Madam Speaker, avoided all those tenets. So you will find that local authorities are avoiding the Act that Parliament has put in place for them. As a result, there is abuse of funds in the local authorities. The other local authority would be Chitungwiza, which also followed the tracks of Masvingo. This is my view that to the letter and spirit, the Acts of Parliament should be observed and adhered to, the ethos and the values. Madam Speaker, we cannot spend time here putting up laws for the good order and governance of the people of Zimbabwe, only to be ignored at implementation stage in the local authorities, in particular in the local authorities, in particular in urban local authorities, which are infested by opposition antics and all that which is anti-Government values.
Madam Speaker, I have spoken about adherence to the law but when it comes to devolution funds, they came at the right time. Where I come from, we are supposed to be using 22 mega litres of water per day. We are treating 10 mega litres per day. The design capacity of our water treatment plant is 12 mega litres. What is getting to the end user is three mega litres because of perforated, disused, dilapidated, deplorable, old, archaic moribund, rudimentary, medieval pipes Madam Speaker, whose design capacity was not meant for the number of people that are currently in the area. The design capacity of water and sewer reticulation was for 4000 households whereas we do not have more than 25000 households. So this is where I say the devolution funds are greatly applauded and I thank the Second Republic for expeditiously disbursing these funds.
At the treatment plant, they are treating 10 mega litres. We have an off-take area called Pool Dam on the weir with Mupfure River. We have got three pumps and a 1.6 MVA transformer, so it is done there with ZINWA and we can push our water 400 metres to Clifton Dam; that is Pool Dam off take area, we can pump our water to Clifton Dam. When we are at 25% at Clifton Dam, we can have what is called 400 to 500 days’ worth of water for Chegutu West Constituency. I want to give this brief narration so that you can see where the devolution funds can take us, if closely monitored – like the Hon. Chair has alluded to, monitoring and evaluation after research and development.
We can actually augment the water supply using what we have to get what we want because we have copious amounts of water especially in the rainy season. When we started pumping more than three weeks ago, we were on 25%, meaning we had 400 days worth of water. If we get to 50%, in Clifton Dam, we will get more than 600 days of water, which is more than two years’ worth of water.
What I would require that the devolution fund help us with in Chegutu in particular, is the laying of the pipes. We have already received the devolution funds and we have laid pipes to the tune of USD1.7million, so this is applauded. We have seen the results of the devolution funds in the absence of legislation. I go on to lament the issue of lack of cohesion, it is said in vernacular musha idare, where there is no meeting of minds with the residents as to how this money has to be utilised, there is bound to be misuse of the said funds.
I recommend and also add word and voice that there is need for councillors to come together and have a meeting with the residents in order to get what we want from what we have. This issue of a one-man band oriented scenario, you end up using these funds for other issues that it is not meant for without making sure that we have the optimum water that we require Madam Speaker Ma’am.
In the water treatment plant, we have clarifiers; I have given you a narration from Clifton Dam pumping the water to the water treatment plant in Chegutu – more than 15kms from Clifton Dam. What we have are eight clarifiers, six sedimenters and they were built in 1959 to 1979. Madam Speaker Ma’am, there is need for money from Treasury as a grant to the tune of USD15 million to complement the devolution funds. Last year we were supposed to get about ZW$104 million but we got 50% of that, about ZW$43 million. This year we are meant to get USD216 million from devolution funds.
It is my prayer that if all this money is given and disbursed, it will go a long way in making sure that we annihilate the scourge of cholera and typhoid which once hit Chegutu West Constituency in 2008/9, killing over 400 people and affecting over 4000 people. It is key to my heart. When it comes to the welfare of the people of Chegutu West Constituency, ‘my heart is on the right hand side,’ Madam Speaker Ma’am – [Laughter.] – I care for them to bits so when it comes to the right to have and right to water, I speak so vociferously.
Given an opportunity by the Chairperson of the Local Government Committee to stand on the pedestal and platform of the devolution funds, I pray that there be a separate grant, either from PSIP Project or from the Government itself to the tune of USD15 million so that we can duplicate the current water works or water treatment plant and add 10 more clarifiers. Clarifiers are those pot-like items that catch and hold solid material from the river or dam water, including the mud. This is where we put in our chlorine and so on. We have six Sedimenters and if we can get 12 more – those are called slow sand filters; they then take us to the high lift pumps which then feed the water to the location, to DRC, Forit, Kaguvi Phase 1 and 2, Hintonville, Chestgate and other areas.
I have four by-elections in my Constituency and I am going to take this debate and show them that I have already treated their concern in terms of the requirement for water, so they have no other reason to vote for anyone else except for that one who is coming from the Second Republic, from ZANU PF where I come from so that they can now get what they want from the devolution funds and from monies being given by the Government from the grant to duplicate the water treatment plant.
Madam Speaker Ma’am, I say this because we have a master plan for Chegutu, which has about 12 farms that are waiting to be given to Chegutu Municipality for urban expansion. Having said that, Section 72 of the Constitution is key as to how the agricultural land has to be managed. In the same vein, I want to align the Urban Councils’ Act, Section 205 (1), which has three parts, to the Constitution of Zimbabwe, Section 72 (7) (c) which states that the people of Zimbabwe should be enabled to assert their right to land.
This is where the devolution funds can be utilised to actually create a safe landing space for the people of Chegutu West Constituency. We have a backlog of 25 000 households – we have 1 500 hectares of land currently waiting to have houses built on it. If at the rate of 200m2 each, we can have more than 75 000 houses being built because of the land that we have. I ask the subsistence of the devolution committees and devolution funds that we aligned back to the Urban Councils Act, the Rural District Councils Act (RDC) and a plethora of other Acts that are Town and Country Planning and all those that border on any issues to do with local authorities to the main supreme law of the land. Mind you, if I take you to Section 2 of the Constitution, it says “any Act of Parliament that is ultra vires the Constitution and it is inconsistent, should be repudiated to the extent of its inconsistency”. So, it is my clarion call and fervent view that these Acts that border on the local authorities should definitely be aligned, for effective management during this devolution mantra.
I want to thank the Second Republic, in a very short time, we have the Roads Act that speaks to and about the issue of…
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MAVETERA): You are left with five minutes. Actually, I am being told that your time is up.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Madam Speaker. Can I be given the five minutes, according to what you had said? It is standard procedure for you to notify me that it is five minutes left before you tell me it is time up.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: It is okay Hon. Nduna, you can proceed.
HON. NDUNA: Madam Speaker Ma’am, the Roads Act speaks to the issue of routine maintenance and periodic maintenance. I see His Excellency the President in the Second Republic has given life to ERRP (Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme). He has given it four phases and I applaud him because where I come from, there arenumerous roadworks taking place. Previously, unimaginable because we have in the whole country, more than 20 billion US Dollars worth of road-works that are due because our roads have passed 25 years which is their sale by date. So I applaud the Second Republic for giving us these funds to make sure that we have a robust and resilient roadwork second to none. Having said that, I want to applaud you for giving me this opportunity to vociferously and effectively debate on this motion that the people of Chegutu West Constituency have asked me to come and debate and add their voice, according to the Constitution. I thank you.
HON. MPARIWA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. A very good afternoon to you and compliments of the new season to you, and the rest of the Hon. Members. Let me begin by thanking Hon. Rev. Chikukwa, the Chair of the Committee on Local Government and her seconder, Hon. Raidza for the very good report which has been tabled eloquently before this House.
Madam Speaker, I did not intend to take the floor but on second thoughts, it provokes the mind in terms of what this report actually entails the House to do. You notice that it is titled ‘inquiry into the implementation of devolution in Zimbabwe’. What does it mean? Devolution is all about equal development in the provinces, districts and everywhere, so that we improve the lives and the comfort of those that are the recipients to the various projects of Government. Proper infrastructure development improves the lives of the communities, so I was really provoked when I heard of the developmental activities and projects that have been highlighted in the report.
However, you will notice that a number of the projects that have been touched by the Chair involve communities that will benefit in terms of their lives. Thus there is need for proper information dissemination to the communities and proper consultation. Involvement of stakeholders where they are because when development has actually come to the people, they need to be involved, consulted and make an input that we need these particular projects. I want to applaud and appreciate that at least something is happening, without even the law having come to the House.
Accountability – my favourite subject. Mind you, this is tax payers’ money, where there is need for quality assurance, quantity verification, monitoring and evaluation (M & E) on whether these projects actually have benefited the communities. Also accountability on whether the resources that have been put to use have been accounted for properly. If we say 1000 poles were bought, were they really bought and the quality and quantity is correct, so that when the Auditor General comes to audit the projects, it is according to the book. I really would want to think that when the Minister comes with the law in this House, that will actually enhance the proposals and recommendations which the Committee has mentioned.
I strongly feel yes, the report has taken long. It was written last year but I think it was not by design that this report has been tabled today. We know very well what has been happening in the past. We could not sit in the House. We could not attend Parliament. So it is not even by design that the Committee actually has found the opportunity of coming to the House and present this report. Having said that, I would want to believe that there are a lot of very good recommendations from this report which if they remain unanswered and the Minister not responding to this particular report, the good work would have gone to waste.
Therefore, I strongly feel and recommend as follows: that the Minister has to come and respond to this report. The Minister has to come and respond to the recommendations that the Committee has put forward because it is not too late. This is the first report on devolution. Before he makes the law, I think he has the opportunity actually to have some takeaways out of the report which has been presented to this House. Madam Speaker, this report will encourage good work from the other Committees. I think if we can continue saying this report has been good, we cannot overemphasise. I want to associate and appreciate that this report is one of the very many good reports that have been brought by Hon. Chikukwa into the House. I thank you.
HON. TOGAREPI: Thank you Madam Speaker. Like my colleagues, I am really moved by this well-articulated report. The report was well done and has enough information for us to look at the performance of the devolution fund in our various communities where it is supposed to be deployed for the good of our people.
One major area I feel must be looked at as we look at devolution, is the segregation of council projects from the devolution projects. When you go to our communities, you may not tell where devolution funds have been deployed and where council funds from contributions by the communities and business people have been deployed. We may find a situation where devolution activities which have played a very important role have been deployed. It is very much obscure because of corruption and other vices that we must really curb. I think devolution funds have come at the right time and the Second Republic, despite the fact that the Act delayed to come, realised that we should do something. The Second Republic has done its part to ensure that funds and resources are well distributed and go to the needy in the communities to improve roads, build clinics and schools out of the devolution funds. Audit reports that we have seen from various local authorities have shown that there is rampant corruption, so we are scared this money can then fall prey to these nefarious activities.
Madam Speaker, I also want to touch on the issue of devolution funds being a source and the driver of employment in various communities where this money is deployed. For example, if a clinic is being built, you then find that money being enjoyed by somebody coming from very much afar. The skills that are needed can be found locally and local communities are not given that chance. Somebody comes from afar and does a shoddy job. I have a good example in my own constituency where I have seen somebody who was employed and I went there to see the beautiful clinic that we envisaged but to find that the contractor was a street builder; not in the real street but somebody who claimed to be a builder and he is not a builder. My request is, devolution should also cut across all the activities from deployment of funds, employment creation, et cetera. Whatever benefit that is created must accrue to the members of that community.
Madam Speaker, I would like to see communities being consulted before even the funds are released by Government. The provincial councillors, chiefs and everyone in those communities should go there and come up with their wish list for that year. Then we say from the funds that we have, we are going to prioritise 1,2,3 and complete the activities so that people can actually say this is what devolution has done to us. However, you will see that one project that is being funded by devolution goes into another financial year. It means it is going to be getting funding from another budget. What happened to the previous budget, only God knows, then we create an environment for those who are corrupt to take advantage of funds from the previous year and misuse it. It is very critical that we have the communities involved and they know that devolution has come; it is going to do 1,2,3 for them. It is completed and declared and they know all the monies allocated to their communities were used for their purpose.
Government is doing its part. It sends funds to the local authorities but communities are not part of the decision making. The Chairperson of the Committee has done a good job. I think it is important that we request you to further interrogate how local authorities work with this money. It should be separated that we have projects for devolution and there is no council money there. For council projects, there should be no devolution funds so that we know who is performing. Government is doing its part. Allow Government to shine. Local authorities with their corruption, let them be seen that they are corrupt, misusing rate payers’ monies and are not performing. I thank you.
HON. TOGAREPI: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. MPARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 16th February, 2022.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. TOGAREPI: I move that we revert to Order of the Day, Number 11.
HON. MPARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE ON THE 2021 FIRST QUARTER BUDGET PERFORMANCE REPORTS FOR THE MINISTRY
HON. SVUURE: I move the motion standing in my name;
That this House takes note of the Report of the Portfolio Committee on Industry and Commerce on the 2021 First Quarter Budget Performance Reports for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
HON. JOSIAH SITHOLE: I second.
HON. SVUURE:
INTRODUCTION
The Constitution of Zimbabwe mandates Parliament to have oversight of all State revenues and expenditure in order to ensure financial probity in the utilization of public resources. Parliament is required by Section 299 of the Constitution to “monitor and oversee expenditure by all State institutions in order to ensure that all revenue is accounted for, all expenditure has been properly incurred and any limits and conditions on appropriations have been observed”. This is further buttressed by provisions in the Public Finance Management Act [Chapter 22:19] which regulates the management of public resources. Sections 32, 33, 34 and 35 of the PFMA compel ministries to submit monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements and accompanying reports to their respective portfolio committees. The purpose for these provisions is for Parliament to monitor use of public resources in line with its financial oversight functions.
REPORTING FRAMEWORK
The Ministry, when reporting to Parliament is expected to comply with a reporting guideline that Parliament approved in 2016. The reporting guideline spells out the content of performance reports with particular emphasis on performance budgeting, which has been the missing component. It had been observed then that Ministry reports were largely financial in nature with very little information provided on outputs, outcomes and impact arising from the financial resources expended. The Ministry is therefore, expected to address the five processes which form a chronological sequence and the ineffective implementation or weakness of one process has a knock-on effect on other processes, resulting in the weakness of the overall system.
The five processes are -
- Strategic planning and resource allocation which informs resource allocation on the amount and area where resources are needed.
- Expenditure management wherein there is tracking of expenditure in the context of fiscal discipline, efficiency, effectiveness and value for money.
- Performance management which focuses on implementation of planned activities in an effective, efficient and responsible manner wherein officials perform their responsibilities and supply products and provide services in conformity with interests of satisfying citizens’ needs and rights.
- Public Integrity Management wherein during process 1 to 3, effective measures should be carried out with the objective of identifying and preventing conflicts of interest and any other act of corruption in the use of public resources and implementing corrective measures to deal with poor performance and abuse of public resources.
- Oversight which is the more comprehensive of all as it ensures verification of conformity of acts, documents, legality, and efficiency of all other processes and thus is happening throughout the cycle.
The Committee on Industry and Commerce (Herein after referred to as the Committee) received the first quarter reports of 2021 from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and analysed them, with technical assistance from the Parliament Budget Office. The Committee noted with concern the reluctance by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to report on performance and expenditure information using the format in the 2021 Estimates of Expenditure (Blue Book) and linking them to the NDS1 targets. The Committee was also concerned with the Ministry’s lackadaisical attitude towards adhering to the regulations and procedures on submission of monthly and quarterly budget performance reports.
In this regard, the Ministry consistently submits the aforementioned reports only upon several requests by the Committee instead of adhering to the dictates and demands of the PFMA reporting standards. Additionally, the Ministry also tends to submit scant information on expenditure and performance management as exemplified by the information submitted during the quarter under consideration and only submits detailed information following repeated follow-ups by the Committee through letters and oral evidence sessions.
COMMITTEE OBSERVATIONS FROM THE REPORTS RECEIVED
The Committee noted that the Ministry of Industry and Commerce’s policy priority areas for 2021-2023 augur well with its mandate and dovetails with the National Development Strategy (NDS) 1, (2021-2025). These are:
- Resuscitation of industries;
- Creation of new companies;
- Implementation of value chains;
- Realisation of export earnings;
- Realisation of investment;
- Registration of reserved sector;
- Enactment of the Economic Empowerment Act;
- Establishment of the Consumer Protection Commission; and
Development of the Consumer protection policies and regulations. The Committee also noted the Ministry’s policy priority areas for the year 2021 which are of pivotal importance towards the re-industrialization drive and the attainment of Vision 2030 of an upper middle-income economy which are as follows:
- Facilitate an increase in capacity utilisation of NPK fertiliser production by 32% (Jan -March), 38% (April-June), 43% (July-Sept) and 43%(Oct-Dec)-ZFC (Harare)
- Facilitate an increase in capacity utilisation in Ammonia Nitrate production, Sable Chemical (Midlands)
- Facilitate increased production of sanitisers by 80%, Chemplex (Harare)
- Facilitate the company’s efforts to increase capacity utilisation to 80%, Deven Engineering (Harare)
- Facilitate the operationalisation of the Pole Treatment Plant, Hunyani/Nampak (Mashonaland East)
- Facilitate increased capacity utilisation of battery production to 30%, Central African Batteries (Mashonaland West)
- Facilitate the modernisation of the plant which is expected to increase capacity utilisation, Bulawayo Metal Founders (Bulawayo)
- Facilitate increased capacity utilisation for stock feed production, Bascom Pvt Ltd (Mashonaland Central)
- Facilitate the refurbishment of the plant and increased capacity utilisation, Zimchem Refineries (Midlands)
- Facilitate increased capacity utilisation of Simbi Pvt Ltd (Masvingo)
- Facilitate new investments and commencement of production to achieve 10% capacity utilisations at David Whitehead (Mashonaland West)
The Committee noted with satisfaction the inextricable linkage between the Ministry’s first quarter budget performance report and its Strategic plan, which is an overview of its planned activities and targets for the year. The relationship between planned activities to the ongoing broad macroeconomic policies such as the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), Sustainable Development Goals and other cross cutting issues such as gender among others is very clear. The alignment of Ministry’s planned activities/objectives to the NDS1 and SDGs will add impetus to the overall government’s effort to achieve the macro-economic development objectives. The Ministry’s Strategic Plan was achieved after wide consultations of key shareholders, clients and other social interest groups. The Ministry complied with Section 194 (1) (e) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe on the involvement of citizens in policy making.
The Committee also noted that the Ministry was allocated ZWL$2. 345 billion in the 2021 Budget. The resource allocation is for three programme areas namely; Policy and Administration (9%), Industrialisation (76%) and Consumer Protection and Quality Assurance (15%). The Committee noted with concern that though the Industrialisation programme which defines the core mandate of the Ministry was allocated more resources than other programmes. The funds are insufficient to make a significant impact on the economy in as much as re-industrialization is concerned.
Source: Blue Book, 2021
The Committee noted with concern, erratic releases of the allocated funds especially for programme 2 which impedes the ability of the Ministry to deliver its mandate as indicated in the table below.
PROGRAMME |
2021 FIRST QUARTER % RELEASE |
Programme 1: Policy and Administration |
10.6% |
Programme 2: Industrialisation |
0.47% |
Programme 3: Consumer protection and quality |
8.8% |
Ministry |
2.7% |
Programme 2 (Industrialisation) received a miniscule share of the
disbursed funds with most of the disbursed funds going towards employment costs. This impedes on the ability of the nation to re-industrialize. The Committee is further concerned with erratic and imbalanced release of funds according to programme by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. Programme 2 has a cumulative release of 0.47%% by 31 March 2021 while programme 1 and programme 3 have 10.6% and 8.8% respectively.
The Committee is concerned with the variances between releases
and actual disbursements which borders on failure by Treasury to honour payment runs by releasing the actual cash. Of the ZWL$ 223.3 million that was supposed to be released by Treasury in the first quarter, only ZWL$ 44.4 million was disbursed. In addition to the budget releases not linked to cash availability, the Ministry also encounters delays in delivery of goods and services due to cash constraints, accumulation of arrears and payment runs which are reversed at the end of the fiscal year. As such, the Committee attributed the Ministry’s failure to accomplish its targets to the combined effects of inadequate and erratic release of funds coupled with the effects of the Covid 19 pandemic.
Further to the above, due to erratic disbursement of funds by the Treasury, most of the Ministry’s planned targets for the first quarter were missed with a huge margin, thus derailing the Ministry’s overall plans for the period. These include, but not limited to, facilitate an increase in capacity utilization of fertilizer production by 32%, facilitate resuscitation of ZISCO Steel, facilitate 80% increased production of sanitizers by Chemplex, facilitate Deven Engineering’s effort to increase capacity utilization to 80%.
The missed targets did not only impact negatively on the Ministry’s annual targets but also adversely affected the economy especially on failure to enhance import substitution which culminated in a humongous trade deficit due to increased imports on fertilizers, steel products, batteries, sanitizers among others. Therefore, the Committee proposed that the Ministry should consider revising its targets for the year in order to circumvent the cumulative effects of the force majeures that arose during the first quarter as a result of erratic disbursement of funds.
The Committee noted that the Ministry’s financial transactions
were carried out in adherence to the Public Finance Management Systems. This shows that the Ministry’s internal financial controls and accounting systems are very efficient.
The Committee commends and appreciates the progress made by
the Ministry in addressing the issues raised in the 2018 Auditor General’s report. The issue of lack of documents to support the ZWL99 200 expenditure was addressed. Also, that the Ministry’s control systems have been put in place to avoid recurrence of such issues. In this regard, Accountants have been trained to correctly process payment vouchers as per requirements of the instructions and regulations.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommends the following;
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce should timeously submit monthly and quarterly budget performance reports without waiting to be reminded by the Committee.
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce should adhere to the reporting guidelines and procedures when submitting monthly and quarterly financial reports on expenditure and performance management as per the second quarter report going forward. Also, to submit detailed and relevant information to the Committee for enhanced oversight.
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development should timeously release budgeted funds to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce in order for it to fund its mandates in a more efficient and effective manner as erratic releases impede on the Ministry’s ability to achieve its intended objectives.
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development should yearly increase the budget for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce’s programme 2, Industrialization, to bolster the country’s manufacturing sector which is pivotal on import substitution as well as attainment of Vision 2030. Also, that the budgeted funds should be timely released for them to have significance impact on the economy as far as the industry in concerned.
Treasury should adopt a system of quarterly releases of operational budget after a Ministry has satisfied all reporting and acquittal requirements by December 2021. Where possible, capital releases should be once off so as to enjoy economies of scale.
CONCLUSION
In light of the above, it is clear that with regular and consistent oversight of the executive, sustainable resource utilization can be realised. This has been witnessed in the improved reporting and submission of the Ministry’s financial performance reports. It is therefore imperative that Parliament continues to invest in capacity building of its members on budget oversight to ensure effective and efficient budget execution. I thank you.
HON. JOSIAH SITHOLE: Madam Speaker Ma’am, I rise to second this very important motion given by Hon. Svuure on behalf of the Portfolio Committee on Industry and Commerce. The issue related to industry and commerce has been bedeviling our country for a long time before the new dispensation. We are actually seeing a lot being done to make sure that we resuscitate industry.
It is very encouraging to see that the Ministry of Industry and Commerce is trying by all means to ensure that there is good resuscitation of our industry in Zimbabwe. However, I actually have observed from this report that industry and commerce is being disturbed in terms of what they are supposed to achieve because of inadequate funding. It has been given in the report that there are erratic releases of funds by Ministry of Finance and such a situation cannot see our industry moving with the times. It is very incumbent that our Ministry of Finance needs to support the Ministry of Industry and Commerce so that such industries like the ones that had collapsed in Bulawayo where we had many of our industries, we want to see these industries coming on board and this can only happen if funds are going to be provided for in time and adequately by Ministry of Finance.
It is also not encouraging to observe that there has been some reluctance on the part of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to submit the necessary quarterly reports as per given Statutory Instruments. When reports are not given in time, you will find that there will be a lot of suspicion, guess work and people will not be knowing what is happening in good time. It is a good move that the Committee has been pestering the Ministry to provide these quarterly reports.
Our Government through the President, has adopted a performance based approach in terms of trying to ensure that we are going to get good results. This approach emphasises timing. Time has to be observed and if the time is not observed, we are not going to yield what we are supposed to get at the end. We have Vision 2030 which is a time framed programme which means when we want to achieve that, we must also be doing our things considering time so that we are going to produce the results as required.
Failure to comply with the provisions of services in time is actually a breach of the necessary Statutory Instrument that will be in place. We have to make sure that our oversight role as legislators is not going to be derailed when the reports are not given in time. I want to congratulate the Committee on Industry and Commerce for the work they are doing to ensure that the Ministry of Industry and Commerce is going to improve its performance and continue to encourage that the Ministry of Finance should be coming in time so that the activities are achieved in good time. I thank you.
HON. RAIDZA: I have two issues to add my voice on the motion that was moved by Hon. Svuure and seconded by Hon. Sithole regarding the Ministry of Industry and Commerce’s quarterly report. My first issue is on non-submission of these quarterly reports on time. The law is very clear in terms of our Public Finance Management Act that it is the expectation of the law that each and every Ministry is expected to submit these reports on time. What is disappointing from what we heard from this report is that the Committee ended up pestering the Ministry to get these reports which is a statutory obligation. We want to encourage this Ministry together with other Ministries that these reports help us as Parliament to make sure that we carry our oversight role effectively as per our Constitution.
The other issue is that these Ministries particularly this one, they expect us as Parliament to support them during the budget process but when it comes for them to be accountable for the resources whether little or more, you find that they do not want to comply with some of these mechanisms that are in our laws that helps Parliament to provide that oversight. It is a give and take situation where the Ministries are supposed to do their part and us as Parliament we also do our part. I want to encourage the Ministries to make sure they do submit these reports on time. I thank you.
HON. MUTAMBISI: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. MPARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 16th February 2022
On the motion of HON. MUTAMBISI, seconded by HON. MPARIWA, the House adjourned at Fifteen Minutes to Six o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 15th February, 2022
The Senate met at Half-past Two o’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE
DEATH OF A MEMBER HON. SEN. PHYLLIS NDLOVU
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE: It is with profound sorrow that I have to inform the Senate of the death of Hon. Phyllis Ndlovu, Senator for Matabeleland North Constituency on 31st January, 2022. I therefore invite hon. Senators to rise and observe a minute of silence in respect of the late Senator.
All Hon. Senators observed a minute of silence
INVITATION TO A ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICE
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE: I also wish to inform the Senate that there will be a Catholic Church Service and a talk on the Synod, tomorrow 16th February, 2022 at 1145 hours in the Senate Chamber. All members are invited. Non-Catholic Members are welcome.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR MASHONALAND CENTRAL PROVINCE (HON. SEN. MAVHUNGA): I move that Orders of the Day number one and two be stood over until the rest of the Orders have been disposed of.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH: DEBATE ON ADDRESS
Third Order read: Adjourned debate on motion in reply to the Presidential Speech.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. KAMBIZI: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. CHIRONGOMA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 16th February, 2022.
MOTION
CURBING GENDER BASED VIOLENCE AMONG COMMUNITIES
Fourth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the increase of gender-based violence since the outbreak of COVID-19.
Question again proposed.
HON SEN. MOHADI: Thank you Madam President for giving me this opportunity to say a few words on gender based violence.
^^Without much ado, I will debate in Venda. Madam President, what is disturbing us more about gender based violence is that instead of the statistics declining, they are increasing especially during the COVID-19 era.
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Hon. Members, may you please lower the volume of your gadgets, we do not want to hear her debate from the gadgets.
^^HON. SEN. MOHADI: The issue that we are talking about pertaining to the abuse of women and children is an issue that is prevalent in our communities. I would wish that we could witness a decline in gender based violence, however, the statistics keep on escalating especially during the COVID-19 era where most people are not occupied in profitable activities. Some have been laid off and others were placed on indefinite suspension. As a result, some of them have no remuneration. Failure to have income has led to starvation in many families. This starvation has caused conflicts in most families and injuring of one another.
Last week I was at the hospital and saw a patient who was admitted. She had been attacked with machetes and was injured on both legs. The patient had deep cuts and could not even lift her head. They were intending to transfer the patient to Bulawayo for specialist treatment, but unfortunately she had no money. We ended up making contributions for her to get medical attention.
If we look at gender based violence, mostly women and children are affected. Most of the girls failed to return to school because some of them are now pregnant. The perpetrators have evaded the responsibilities of being fathers. This is another huge problem we are facing as a society. We plead that there be good relations between husbands and wives in the family set up so that they can be able to raise children in a peaceful environment. They should be aware that they are always supposed to love and live in peace with their families so that their children can follow suit.
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Order Hon. Sen. I do not know if those at the back are able to hear you. May you please raise your voice?
^^HON. SEN. MOHADI: I was saying I am encouraging that there be peace and respect in our homes. I do not have much to say. I guess the little that I have said has been understood and taken aboard. Thank you very much.
+HON. SEN. A. DUBE: Thank you Madam President for giving me this opportunity to contribute on the motion on gender based violence raised by Hon. Sen. Chimbudzi....
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE: I am being advised that you debated on this motion.
HON. SEN. A. DUBE: Thank you Madam President.
HON. SEN. CHIMBUDZI: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 15th February, 2022.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE VIRTUAL 49TH PLENARY ASSEMBLY SESSION OF THE SADC PARLIAMENTARY FORUM
Fifth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report of the Virtual 49th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. MOHADI: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. CHIRONGOMA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 15th February, 2022.
MOTION
CONSTRUCTION, UPGRADING AND REHABILITATION OF THE ROAD NETWORK IN THE COUNTRY
Sixth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the construction, upgrading and rehabilitation of the road network in the country.
Question again proposed.
*HON. SEN. KOMICHI: Thank you Madam President. I would like to thank the Honourable Senator who brought up this motion on the importance of roads in the country. There is success in business if roads are in a good state. A lot of people will prefer our roads if they are in a good state. Our country will get a lot of revenue from those who use our roads from other countries. If roads are in a bad state, travellers will avoid them. We know our Government has prioritised roads rehabilitation in the country, but roads in the high density suburbs are in a bad state. We cannot continue like that. Roads in small towns are in bad state also. As Government works around rehabilitation of roads in the country, they should also engage private players.
People may get to a point where they are afraid of travelling because of the state of these roads. Even local businesses may fail because of the roads that are in a bad state. If roads are repaired, business will improve. We have a very big challenge of these roads. We have a mandate as Government to make sure that these roads are fixed. It is now difficult to tell the difference between a dust road and a tarred road. We now have gullies on the roads. Years back, we used to see the Ministry working on the roads now and then, maintaining the roads but we no longer see this. They used to employ casual workers. There is no maintenance being done on the roads. A road only works well for a short period before it becomes bad.
Let us go to the system where we used to fix and maintain the roads now and then. We will lose a lot of revenue from big businesses. We neglected the railway system and let it go down the drain. It could have aided to keep our roads safe from further damage. Some of the loads being transported on the roads could have been moved through the railway. The tarred road from Victoria Falls to Bulawayo has been damaged because it is being overused. It is scary to use that road whilst it is raining. We should make sure that we avail all the resources to revamp the National Railways of Zimbabwe so that we reduce the loads that are seen on the roads.
The Plumtree-Mutare Road that was fixed two years back can be damaged beyond repair if we do not intervene through revamping of the railway line. Let us also revamp the air transport so that we reduce loads that we are seeing on the roads. We encourage Government to take this seriously. We are not undermining the work that has been done on the rehabilitation of road infrastructure network in the country. The budget should instead be increased and billions of dollars channelled through this project. The private foreign and local investors should be involved in fixing roads. New roads should be opened to lessen traffic congestion. A revamp of the Lupane to Hwange Road should be supported. We should also have smart highways and make use of them. It is my belief that the Government can hear our grievances as legislators, even from our respective constituencies. I am from Sanyati and during this rainy season, I cannot go to my rural area. From Kadoma to Sanyati, you cannot travel along that road. What you see on the road is very scary, the potholes are so big and can be mistaken for dams. It is not the only road but there are a lot of them. We kindly ask the Government to inject a lot of capital towards these projects so that our country can benefit. Thank you Madam President for giving me the time to say a few words on this motion.
HON. SEN. KHUPE: Thank you Hon. President of the Senate. I want to start by thanking Hon. Sen. Mabika for bringing this very important motion. Let me also say, whilst I am aware of the current efforts being made by the Second Republic on road rehabilitation, we are also conscious and aware that the road network in our country is so bad that if it was a human being, it will be like somebody with some veins which are not supplying oxygen through the blood to various parts of the body.
Hon. Sen. Sekeramayi having passed between the Chair and the Hon. Senator Speaking.
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Order.
HON. SEN. KHUPE: To me, the national road network of a country is in comparison to the veins of a human being, not a dead one, but that which is alive and breathing and does all activities. A human being who works for his/her family, can do sporting, boxing or anything like we are doing here.
However, once parts of the veins or part of the muscles are no longer able to supply oxygen through the veins, then we need to see a doctor, witchdoctor, prophet or whoever is relevant so that maybe the veins can be restored. It is like that in our country where the roads are not working. A simple task of sending somebody who is sick to a hospital or clinic which is 5kms away can take two hours because the road will not be in good shape. Unfortunately, and painfully so, we appear to have allowed the road network to deteriorate in such a way that if it was a human being, he would be sitting on a wheelchair like me, not able to stand up because part of the muscles or veins are not working. If it was a human being, it will be like the person is depending on tablets to breath and do other activities.
I am trying to bring about an important point because if you look at the roads, how they have caused delays in development activities in our country, it is very painful. We have failed even to visit places because of roads. The evidence is here that some of the Committee outreach teams for public consultations ended up being unable to reach places because the road network will be poor. You try to go there and you are told that the bridge is no longer there, it collapsed and you will not be able to reach other important sectors of the community.
The result is this; if there are certain areas where, because of poor road network, ambulances cannot reach, police officers cannot go there because their cars are not able to maneuver in those roads, it is like there is discrimination where some people are being served and others are not. The question will be, for how long are we going to talk about the bad road network, day in, week in, month in, year in, decade in, without taking action? I think we need to do something about that and urgently. As I indicated in the beginning, that we are aware and we appreciate efforts being made, I think those efforts of road rehabilitation can be maintained and speeded up to cover a number of areas in a short space of time if we as Parliamentarians push for an increase in budget targeting those activities. I think that is what I wanted to say Hon. President of the Senate. Again I want to thank Hon. Sen. Mabika who raised the motion and the other Hon. Senator who seconded it.
HON. SEN. MABIKA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. CHIMBUDZI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 16th February, 2022.
MOTION
ENACTMENT OF LAWS THAT CULMINATE IN DETERRENT SENTENCES BEING METED OUT TO CULPRITS FOUND COMMITTING CRIMES THAT DAMAGE THE ENVIRONMENT Seventh Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on grave and rapid environmental damage
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. CHIRONGOMA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. A. DUBE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 16th February, 2022.
MOTION
CONDOLENCES ON THE DEATH OF HON. SEN. REJOICE TIMIRE
Eighth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the untimely death of Hon. Sen. Rejoice Timire.
Question again proposed.
Hon. Sen. Chimbudzi having risen to debate on the motion.
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Order Hon. Senator. You have already contributed to this debate.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: Thank you Madam President. Let me take this opportunity to say congratulations to all the Senators in this House for coming back after a break in December. We had Christmas and New Year. I would like to say congratulations we are all back and we will continue with our work as legislators.
I rise to give my condolence message on the death of the late Senator. I worked with Hon. Sen. Timire very closely. What I am happy with is that when she came in this House – we had two Senators representing the disabled. They were very organised in everything they were doing. They were very dedicated and focused on that which they came into this House for. Hon. Sen. Timire was someone who was very good at what she was doing. We did not have a chance to say goodbye to each other. This is God’s will, he does as he wishes. There is nothing we can do.
I would like to express my condolences to the Timire family. I would like to say to them, despite the grief, they should know that we had a great person in Sen. Timire. As we praise her for the work that she did, we have people who voted us into these positions. No one just woke up and walked straight to Parliament. There are people who voted us to be here. Let us not forget the electorate.
From Hon. Sen. Timire, we learnt the importance of representing people. She always stood, expressed opinions and we supported her. Madam President, may her soul rest in peace. It is everyone’s way of leaving this earth. We shall meet again one day. Thank you.
*HON. SEN. RWAMBIWA: Thank you Madam President. First of all, I would like to thank everyone in this Senate. Secondly, we are saddened by the passing on of Hon. Sen. Timire...
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE (HON. SEN. MOHADI): Order. You are not connected. Also, you should raise your voice.
*HON. SEN. RWAMBIWA: Thank you very much Madam President. I would like to thank everyone in this Senate. Secondly, I would like to express my sadness on the passing on of Hon. Sen. Timire. She was a brave legislator. We always saw her on ZTV being interviewed whilst representing those who are disabled. It was very painful for me when I looked at her. She strengthened those who are disabled. She never showed pride because she was a legislator. She always showed that she was part and parcel of those whom she represented. Even if we would meet here at work, she was very humble. As Senators, we are saddened as a result of losing a woman who was hard working. We have lost a dedicated person.
Hon. Sen. Timire was a motherly character who knew very well that her status was God’s will. As Senators, we took her as one of us, without any discrimination. It is my plea that we are protected from this pandemic so that we live and work for our families and that we are not killed by this pandemic. It is very unfortunate that she passed on. It is my strong belief that we will meet again. May her soul rest in peace.
+HON. SEN. A. DUBE: Thank you Madam President for giving me this opportunity to add my voice pertaining to the motion raised by Hon. Sen. Khupe on the passing on of Hon. Sen. Timire. First of all, I would request all the Hon. Senators to thank God for allowing us to meet today alive. It is not that we are wise but it is the grace of the Lord. Hon. Sen. Timire was expecting that by this day she would be alive but the Lord sealed her fate.
Hon. Sen. Timire represented the disabled in this Senate. She was a brave Senator, dedicated and proud of what she was. She did not undermine herself. She told herself that she represented the disabled. Madam President, we are supposed to learn a lot from her life. Disability does not mean that you are now different from others; we are the same. It is God who created us differently. She was an Hon. Senator who was able to unite others and also showed them the direction on how to lead. Here, we are responsible for representing people. She would come here and socialize with people and she would communicate in everyone’s language. She was a leader who was chosen by God.
We will always remember Hon. Sen. Timire because she loved and understood everyone. She did not differentiate people according to status. She wanted the disabled to always be understood and that they are the same with everyone. She knew what to debate in Parliament. We do not know where our future is going but being disabled is the Lord’s plan. It is not that somebody decides to be disabled but everyone on this planet has his or her own flaws. God created us in that manner. You might not see it and you would see yourself as a fully fledged human being because you have got both feet and hands.
It is good that we see her as an Hon. Senator and an important one who represented the disabled. I say that the Lord has done his will and no one should be taken before his or her time has come. It is painful that we say she was taken by COVID away from us but I can say that it was God’s time.
We were also informed that her husband also passed on soon after she had gone to be with the Lord. It is really painful because the children were left as orphans. Regardless of that, the Lord knew that he was going to take the Hon. Senator and her husband and so He is going to take care of the orphans. Also, the Lord has a plan on those who are going to represent the disabled. We say the orphans who were left behind by Hon. Sen. Timire and everyone who was left by our friend should remain in the hands of the Lord.
Hon. Sen. Timire was a brave woman. Most women are cowards when it comes to leadership but she was brave regardless of her being disabled. She took the part of being a leader and to represent the people. She was very vocal and active in representing the disabled people in Parliament. We learnt a lot through Hon. Sen. Timire. We learnt that if you are a woman, you have to be brave. You should not be afraid and you should not undermine yourself because if you are not confident in yourself, people will never respect you. This is what causes many men to undermine us because we are not confident.
Hon. Sen. Timire was educated because she was able to read and give sound and reasonable speeches. Madam President, we say may Hon. Sen. Timire’s soul rest in peace. She showed us that women are supposed to be proud, confident and not to undermine themselves. If you see other women standing against men and representing people amongst men, it shows that as women we are supposed to be confident and have faith in ourselves and our potential. In everything, we will always remember Senator Timire. May she rest in peace. God is the Father of all orphans. I thank you Madam President for giving me this opportunity. I also stand on the same cause of honouring Hon. Senator Timire. I thank you.
HON. SEN. KHUPE. Let me say I am very grateful for having been allowed to move this motion about the untimely departure of our fellow Senator. I also want to appreciate the contributions which were made by Hon. Senators. I cannot say much but may I ask through you Hon. President, for the adoption of the motion;
That this House -
EXPRESSES its profound sorrow on the untimely death on Tuesday, 10th August 2021, of the late Honourable Senator Rejoice Timire who was representing Persons with Disabilities;
PLACES on record its appreciation for the service which the late Hon. Member rendered to Parliament and the nation at large;
RESOLVES that its profound sympathies be conveyed to the Timire family, relatives and the entire nation, put and agreed to.
MOTION
ENACTMENT OF LEGISLATION THAT UPHOLDS THE RIGHTS AND WELFARE OF CHILDREN ACCOMPANYING INCARCERATED MOTHERS IN PRISON
Ninth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on Challenges faced by Children of Incarcerated Mothers.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. CHIRONGOMA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 16th February, 2022.
On the motion of THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR MASHONALAND PROVINCE (HON. SEN. MAVHUNGA), the Senate adjourned at Twenty-Five Minutes to Four o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Wednesday, 15th December, 2021
The Senate met at Half-past Two o’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE in the Chair)
COMMITTEE STAGE
FINANCE (2022) BILL [H. B. 16A, 2021]
First Order read: Committee Stage: Finance (2022) Bill [H.B. 16A, 2021].
House in Committee.
Clauses 1 to 56 put and agreed to.
House resumed.
Bill reported without amendments.
Third Reading: With leave, forthwith
THIRD READING
FINANCE (2022) BILL [H. B. 16A, 2021]
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): Mr. Speaker Sir, I move that the Bill be read the third time.
Motion put and agreed to.
Bill read the third time.
COMMITTEE STAGE
APPROPRIATION (2022) BILL [H. B. 15, 2021]
Second Order read: Committee Stage: Appropriation (2022) BILL [H. B. 15, 2021].
House in Committee.
Clauses 1 to 5 and Schedule put and agreed to.
House resumed.
Bill reported without amendments.
Third Reading: With leave, forthwith
THIRD READING
APPROPRIATION (2022) BILL [H. B. 15, 2021]
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): Mr. President Sir, I now move that the Bill be read the third time.
Motion put and agreed to.
Bill read the third time.
On the motion of THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI), the House adjourned at One Minute past Three o’clock p.m. until Tuesday, 15th February, 2022.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 14th December, 2021
The Senate met at Half-past Two o’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE
BILLS RECEIVED FROM THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: I have to inform the Senate that I have received the following Bills from the National Assembly;
- Finance (2022) Bill [H. B. 16A, 2021]
- Appropriation (2022) Bill [H. B. 15, 2021]
MOTION
LEAVE TO MOVE FOR THE SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS NO. 52, 65 (2) 134 AND 137
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): I seek leave of the Senate to move that the provisions of Standing Orders No. 52, 65 (2), 134 and 137 regarding the automatic adjournment of the Senate at five minutes to seven o’clock p.m. on sitting days other than a Friday and at twenty five minutes past one o’clock p.m. on Friday, Question Time and Private Members Motions taking precedence on Thursday, procedure in connection with Parliamentary Legal Committee and stages of Bills respectively, be suspended with effect from today and for the next series of sittings in respect of the following; Finance (2022) Bill [H. B. 16A, 2021], Appropriation (2022) Bill [H. B. 15, 2021] and other Government business.
The main reasons are to make sure that Senate can consider the Finance Bill deliberations in full and the approval thereof, and consider the Appropriation Bill to enable the well functioning of Government and the State in full followed by the debate and approval. I thank you
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS NO. 52, 65 (2), 134 AND 137
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): I move that the provisions of Standing Orders No. 52, 65 (2) 134 and 137 regarding the automatic adjournment of the Senate at five minutes to seven o’clock p.m. on sitting days other than a Friday and at twenty five minutes past one o’clock p.m. on Friday, Question Time and Private Members Motions taking precedence on Thursday, procedure in connection with Parliamentary Legal Committee and stages of Bills respectively be suspended with effect from today and for the next series of sittings in respect of the following; Finance (2022) Bill [H. B. 16A, 2021], Appropriation (2022) Bill [H. B. 15, 2021] and other Government business.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): Mr. President, I move that the Second Reading of the Finance Bill, [H.B. 16, 2021] and Appropriation 2022 Bill, [H.B. 15, 2021] be inserted in today’s Order Paper as Orders of the Day, Numbers 1 and 2 respectively and the rest of the Orders being re-numbered accordingly.
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Why Minister?
HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: Mr. President, it is necessary that Members of Senate consider the measures that were put in place as a follow up to my Budget Statement; measures that will enhance productivity in the economy, measures that will enhance revenue collection, measures that will improve tax administration and environment of doing business, all designed to make sure that we raise enough resources to support the growth trajectory of our economy. I thank you.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
FINANCE BILL [2022] [H. B. 16, 2021]
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): Mr. President, the Bill seeks to give effect to the revenue and tax measures that are announced through the 2022 National Budget Statement and delivered to this august House on 25th November, 2021. The measures seek to maintain fiscal stability through stimulating growth of productive sectors, enhance revenue collection, provide tax relief to tax payers, simplify tax administration, as well as improve the doing business environment.
I have also used the opportunity to amend the Acts that have a fiscal, financial and investment implication. The Bill provides for the following on income tax. In line with NDS1 thrust of protecting and providing equal opportunities to vulnerable groups, it will introduce an income tax credit of US$50 or local currency equivalent per month for every physically challenged person recruited by corporates. The credit will however be limited to a maximum of US$2,250 per year of assessment. It will adjust with effect from 1st January, 2022 the tax free threshold from ZWL10,000 to ZWL25,000 and the tax bands to end at ZWL500,000 above which a tax rate of 40% will apply. It will adjust the local currency tax free bonus threshold from ZWL25,000 to ZWL100,000, the foreign currency tax free bonus threshold from US$320 to US$700 with effect from 1 November, 2021. It will also preserve the value of retrenchment packages. It will also seek to adjust the tax exempt portion of a deceased estate from ZWL50,000 to US$100,000 or local currency equivalent thereof.
Mr. President, current legislation provides that if a company or entity is wound up voluntarily in circumstances that give rise to a reasonable suspicion that it has been deliberately put into liquidation to avoid any tax liability, the directors of the old company shall be jointly or severally liable to the amount of any tax due and payable by the old company and entity. However, in most circumstances, the beneficial owners of companies or entities are not revealed. Such circumstances justify piercing the corporate veil with a view to impose personal liability upon beneficial owners. There is a clause that seeks to compel tax payers filing returns of income for legal entities to disclose particulars of beneficial owners, thereby providing transparency and accountability in the conduct of business.
Mr. President, I will now turn to the issue of capital gains tax which is also enshrined in this proposed Finance Bill. The Bill proposes to fix the rate of capital gains tax on specified assets acquired on 22nd February, 2019 at 20 cents for each dollar of the capital gain. The clause in question further disallows certain deductions from the gross sale profits such as acquisition costs on specific assets acquired before 1st February, 2009. This implies that for such specified assets, the gross amount will be equivalent to the capital gain and liable to a tax rate of 5%.
On marketable securities, the Bill seeks to restore exemption of marketable securities from capital gains tax. Furthermore, in order to curtail speculative tendencies, the Bill seeks to increase the capital gains tax withholding tax from one percent to one and half percent on the transfer of shares that are held for a minimum period of six months.
I will now turn to the methodology for calculating capital gains. Mr. President, the Bill seeks to reinstate the repealed inflation allowance on a deductable expense when calculating capital gains in cases where a specified asset has been disposed in foreign currency. Tax legislation used to provide for an inflation allowance equivalent to 2,5% of the purchase price as a deduction in determination of capital gains in respect of a year assessment or part of a year assessment. In the case of local currency, the inflation allowance shall be determined as the difference between the all items Consumer Price Index at the time of sale and the time of purchase applied on the purchase price of the property or revalued amount after including costs of improvements, alterations or additions.
I will now turn to the Dairy Revitalization Fund. Mr. President, in line with interventions proposed in NDS1 to improve performance in the dairy value chain, the Bill seeks to introduce a levy of 5% on the value of imported dairy products. The funds will be ring-fenced to recapitalize the Dairy Revitalization Fund targeted at growth and development of the dairy sector by increasing the national dairy herd, enhancing competitiveness of the dairy sector and support modernization and standardization of local milk production.
In addition, the Bill seeks to introduce a levy of US$50 which will be collected prior to registration of a new cellular handset by mobile network provider. The levy will be payable only in the absence of proof that customs duty on the new handset was paid. In order to enhance fairness and equity in tax treatment of certain excisable products such as alcohol, beverages, opaque beer, cigarettes, tobacco and airtime, the Bill also seeks to ensure payment of excise duty on all equivalent excisable products.
I now turn to a specialised duty on pre-owned motor vehicles. The Bill seeks to compel pre-owned motor vehicles to pay special excise duty within 30 days from the date of assessment; after which interest and penalties are chargeable. This Bill also specifies rates of special excise duty payable on transfer of ownership of pre-owned or second hand motor vehicles in line with economic developments.
I now turn to Clause 35 in the Bill which pertains to the calculation of mineral royalties in terms of change of methodology of simplification of methodology. Despite the clear intentions of the legislature to levy mineral royalties on the gross value of minerals otherwise contained in all body, companies are applying different methodologies to calculate royalties. Notably, most companies disregard the specific legislative provision prohibiting the deduction of beneficiation costs when calculating the gross fair market value.
The Bill seeks to implement a standard methodology for calculation of mineral royalties that clearly outlines how the fair value of the minerals consumed on invoice would be calculated. Specifically, rates of royalty for specific minerals on minerals bearing all shall be calculated by using the following criteria. In the case of the platinum group of metals starting with the concentrate - for concentrate 85% of the international price of the refined mineral contained therein by reference to the price of the London Metals Exchange on the date of transaction of which royalty will be paid.
In other words, what is considered to be concentrate is 85% of the London Metals Exchange price. On the case of metal which is a higher level of beneficiation, this is 90% of the international price of the refined mineral contained therein by reference to the price of the London Metal Exchange on the date of the transaction on which royalties will be paid. In the case of gold, invoice value is determined from time to time by Fidelity Printers and Refineries. In the case of diamonds and all other minerals the invoice value will be as determined by the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe. I now move that the Bill be now read a second time. I thank you.
(v) * HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: Thank you very much Mr. President. I would like to thank the Minister of Finance for the Bill that he has brought before us. I would like to ask what provisions they have made into those gold mining areas? Small scale miners are bringing more gold but it is not reaching Fidelity. What has been done to those middlemen who are intercepting the gold? In that case Government is losing out. Thank you very much Mr. President.
(v) + HON. SEN. A. DUBE: Thank you Mr. President. I thank the Minister for this pertinent Bill. Are there any other plans that can be made because women have problems in business? I want to ask the Minister so that women may not be affected because I can see that this can be a problem to women.
(v) HON. SEN. CHIEF NDLOVU: My question to the Minister would be on the issue of the cell phone duty. He seems to have had a blanket approach to the duty that is charged for a cellphone that costs US$10 and also a handset that costs over a US$1000 that each one of these has to pay similar duty. We do realise that once the duty is paid to ZIMRA, the proposal is that the person who is paying has to go and claim the US$50 from ZIMRA - you realise that it is going to cause challenges to the poorest in the community, some of whom will be in rural areas. To try and recover US$50 from ZIMRA is a huge challenge. We know the challenges that we have with ZIMRA even if you are looking at companies that have got millions of dollars that they need to claim from ZIMRA, they struggle and it is going to be worse for someone who is travelling from rural areas to come and claim US$50 fee that would have been imposed.
Secondly, the duty seems not to consider that we are trying to have a penetration of internet access and gadgets to be used by people in rural areas and the imposition of this duty is going to further disadvantage those of our communities in rural areas. There should either be the scrapping of this duty or reconsideration in terms of the amounts that are paid. They have got to be varied and probably, the Minister should consider trying to rationalise why a certain amount has to be paid than to have a blanket approach. Thank you Mr. President.
(v) *HON. SEN. CHINAKE: Thank you very much Mr. President. He mentioned minerals but nothing has been said about diamonds – what is our country getting from diamonds? What are we doing with these diamonds? Some countries have been mining for 4 to 5 years, what has been the benefit for Zimbabwe?
(v)HON. SEN. B. MPOFU: Thank you Mr. President. I wanted to find out from the Minister of Finance as to what programmes there are to introduce the Real Estates Investment Trusts? This issue has been on the Bill for the last two or so years but on the ground, nothing has happened. We want to understand what programmes and what financing has been put in place to ensure that the Real Estate Investment Trusts are introduced effectively in Zimbabwe. Thank you.
(v) * HON. SEN. CHIFAMBA: Thank you Mr. President. I would like to know from the Minister what plans are in place to assist women and girls on the issue of family planning? If the Government does not assist on the issue of family planning, there will be a lot of abortions because of unwanted pregnancies. People will not be able to plan their families, hence they will have unwanted pregnancies. Does Government have urgent plans to intervene on the issue of family planning because many women and girls would die, trying to abort unwanted pregnancies using illegal means?
Also, what are Government’s plans with regards to Government employees who earn low salaries so that they are afforded an opportunity to import duty free vehicles? We have women who are teachers and nurses; they cannot afford to buy vehicles on direct markets because of import duty. Also the US$50 tax which Government imposed on cellphones, in Zimbabwe we earn RTGs, how are we going to get that US$50 to pay tax for a cellphone? I thank you.
(v) *HON. SEN. CHIEF CHUNDU: Thank you Mr. President. I am seeking clarification from the Minister on the issue of minerals which the Minister alluded to. He said that we have a lot of minerals in rural areas. As traditional leaders, we have Zunde raMambo. Zunde raMambo does not stand for agricultural produce only. It represents everything that comes from the soil. I do not know in this Bill, is it not proper to empower chiefs so that we are able to protect those minerals which are being taken away by middlemen? We need to have a Zunde raMambo for minerals to safeguard minerals in our rural areas. Government will come direct to us and exploit the reserves that we will be safeguarding so that our country can improve economically. I thank you Mr. President.
HON. SEN. D. M. NDLOVU: Speech not recorded due to technical glitches.
(v) HON. SEN. ENG. MUDZURI: Thank you Mr. President Sir.
The Hon. Minister has presented his Bill but I want to understand from the Minister, whether he is indicating left or right because today there was a Statutory Instrument on passports. The passports were gazetted to be paid in US$, when a common man, vanenge vasina US$, saka vanotora mapassports sei? We are saying we want to use local currency but we charge such documents like a passport in US dollars. Secondly, why is it that civil servants were given bonus in US dollars and ZIMRA staff were not given anything; they have no bonus. I know they are a private entity but they are under the Ministry. Why were they not given anything?
HON. SEN. D. M. NDLOVU: Speech not recorded due to technical glitches.
(v) HON. SEN. CHIEF MAKUMBE: Thank you Mr. President. In the previous Budget Statement, it was evident that the allocations were not tallying with the disbursements. What is the Minister going to do in order to address that problem where allocations are not tallying with disbursements? For example, the Parliament of Zimbabwe which was allocated some money last year only got a disbursement of around 50% of what it was allocated.
Further to that, I would also want to understand from the Minister how this budget is going to stimulate growth in industries. How is the local industry going to be propped up in terms of work that is not done here because the budget to me is Government’s shopping basket? So, it is there to look after a social economic problem. How is the local industry going to benefit in this budget, in terms of growth and production?
(v) +HON. SEN. N. KHUMALO: Thank you Mr. President. My question to the Minister pertains to children funded under the BEAM scheme. That money is very little and it is disbursed late in schools yet they need it for basics such as uniforms and stationery. So they do not get help to acquire those. At the end of the day, parents are forced to chip in, yet those are the same parents who would have failed to pay for those children. Most of them end up dropping out of school. Is the Minister aware of this and what is the plan to rectify this? I thank you.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): Thank you Mr. President Sir. I would like to thank the Hon. Senators for their interventions and questions. I now proceed to give responses. I will start with a question from Hon. Sen. Tongogara who inquired about support that we are extending to small scale gold producers in the middle of the year, even before this budget in the middle of 2021, I reduced the royalty for small scale producers from 2% to 1% and this has gone a long way in stimulating production from the small scale producers but secondly, we are developing what we call gold centres right across the country.
These are one-stop-gold centres that will support the small scale producers in their digging, their mining and providing them with equipment and then transportation to a central point where crushing facilities will be extended and then upon crushing and their preliminary assessment of the quantum of gold in their ore, they are paid. There is an office there, Fidelity office, Reserve Bank office, where they will receive their payment and then they again go back onto the mine and restart. These gold centres, the working model is in Bubi just outside Bulawayo airport and then we are targeting other areas such as Mapaha in Mashonaland East, among other centres. The target is 10 centres and in the budget, under the section on SDRs, there is an allocation there of about US$10 million and about US$1 million per gold centre that we are going to be rolling out this coming year.
Coming to Senator Dube, Mr. President, he enquired about the duty on phones and the same thing applies to Sen. Ndlovu who also referred to the duty on phones. First of all, Mr. President, the issue on phones is not duty. It is an enforcement levy, there is already a duty. The duty is 25%. Whenever you bring in a new phone into the country, you are supposed to pay 25% of the value or the assessed value of that phone. This has been there for quite a while. There was a time when this duty was 40% and in fact, it was reduced to 25%.
When it comes to other electronic gadgets, we have actually reduced the duty to zero. The only duty remaining is the 25% duty on phones. So what is the problem, what problem are we trying to solve? The problem we are trying to solve is that no duty of 25% is being paid by anyone who is bringing phones into the country. Why? Because these are small gadgets, you put them in your pocket or wherever in your handbag and you pass through the border. No duty is paid. We are not collecting anything. What we are trying to do is to design a mechanism that can enforce the payment of the 25% duty, hence this 50% levy. It is only payable if you cannot prove that you have paid the 25% duty. So it is not a duty, it is an enforcement mechanism to enforce the payment of the duty which already exists in the first place.
Let me turn again to Sen. Ndlovu - if there is a second part to her question. Yes, it was about that. Then Sen. Chinake, he enquired about the revenues from diamonds. Yes, we have received some revenues from the marketing or sale of our diamonds, just that in the budget I did not report that, but we are happy to report that. If it pleases the Senator, we can always report separately and give them the very accurate figures as to how much diamonds we sold in the last year or two. We are happy to supply those figures.
Then on the introduction of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), the legislation on the introduction of REITs is already in place, it is fully functional and I am aware certain private players have approached the regulator, the Zimbabwe Security’s Commission, to seek permission to launch these products. So it is my expectation that in 2022, some market players will launch REITs products. The advantage of REITs Mr. President, is that they will help us to deal with a challenge we are facing with our pension funds who have a large exposure in the property sector but have liquidity challenges in paying the beneficiaries, the pensioners and the REITs will enable them to unlock that liquidity and be able to support the requirements for their pensioners.
I now turn to the issue of family planning. The question was posed; I could not tell who posed that question Mr. President.
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Sen. Chifamba.
HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: I just wanted to say Sen. Chifamba, in the 2022 budget, we have allocated $2.48 billion towards the Ministry of Health and Child Care for purposes of dealing with family planning issues which cover issues such as for instance, improving reproductive and maternal health, dealing with new born children, adolescent health issues and nutrition services. This is under Programme 2 in the Public Health budget because we are doing programme based budgeting. If they could check under Programme 2, this is well catered for. So in terms of the budget, I think we have allocated adequate resources, now it is a matter of just the action in terms of execution which lies with the Ministry of Health and Child Care. Perhaps that is what we can follow up on, but the resources have been applied to that challenge.
Then on the issue of duty free or provision for civil servants in terms of importation of cars, this is in place. The Senator is right to raise this issue because in the budget for 2021, when I gave the statement, I put some kind of sanctioned clause regarding this benefit for civil servants but we realised that if we proceeded with curtailing civil servants from duty free importation of vehicles, this was going to shrink what we call monetary benefits substantially. So we stepped back from that to say you know what, let us continue with this provision indefinitely. That is what I have done in this budget. So that is continuing and civil servants will continue to import cars duty free. I must say I have extended that provision in this budget Mr. President, to also include Members of this august House as well as Members of the Lower House. You are now free to import a second car duty free at a time of your choice.
Then also Sen. Chifamba raised the issue of the $50 levy on phones which I have already dealt with. I now turn to Chief Chundu who came up with a very interesting concept, Mr. President, the idea of a Zunderamambo for minerals, but as things stand, the concept of Zunderamambo only applies to food. We did not extend it to other assets. So it is an interesting proposal which requires, I think further reflection, but I do not think in this budget we are able to deal with it. It is something that we will need to think carefully about, really try to understand the role of chiefs as custodians of assets in our rural areas, in our communities. That is a very big subject, which I think we will not be able to tackle under the budget, but it is an interesting one none-theless.
I now turn to Sen. Ndlovu. I could not quite hear what she was saying. I only heard snippets about cancer beneficiaries, then when I heard the word cancer, I said we have something on cancer in the budget which is the Non Communicable Diseases Fund (NCDF) that we set up by increasing taxes on the sugar energy drinks as well as cigarettes. So I hope that she was going in that direction, she can clarify but we have finally managed to take care of that and I think we are one of the first countries in the world, in fact I repeat in the world, to set up a fund that will take care of cancer, diabetes and hypertension.
Let me turn to Hon. Sen. Mudzuri, who basically said perhaps you are sending mixed signals turning left but indicating left then we turn right. We cited the fact that there is a Statutory Instrument gazetted today regarding passport fees being pegged at US$100 for an ordinary passport and much more for an emergency passport. Paying civil servants in US dollars but what about ZIMRA employees - no, we are not indicating right and then turning left. We pronounced two years ago that both the US dollar and RTGS are transaction currencies in our economy. So as Government, whenever we see it fit, we do use one currency for a specific, chosen purpose if we are trying to achieve something. By paying civil servants bonuses in US dollars, including members of this august House, Mr. President, it was to deal with inflation.
We understood that inflation, we suffered quite a sharp spike during the last quarter of the year. We were aware of the impact of that and thought that the best way to cushion our employees right across to the legislator, is if the Executive is to pay the bonuses in US dollars. This has been well received and there is no ambiguity at all. In fact, this has been well received by beneficiaries, they were pleased that we were able to do it.
On the issue of passports, if I can go back to that and maybe address an auxiliary issue which that Statutory Instrument brought about; which is a necessary Statutory Instrument because come end of 2023, the current passport of Zimbabwe as we know it will not be internationally acceptable. What will be acceptable is what we call an e-passport. So as of today, there is a new dawn, a new passport is being launched by the President as I am talking right now. He is doing that in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration, launching the e-passport which has got special features and micro-chips and other sophisticated features that will modernise our passport and make it acceptable globally.
The project was done under a Public Private Partnership arrangement PPP. It has become necessary to designate those fees in US dollars because the foreigr investors spend US dollars in investing in the project and want to be rewarded to recoup the cost of investment.
I now turn to Hon. Sen. Chief Makumbe on the allocations not tallying with disbursements for example Parliament and so forth. This is an issue of disbursements versus cash Mr. President. When we execute the budget, we check what the Vote is, and that the specific request is from a specific department or Ministry for a specific Vote under the PBB arrangement and then we disburse but the cash always follows later and the cash may not be 100% of the disbursement. It might be less, may be you may have two tranches of cash disbursements. This is normal but I must say that this issue of the gap between disbursements and cash has been exacerbated by the issue of COVID-19. In the first quarter of 2021 for example, our budget stayed the same, we did not revise it downwards but demands were still there. The cash dropped in quantity because the economic activity obviously shrunk and we saw that deep in cash both in ZIM dollars and US dollars. So right through the way, we were in a sense playing cash club in terms of our cash disbursements following up on the actual budget disbursements. We will endeavour Mr. President, to close that gap so that the difference between the two is not uncomfortable for the various MDAs.
Hon. Sen. Chief Makumbe mentioned that he wanted to know what this budget is doing to stimulate growth of industries. We are very pleased that in 2021 already, we are seeing the capacity utilisation in industries having risen, which means that there is a way which we have been conducting our policy as the budget execution that is stimulating. It comes from, I will say various angles. Firstly, it is just simple rebate on imported equipment that has gone a long way in basically stimulating industry to make sure they can access imported equipment duty free. In doing so, they are able to access foreign currency from the auction so, the budget has been supporting the auction in the sense that every week Treasury sells between US$10 to US$15 million on to the auction. Treasury never buys US dollars from the auction, it supplies US dollars for the auction and this is coming straight from the budget.
By making foreign currency available to companies, they apply for that successfully and then they buy equipment or essential raw materials, that is supporting companies and their productivity will see capacity utilisation increase substantially. In addition to that, this year we also set aside a part of the SDRs from the IMF towards retooling and again that will go a long way in supporting the industry. This is just one of the ways.
Finally, from Hon. Sen. Khumalo regarding BEAM recourses, she argued that these resources are not enough, we need to do more especially when it comes to books, may be uniforms even if school fees are covered. I must say that we are trying hard to make sure that BEAM pays on time and there are adequate resources but maybe there are special situations which the Hon. Senator is aware of which needed specific attention. This you can always bring forward to us as Government. I am happy to receive that information but also the Minister of Social Welfare is available to receive that. We really feel that we have done quite a lot to support the BEAM programme as part of the product social protection programme that this Government runs. I thank you Mr. President.
Mr. President. I therefore move that the Bill be now read a second time.
Motion put and agreed to.
Bill read a second time.
Committee State: Wednesday, 15th December, 2021.
SECOND READING
APPROPRIATION (2022) BILL [H. B. 15, 2021]
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): Mr. President, the purpose of this Bill is to give effect to the Main Estimates of Expenditure for the year ending 31st December, 2022, which I tabled to this august Senate on the 25th November, 2021. Section 3 of the Appropriation (2022) of 2021 Bill charges the Consolidated Revenue Fund with a sum of ZIM$858 316 712 000 which relates to the 2022 Vote Appropriations. The Vote Appropriations are meant to finance projects and programmes identified under the National Development Strategy 1, in line with the vision of His Excellency the President of Zimbabwe, Hon. E. D. Mnangagwa of a prosperous and upper middle income economy by year 2030. This should consolidate our efforts towards macro-economic stabilisation critical for ensuring sustained macro-economic growth and social transformation. Government has also transitioned to programme based budgeting whereby the Vote provisions are linked to specific projects and programmes. The 2022 Budget policy measures include, among others; -
- Strengthening macro-fiscal stability;
- Consolidating the Agriculture Food Systems Transformation Strategy that seeks to guarantee food security;
- Advancing the policy on value chains and value addition for purposes of job creation and growth;
- Enhancing public service delivery including social protection and infrastructure development;
- Strengthening governance;
- Continue with the reengagement process; and
- Climate change mitigation and energy security.
In consolidating of macro-economic stability, a prudent fiscal policy complimented by tight monetary policy is being pursued under the 2022 Budget. This entails containing expenditures within the Budget, non-recourse to Central Bank financing, continuation of monetary targeting and improving the foreign currency auction system.
Section 6 (1) of the Bill empowers the Minister of Finance and Economic Development to transfer funds already approved by Parliament between Votes in respect of a function or responsibility transferred between ministries and departments during the course of the fiscal year.
Section 6 (2) of the Bill allows discretion to the Minister of Finance and Economic Development to transfer funds from the Unallocated Reserve which appears on the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development Vote to any other Vote as and when the need arises in order to meet inescapable expenditures.
In addition, and if necessary, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development can vary the amounts so transferred by taking back any surplus for reallocation to other Ministries to meet demands that may arise.
Mr. President, I accordingly move that the Appropriation (2022) Bill be now read a second time. I thank you.
(v)*HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: Thank you Mr. President. I would like to thank the Minister of Finance for the fund allocation he made to different ministries to enable them to function well. I am grateful for the funding of the Ministry of Agriculture. As we all know, agriculture is the backbone of this economy. It was well deserved given the broadness of this sector in the country. All sectors within this Ministry were all well catered for. This funding will go a long way in assisting farmers and ensuring a good harvest for the country. We are thankful for the construction of dams as they will assist in irrigation given the climate change we are experiencing as a country.
The Minister has done well by funding of the Anti-Corruption Unit. May those working in that unit be well resourced and funded so that they can execute their mandate without hindrance. Even funding of the defence forces, I know a lot of people dispute this because they question why we fund soldiers when there is peace in the country. It is during this period that I believe we should train and make sure that we are well prepared for anything that may threaten our peace. A good example is the war in Mozambique. We should make sure that we are prepared and it is during the period of peace that we are supposed to make sure we are prepared.
Now for the Ministry of Health and Child Care, as mentioned by the minister, if we make sure that we are now into production of these medicines in the country, we will no longer have a problem of foreign currency needed. People are dying because there is no foreign currency to assist them. If that is done, it will be very helpful. It is my desire that there be an establishment within the Ministry of a department of preventative services to make sure that we are in a position to fight any threatening diseases, thereby cutting costs for the nation. A good example is the COVID-19 pandemic that has hit us again as a nation. Its impact has been reduced as we have a lot of people vaccinated against the disease. Thank you very much Mr. President.
HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: Mr. President, I really thank Sen. Tongogara for a comprehensive intervention and understanding of how we have gone about allocating the budget in some of these critical ministries. Starting with agriculture, she carefully went through the various programmes that we are funding in that budget of $124 billion and I thank her for carefully noting all aspects of that budget. I will not repeat but just to say this is very important that the budget is trying to speak to the whole notion of food security. Without food security, we would be in a bad state as a nation.
She also went on to commend the budget for the Anti-Corruption Commission, especially on the prevention of corruption. We have a whole item on prevention of corruption in the budget that we allocated a specific budget. This is a very important issue and we respond to the call from Anti-Corruption Commission to allocate a budget for it and she has noted this as well.
Coming to the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans Affairs, it is a very important Ministry and the comment that sometimes you need to invest more in this kind of a Ministry during peace times because you have the time to do so; the time to think, reflect, plan and strategise, and she is right. That is what we have tried to do as well in these peaceful times. We have been investing in the development of the cantonment areas for the military and their mobility in terms of vehicles.
Also, keeping improving on the notion of a military salary because members of the service cannot go on strike and so, they always need special conditions in terms of their emoluments. We are trying, it is never easy. We have also been revamping their equipment. I have to mention the issue of vehicles and also mobility. She is right that we have to continue to invest in defence and security during peace times and that is what the budget seeks to do.
Coming to the area of health, again, she has noted four buckets in which we have allocated the budget for the Ministry of Health. She mentioned specifically the issue of preventive services. This issue I thought that is kind of subsumed under the allocation on public health, that is where the issue of preventive services is subsumed. Perhaps she is suggesting something in future to say perhaps in future, we should separate it to let it stand out separately and I think that is a good idea indeed in future budgets to take that into consideration. I thank you.
Motion put and agreed to.
Bill read a second time.
Committee Stage: Wednesday, 15th December, 2021.
On the motion of THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE), the House adjourned at Fifteen Minutes to Four o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Thursday, 9th December, 2021
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two o’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair)
MOTION
FINANCE BILL: BUDGET DEBATE
First Order read: Adjourned debate on motion that leave be granted to bring in a Finance Bill.
Question again proposed.
(V)HON. MUSHORIWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to add my voice to the Budget that was presented by the Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Development. Madam Speaker, I want to start by saying that the Budget Statement is a major political and economic statement by any Government. For that reason, the Budget Statement should always be credible to such an extent that members of the public, the business sector and everybody, including the international community can read into the plans and future of a country, based on the Budget Statement by the Hon. Minister of Finance.
It is unfortunate to state that our Budget for the past two years has been missing the target in the sense that the Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Development has been failing to …
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Mushoriwa, you have already debated on that motion, you cannot debate again.
HON. MUSHORIWA: I presented a Committee Report. So if your ruling is to say that when the Chair presents a Committee Report, he/she has already debated his/her own feelings about the Budget, then it means that every Member of Parliament in this august House – because we all belong to different Portfolio Committees, we cease to also participate in the debate because our contribution has already been factored into the Committee reports. My reading of the Standing Orders Madam Speaker does not relate to issues of a Committee Report, but relates to a particular motion where a Member cannot debate twice, not necessarily when you present a Committee report which is not an individual Member’s report. That is my reading of the Standing Orders.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Mushoriwa, you are wrong on that. If you presented your Committee report, that is it, you will not have to debate again.
HON. MUSHORIWA: I think I will seek the Counsel to Parliament to have a relook into it because I read this and also did a thorough reading of the Standing Orders, but if your ruling is that I should not debate, I will stand guided - but I actually think that it will be a wrong interpretation of the relevant Standing Order.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: You said you will seek clarification from the Counsel to Parliament, it is alright, you may go ahead. Thank you.
HON. MPARIWA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. Let me begin by thanking the Hon. Minister for presenting the Budget proposal for 2022. I will not be long Hon. Speaker, I know that a lot of work has been carried out in Portfolio Committees, in the workshops that we have actually conducted as Parliament...
(v) HON. NDUNA: On a point of order Madam Speaker. I am very sorry Madam Speaker, because I am on virtual, I raised my hand and hoped you would recognise me on a point of privilege, because once a debate has been started, I might not be able to present it. It is on issues to do with presentation of our debate on ICT – if you allow me Madam Speaker Ma’am.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Nduna, but you are saying if the debate has already started you cannot stand on a point of privilege and it has already started.
(v) HON. NDUNA: I wanted you to recognise me because my hand has been up and I hoped you would recognise me.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I did not see it because there was no hand.
(v) HON. NDUNA: It is still raised Madam Speaker, but I just asked that Parliament shares...
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: You raised your hand after I had recognised Hon. Mpariwa.
(v) HON. NDUNA: No Madam Speaker, I ask that Parliament shares their e-mail address so that whatever it is that we cannot present for the Minister of Finance, we share it for the Hansard on their parliamentary e-mail address so that all the notes are compressed in that write-up and we do not use anything. This is my clarion call and request. Thank you.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Whatever you want to share Hon. Nduna, you will be given time to debate.
HON. MPARIWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I earlier on acknowledged that I want to appreciate that I will not be long on this platform for the fact that you will realise that we started with the budget pre-workshop and post-budget workshop and a lot of work has been covered in Portfolio Committees. I really want to appreciate even the presentation of the reports by Portfolio Chairpersons. I was listening carefully so that at least we get to know whether all is encompassed in the reports.
I stand here to acknowledge and add my voice to those who have spoken before me, I think when we say the people’s budget and pro-poor budget, we need to mean it in both actions and implementation. Implementation cannot be done if there is no sufficient allocation for those particular activities. I hope and trust that the Minister when he says a pro-budget, it is really that it is targeting the people and it is pro-poor. I am saying that because the emphasis is that because you will realise that most of the issues that were unpacked in the reports will affect women if there is no proper allocation or adequate allocation.
For example, if you say for any rural development - you say borehole drilling, if there is inadequate allocation in terms of water treatment, even rehabilitation of some of the equipment to allow water to flow, it means it impacts on women and it means it impacts on children and people with disabilities. So my plea to the Hon. Minister is that he needs to look at the allocations in terms of the human factor. Whatever affects the human face becomes a priority and it becomes pro-poor if that sector is allocated adequate resources that will make the category of people comfortable or to appreciate that we have catered for it.
Again Madam Speaker, with enablers, for example like ICT gadgets, cell phones, etc, it is my fervent hope that the Minister will re-look and rethink in terms of getting more resources around those ministries and portfolios so that at the end of it all – because you can see that we are less than 10 here and everyone else is in their places doing parliamentary work. Therefore, it goes without saying and I do not need to belabour this point, that ICT has become the only game in town when you want to debate or do meetings, etc.
I would want to persuade the Minister that when he does the improvement in terms of allocation, when he does his priorities, he should also prioritise that. If you are to go to school, you know that Covid has spread everywhere else and schools have been affected and children are back from school. They are in their homes and spaces. They will use the gadgets and their cell phones. I am appealing to the Minister that we really need to have the pro-poor approach in terms of deed and actions and action means implementation so that enough resources are allocated.
I will move on to the issue of rehabilitation in terms of every other Government building. You are talking of ZIPAM and Senga Training College. Those colleges are colleges that are there to promote skills in terms of communities. It is my appeal to the Minister that he also needs to look at that because that has become essential. Hotels have not been comfortable to civil servants. They have not been safe because Government does not own hotels but those places that I am talking about, the institutions that were there yesteryear need to be rehabilitated. There is need for more money and for the Minister to see whether more money is put there.
The next one is on grain or GMB – the facilitation of getting the maize to the communities and having the maize being treated where they are supposed to be at the GMB, there is need for the Minister to look at this particular Ministry. Without further ado, I appeal to the Minister to look at a human being and health. When you talk of health, you are talking about the whole human being and you are talking to anyone who is supposed to be moving and breathing. With the increase in COVID numbers and COVID detection, it is more sophisticated now that we need to be ready and we need to support that Ministry as well so that there is enough detection equipment that will get us on board as a country.
I would want to appreciate that the Minister looks at the Ministry of Education in terms of support; our own teachers in those institutions are running away because the environment is no longer tenable. So I hope that when the Minister allocates resources, he should have priority ministries that he takes care of, that he says even it means all money there, then I will also put all the money rather than leave this particular Ministry. So Madam Speaker, I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity and appeal that the Minister will have to rethink and accommodate some of the issues that I have highlighted within the budget. Thank you.
HON. MARKHAM: Thank you Madam Speaker for this opportunity to debate. My main concern is the issue of oversight Madam Speaker. As Parliament, we are supposed to have an oversight on the Budget and the finances of the country. My issue is, if we look at the Budget allocations, up to nine months, agriculture has spent 171%, finance 135%, energy 131% for example. These are repetitive offenders. It is not the first Budget that these people have spent more than they were allocated without the Minister either advising us or bringing it to us.
The issue that really worries me is the issue of allocations. How can National Housing at this stage only have 175 of the Budget allocated to them, the Lands Commission 27% and Parliament only got 33%? With the issues of corruption that we have, we only receive 33%. My issue is, not one of these ministries have changed in the last three years as being - what I call repetitive offenders for overspending. My question is; what is the point of us all sitting here and arguing about allocations of Budget as part of our oversight if it is not followed anyway?
I do understand particularly with Ministries like Agriculture that there are changes depending on seasons but why are we not informed before? Sadly, we cannot have oversight after the event. That is why the various acts give us 60 days to correct the wrong doing and in many cases it is not corrected. My issue on our Budget is, I believe and I am very concerned because we are always short of money in the last two or three years versus what we budgeted that our revenue must be obviously overstated.
I would like to move on to my second point which is our bilateral partners. The USA with over $340 million, the UK with $49 million and the EU with $31 million as bilateral partners are substantial donators to this country despite the abuse we give them in Parliament. In multi-national organisations like the Global Fund and the World Bank, these are at the top. It must not be understated that the Global Fund is giving us $222 million. My concern with our bi-lateral partners, and I find it very ironic, is that our erstwhile all weather friends - the Chinese are not listed. They have a paragraph and I have noted here, paragraph 157 in the presentation, which statement refers to the building of the Parliament, pharmaceutical warehouse, drilling of 500 boreholes and Covid vaccines. I know the Chinese have done a lot more than that and I do not see why they cannot present and have presented to us exactly the same format as every other country in the world. It is simply wrong that they get a different treatment. It worries me because it is obvious to me that there is no oversight on all of these loans and grants on the simple basis that we do not have a fact of how much money is involved in these loans and grants. If we want to maintain the East, we must also consider that countries like Japan and Korea give us some substantial increase.
My third point Madam Speaker is on the Special Drawing Rights. I stood up in Parliament two or three weeks ago and questioned the issue of the Special Drawing Rights and when we would be appraised as Parliament as to what was going to happen with regards the money that is going to be drawn. The Speaker himself asked me in Victoria Falls at the Pre-Budget Conference – he actually said to me, were you there because if you were there, it was cited that it would be covered in the Statement? It is covered in the Statement and we found now that already $311 million has been spent without appropriation or condonation from Parliament. Of the $311 million, $144 million went to roads, $77 million went to Covid and there is a reserve of $280 million. My question is, the forex reserve is fine and what the Minister expended on is also fine but it should go to Parliament first.
The other issue that concerns me is that the auction rate allocations in some cases are 12 weeks behind. Even the small and medium forex allocations are starting to delay. These all pertain to oversight. The Budget is well and good but when there are changes, when we have issues and when we get a windfall like the SDR, we must be very accountable because from where it came, we obviously want to be considered as being able to manage grants.
My biggest concern which is my fourth point is on our debt accumulation. The Hon. Minister has brought up that we have to look at enquiring and condoning the debt of $3,3 billionby the RBZ. That is a huge sum but what concerns me is the debts that are being kicked down the road. The Global Bids Settlement for example, which is mentioned is $3,5 billion. We have a Financial Adjustment Bill of $9,6 billion. Of the $9,6 billion, I would like to draw the attention that 54% of that Bill is for agricultural land not repaid.
We also have the Afrexim Bank loan of $1,4 billion which has not been appropriated by Parliament as we speak. We have the Chinese debt which I appreciate. It covers about $190 million and it covers Hwange, RG Airport, TelOne, poverty alleviation, education and smallholding irrigation. In the pipeline, we have Hwange 1 to 6 for $310 million and the Covid. However, we need details of all this to be put down comprehensively so that we have a total that we can appropriate and we know what is borrowed and what is granted. By issuing this debt, if this comes to fruition and I am correcting my analysis, we have a huge debt problem on the arising and this is not in my view, putting a Budget Statement accordingly.
Madam Speaker, the last issue I would like to talk on briefly is agriculture. Agriculture is fast becoming our nemesis. We have got about 1,2 million tonnes against 2,7 million of wheat. However, our second major import in the first nine months this year is maize to the tune of $110 million. I am concerned that the maize issue is costing us more than it should. If you encompass this with all the debtsand I will mention the debts briefly, all of them with CBZ, we have got recovery rates of 26% for winter maize. We lend $76,8 million and we have got a recovery rate of 0,6%. Our maize of $21 billion, we have got a recovery rate of 22%, similarly soya beans we have got a recovery rate of 15%. My problem with this is very simple. Despite the Minister telling us that he has privatised all the agricultural loans, he might be privatising in the sense of giving them to a bank. However, the man who is going to cover the loans is the man in the street by paying his taxes. All our maize subsidies are duty cost. We need a detailed breakdown on these issues.
My final point and this concerns me bigger than anything. In mining, some of the big questions and announcements that came up in Parliament but only in passing from the Minister of Finance was the formation of Kuvimba. Kuvimba with all its mining assets and evaluations over billion dollars have not been brought to Parliament for us to understand what is going on. We are already in November and some shares have been paid up and without mentioning to the commercial farmers’ compensation, why has this not been brought to Parliament?
Fidelity Printers, the Minister announced to Parliament that some 6 to 7 miners have bought share obits to Fidelity Printers. Fidelity Printers is a brand and not printers of the gold side. We purchase our gold from there and we are privatising this and Parliament knows none of the details. We have other issues, banks have been privatised without us knowing, we should know so that we can argue all these points and when it comes to the budget, we know what we are talking about.
In conclusion Madam Speaker, I have a serious issue about the reality of oversight of Parliament. I do not believe Parliament has any oversight, I firmly believe that the Minister and the Cabinet ask things and things are picked down the road and only given to us in Parliament at the very last moment when it is too late. My concern very simply is by the time we discover all these, it will be too late for Parliament to do anything. I round up on $3,3 billion that has been placed in front of us from Reserve Bank, Reserve Bank guarantee 2,9 of that. We have absolutely no alternative but to accept that debt and that is not oversight. I thank you.
(v)HON. C. MOYO: Thank you Madam Speaker for affording me this opportunity to also add my voice to our National Budget for 2022. My first concern is that the National Budget is not mentioning the number of jobs to be created in the year 2022. May the Hon. Minister tell the august House how many jobs are to be created, it will be pleasing to hear a figure.
Secondly, civil servants are getting their bonuses in USD as a token of appreciation by the Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Development acknowledging that ZWL is no longer working. So, why not budget using USD, a stable currency so that our citizens will be happy.
Thirdly, there is a mis-match when ministries reported their requests, they were totaling $2,7 trillion Zimbabwean dollars and in his wisdom, the Minister of Finance gave us a budget of $927 billion which is not even half, because 50% of $2,7 trillion gives us about $1,350 billion. So the Ministries were very clear to say in 2022, they want to do certain things - for example, the Minister of Industry and Commerce requested $40 billion and they were given a paltry $3, 9 billion. How then is the Ministry of Industry and Commerce going to re-tool to innovate and even to resuscitate ZISCO Steel which has been on National Budgets since 2018? How are they going to capacitate and resuscitate the industry? There is need for the Hon. Minister to revise the allocation which is given to IDCZ so that our companies can be revived.
Fourthly, let me take for an example, Ministry of Foreign Affairs which requested in their initial request ZWL13 billion and they were given only ZWL14, 9 billion. Madam Speaker Maam, they have got salary, rent arrears, they have some stipends to pay, they need to refurbish and make sure that our embassies move from their deplorable state. With this money, surely, the image of our country is at stake and this will affect the engagement and re-engagement process. In a nutshell, this will affect our NDS 1 running from 2021 -2025, our Vision 2030, our SDG’s as well as agenda.
Surely, Hon. Minister of Finance must sit and say the image of the country is at stake and make sure he increases the Vote given in place of Foreign of Affairs accordingly.
Fifthly, this is to do with energy – there are serious power shortages, serious load shedding in our constituencies. This is affecting our citizens, industries, forestry and ZESA. When the Hon. Minister of Finance happens to sit down to revise and revisit the Vote given to our Ministries, he must sit down and say, this is not addressing our citizens’ issues needs and aspirations. This is my submission that as he sits down, he must consider all these issues for the betterment of the country. I thank you.
(v)HON. WARTSON: My first concern is that there was not a specific exchange rate given for use in budget calculations and tax calculations. Given that between the 13th September 2021 and the 7th December, there was a 21% change in the exchange rate against the USD.
Also not one of the Committee reports in terms of the social services, health, education and social welfare presented a report that painted a picture of sufficient allocation, timeous allocations. This to me is a huge concern, having a budget which then only for example, by September only 46% was released defeats the objective. As Hon. Markham has pointed out, where do we fit in without the oversight role in terms of that because by the time we get to debate, it would be probably too late.
So once the Minister has said that the increase of our budget in real terms, what will be the projection of the allocation from January to December next year in terms of exchange rates against USD?
Also in terms of water, Bulawayo requires water. Again the dam is still not completed or even near completion. Bulawayo is faced with severe water rationing because we have insufficient access to water. These are issues that are of concern to citizens and the rest of us.
The Ministry of Energy and Power Development, Bulawayo and other areas are going without power through the lack of capability of ZETDC to repair the infrastructure which is being vandalised. Therefore, equally ZRP or whosoever is responsible for stopping vandalism is failing energy to the nation and the Minister seriously needs to possibly change his priorities to relocate these issues. Also I am concerned about the drag if parastatals and also the cause of the drag. Do we know how much they contribute to the fiscus or they are not. My other concern was that he has proposed certain taxes and levies which will ring-fence towards unhealthy issues. However, some time ago a 5% airtime levy was proposed at internet, one assumes and nowhere is one able to find out what has happened, was the revenue followed and has it gone to health? For example in Zimbabwe, people want a share of that as Hon. Labode mentioned, but now international funders are withdrawing. Thank you Madam Speaker.
HON. MBONDIAH: Thank you Madam Speaker for giving me this opportunity to also add my voice. I will particularly look at the budget in respect of the Auditor General’s office. The AG’s office was allocated $3.4 billion, out of a requested budget of $958 billion. The AG’s office is a critical office and must be fully funded to ensure it discharges the duties effectively. She is responsible for auditing all Government Ministries, parastatals and Local Government.
Madam Speaker Ma’am, we are now in a serious era of digitalisation and the AG’s office is expected to move from manual system so that they audit reports and they are produced timeously. Therefore, I would like to urge the Hon. Minister of Finance to revise their allocation upwards, from a paltry $300 million allocated for digital upgrade, which require an amount of $856 million.
The Audit Office is only housed in Harare and has no offices across the nine provinces in the country. Now that we are in the fourth wave of COVID-19, travelling to other provinces during this pandemic will be very difficult. Therefore, I call upon the Hon. Minister of Finance to also revise the budget upwards so that the Audit Office has adequate offices across the country to efficiently gather data for the production of reports. I thank you.
HON. TOGAREPI: Thank you Madam Speaker for allowing me to also contribute to this budget debate. I would like to urge the Minister to continue to support the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). Our economy is running around the strength of this area. I think 60 to 80% of the people, if my statistics are correct, are employed in those sectors. Giving support to these areas, not only in urban areas but I would really request that the Minister provides resources deliberately for the rural economies where most of our people live, work and contribute to the economy of this country.
Things like coming up with processing of agricultural produce in the rural areas, without taking what is produced in Mutoko, Gutu or Tsholotsho to an urban centre, buy small machinery and process agricultural produce in those communities. This will go a long way in creating incomes for people and also improve their livelihoods.
The other issue I want to talk about is related to tax, related to mobile phones. In my view, this is a very important tax. I would only recommend that the Minister look at the structure but the idea of having a tax on mobile phones and many other luxuries; it is very important. Why do I say that? How are these cellphones bought? Are they bought through the formal financial system or they are bought through externalisation of foreign currency without going through the financial system? If this tax is going to encourage our people to use our financial system, then this is a very important tax.
The Government can come up with a tax for every phone, given its size and cost, fine but having this tax will help us deal with externalisation. If you look at the number of phones, if you go to the Gulf area in Harare – go to any other place where these malls are, they are full of cellphones. These cellphones are bought through very unclear ways. In a way this disrupts our economy. This disrupts even our reserves because foreign currency is not going to our financial system.
So Minister, I want to encourage that you look at how you can – because people are arguing around chimbudzi costing US$10, now you want to charge US$50 on top. I think those are the details that can be dealt with, but dealing with luxuries or imported items that are brought into our country when they are not imported using our financial system, is very dangerous for the management of our economy.
The Minister and the monetary authorities should just be aggressive in dealing with the parallel market. If we look at our prices, I do not think they are driven by any challenges in our financial fundamentals. Everything is speculation. Everything is driven by the parallel market. How these people in the parallel market determine the price of the United States dollar against the Zimbabwean dollar, nobody knows. So, what we should deal with is the parallel market and the economy will stabilise. There is a missing link. We do not have a prescription to deal with it. They do what they want. They run the economy. It is like they have got a free move. They can do whatever they want. I really want to raise it with the Minister and the RBZ to deal with the parallel market. It has to go. Obviously, it cannot go totally. The parallel market is everywhere in the world but we cannot have everybody selling foreign currency at will. If you go to any corner in Harare today, they do it.
If the Minister does not have enough laws to deal with this, come back to Parliament and let us come up with a law that will deal with the parallel market and our prices will stabilise and then you can run your budget with no challenges. Our budget becomes very predictable, but at this juncture, with the behaviour of these people in the parallel market, whatever we are planning here overnight can be changed by these criminals in my view.
So Minister, I will also urge you to put so much money, if you can, in supporting women and youth economic activities through the Women’s Bank and the Empowerment bank. If we are really serious to encourage new business or new business ideas coming from the youth, let us empower the Empowerment Bank by giving them enough capital to support youth initiatives. We have youth who have ideas but they go to banks that are charging interest rates that are not even economic. It is like everybody, including the banks today, they are running a parallel market economy. They charge parallel market rates. So we can empower the Empowerment Bank by giving it enough capital and also giving it direction because it looks like they forget that they were created to support youth who have no collateral security, who have circumstances that will not allow them to secure their loans, but they have got ideas that must be supported.
So I want to say Minister, let us support Empowerment Bank and Women’s Bank especially for these banks also to support the rural economies that I was talking about. It is very critical because these are very active players in our economy. Minister, largely when I look at your budget presentation, I am very excited that if these areas that are not very economic in nature are dealt with, you will really fight. I think you should not be fighting things like inflation because our inflation is derived from the parallel market. What we need to deal with at the moment is the parallel market and once the parallel market goes , people can borrow from the Zimbabwean dollar and if our banks are supportive of Government policy and Government thrust, then the economy will stabilise and production will be increased in every sector, but the challenge is, nobody can predict what tomorrow is going to be like in terms of pricing. So if they think something tells them that tomorrow morning prices will go up by 50%, they just wake up and increase the prices and to ask them why they have increased the prices, they will say they are scared of what the parallel market will be like tomorrow.
So Minister, let us fight the parallel market. Let us try by all means to encourage our people to bank, to use our financial system, to use our banking system because if you ask everybody in the streets here, they have got pockets full of United States dollars. Where they got that, whether they have withdrawn them from the bank or not, you will find that nobody has ever banked but they have all that money. That foreign currency is an important and scarce commodity for this country. We should find a way of protecting it and encourage our people to bank.
Lastly Minister, I encourage you to come up with a way that will encourage diaspora support to our economy. If we look at the US$1 billion that came from the diaspora, it means our people out there really want to work with our economy. They really want to support what Government is doing and also buy and develop assets in Zimbabwe, but we need to come up with instruments that will encourage that. It is a source of income at the moment, maybe competing very well with our gold, diamonds and with other minerals in terms of earnings that we find coming to Zimbabwe. What have we put in place in the budget that is going to encourage more inflow from the diaspora? What is in it for them as they support our budget? In as far as they send money to Zimbabwe, they want to see value on their money that they bring to Zimbabwe.
I think we need to come up with strong instruments, encouraging instruments so that the diaspora supports what we are doing. Many economies are run and are supported by the people who are out there earning incomes but they want to work together with their Government or their country. As a country, what have we put in place in our budget that is going to support diaspora support that we are getting? I thank you.
(v)*HON. NYABANI: Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like the Minister to have a closer look at cotton farmers. You should prioritise paying cotton farmers after they have delivered their produce. Seventy-five percent of the economy is largely supported by agriculture, so the Minister should make sure that farmers’ needs are met, especially cotton farmers should not just farm without getting paid.
Coming to the issue of ICT which is now the new normal because of the COVID -19 pandemic, let us ask ourselves how much has been put in this sector in the budget. People now meet virtually; people now do everything virtually. How much have you invested in network infrastructure upgrade so that children in the rural areas are able to conduct online lessons? A country does not develop without electricity. We are all having challenges pertaining to electricity. What does your budget have to cater for electricity in rural areas Rural Electrification, we had put poles but the poles are now being consumed by termites and the rural areas have not been electrified. [Part of the speech not recorded due to network failure.] We want Government workers to be well looked after because the country cannot move forward if workers are not happy. What is our budget saying about workers’ wages? This is my contribution Hon. Speaker.
(V)HON. RAIDZA: Thank you very much Madam Speaker – [HON. GONESE: Can I proceed.] – Order Hon. Gonese. Hon. Raidza proceed.
(V) HON. RAIDZA: Thank you very much Madam Speaker for affording me this opportunity to debate. I want to add my voice to the budget that was presented by Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Development Hon. Prof. M. Ncube to this august House. Thefirst point that I will talk about is regarding the release of funds to Ministries. I just want to add my voice there. It is very difficult as well to have a balancing act when it comes to these issues as national finance management. I want to encourage our Hon. Minister to try and make sure that at least the releases are given to the user ministries in time. I want to talk about devolution as well because that serves as a very important constitutional requirement. If you look at our budget, we allocate money to devolution but this money is not always released in time so I want to encourage the Hon. Minister to make sure that in his releases, he also prioritises devolution funds.
When we talk about inclusive growth or inclusive development in our community, devolution was coming to exactly do that. The issue of devolution Minister, you need to take it with the seriousness it deserves. There are a number of issues around the devolution - we understand there are monies that are given to local authorities in the advent of the enabling legislation. There is need for very strict monitoring and evaluation so that the citizens of this country get the value for those funds that would have been released to the local authority.
The other issue that I also want to talk about is regarding taxation. I understand the Minister is proposing that we must have a cellphone levy. This levy in paragraph 600 to 602 looks like the Minister wants to encourage people to pay the 25%, which is more like the presumptive tax on the cellphones. The way the Hon. Minister has presented it that is where I have some reservation. The Hon. Minister was proposing that even if you pay 25% at ZIMRA, he will still need to pay the US$50 dollars cost at the cell phone operating companies, then after that then you come back again to ZIMRA and claim your money.
I think if we really want our people to be compliant with taxes, we need to make the whole process simpler, easier and friendly even to use. If we make the whole process complicated like that, that you need to pay at the Customs then after I pay I go to the cellphone companies then I pay another US$50 then I come back again to ZIMRA then I claim the money and this money must be paid in 30 days. I think the process becomes cumbersome, it becomes even more discouraging. So we need to come up with a smoother process that will end up encouraging our citizens to pay taxes whenever they purchase their cellphones. The other issue is on the issue of the 20% motor insurance fees. I want to propose to the Minister that I think it is high time that we establish what we call motor vehicle accidents fund. The Hon. Ministers said in this statement that 20% must be paid to Consolidated Revenue Fund then it will be administered from there. If we propose that everything must be administered from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, we end up getting challenges. So I propose that we adopt the best practices even that we are seeing in the region that many of the countries in the region are also having the motor vehicle accident fund. What happens during accidents - there are a lot of things that happen during the night, people get injured and they need special treatment? A whole lot of things will need to be attended to especially when accidents are involved. So, I want to propose to the Minister to say I think if he establishes a fund through the Ministry of Transport, I think it will be easier for citizens to be in a position to access this fund whenever they got involved in accidents.
I want to talk about the issue of fiscalisation, our Minister had been bemoaning about non-compliance when it comes to fiscalisation, that is why our Hon. Minister was also proposing that from now onwards, they will be using the systemised input invoices. That is progressive but I think we need to look at other ways because we have a number of companies that are equally also transacting in cash, US dollars and the ones who are not accepting electronic transfer and all these kinds of things. How is our Hon. Minister going to make sure that these people also contribute back to our fiscus through payment of value added tax?
We have a number of companies, if we go down town there, there are a lot of these foreign owned shops, they are all selling in cash, they do not accept any other form. So how will these people account for both their income tax and their value added tax? If you go to the industries, there especially where they are in the business of selling groceries and wholesaling those people are making huge amounts but these people are not contributing anything to the fiscus.
I want to encourage the Minster that it is high time that ZIMRA must be seen to be doing something that will benefit this country because we are losing a lot of money in that regard. On the issue of the withholding tax, where our Hon. Minister also proposes it from the current 10% to 30%, I want also just to encourage the Minister to look into that issues very seriously to say the 30%, will it not even encourage people to be non-compliant by raising it up to 30% while people were not complying with this 10%. I think in these issues there was a lot of corruption that was involved because the withholding tax mainly dealt with the Central Government but with private sectors, how is our Hon. Minister going to make sure that some of these companies withhold the 30% that the Hon. Minister is proposing. So I think as a way of encouraging our companies to always be good standing when it comes to tax issues, I think we need to have more incentives for these companies as well.
The other issue that I want to touch on is to translate what you have been talking about since 2018 about parastatals getting into real and productive work. Our parastatals I think by this time, we need to see them contributing significantly to our fiscus, but currently many of our parastatals are not doing that. So ZERA must be encouraged and be funded from this budget to make sure that they move with speed and make sure that at least those parastatals that need to be privatised and capitalised, those things are done on time to make sure that they are supported so that they render services to our citizens and also contribute something to our fiscus. So we need to move with speed in that regard.
Support to the SMEs, I have a proposal to the Minister that either empowerment of the Women’s Bank, SMEDCO or the Ministry of Women’s Affairs need to be given some significant amount so that at least they will be in a position to support our women and youth. If they are not given enough money, then we will not be in a position to move forward as a country. Our President always says that no one should be left behind but we must move forward together. My proposal is that we need to move away from giving these our women and youth money without giving them any business advisory support.
I propose that we need to either empower the Women’s Bank to come up with what we call factory shells and incubation centres. We need real incubation centres so that whoever is given money by the Women or Empower Bank goes through the training and education on business planning, management and taxation issues or even to go further in the incubation where we can even employ experts in taxation who do this planning so that they help our women and youth to become successful. Our goal must not just be to give our youths and women money but if we want them to be successful we must also support them with business advisory services.
On the issue of SDRs in terms of paragraph 146/148, I understand the Minister has proposed how he wants to use the SDRs. I am in agreement with what the Minister has proposed in his Budget Statement because if we look at his proposal, we are seeing that much of the money he is proposing, he wants to use it in support of agriculture and at the same time, putting some money in reserves for some contingencies. I support the proposal. If we support our infrastructure development and agriculture, I think we will be in a position to achieve Vision 2030 as has been enunciated by His Excellency, our President Dr. E.D. Mnangagwa.
Lastly, I want to look at the issues of agriculture. I want to talk about the activities of the army or agricultural commodity exchange. We know there is a lot of activity and a lot of excitement from the women, young people and the elderly. We all want to do something in agriculture. Minister, I want to encourage you to give more money and support to the army so that they become visible, operational and help us as farmers to make sure that at least as we will be doing our work, we know that our produce will always have a market. We are seeing in rural areas, many of our irrigation farmers are doing a lot of work there but at the end of the day their produce is not finding a market. We want the army and ZimTrade to be well funded so that they come to the party and support our agricultural recovery strategy.
The other issue that you have to look at Minister is the support that we can give to our Agritex Extension Officers. They have been doing so well if you look at the last farming season. They have been working so tirelessly. So the issue that you started in terms of supporting them on tools of trade like motorcycles, accommodation, laptops and other tools that they need, you need to continue with that. It is very progressive. We are seeing that support translating into productivity.
The last issue regarding farming is, as you are aware that the 2021/2022 farming season looks very promising, I want to encourage our Minister of Finance to put more money into GMB for our grain reserves so that our farmers will be paid on time. We appreciate what we have been doing in the 2020/2021 farming season. Farmers got their money on time and I want to encourage you to continue and budget more money for this initiative in the 2021/2022 farming season so that our farmers will continue to be encouraged and motivated to continue tilling the land. I thank you.
*(v)HON. TEKESHE: I would like to add my voice to the budget debate. I have participated four times in the budget process but I have noted that ministries like the Ministry of Health are not properly financed. We just give figures but nothing materialises and even Ministry of Education. These ministries are not benefitting that much especially those in the rural areas who are poor.
Going to the Ministry of Health and Child Care, there are no medicines in the hospitals yet there is a budget allocation to the Ministry. Does this imply that the Minister is just prescribing a budget and not doing what he says he will do? People end up going to prophets and traditional healers because they cannot afford to go to pharmacies and private doctors where medicines are found. These are our key ministries and it is important that the Ministries of Education and Health are funded. If these ministries are not capacitated through financing, then nothing goes well. We plead with the Minister to allocate more funds so that we have access to medicines in our hospitals and our children are educated.
Hon. Minister, it is important that people benefit from our social welfare which must be well funded. Looking at the agriculture sector, yes I agree agriculture is the backbone of our country but that is where we are losing most of our money. If you look at the way funds were being looted through the Command Agriculture, you wonder where we are going. So if you are allocating funds for Command Agriculture, you need to put stringent control measures so that you do not continue giving inputs to people who are doing nothing and bleeding our fiscus. You need to take measures to plug in holes where there are leakages. I thank you.
(v)HON. GONESE: Thank you Madam Speaker. The 2022 National Budget is anti-people. I am not happy with the Budget for various reasons which I am going to outline in my contribution. Madam Speaker, we would have expected the Hon. Minister to come up with a pro-poor budget aimed at poverty reduction. As we speak, it is common cause that the majority of the people of Zimbabwe are living a life of destitution. People are impoverished. This is because over the last few years when we were going though economic turmoil, people are poor, there is a lot of poverty, people cannot make ends meet; they cannot bank and bring food on the table.
The first point I want to make Madam Speaker is that the Hon. Minister should be real. The reality of the situation in Zimbabwe is that people do not have confidence in the Zimbabwean dollar and this is the reason why there is the parallel market. It is because of the confidence. I am not an economist but I believe better in common sense and the people of Zimbabwe also have got common sense. If you just go on the streets Madam Speaker, you should be aware that if you ask for prices from vendors, whether they are selling tomatoes, bananas or even wild fruits, they are always quoting dollar for so much because they believe in the currency of the United States of America and not in our own currency.
I believe that the Hon. Minister should be brave enough to tackle that elephant in the horn. If we go down memory lane in 2019, I think it was Statutory Instrument 142 of 2019 which deemed the Zimbabwean dollar to be the sole legal tender in the country and outlawed the use of multi-currencies. However last year, the Hon. Minister through the Exchange Control Regulations reneged on that officially after realisation that people have continued using the USD. The first point I want to make is that there have been calls from various quotas, both from economists and non-economists that the way to go is to accept that the dollarisation, the Bond Note as it was called then was trading at about 1:3. I remember there was a time when members of the Zimbabwean Executive were boasting that the RTGS was the strongest currency in the region, that is at the time it was trading at 1:9 but where is it now? Officially it has gone above 100 but in the real world where the majority of transactions are taking place, it is trading at 1:180 if you are lucky otherwise it is close to hitting the 1:200 mark. Even at the official auction rate, it has now gone above 100 after a long time when it had been artificially pegged at around 89. My submission Madam Speaker, is that the Hon. Minister should eat the humble pie and accept that it was a brilliant idea to say that firstly, we are going to have exclusive use of the Zimbabwean dollar, only to backtrack and say that no, we are going to allow limited use of the United States dollar. The reality Madam Speaker, is that if you look at one even if we had been in the House, everyone in their pocket has got US dollars. The reason is that no one believes in the fiction that the Zimbabwean dollar is a valuable currency. People do not believe in it at all, even the Government itself. When you look at what they have done in respect of our bonuses, yes it is going to benefit pensioners, civil servants but on the other hand, when you look at the other side of the coin, it is an admission that the Zimbabwean dollar has lost its value. People say they do not want it. Teachers unions, doctors, nurses and all civil servants have been saying that they want their salaries to be paid in US dollars. Why is it so? Madam Speaker, when you look at the provision that people are going to be paid bonuses, it is not being very beneficial because I was hearing from Mutare where I come from, that people have been stranded in queues, sleeping overnight waiting for the disbursement of the money. Some of the banks were saying what was put on paper in the banks does not match the physical cash that they got.
The long and short of it Madam Speaker, is that Government itself is not able to avail sufficient dollars, the reason being that people are withholding their dollars. People are putting their dollars under the pillow. Not many people are keen to trade on the market because they know of the consequences as a result of our policy inconsistencies. We had in the past people losing their money in banks, so people are very reluctant to put their money in banks. Where they have got a choice, they would rather be comfortable putting it under the pillow, the mattresses at the risk of being robbed. Robbers have been targeting people whom they suspect to have money but the bottom line is, if the Hon. Minister was to bite the words and accept that this experiment with de-dollarisation has not really worked. Go back to the drawing board, wait for an opportune time where production has increased, where we have dealt with the other economic fundamentals, that will then be the appropriate time when you can say that we can now revert to the use of our own local currency.
I know that you can be proud as Zimbabweans that we want to use our own currency but at the end of the day, if people do not have confidence in it, it defeats the whole purpose because we will just be maintaining the fiction that our base currency is the Zimbabwean dollar but the majority of transactions are being conducted using a currency which is not our own.
My main point is that this Budget is not going to achieve the intended objective because as it is, it is now close to $1 trillion. The reality is that it has been going up over the years but in real terms, you may find out that there have been no real increases because it is just a manifestation of inflationary pressures of the inflation that we continue having in the country. I believe that this budget is not going to curb the issue of inflation. It will continue unabated and it will be fuelled by activities on the parallel market. I know that a lot of people want to blame traders and so on, but my respective view is that the majority of people, including Government itself do not have confidence in the currency itself. That is the reason why so many measures are being implemented, even the punitive tax on cellphones is pegged in US dollars. Nothing is being pegged in Zimbabwean dollars. If you look at when people are importing goods, duties are now levied in US dollars. Why do we not just go the whole way and accept that at this point in time people do not believe in the Zimbabwean dollar?
Having said that Madam Speaker, I will just deal with a few other issues which I think are very critical in our country. The first one relates to the Health Budget. I think that it is important for the Minister to really clarify what is the correct position. From my understanding in the presentation, it was stated that Health be allocated 14.9% of the Budget but some analysts claim that this $111.7 billion, unfortunately I have not had site of the Blue Book myself, so I do not know of the actual figure which had been allocated to the Ministry of Health. It is important for the Hon. Minister to clarify this one because it has been stated by some analysts that in fact that amount translates to 12.7% of the Budget which will then fall short of the Abuja Declaration. If it is really 14.9%, then we are getting closer to the target but that needs to be clarified. The most important thing is the fact that these releases – it is an issue that has beenraised by those that have spoken before me, I do not know why we continue to have this problem whereby the 30th of September, most ministries do not receive half of the bids.
In terms of the releases, it is important for the Hon. Minister not to take the people of Zimbabwe and Parliament for granted. It is imperative that whatever has been allocated should be disbursed as soon as possible so that we do not continue having this scenario where for example as at the 30th of September, the majority of ministries would have not received their money.
The last point that I am going to talk about relates to children. Children are the future of this country; they are the future leaders and parents. I believe that ministries which are dealing with children like Health, Public Service and Education should have more money allocated to them in respect of issues relating directly to the children themselves. We have issues of BEAM under the Public Service and we have had scenarios where monies have not been disbursed timesouly and it is important that when the Minister deals with his allocations, the monies are not just inadequate but in addition to that, they are timely released so that the monies can serve the intended objective.
It is also important that we have sectors like the Children’s Parliament. We have a situation where it is not getting enough budgetary support. We need to have more interaction between the main Parliament and the Children’s Parliament. Recently we had the formation of the Child Rights Caucus and the reason is because it was realised that issues relating to children have not been adequately dealt with. We have got a scenario where children are half of the population but the allocations of the Budget in relation to child activities is only about 10%. We now need to have a matching of what is allocated to children and the percentage of the children.
Having said that, I think it is important that the Hon. Minister goes back to the drawing board and attends to the fundamental issues which have been bedeviling our economy. It is only then that we will be able to have economic recovery. If we continue hiding behind a finger we will not get anywhere. The reality of the situation is that the people of Zimbabwe do not have any confidence whatsoever in the Zimbabwean dollar. It is important that confidence should be restored and before it is restored, let use a stable currency so that if we have our budget crafted in US$, we know that in January we would have more or less the same value in December and not the current situation. I rest my case.
(v)HON MUCHIMWE: Thank you Madam Speaker for affording me this opportunity to speak out. As far as I understand, the Budget is just so sound and what I have to add are a few items which should have been included in the Budget. The Budget of this country must mainly focus on agriculture. Any stable country is supported by agro-based activities. Production of food stuffs must not be effective during rainy season only, but be active during autumn and winter by providing protective fencing and harvesting water so that farmers can do production of foodstuffs even in winter when there is no rain.
What we want in the rural areas are dams and boreholes. Thanks to His Excellency for road rehabilitation. Production of food will find its way to urban areas where people do not work in fields or farms but need food for survival. Many farms are lying idle while cities are congested with men and women who could be producing quite a lot if they could go to the farms.
Another area where Government is losing money is at tollgates.So much money is lost at these areas because of a slow method of collecting money from travellers. Some people cancel their journeys due to fear of frustration at tollgates thus reducing what could be collected per day.
Last but in no way the least, I would like to talk about the Chiadzwa predicament. Large sums of money find its way in the hands of dealers who have support from the outside world. A clinical eye must focus on PVO for the support they intend to give to our people. Our people become very lazy because they are given money by PVOs and NGOs. People must be seen working. If someone needs help he must be given a hook so that he can fish. The PVOs are causing havoc in our country.
When I was a school teacher sometime ago, I used to get Z$170 per month and it was enough for me and my family. This time teachers are getting thousands of dollars and it is not working. The US$ is a worm that is destroying our economy. Find a way of letting this money out of the country. It must reside in Government coffers or these big entities who should buy raw materials from abroad and not on every individual on the streets. Government must arrest all these people who have US$ on the streets. I thank you.
*(v)HON. R.R. NYATI: I want to add my voice on a few items in relation to the Budget that was presented to this House and how the Budget can accommodate all of us as one country. My contribution is that when the Hon. Minister is budgeting he is not budgeting looking at what he has but he is looking at what the nation requires then he also determines what will be allocated to the RBZ and what revenue can be raised through trading. Because of the economic environment, some plans might be disturbed by the macroeconomic environment.
Mining companies and agricultural entities will be closed, this means that the money which we were expecting to come will not be disbursed in the amounts that we expected. The suggestion that I would like to give, which I have heard some Hon. Members alluding to the Minister is, when they are allocating funds to ministries, they should do so but they should not give other ministries exceedingly high amounts of money.
As we were analysing the Budget Statement, we noticed that by end of September, there were ministries that had received allocations of more than 100%, meaning that they were proceeding to dip into the Government’s fiscus before other ministries had their allocations disbursed. This also includes the Parliament of Zimbabwe. If I remember very well, by the end of September, Parliament had received only 33% of their allocations. However, we have to understand that Parliament of Zimbabwe is the most important institution compared to all the ministries because it is the one which provides oversight to all the Government ministries. So if Parliament of Zimbabwe is not given enough money, it means that its oversight role will not be done and Ministry officials will just get into their offices, hang their jackets and go back home as no one will be checking on their accountability. Portfolio Committees will be unable to go out on fact finding visits and public hearings so that they can ensure issues are settled in time. So I would like to urge the Minister that as they disburse funds to ministries, they should also consider Parliament of Zimbabwe because it is one of the important institutions in the day to day running of our country Zimbabwe.
Hon. Speaker Ma’am, I would also like to speak about a very important issue of the causes of inflation in our Zimbabwean economy. We are observing that there is a lot of cash circulating and not being banked at our local banks. What is the reason for that? The reason is that if you bank your money, it does not earn any form of interest. Instead, one is charged for keeping the money in the bank and the amount that is debited is too huge such that one does not understand how it is charged.
The Government came up with a good programme of the foreign exchange auction where foreign exchange is sold such as the United States Dollar, Pounds and other foreign monies. Although we speak about it that it is good to have the foreign exchange auction in order to control the rate of inflation, inflation is still high because people keep their cash and sell it at the parallel market. We see this happening but nothing is being done about it.
We have been talking about this issue for several years but no action has been taken to avert this. In English they say, ‘thinking and wishing and not doing anything about it does not help at all.’ So we are just thinking and wishing - we are just the same as a door which just pivots at the same place yet covering a big distance in kilometers. That is what we are doing, we have identified the problem but we are not providing a solution to it. I request that for those who are concerned about this problem, let us rise up in time and ensure that laws are put in place to make sure that there is only one Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe and not allow individuals to act on behalf of the Central Bank.
Madam Speaker Ma’am, I would like to speak on the cell-phone levies as alluded to by others. Now, I view this as bad advice. It is important to just put in place a tax so that the one who is selling a cell-phone is taxed immediately after the purchase. When we were in Victoria Falls, we all saw the importance of cell-phones, even the smallest phones. There was a very important innovation to ensure that children in rural areas are able to study using very cheap cell-phones and viewing subjects and books as they study in their areas of residence. We should support technology so that it reaches everyone and such technology can be found in the form of a cell-phone. However, we are closing this development to the extent that a cell-phone will become a very expensive gadget and it will be difficult for children in remote places to afford this gadget. I would like to ask the Minister to look at this in light of this vision.
The other important issue is that most ministries, including those covered by our Portfolio Committees is that disbursement of funds is being delayed. This late disbursement of funds to ministries affects the turnaround time of their objectives per year or per quarter. So I encourage the Minister of Finance and Economic Development to look into this issue so that funds are disbursed in time and that our work is carried out in time. Madam Speaker Ma’am, the timely disbursements of funds to ministries will help us to carry out our oversight role in a smooth manner. In addition, oversight is done well when our Members and staff of Parliament are happy - this will ensure that the whole nation performs well. There is no Ministry without a Portfolio Committee which has an oversight role over it. This means that we will be able to monitor the work of all ministries and if anything goes amiss, we will quickly observe and necessary action is taken and our economy will stabilise. I would like to thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am for giving me this opportunity to say a few words on my views towards the development of our economic wealth. I thank you.
HON. GANDAWA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I have a few items I want to add in terms of contribution to our National Budget for 2022. The first point I want to discuss is on how the Budget is going to support our youth. Over the years, there has been that deliberate effort to say let the Youth Bank or the Women’s Empowerment Bank take the lead in terms of supporting our women and supporting the youth on providing financing facilities. I want to encourage the Minister of Finance to have a relook at that model. You would notice that the balance sheet of both the Women Empowerment Bank and the balance sheet of the Youth Bank are not big enough to be able to sustain funding youth in all the ten provinces. I was going to suggest to the Minister that instead of just focusing on the Women’s Bank and the Youth Bank, why do we not open this facility to all the banks that are in Zimbabwe so that they provide provisional funding to our youth and to our women?
I was going to suggest that it will be the best interest of Zimbabwe to be sure that all the banks that are represented here in Zimbabwe or that have got major shareholding here in Zimbabwe, provide support to the youth not necessarily confining it to the Youth Empowerment Bank or to the Women Bank. They do not have the capacity to be able to go and raise deposits on the market. The big banks that we have in the country, be it CBZ, Standard Chartered, Barclays, they have got the capacity on the strength of their balance sheets.
If we say let us confine ourselves to supporting our youth or supporting our women on the basis of the two banks that we have put up for them to be able to benefit from, it will be a bit expensive on the part of traders to be funding those banks in terms of deposits. Over the years, these two banks - the Women Empowerment Bank and the Youth Bank have not been able to go to the market and raise enough deposits for them to be able to on-lend to the customers. I thank you.
+(v) HON. O. SIBANDA: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir and good afternoon. I would like to add my voice to what others have already submitted with regards to the Budget presented by Hon. Minister Prof. Ncube. I would like to thank him with the Budget that I think would assist the country going forward. I would like to add my voice with regards to the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture with special focus on the Empower Bank. The money allocated to the Empower Bank, I think Empower Bank is the micro-finance, so if it is micro finance, the Minister knows that the interest rates charged by micro finances are too high but why is he not making it easy for the youth to benefit? Looking at the employment and empowerment of youth, the money they are allocated under loans attracts high rates. Is it not possible to have these loans changed from loans to grants?
The same should also apply to the Women’s Bank because if it is given out as loans, those monies end up not being paid. If they have been given $500 million, this amount is supposed to be loaned to people with high interest rates yet it should empower women. So it should be grants instead of loans. Still on the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture, right now money allocated to this Ministry is not enough. It is a quarter of the money they had budgeted for. They are tasked to look after the National Sports Stadium. I think this stadium should have been given its special allocation, not to have it included on the Ministry’s budget because that stadium requires more money for its refurbishment. Still on the same Ministry, the money allocated to vocational training centres is not enough to refurbish theatre centres, it is not even enough to cater for artists.
Looking into agriculture, that is dams - if Hon. Prof. Ncube allocates so much to agriculture, at times he should be precise. For instance in Vungu Constituency, there are dams that do irrigation like Shangani. That money should be allocated to that particular dam so that we are able to do monitoring and evaluation for the Government projects that we will be doing. If this is given as a blanket allocation to agriculture, most areas will not get any allocation and priority would only be given to those dams that have collapsed dam walls for instance.
This is why I am saying there should be a targeted approach. On the devolution funds, it is a good approach brought about by the Second Republic. We are grateful for that but the allocation, for instance in Vungu Rural Council, last year we were given $133 million but what we physically got was $60 million. The remainder of the money is not brought forward to the budget of the following year. So we would have lost but in front of people that we would have informed, we would have indicated that we have been allocated so much yet that money would not have been disbursed to that particular council.
So our wish is that if Vungu Constituency has been allocated $133 million, let us have the whole amount disbursed in January or February so that they are able to do all the projects set forth for the year. Looking into the Parliament budget and the Members of Parliament’s welfare and the CDF - right now some MPs are still trying to get CDF yet we are now talking of the next budget and it has been eroded by inflation.
Our wish is that in January and February, CDF should be released and given to Hon. Members so that they are able to work especially those in the rural areas. The Minister promised to resuscitate constituency offices and there will be researchers for the constituency. Therefore, my plea to the Minister is that constituency offices should be built on time so that we are able to work well. Right now, some of us are in rural areas – it is not even clearly indicated where MPs can meet up with the people and we end up meeting them behind the shops, which is what we cannot continue to do because it denigrates our status as the Executive or the Judiciary. We should work in a way that people feel proud in what we do. For instance, seeing that here is an MP coming and he has a proper meeting place and they can listen to him.
I also want to look into the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme. I would want to ask the Hon. Minister to make it a point that there is a follow up to make sure that DDF, CMED and Rural Councils have enough equipment to be able to maintain those roads in good shape; that is proper maintenance. Without monitoring, after such huge sums of monies are put into refurbishments of these roads, all these monies will be put down the drain and this will take us back. My plea is that the Hon. Professor should look into the fact that monies are allocated. Bank charges are too high. Right now if I leave US$40 in my nostro account, by next year March, there will not be any cent because of bank charges, why? The same goes to our Zimbabwean currency, the RTGS. It will be better if the Minister takes that money from the bank charges to help the youth.
I will also want to touch on the cellphone charges – they are charging people too much like ecocash. This is what Prof. Ncube should look into and if possible, take that money to assist Government.
I also want to look into retention fees in parastatals and Government departments. This is the last issue I want to touch on. Look at departments like VID, they make people pay and remain without any money. Registry does the same and all the money is taken to the Reserve Bank system. For instance, VID fails to buy bond paper and ZRP also fails to buy the same paper with all the money that they collect from fines. They take it to the Government funds and are left without anything for their day to day running. My plea to the Minister is that from the money they collect, they should keep 3% to 5% for operation costs. Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir for this opportunity. I thank you.
+ (v) HON. L. SIBANDA: Thank you Mr. Speaker for giving me this opportunity. I would also like to air my voice on the Budget presented by Hon. Prof. Ncube. There are areas where we are not happy. The Minister indicated that the Minister of Health has been given a certain amount of money but my concern is we need to get that money on time. In most cases, we get money that is less than the one allocated to that particular Ministry. We are suffering here in Zimbabwe. When we get to hospitals, we do not get drugs that we are supposed to be getting. If ever one is supposed to get x-rayed, they are not able to afford them because they are expensive and in most cases they are not working. Therefore, our request to the Minister is that the budget allocated to the Ministry of Health and Child Care needs to be re-visited so that an addition is considered. Looking at issues to do with family planning, they are not allocated enough. You end up realising that quite a number of children, especially girls get pregnant because they are not able to get family planning that they require.
Mr. Speaker, did the Minister look into the issue concerning those people living in the rural areas with regards to distances that they travel to health institutions? For example, if I am to look at Lupane, people walk long distances to get to health centres. My request is that the Minister should look at getting this money that has been allocated to the Ministry on time and not to give that money after it has been eroded by inflation.
Hon. Speaker, I will also look at the issue of devolution. Yes, councils were given money but my issue is with regards to the small allocation that was given to these councils. He quoted the money in US dollars but they are going to be allocated the money in RTGs, which in most cases is allocated to these councils after it has been eroded by inflation.
Did the Minister also look into the issue regarding the usage of these funds appropriately? The people that are supposed to monitor on the usage of these funds to make sure that the allocated funds are put into good use, the Minister should also look into this issue.
I will also look into the issue of money allocated to the Ministry of Women Affairs - I do not know what the Minister will be thinking of. Women are the ones carrying the country’s economy, if only the Minister could consider giving these women more money so that if women go to the Women’s Bank for loans, they do not encounter challenges with regards to being charged more interest rates. The Women’s Bank is there to support women in order to empower them. However, the money allocated to this Ministry is not sufficient. This Women’s Bank should also be found in the rural areas because the money allocated to this bank is only going to be distributed to those people in the urban areas.
I will also talk of the issue to do with the Bureau De Change, Hon. Minister, Bureau De Changes should be found in the countryside, for example in areas like Tsholotsho, Sipepa, Lupane and not to only in urban areas. Imagine a teacher who is earning very little, he or she will be expected to board a bus from the rural areas to town…-[Technical challenges]- Why is the Minister not making it a point that from this month of December, everyone gets USD because almost every other transaction is done in USD? Hon. Minister, let us all use USD as a transactional fee.
On the other issue that pertains to illegal money changers, why is it that the money that they are circulating is not found in banks, especially with regards to the illegal exchange rate? Let us have a similar exchange rate on the one being used by these illegal money changers.
On the issue of salaries of civil servants – may the Hon. Minister see to it that Members of Parliament have their salaries increased? We are not getting much right now; may the salaries get increased?
On the issue of cellphones, this money that is being said should be paid on cell phones is not necessary because if we are to say an elderly some-day in the rural areas is supposed to pay that figure, where will they get that money from? Right now, we are in the festive season and visitors will be coming from other countries, what is the Minister saying about them? Are they also supposed to be paying cell phone tax? I thank you.
(v)HON. MOLOKELA-TSIYE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I just wanted to share some of my points but I take note of your guidance that some of the issues have been raised. The first thing that I want to raise is that I am disappointed in this budget because it comes at a time when Government has said that austerity measures have come and gone, that the budget is supposed to be pro-poor. However, when we look at the budget, you realise that Zimbabweans are one of the most taxed citizens of the world. The Minister is proposing new forms of taxes, in particular the unpopular proposal to charge in USD for cell phone taxes. It is really unacceptable at a time when we want to make sure that as Zimbabweans we allow people to have money to consume so that we can quick-start our economy.
The other issue is around austerity measures; we have heard the Minister said that there is surplus money yet our pensioners, those who worked loyally for the country for many years - if you look at the money that they are getting, you will see that they are getting peanuts. That is an insult to all the years of loyal service. As a country, we are doing something very immoral. I want that surplus to be re-allocated to the pensioners so that there is an increase in their monthly stipends.
This point also applies to civil servants, our nurses, our doctors and teachers, they also need a maximum rise. So we are appealing to the Minister to make sure that there is a massive pay rise for civil servants. More importantly, I want to appeal to the Minister to make sure that the budget allocation and budget disbursements, there is no grade disparity because what we learnt in 2021 is that a lot of money was allocated to ministries but by end of September, most of the ministries had not even received 40%, this includes Parliament of Zimbabwe which received less than 40%. So disbursement is a major issue, it makes this budget a mockery as long as we get to the third quarter of the year and ministries have not received even half of the allocation. So in 2022, we want to see a marked difference.
I also appeal to the Minister to work with all the relevant authorities, Reserve Bank to make sure that the hyperinflation that was in the country comes to an end. It is clear that the budget is denominated in RTGs but on the ground in Zimbabwe, everything is now in US dollars. So, hyperinflation is very high. Before we even received the disbursements, whatever amounts we have been allocated has been affected by hyperinflation. So, there is need for the Minister to come up with strong measures to end this situation.
Parliament of Zimbabwe is one of the three arms of the State, then there is Judiciary and the Executive but what we see in the 2022 Budget is a continuation of treating Parliament like a junior partner in the three arms of State. In 2021, Parliament received less than 35% of its due allocation by end of September. It has been crippled in terms of capacity and operation. The Minister must make sure that Parliament gets its allocation on time so that it can play its role as the third arm of State and a legislative arm of the State.
Also in particular, we now know that Parliament has got issues such as CDF, where people in communities are expecting Members of Parliament to come up with development projects that are of high impact. To my surprise, most of the time the CDF that is allocated is very small and it cannot make any high level impact in communities. Even that small amount is not coming on time. So this year we are allocated $2 million each, but it came in the second half of the year and some have not received their CDF allocation as of now. So, most of that allocation has already been affected by hyperinflation.
For 2022, the Minister needs to make sure that it does not happen. Hon. MPs are operating offices, three years after the Minister promised that there will be allocation of funds to ensure that at least they have constituency level offices, support staff, allowances to do their work in constituencies, this has not yet happened. This is crippling the capacity of Parliament to work as the third arm of the State. For 2022, we are challenging the Minister to ensure that this comes to an end. Parliament must be fully empowered. Parliamentarians must be fully empowered to ensure that they play their role in a very effective way.
I also want to highlight issues around high level development projects, for example in Matabeleland North, year after year we have seen that allocation and disbursements towards high level development like the provincial hospitals have been very minimal. I am challenging the Minister to make sure that Matabeleland North finally has a provincial hospital. The progress has been there since you were appointed as Minister but the hospital for Matabeleland North is still yet to be completed. We urge that there be allocation that is going to ensure that finally Matabeleland North has a provincial hospital.
In addition, the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls has become a death trap. A lot of accidents are happening between Bulawayo and Victoria Falls because of the bad state of the road. I am urging the Minister to ensure that funds are allocated to the relevant Ministry to make sure that Matabeleland North does not continue to have a road that is a death trap. If you are travelling along Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road, you will see a lot of potholes and a lot of animals are straying there; a lot of accidents are happening. We want that to come to an end, especially knowing that Victoria Falls is now a city. Victoria Falls is now the tourism hub of the country. We need to make sure that the road is fully restored. We need to ensure that Matabeleland North, which is one of the most underdeveloped provinces of the country does have a chance to help the local economy.
In terms of water supplies, I am also challenging the Minister to make a statement around the Zambezi Water Project. What is the Government project which was supposed to make Matabeleland a green ground of agriculture, which was supposed to boost the economy of Matabeleland? What happened to the Zambezi Water Project? Can the Minister make a position on the Government funding for the Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project? Thank you Mr. Speaker.
(v) HON. JOSIAH SITHOLE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Having noted that a lot of issues have been covered, I just have two issues which I want to raise. The first one is economic development. We have to make sure that there is sound communication. You will find that we have got certain areas, for example in my constituency, where you have 10 wards and only two are reachable. The others, you cannot phone; you cannot get any access. Such areas, I think they need to be considered as dangerous zones because our Vision 2030 says we should not leave anyone behind. Now if we have communities like that, they are definitely going to be left behind.
You will find also, we are talking about the issue of digitalisation which was supposed to have started as far back as 2015. Yes, we are on it but it is mirrored with a number of challenges that have to be addressed. We visited some transmission sites where you would find the infrastructure is there but people are not able to access the facilities which are coming from such infrastructure because they do not have such gadgets as pethlone boxes which should be provided so that their TVs can go digital. This is quite a challenge and in terms of ICT, where we have got no base stations and no facilities like electricity, we still have very serious challenges considering that COVID-19 is here to stay with us. It is quite a threat if we are not going to improve on that. What are our children going to do in terms of learning? What are our communities going to do in terms of accessing essential information? I think we need to look critically into that because information is a basic tool for economic transformation.
Mr. Speaker Sir, we have been talking about BEAM. As far back as 2019, we have been talking about providing uniforms and stationery for the children but this is not happening. Those children who are being affected end up dropping out of school because that is not being fulfilled. I am also a bit disturbed by the continuing falling of the budget for the infants. We realised that our education now has been relying on online learning. Now children in ECD or Grade 1 can hardly have that facility and make use of it meaningfully. Otherwise ICT is more usable for people who are grown up, who are in the senior grades or upper class because they will be having more knowledge, which is required for them to do ICT. Now if we reduced this money as it has happened, it means to say these children that are going to be taught for these years when there is COVID-19 and so on, they are going to be a very difficult generation where they may graduate from infants – it is from infant where we start the actual teaching of a child who will develop later. I thank you.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I will touch on five issues. The issue of ICT was mentioned in the budget, in particular in the Blue Book. The issue of the Gateway solution Mr. Speaker Sir. I want to applaud the Minister, but I want to go further and say may the Minister reverse the deal with GVG because there is no Government capital capex or capital outlay. There are companies which are offering $1 billion to $2 billion advance payment for establishment of a gateway solution which companies are also able to go to International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and apply and audit for 15 years which is going to see what was due to Zimbabwe in retrospect Mr. Speaker Sir, which goes into trillions of dollars.
So the companies that we speak to and about are offering US$1.5 billion to US$2 billion advance payment without any lead for collateral or anything from Zimbabwe. I applaud the Minister for realising that establishment of the gateway solution or an International Call Termination Centre is the way to go. US$1 billion, US$1.5 billion is a quarter of our budget.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the second issue that I want to applaud the Minister for is the 20% remittance from third party insurance which does not also take into account those other insurances in the COMESA insurance sector and otherwise but centering on the third party insurance, pretty much along the same line as S.I 47 (2005) that has 12.5% remittance to Traffic Safety Council. I applaud the Minister for taking 20% from third party insurance because for a very long time third party insurance has been used by delinquent insurance brokers and insurance companies to meet their own ends without any benefits to the motorist. It is applaudable that that is going to be used to establish Accident Victim’s Stabilisation Centres first and foremost at all toll gates and also attend to victims of road traffic accidents.
In Chegutu West Constituency, we have established two road traffic accident victims stabilisation centres. I ask that the Minister of Finance and Economic Development takes this money and capacitates such establishments so that we can save 70% of the lives of people that are involved in road traffic accidents within the first hour after the accidents so that they do not die because of their injuries.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I am aware that there are about five deaths per day due to RTAs and also 43 injuries per day, which translates to a person getting injured every other 30 minutes potentially being disabled for life. So I applaud the Minister for that. I go further, Mr. Speaker Sir and propose that he applies the stakes in retrospect, even for 15 years on the methodology and on the formula that he is using, that is 20% removed from the money that has not been claimed by RTA or road traffic accident victims. It is a known fact that there is a low rate of claim on the third party insurance. I also propose that he goes to all the insurances. There is insurance for tobacco, health insurance schemes and targets monies that have not been claimed by subscribers. So it is my hope and view that he can actually go further to other portfolio insurances in the same insurance sector because for a very long time, the insurance sector has been having unfettered access, Mr. Speaker Sir.
The third issue that I want to touch on is for the revitalisation, rejuvenation and rehabilitation of our road infrastructure in particular. I applaud the Minister and his Excellency the President Cde. E. D. Mnangagwa in the Second Republic for taking 5% of our national GDP towards the sprucing up of the Beitbridge-Masvingo-Harare highway and embarking on the ERRP using the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development. I want to propose that the Minister should not continue to do the same thing the same way over and over again and expect a different result.
I want him to put down his foot and encourage; through a Statutory Instrument - through an Act of Parliament, the mines, large scale mines in particular, to revitalise, rejuvenate to reconstruct and also maintain the roads that they are using in the places where they are mining their ubiquitous amounts of mineral wealth, Mr. Speaker Sir. It is possible and it is only just and it is right for the Minister to do as such. So I call upon the Minister in his budgetary statement, in the same way he proposed the 30% remittance from third party insurance, to make sure he brings to a screeching halt the issue of the unfettered access and plundering of our resources by the large scale miners leaving gaping holes and leaving dilapidated, deplorable, disused and very bad state of our roads, Mr. Speaker Sir, so he can put in a Statutory Instrument. All these that I have mentioned above are all proposals for revenue generation mechanisms.
I also want to go to the fourth one Mr. Speaker Sir. It is on water and sewer reticulation systems. In section 72 (7)(c) of the Constitution, it mentions that the people of Zimbabwe should be enabled to assert their right to learn. Mr. Speaker Sir, the people in the urban areas have not been given this right, because there are laws that are archaic, moribund, rudimentary, antiquated and medieval and such laws are the Urban Council’s Act, Section 205 (7)(1) that mentions that in the urban area, there are three options of disposing of land. One is the one to sell and the second one is to lease, then there is a third and most appropriate one that needs to be aligned to the Constitution, it is for the urban areas to donate that land to would be owners.
What this does is it reduces the amount paid towards Housing Infrastructure development and servicing of that land in the urban areas. I speak like this because there is an Act of Parliament that has given the people in the rural areas land for free, the A1 and the A2. Now it is time for the Minister of Finance and Economic Development so that we can spruce up our water and sewer reticulation system first and foremost by availing the land to the people in the urban areas for free. The land for free so that they pay for the improvements and the infrastructure development.
How is that paid for? That the Minister of Finance and Economic Development makes the Central African Building Society (CABS), National Building Society (NBS), NSSA, Old Mutual and all these other institutions go back to their core mandate of providing mortgage financing so that we can have a pay for your house scheme in Zimbabwe so that we can have financiers and these banks coming in to improve our robust, resilient, active and efficient water and sewer systems, Mr. Speaker Sir including and noting on the list the roads and all other offsite infrastructure development. Otherwise we will continue to have deficiency in clarifiers and sedimenters, these are where raw water is collected, this is where it is clean and this is from where it is pumped in the locations and into the urban areas. The starting point should be an Act or a Statutory Instrument that allows the alignment of Acts of Parliament to the Constitution in the Act that I have applauded, without which we are not going anywhere.
As I conclude, in point number 5, I want to reiterate that with a Gateway solution, and international call-termination sector, what happens is, ZBC gets to be paid for its content that it has created. You remember the…
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. KHUMALO): Hon. Nduna, you have said that point, I think it was heard, can you conclude please.
(V) HON. NDUNA: You remember the content, the U-tube - content that went viral when the point of madness where Hon. T. Mliswa and yours truly were at each other’s throats, it had about 10 million views. What it means is, the diasporans and everyone outside Zimbabwe is still able to view that content Mr. Speaker, but there has not been any benefit both to Hon. T. Mliswa, myself and to Government. The point I seek to make is, there is content that can be paid for and there are taxes that can accrue to the Minister of Finance through content creation and WhatsApp and all other videos and other areas, especially if we create that international call termination centre. Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity to vociferously, effectively and robustly debate on the 2022 budget and also ask that the Hon. Minister gets the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission to retain 50% of all the ill-gotten wealth so that they can run their budgetary affairs, I thank you.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Let me begin by expressing my deep appreciation to the presentations made by Hon. Chairpersons in their analysis to the 2022 National Budget which I tabled in this august House on the 25th of November 2021. Allow me also to acknowledge the quality of the contributions made by the Hon. Chairpersons which show that indeed there have been extensive and deep public consultations on key priority areas which require serious attention. These contributions range from the size of the ministerial allocations, the coverage, departments or programmes and other pertinent reform issues. It should be noted that budgetary allocations are guided by the growth in GDP which is projected to be 5.5% in 2022. This is how much within the size of the national cake it is going to grow in real terms, 25%.
Once we do that, we work backwards to work out the amount of revenues that we will then generate out of this growth. From that calculation, we come out with revenue generation capacity of the economy of RTGS880 billion. This is on the back of a very stable tax revenue to GDP ratio of about 17% per annum, that gives us RTGS850 billion. Of course, this is against what the various departments and ministries had requested, which is almost RTGS3 trillion. So the request was way above the capacity of the economy to generate these revenues. You know that we cannot access international capital easily because of the high level of indebtedness - we are not able to access those resources easily. We have to clear those arrears first before we can access. The expenditure ceiling is provided for under respective Votes, they are also a function of the overall projected revenues. Inasmuch as we might want to spend beyond the projected revenue, we have to be mindful of maintaining our budget deficit below the 3% GDP target.
There is a SADC standard which says that the budget deficit within the region must be 3% and below. Therefore, even if we try to spend beyond what the economy can generate, we will never shoot that ceiling and we will be out of line with the rest of our sister countries around us. We certainly cannot afford that. It should also be noted that the 2022 National budget seeks to address key national events such as the national census preparatory work, 2023 harmonized elections and now we have got the by-elections - I guess coming out at some point in 2022. Furthermore, Treasury prioritised effective delivery of various Government ministries by allowing them to fill in vacant posts in spite of the general freeze. We have a freeze but we still allowed certain posts to be filled because this was really critical, especially in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the National Prosecuting Authority, among others - the freeze was waived.
Noting a suggestion by the Hon. Members also to consider the adoption of Public-Private-Partnership as an alternative form of financing the implementation of some critical projects and programmes, Treasury is in full support of this initiative, including the financing of the same programmes through loans where it is possible. So we welcome this suggestion of partnering the private sector through PPPs for these projects to be delivered.
Treasury will endeavour to disburse the allocated resources timeously; this was raised by several Committee Chairpersons and several Members of Parliament that we timeously disburse resources. We will endeavour to do this; the process obviously is a two step process where we do a budget release and then follow that with a cash release and it is also cash that delays implementation because we have to live within the cash that we have collected. Therefore, we are not able to borrow or receive resources from abroad. We will endeavour to make sure that we timeously release these resources. Members have also noted the bad state of some of the Government buildings and offices and the 2022 National Budget will pilot an enhanced maintenance programme targeting the free scale rehabilitation and upgrading of buildings.
I want to come back to the issue around the ICT sector. From the ICT Portfolio Committee and other interventions, there is a plea that we should remove duty on ICT gadgets. I want even to make Members of this august House to know that duty on ICT gadgets was removed a long while ago, whether you are looking at computers, laptops, scanners, printers, bulky computers, computer parts and accessories cordless handsets, base stations, road apparatus, aircraft communication, navigation apparatus, they do not pay any customs duty but they still pay VAT.
The exception was cell phones - for cell phones, there is duty of 25%, it exists. At this point, let me also clarify the $50 levy. The $50 levy is not a substitute for 25%. If the owner of a phone that has been brought in, and it is targeting phones that have been brought into the country, has paid the 25% duty, surely there is no reason for them to worry about the $50 levy because it falls away. If they have not paid the 25%, then it becomes an issue and the presumptive $50 levy applies to them because they have not paid the 25% duty. So the levy is not an addition but just a mechanism designed to enforce the payment of the 25% customs duty. It is an enforcement mechanism not meant to be a substitute.
I am sure you are wondering what we are going to do with revenues collected from the $50 levy, the enforcement levy. Our intention is to ring-fence these resources so as to finance digitalisation which is a long standing programme of Government.
HON. KASHIRI: My point of order is that we lost network when the Minister was discussing about the $50 charge. May he possibly retake that one?
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Minister, may you please retake on the $50 tax on cellphones?
HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: There is a broader point Madam Speaker about removing duty on ICT gadgets, including the cellphones that I will delve deeper into. The customs duty on ICT gadgets was removed a while ago; computers, laptops, scanners, printers, Braille computers, computer parts, cordless handsets, base stations, radar apparatus, aircraft communication and navigation apparatus, they do not pay any customs duty but they still pay the VAT at 14.5%. The exception here is the cellphones. So, the duty on cellphones was 40% a while ago and it was reduced to 25%. Really, there was a reduction in the first place and now we are saying even on this 25%, the compliance is weak.
We want to enforce compliance through this $50 levy. It is a compliance measure rather than a revenue raising measure. That is what this is about. If you have paid the 25%, then you have nothing to worry about. You would not pay the $50 and even if you are forced to, then you can seek for a rebate and get your money back. That is what this is about. It is about enforcement and not extra measure for raising revenue but whatever revenue is raised under these circumstances, we want to ring-fence that for financing the digitalisation project which is way behind in terms of financing.
There is another issue that was raised regarding the request for Treasury to remove export tax on polished granite but I think this was an error in the Hansard. It should be export tax on unpolished granite because there is no export tax on polished granite for it is fully beneficiated. Unpolished granite, there is an export tax which we want to enforce so that we can make sure that anyone who is in that industry exports value added products rather than raw unbeneficiated products. We want to maximise on our earnings.
One or two other comments first raised by Hon. Madiwa regarding the capitalisation of SMEDCO, Women’s Bank and Youth Bank which was raised by many other interveners today, just to assure the Hon. Members that in the budget we have allowed for this provision. We will replenish the capital for these very important institutions.
From the Hon. P. Moyo, the comment focused on the ICT Committee issues which I have responded to. From the Committee on Youth, Sports and Recreation, the issue that stood out was to say we need to evaluate this YET (Youth Employment Tax) incentive programme, we agree with that. We will evaluate to see how well it is working but we are proposing that it should continue because we are not losing money as this is an incentive where the company benefits from a tax rebate if they employ a youthful member of society.
I did not pick out anything striking from the Portfolio Committee on Primary and Secondary Education. The comment was, we should increase the budget for BEAM, we have done that and we have invested in schools. We have a schools development programme that we have publicised quite a bit. We will upgrade the infrastructure for schooling.
From Hon. Musarurwa, the Committee on Environment and Tourism supporting the tourism sector, that is what the budget seeks to do. We are seeking to continue with the VAT rebates for domestic tourism and things like that, and we will continue to run the guarantee scheme for access to funding for operators in the tourism sector in light of the negative impact of COVID on their businesses.
For the mining sector, again we have been doing a lot in this sector looking at supporting exploration and the idea of mining sector extension services similar to Agritex. We are supporting that programme including matching on the cadastral system and I can assure Hon. Mkaratigwa that we will continue to do that.
For the Portfolio Committee on Defence, Peace and Security, we are focused on making sure that the security cluster is mobile so that there is mobility focusing on cantonment and making sure that their rations are adequate. The idea for a military salary concept has been adopted but we want to make sure that it strengthened because members of the security forces are not allowed to go on strike and therefore cannot bargain. We want to make sure that they are well looked after.
The Portfolio Committee on Information and Broadcasting, the issue that came up was the digitalisation programme and again we will support it. It is a multi-year programme Madam Speaker. We cannot clear it in one year but we will support it this year and in subsequent years. There is a comment from Hon. J. Ncube from the Committee on Public Service and Social Welfare that we should set up a national disaster fund.
Madam Speaker, we already have one which was established which is under the Ministry of Local Government. It works and we made use of it during the Cyclone Idai disaster. So we already have something. I can assure the Hon. Member that we will capacitate it. From Hon. Mpariwa, your comments that perhaps the Budget is not pro-poor enough, we have tried to be sensitive to the social sector through various angles and one is through social security programme which is well described from paragraphs 414 and for about five pages. It is well covered in terms of the social protection programme. Also as we think about that, do not forget about Pfumvudza. It is a production social protection programme. Hon. Markham was lamenting that the oversight function of Parliament needs to be strengthened and so forth. That is why we are here. We cannot pass a Budget without Parliament being involved and without debate. We always come before various Committees of Parliament to express ourselves as Treasury. Other ministries do the same as we go about with our programmes right through the year. So I thought the oversight function was strong. I did not get a sense that it was being weakened at all.
Hon. Charles Moyo wanted to know about job figures. I want to draw his attention to a table on page 65 of the Budget Statement. All the figures are there for the jobs that will be created over the next three years. He also thought that we should present the Budget in US dollars and not in Zimbabwe currecy. No, we will present it in Zimbabwean dollars. That is our legal accounting currency. We will be making a mistake if we are to present accounting in US dollars. We know what happened in terms of losing competitiveness. Do not forget that we went through deflation because of the use of the US dollar and we do not want to go back there. Hon. Watson raised an important issue around the Gwayi-Shangani Dam. In the Blue Book there is a healthy allocation for the Gwayi-Shangani Dam project. For the dam itself is ZWL$3.6 billion that we have set aside and for the pipeline, from the dam down to Bulawayo is another ZWL$3.6 billion that we have set aside. So it is quite a sizeable chunk of resources.
Hon. Togarepi raised the issue around more support to be given to SMEs. We are trying through different angles. We are looking at the National Ranch Fund, SMEDCO, Youth Bank, Women’s Bank and all that targets SMEs. So there is a bit focus on that through various financing channels.
Hon. Togarepi also mentioned the issue of dealing decisively with the parallel market. That was the idea with the SI 127 and we want to continue to maintain that because that is giving us the ability to enforce and deal with indiscipline forex market. Hon. Nyabani talked about the need to support our cotton farmers making sure that they are paid in time. I agree with him. A few things happened that should not have happened but we will make sure that we will catch up with the payments. We will support them and we are moving to the concept of a minimum support prize so that farmers can enjoy the full upward gain from Global Cotton prices which are quite healthy at the moment.
Hon. Nyabani also talked about access to electricity in rural areas. I will draw his attention to page 132 and 133 of the Statement. There is a full description about how we will make use of the rural electrification fund to support the rural electrification. Hon. Raidza again mentioned the issue of the cellphone levy and timely budget releases that it is a point well taken, fiscallisation and so forth. The idea of creating a national accident fund, I thought that is what we are doing by ring fencing 20% of the funds from the pooled insurance. That is what we have done but without calling it that, so these funds are ring fenced to deal with accidents as they occur. Hon. Gonese said we should go back to accounting in US dollars. No, let us stick to the Zimbabwean dollar, let us stabilise our currency. Otherwise, we will lose monetary policy capability and we are back to just reliance on fiscal policy and that is not good enough in terms of macroeconomic management. I have also noted Hon. Nduna’s contributions in the ICT sector, the 20% that was set aside for dealing with road accidents. This summarises some of the key points raised by members of this august House. I thank you.
Motion put and agreed to.
Bill ordered to be brought in by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development.
FIRST READING
FINANCE (2022) BILL [H. B. 16, 2021]
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Pursuant to the order, I beg leave to present the Finance Bill 2021. This Bill will amend Chapter 1 of the Finance Act, Chapter 23 Section 3 of the Indigenisation and Empowerment Act [Chapter14:33] and I move that the Bill be read the first time.
Bill read the first time.
Bill referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee.
COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY
MAIN ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE
Second Order read: Committee of Supply: Main Estimates of Expenditure.
House in Committee.
Vote 1 – Office of the President and Cabinet: Z$32 391 219 000 put and agreed to.
On Vote 2 – Parliament of Zimbabwe - Z$14 615 082 000;
HON. MUSHORIWA: The amount of money that has been allocated to Parliament of Zimbabwe for the oversight function is not adequate. History has taught us over the past three years that what you see in the Budget is not the money that you get because the allocation level is normally way below that. If we factor the expected inflation, it will tell you that in terms of the amount that we have been given as Parliament, it is actually less than the amount allocated to Parliament last year.
We had the whole night fighting with the Minister of Finance last year when we wanted money for constituency offices which he granted but nothing was released. We are now reaching the end of our tenure without offices. The amount that is allocated is too little.
HON. NDUNA: I know that the Minister’s purse is not very big but as alluded to by Hon. Mushoriwa, this one is a pittance compared to the magnitude of what needs to be done in particular in the 210 constituencies. There has not been delimitation to let us know how many constituencies we are going to have in 2023. This is a 2022 Budget and it is my hope and feeling that if the Minister adheres to the proposal that I gave to him in order that he can apply that 20% in retrospect to third party insurance remittance, that should then be taken to argument the parliamentary budget.
Further to that, I propose he terminates a dead on arrival (DOA) deal between GDV and Zimbabwe Government on the establishment of an international call termination centre. There are companies that are offering better conditions and one condition is that they will advance Zimbabwe with one billion Euros after opening an escrow account for Gateway solutions.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (HON. MAVETERA): Order Hon Nduna, we are debating the Vote on Parliament.
HON, NDUNA: Yes, I am talking about Parliament. I know you are on Vote 2 on how to augment its pittance and meagre resources. After receiving that one billion Euros from the said company, he can take that money from monies that were not expected to be received and complement the budget of Parliament. It is a pittance in its form but here is a nation which is able to receive a billion dollars from a PPP arrangement and also get its money 15 years in retrospect from International Telecommunications Union. I ask the Minister to make a firm commitment that he can reverse the GDV deal and make sure that he gets into bed with companies that are going to make our budgetary requirements live again because it is a third of our national GDP but that can be used to complement the parliamentary budget.
(V)HON. MARKHAM: Madam Speaker, my issue is going back to what I have previously said which goes unanswered. There is no use for us to allocate any amount to Parliament if only 30% is going to be disbursed to us. This is the crux of the matter and the meager resources that we are budgeting for here – if we follow on what happened in the past two years, we are lucky if we get 40% of the Budget. Before anyone jumps down my throat about Parliamentarians looking after themselves, it follows that our constitutional mandate to report back to our constituencies cannot be done, number one. Number two; there are numerous workers in Parliament who are grossly underfunded. I thank you.
(V)HON. NDEBELE: Point of order Madam Speaker. Without annoying you Madam Speaker, could you kindly repeat it again that Members must not repeat what has been spoken already, that is where we waste a lot of time?
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: Thank you for that, it is fine – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
(V)HON. RAIDZA: Thank you very much Madam Speaker Ma’am. I just want to speak about the issue of the Constituency Information Centres.
(V)HON. C. MOYO: Point of order Madam Chair. Thank you. Can we be guided, are you Madam Speaker when you are sitting there or you are Madam Chair?
THE TEMPPORARY CHAIRPERSON: Madam Chair.
(V)HON. C. MOYO: I am hearing Hon. Members saying Madam Speaker, can we be guided accordingly.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: Its Madam Chair. Thank you.
(V)HON. C. MOYO: Thank you Madam Chair.
(V) HON. RAIDZA: I wanted to just say something about the Information Centres – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – [HON. NDUNA: Please continue to mute Hon. Labode] – to say if it is possible, maybe our Minister can add something on that because if we divide the amount into our constituencies, it translates to about $1.4 or something and this money I believe it is a bit less to support the good idea that Parliament is having, of establishing the Information Centres. If we look at the budget performance for the previous year, we can see that there was nothing that was released in respect of these offices and even our visits to constituencies.
So, I am pleading with the Minister to say, if the amount can be increased, we are happy with the one for CDF but if this one can be increased, it will be better for us as we have a very big constitutional responsibility of representing the citizens and make sure that we are effective when we are in Parliament. We need real support from our Minister when it comes to these Constituency Information Centres. I thank you Madam Chair.
(V)*HON. R. R. NYATHI: Madam Chair, I do not want to repeat what others have already said. Our Hon. Minister did not comment on all the issues that I said. I think I am the one who spoke on the financing of Parliament. He did not speak about it because in his mind, he did not intend to increase our budget allocation. I explained to the effect that, Hon. Minister Mthuli, if you want your Ministry to be run smoothly, itshould be supported by Parliament and all the ministries are supported by Parliament. The oversight role is carried out by Parliament and there is no Ministry without a Portfolio Committee which exercises an oversight role over it. So, if you calculate this money per constituency, it is not adequate at all…
*THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: We heard you.
(V)HON. L. NYONI: Thank you Madam Chair for the opportunity. I am just going to talk on two issues. The issue that was not raised was on the price of fuel. We have seen fuel going up almost every two months despite the price in US dollars. Zimbabwe fuel has become most expensive in the SADC region.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: Is that on Parliament Hon. Nyoni?
(V)HON. L. NYONI: Fuel…
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: Hon. Nyoni, is that on Parliament because we are discussing Vote 2; the Vote we are at now is on Parliament. Is that on Parliament? – [(V)*HON. GANDAWA: Madam Chair, can I come in? You have called me before] – Order Hon. Gandawa, I will recognise you, I have called you earlier on. Hon. Nyoni, my question is; you are talking about fuel,
(V)HON. L. NYONI: Madam Chair, can I proceed?
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: Are you talking about the Vote on Parliament?
(V)HON. L. NYONI: Yes, I am talking about the Budget.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: Which Budget, the Vote on Parliament? Because now we are on Vote Number 2 concerning Parliament – [(V)AN HON. MEMBER: Vakuru ava vanenge varikutobva kubhawa ava Hon. Chair] – Order Honourable, that is unParliamentary language.
(V)HON. GANDAWA: Thank you Madam Chair – [Technical glitch] –
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: It is unfortunate that I cannot hear.
(V)HON. GANDAWA: I hope the Minister is listening to my submission.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: Yes, he is here.
(V)*HON. GANDAWA: The figures that we got for our 2022 Budget on the Parliament Vote – there was the use of the GDP deflector of 60.5 but if we look at where the 60.5 is coming from, it is not coming up clearly. GDP deflector measures the price inflation, I am relating this to the Parliament Vote, be it CDF or any other expense associated with Parliament. GDP reflector measures price inflation in an economy which we divide; the nominal GDP by the real GDP multiplied by 100. So, if we look at the figures put in our Budget in relation to Parliament of Zimbabwe. I should get my 2511 as my GDP deflector. They used 60.05 and I worked with the figures that he gave us or the figures that are there, provided by his Ministry. I am getting 2511. What does that mean? It means allocation to Parliament and all the service we expend to that meeting...
THE CHAIRPERSON (HON. MAVETERA): Please can you stick to one language. If you want Shona, stick to Shona and if you want English, then stick to English. Thank you.
(v)HON. GANDAWA: Allow me to speak in English Madam Chair. The GDP deflected that the Ministry of Finance used 60.05. GDP deflector measures inflation in an economy. If you use the GDP deflector to reflect on the price reflection, inflation that we have in this economy we divide the nominal GDP. GDP times 100 and you get 2511. What it then means is what we got as Parliament for CDF or any other associated to the expenses, it is way too far below what we need to get. I would want the Minister to respond in terms of his projections and in terms of his calculations, did we get figures right? Otherwise what we got is far less than what we are supposed to get. Thank you Madam Speaker.
*(v) HON. NYABANI: Thank you Madam Chairman. When the Minister makes a budget for Parliament, does he also look at what other Parliaments are doing or what?
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. NCUBE): Thank you very much Madam Chair. I thank Hon. Members of this House for their comments regarding Vote No. 2. In arriving at this $14.6 billion that we proposed that it will be allocated to Parliament for the year 2022 - we have considered several issues like the size of CDF and the issue of visits to the constituencies and the issue of fuel which we discussed at Victoria Falls. We have also considered the issue of establishing offices for the Members of Parliament. The issue of reviewing the salaries and allowances for parliamentarians and staff - all of that was taken into account when we were at Victoria Falls and certain figures were suggested to us. I am not at liberty to discuss them here. Usually they have to go to the Committee on Standing Rules which deliberates all these issues. So something will be done in adjusting these figures and that is what we undertook.
In addition to that what was requested was for Parliamentarians to be allowed to import a second car duty free. We have acceded to that and so we have taken all that into account. The welfare of Parliamentarians, staff of Parliament and the jobs that Parliament has to do in exercising its oversight and legislative roles – we have taken everything in that into account to arrive at these figures. There is very little room for maneuver Madam Chair. Even if we want to top up, where those resources would come from, where should we chop or which Ministry, I am not so sure. So there is little room for maneuver.
We have a specific question about the use of the GDP deflector and so forth. There are two ways to look at that – we do it from a point of view of the GDP deflator or CPI based inflation and depending on what you are trying to achieve, you can use one or the other. The Hon. Member has chosen to use the one that he thinks will strengthen his case. That is okay that is why it is called a debate but we have done this allocation on the back of projected revenues driven by whatever exchange rate we are projecting but also the inflationary pressures that we think we may come through in 2022 and that is what we have done.
It is not that we have chosen the GDP deflector as a guide. We have looked at everything and also the CPI inflation in doing so. I really think that this is a fair allocation to Parliament and what really matters is the timely release of cash. That is the single most important thing but at the same time, we have to allocate a budget and that is what we should propose -the Executive and Parliament should then give us permission to do so by endorsing it. Cash release is the issue and not really the size of the budget. I think the size is adequate. I thank you.
(v) HON. NDUNA: He needs to respond according to my proposal so that he can make a commitment that if the international call technician centre company which can advance Zimbabwe US$ billion, he commits to add some money from that 100 billion Euros Madam Chair. I am sure it is not difficult to make a commitment that if it so happens, it is going to happen like that so that he augments parliamentary budget. Thank you.
(v) HON. MUSHORIWA: I listened to the Hon., Minister’s response which I think the Hon. Minister of Finance should do. Last year when we did the debate on the similar Vote, there was an agreed position that in terms of cash releases to Parliament, that Parliament was to get its money into its account on a quarterly basis to allow Parliament to make decisions on its own without the need for it to wait for Treasury to do the releases. Given what I have raised earlier which has also been raised by the Budget Finance Committee in terms of the allocation and releases for 2021, can the Minister confirm that in terms of the Ministry’s disbursement matrix, when it comes to Parliament, we will certainly be in a position to have these disbursements timeously. Thank
you.
HON. PROF. NCUBE: Thank you very much Madam Chair. If I can respond to Hon. Nduna, I will have to investigate the specific case because it is very specific contract you referred to which he believes if it were terminated with revenues, all those are very useful ideas. I will certainly look into the matter working with the relevant Minister for ICT. Coming to Hon. Mushoriwa, the rule that we agreed SRC which I pronounced here in Parliament at some point still stands that the budget for Parliament should have a three lead time. I commit to that. We will really work hard to make sure we commit to that so that there are no delays in cash disbursements but cash is available three months in advance. Thank you.
Vote 2, put and agreed to.
On Vote 3 – Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare - $19 477 330 000
(v) HON. NDUNA: Thank you Madam Speaker. The issue of that budget speaks to the call of the pension funds. I have already asked the Minister of Public Service if the money for pensioners which were held in trust by the public service and the pension houses in terms of pensions. It can be given all at once before the beneficiaries die. Madam Speaker Ma’am, I have not requested for augmentation of that budgetary allocation but I have requested that there be established a statute and statutory requirement that with the life expectancy that is currently hovering around 45 years, people should enjoy their pensions whilst they are still alive. Give them their pensions on the date that they retire. There is need to put in a regulation or a statutory requirement to that effect. The gold finger who is the Hon. Minister of Finance is in the right portfolio to establish such a statute as the resident Minister for Finance.
HON. MUSHORIWA: Thank you Madam Chair. My debate on this Vote has to do not necessarily in terms of the figure because the Minister will tell you that I cannot stretch the pen. It is actually on a matter of principle. Hon. Minister, you will see that the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare claims that in 2021, they actually assisted a number of kids with monies under BEAM. There was also assistance in terms of the social welfare.
On a matter of principle Hon. Chair, do you not think that it is better to serve 10 people but giving them a sufficient amount of money that can sustain a family rather than to serve 100 people but giving them a pittance? In other words, what I am saying is, is it not better to have 10% sharing an elephant rather than have 100 sharing a rat in terms of the figure? The amount of money that we are getting, right now if you go to schools, in terms of the students who are on BEAM and the arrears that are there, something is amiss. We need to have a situation where schools can properly function without having Government as the biggest debtor of these schools. Hon. Minister, without necessarily affecting the amount that you are proposing in the Budget, the question is purely on a matter of principle. Are we too generous in terms of allowing too many people whom we are failing to cater for or we need to have a system that allocates sufficient amount to a few selected people rather than selecting many people and then fail to give them anything that can sustain them?
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): Thank you Madam Speaker ma’am. I thank the Hon. Members for their contributions, starting with Hon. Mushoriwa. He basically addressed an issue of execution rather than allocation. So if it is execution, if his idea is that we should target fewer people and we give them more than to spread the cake around and everyone has very little and they do not get much relief that way. Those are value points that I would then pass on to the relevant Minister so that the execution could be better felt by the recipient on these resources on the ground. Those are welcome ideas. I thank you.
Vote 3 put and agreed to.
On Vote 4 – Defence and War Veterans Affairs - $61,553,280,000;
HON. MUSHORIWA: Can I get clarification from the Hon. Minister in respect to this. Again, it is not the question of the proposed budget but I just need an explanation from the Hon. Minister because what we have seen over the past two or three years is that the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans tends to overshoot its budget. I wonder whether the problem is with the line Ministry in that they fail to come up with a proper focus or the problem is with Treasury in that when they consider the Budget, they forget certain things and they tend not to be learning. It cannot be year in year out that we find this Ministry overshooting the Budget. I just wonder where the real problem is Hon. Minister.
HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: Thank you Madam Chair. I thank the Hon. Member for the contribution. I think one issue that continues to challenge us when it comes to the welfare of our security cluster is cantonment housing and mobility. We have a huge backlog in terms of vehicles that they get. Coming to cantonment, we have specific barracks which we know need to be fixed. The living conditions are not right. It is these kind of things that end up pushing up the budget when it comes to execution, the gap is so huge but we are determined to close it as we move forward. The issue is about the capital budget. That is what is driving the Budget upwards. Thank you.
Vote 4 put and agreed to.
On Vote 5 – Finance and Economic Development – US$64,573,566,000;
HON. MUSHORIWA: Madam Chair, in terms of the Finance and Economic Development Ministry, I want to zero in, in terms of ZIMRA, the budget that is given to the guys that make it possible for us to raise the money. Hon. Minister, there has been a general complaint. We all know that our borders are porous. We are also aware that there has been a commitment in terms of the drone project and that ZIMRA has told us it is actually going on.
Hon. Minister, you are also aware that ZIMRA for the past two years, in terms of their quarterly target, they have been suppressing those targets. Challenges that we then hear from ZIMRA employees is that there is no due respect or due recognition of the good work that ZIMRA employees are doing. That the Ministry of Finance is also failing to adhere to the provisions of the ZIMRA Act, which specifically allows ZIMRA to retain a certain percentage of the amount of money that they get and also a certain percentage of the excess amount that they get over the target that the Ministry could have set. I am actually saying Hon. Minister that if that can be done, it may possibly help in terms of stopping some of the corrupt activities that we see on the borders and the negligence that we sometimes see. That could result in huge increase in terms of the revenue of the fiscus. I am just wondering what the position is in respect to that issue Hon. Minister.
(V)HON. GANDAWA: I just want to concur with the word that was started by Hon. Mushoriwa. As a country, we are developing and it is quite important that we get to resource ZIMRA. If you look at the way ZIMRA is working at the moment, for them to be able to get resources that we so need as a country, I think it is quite key that they are given capacity. If you look at the motor vehicles that they are using, general staff welfare issues, you then ask if all things are in order. I would pray for a day and a night when ZIMRA is capacitated so that when they go out to collect, they collect the maximum for the benefit of Government. It is of no use for us to come to Parliament and discuss about allocations of money when that money is not there.
When you go for hunting as a hunter, you go and hunt with your own dogs and if you go and hunt with dogs that are so disabled, ordinarily a dog has got four legs. So if you go with a dog that has three legs, that dog will not catch an animal. Hon. Minister, capacitate ZIMRA so that when they go and collect revenue, they are doing it to the fullest. Once ZIMRA is able to go and collect the fullest and close all the porous along our borders, shut down all the nitty-gritties, the funny things that are happening in industry, once ZIMRA gets to collect, you will be able as a Ministry to then finance all the other ministries because you will have the money. The biggest problem that we have as a country, we make allocations but money is not there. So, as long as you do not have money to give to the ministries, things will not flow in the right direction. Therefore, may the Hon. Minister get to capacitate ZIMRA as much as you can within the confines of the law? I thank you.
(V)HON. RAIDZA: I would like to urge the Minister to sufficiently resource the department of the Accountant-General and the Budget office. The two departments should also work together because as Parliament, we are always looking forward to them in order to see the transparency and accountability in terms of management of the budget is well monitored. I thank you.
(V)HON. MARKHAM: Thank you Madam Chair. I just want to buttress on the issue of capacitation of ZIMRA. The issue also dove- tails with trying to raise tax to 30%. When it comes to that office, every company has to put in and if ZIMRA is not capacitated we have a major problem, we cannot be taxed 30% of ZIMRA by three months. May the Hon. Minister confirm that the budget is adequate because the Ministry of Finance is one of the serial over-spenders on the budget? I thank you.
(V)HON. NDUNA: Madam Speaker, the IPEC, that is the Insurance Sector and the Insurance Council of Zimbabwe predominately falls under the Ministry of Finance because of its financial and insurance nature. I ask that he proposes a forensic audit in so far as it relates to money that has not been claimed by insurance payers. He will find a pool where he can get resources to finance the borders, that is ZIMRA in the borders so that it can deploy drones in order that it patrols the border areas to avoid and completely annihilate the scourge of delinquent behaviour and porous borders that are going to inhibit and prohibit us from getting the revenue through duty which is then going to go into the Central Revenue Authority.
I have proposed a financial place where he can get some money in order to capacitate the Ministry of Finance which is the gold finger. I thank you.
(V)HON. MUSHORIWA: When we look into the Ministry of Finance, ordinarily there are three fundamental offices that are crucial - your office Hon. Minister, the office of the Secretary and the office of the Accountant-General. I want to raise this because Hon. Minister, you did your inaugural speech in 2018, you came forcefully and we were so happy when you said talked about the commitment of Government in terms of migrating from cash account to IPSA and that monies were going to be put in and we were going to see progress.
However, what has happened and which we need you to probably comment on, we have been operating without a substantive Accountant General for some time and consequently, the issue of IPSA is actually moving at a snail’s space. When I look into the way the budget is, I am also sure, I know that the majority of funds are coming from Development Partners. So, can you confirm to this august House that as a Ministry, you are still committed to the IPSA or you have decided to take a detour for the time being?
(V)HON. A. NDEBELE: I just have one or two points regarding ZIMRA. Our last visit to the Plumtree Border Post revealed that the only scanner they had, had been taken to Beitbridge because the Beitbridge scanner broke down. Is this budget adequate enough to resource our border posts in that direction? We also noted as the Mines and Minerals Committee that the scanners they have were unable to detect gold that is smuggled through the border post.
Further on, the question of resources for ZIMRA, we noted with concern that this outfit is grossly understaffed. Clearly, ZIMRA has to share computers and we also noted with concern that they have gone for two to three years without getting new uniforms because every time they go to tender, the rates change and affect their budget. Are we good enough with the figures the Ministers have given us to take care of such issues? I am an ardent believer of the fact that bad money chases away good money. I thank you.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): I thank the Hon. Members for their contributions starting with the ZIMRA. They are basically saying that we should allocate adequate resources for ZIMRA to do its work effectively. I believe that in this budget, we have tried hard to do that, I am fully aware of constrains in ZIMRA. I have had extensive discussions with the Acting Commissioner-General as well as the board. Quite glaring issues around the mobility of their vehicles, even accommodation for officers around the borders. The issue of uniforms, equipment, I am fully aware of these issues and we are dealing with them to make sure that they are perfectly well. The drone programme which also involves other agencies aimed to make our borders more secure and reduce smuggling is underway and we are at a stage to contract some specialists, so that that programme takes off in a short space of time. I must thank ZIMRA staff for their hard work in producing these revenues that we all been doting about and are keeping us going in terms of funding programmes. When it comes to bonuses, their bonuses are paid upon meeting certain targets. So we are quite up to date with those payments but we will strive to make sure that their welfare is improved.
Hon. Markham asked whether this budget is adequate for Treasury, likeall the other Ministries, it is not adequate but I cannot do anything about it because we have a small cake to share. I think it is my turn to whinge as well to say, how the staff of Treasury dare allocate this pittance to the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. We all have to share this tight cake of about $850 billion. We will try to live within our means. We just have to do that like everybody else, frankly.
Hon. Mushoriwa, you talked about the issue of IPSAS, this programme is on. It has been a bit slow because of COVID-19 challenges that we faced. It is still our intention to fully migrate to Asset Based accounting over time. You talked about the Accountant General, we are actually looking for a full time Accounting General in terms of filling that post. It is not easy to attract experienced professionals in that kind of position because you are paid more in the corporate sector and various accounting firms as partners. That is our competition but I think it might be necessary to basically maybe apply the principle salary to the holder so that it is personalised as opposed to a grade. That is the way perhaps to deal with this and make use of our retention fund as well.
Hon. Ndebele talked about broken down scanners and so forth, we are fully aware of these challenges and we are supporting ZIMRA with access to foreign currency to import the necessary equipment to be able to scan whatever goods are going to cross our borders. You mentioned issues of under staffed and uniforms and so forth, we are working with ZIMRA to make sure these issues are resolved. We will support them as much as possible. I thank you.
Vote 5 put and agreed to.
On Vote 6 – Audit Office - $3 014 099 000.
HON. MUSHORIWA: Thank you Madam Chair. Hon. Minister, I am going to ask you in this Vote for an increase of allocation to the Auditor-General. Maybe it should be around $2 billion and I will explain why. First and foremost, you appreciate that with the COVID-19 and other challenges, the Auditor-General’s office has actually been incapacitated. You earlier on talked about the challenges in recruiting the Accountant-General in terms of remuneration. The same challenges are facing the Auditor-General (AG), in order to get full professionals to fully continue to remain with the Auditor-General’s office, it has become a challenge.
Secondly, Hon. Minister, there is also another big challenge, the devolution funds that are now being given to provincial councils, they also need to be audited by the AG. This is in addition to the Ministries fund account, the local authorities and also the State Enterprises. Now, if you look at that amount, this amount will not do justice to the Audit office. I want to zero in, in terms of the other issues - you really need to give the AG a billion on the financial and combined audit; then the value for money, performance audit we allocate another $500 million. The reason being that we really need to have value for money because it is not important to just give money but when we do not get the real value, is it not benefiting our people?. Another $500 million should actually be given to forensic and special audits. Hon. Minister, you appreciate the need for these forensic audits and I am asking that $2 billion you could possibly take it or withdraw from the unallocated reserve. This is crucial, given what we want to achieve as a country, in terms of transparency and accountability.
As I indicated during the debate, Parliament relies on the AG’s office. If the AG’s office, catches a flu, it also means that as Parliament, we sneeze. The Public Accounts Committee cannot function, even the other Portfolio Committees cannot function. So this is my request that let us re-look. If you check on the budget, you are giving them roughly 0.3% of the budget. I am aware that they had requested for 0.75% and as Parliament, for the past three years, we have been asking you Hon. Minister to say why do we not move the budget for the AG to at least 1% of the budget. Even if we move it to $2 billion, it will still be less than 0.5% of the budget. The $2 billion can actually help the AG’s office to function properly. I thank you.
HON. MPARIWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. Let me begin by thanking Hon. Mushoriwa because he has taken some of my points, like special audits. So I will not even talk about them. I think the House must realise that we rely, as a nation, on the Auditor-General’s performance in terms of input and uncovering some of the financial outflows. Having said that, you may realise that even within the discussions at Victoria Falls, ICT acquisition in the AG’s office needs to be done like yesterday. There is virtually rotten equipment. Furniture, they do not have. They also need to rehabilitate that particular Barrow House, where they hardly have a parking space. It is not attractive; hence we continue to lose staff.
It is my humble submission that the Minister looks again at the budget of the AG’s office because we all rely on it. Parliament, all departments and the nation looks at the AG, in terms of actually unpacking most of the evils that are happening in Ministries, departments and parastatals. I thank you.
(v) HON. MARKHAM: Thank you Madam Speaker for giving me the opportunity to add my voice on the Auditor-General’s report. Can the Minister take cognisance of that fact and that means the AG’s office is going to need to output a lot more for them to be able to work. Furthermore, the AG’s office this year received 30% of the previous Vote. The performance of the AG’s office, internationally is reviewed as to how we are handling our – probably our biggest cancer, which is corruption. So, I urge the Minister to re-consider this Vote. I thank you.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): Thank you Madam Chair. I thank the three Hon. Members for their contributions;Hon. Mushoriwa, Hon. Mpariwa and Hon. Markham - basically regarding this vote for the Auditor General’s Office. They are arguing that we should increase it because they believe this office is performing a very important role in making sure that things are done properly within Government.
If you look at the draw-downs in 2021, we found that the office was unable to make substantial draw-downs in this budget largely due to COVID, but we always stand ready to support that office in any case if they run out of money, but I must say upfront, I am not very comfortable taking $2 billion unallocated reserves and immediately allocate it to the department. We have learnt a painful lesson in the last two years that if you tamper with the unallocated reserves upfront, we will run into trouble during the year and we learnt a painful lesson this year where we had to literally spend the entire unallocated reserves for the payment of farmers who had worked very hard this year, on the back of good rains, had delivered their maize at GMB and then we found ourselves having to use unallocated reserves to pay for this maize.
So I am very wary of tampering with our reserves, I am going down; insurance budget which is unallocated reserves because we will get some other shock that we never even thought about or who knows, maybe it will be a 6th, 7th wave all in one year and we need these resources. I am a bit reluctant therefore to allocate immediately $2 billion, but I must say I commit that should the department find itself short of the budget, we stand ready to give them extra budget from the unallocated reserve. I thank you.
(v)HON. MARKHAM: Madam Chair. The Minister has just said because of COVID, the Auditor General’s Office did not take on funds. My question very simply is, why were the funds not then reallocated to capacitate the office with vehicles, offices and computers? I thank you.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: Raise your hand Hon. Mushoriwa if you want me to recognise you.
(v)HON. MUSHORIWA: Sorry Madam Chair. Madam Chair, the Hon. Minister has actually re-emphasised our point, the need for demand. Part of the problem that we found with the Auditor General’s Office is the inability of the audit team to off remote because they do not have the gadgets; they do not have the machinery, the tools of trade and I hear the Hon. Minister’s challenges in terms of the model from the unallocated reserves of the $2 billion, but I am actually therefore persuading the Minister to simply say if you cannot allocate $2 billion, but at least you could just actually allocate, let us say half of that $2 billion and I will tell you why Hon. Minister. If the current fourth wave that were experiencing goes on and we then get another fifth wave, what would happen is that we will now have a challenge.
Right now the Auditor General’s Report, we had the 2019 report which came this year, we have not received the 2020 report and she is supposed to very soon because end of December 2021, we will be done. She will now need to work on 2021 account. So she already has got two arrear years and that Hon. Minister, calls for urgent emergency. This is the reason why I want to persuade you Hon. Minister, to simply say inasmuch as you have rightly alluded that you do not want to tamper much on unallocated reserves, but this is a special plea that this office, please Hon. Minister, give them at least $1 billion so that this office can function. I thank you.
HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: I thank Hon. Markham for his comments and Hon. Mushoriwa, likewise, on the same issue. Now on the issue of why the budget was not then used for vehicles, of course a request has been made for us to consider the vehicles. That has to be made, but also we do use what we call programme based budgeting. Also, we have to be sure that the monies can be viremented in that way where something that was set aside for a specific purpose, those resources are then transferred to buying vehicles, but there should be a request. We are happy to entertain that request and support that.
From Hon. Mushoriwa, I must say I am still not persuaded whether it is half a billion or two billion. Let me say that we always stand ready to support the Auditor General’s Office. I think they should use the $3 billion as quickly as they can if that is the case indeed and then when they are short of money they can approach us, we are ready to top up, but I am not willing at this stage, to start cutting back on the unallocated reserves. It is very dangerous. That is my experience in the last two years. I thank you.
Vote 6 – office of the Auditor General - $3 014 099 000 put and agreed to.
Vote 7 – Industry and Commerce - $3 879 548 000 put and agreed to.
On Vote 8 – Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement – $124 049 100 000;
HON. MARKHAM: Madam Speaker, you are going very quickly here. Can I just come in on Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement? Madam Speaker, can the Minister explain to us. He talks about privatising the advancement of loans to farmers and we see these loans from CBZ, but we have underwritten it. As a Government, we are liable for those loans. Can the Minister confirm that the bank concerned has done a proper ‘Know Your Client’ and can the Minister confirm what his intentions are with future loans from banks and Government guarantees? Thank you.
HON. MUSHORIWA: I just want to also buttress the issues that have been raised by Hon. Markham in terms of the loans that as a Government, we have guaranteed to CBZ and companies where the rate is around 22% and the argument that I want to raise with the Hon. Minister is to simply say, what is the endgame in terms of agricultural financing. Is there anything wrong with the mode of financing?
I raise this primarily because the Minister will know that if the strategy simply remains in form, we gave the farmers inputs, fuel and nothing happened. We also tried through the RBZ to give these farmers some equipment then we also tried Hon. Minister, that they go to banks and borrow money from banks and you will recall that some of them are the reason why the banks created. You actually have been creating havoc on the package book of the bank. Now we then turn to the Command Agriculture, Minister you know the amount of money that we will need to equip the agriculture; you then came last year and said you changed the model, it is now the bank ,you are now advocating people to go through the bank but it has been Government guarantee. If we are to have 22% compliance, meaning that you have got a potential 75% of potential bad debtors, what is the thinking of Treasury in terms of the model of agriculture financing as we go forward in this country? I think agriculture is crucial and important for a nation but we need to be very careful because we may continue to lose a lot of money year in and year out.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): I thank the two Hon. Members for their interventions, the mode of model financing agriculture that we are pushing forward to as Government is a model funding that is private sector led. That is what we are transitioning towards full private sector led agricultural financing model. After all, the meat programme or the farmer command is a commercial agricultural programme and therefore, it is only fitting that the commercial banks are financing this programme. We also understand that there needs to be a transition and that transition is to make sure that Government stands behind the borrowers through this guarantee to the banks so that there is a transition period, it cannot be a big bang approach and that is why we are going through right now and I think that should answer Hon. Mushoriwa’s question about the model going forward and there will be participation of other banks going forward, from the burden and the risk is shared right across our banking or private sector.
Let me turn to the issue of how a guarantee is called. A condition that is clear on our agreement with the financial institutions is to only call the guarantee as a last resort but not as a first resort. So being a last resort action, the bank must be able to show that it has applied its best effort to collect from a client who has defaulted and failed and they are now seeking relief from Government by calling that guarantee. It is that clear; we are working very well and making sure that they enforce that kind of understanding. The Ministry of Agriculture is doing its part of making sure that they send Agritex officers on the ground to monitor the farmers and to make sure that there is no side marketing. That is our biggest problem to stamp on that they are doing that. I believe that when it is all said and done, we will be in a good space.
You can imagine anyone who has not paid back their loans last year; the bank will not take them on this year. So people are self blacklisting themselves, they find themselves out of that bucket through their behaviour and it deals with the adverse selection programme which you will typically face when you have a guarantee scheme. I thank you very much.
(V)HON. MARKHAM: The Minister said the last resort of guarantee which I certainly and I am happy about. What is the difference between the first call, second and the last call because there is now traceable involvement in all these guarantees. Secondly, we seem to be using one single bank, the CBZ. Can the Minister clarify why other banks are not being involved?
HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: We are using more than one bank guarantee that has been issued to AFC bank as well and the programme is expanding. He refers to the issue of title and so forth and land, I cannot address this issue through this Vote for the Ministry frankly, but that is a much broader conversation about their bankability and so forth. That is an ongoing administrative if not legal issue, which I am not sure I can address through a Vote allocation for this Ministry but we are making progress even on those discussions of making sure the lease is bankable. There is a sense of transferability perhaps which we then confer values which banks could be happy with in terms of their finance and therefore if there is need for Government to extend their guarantee to a bank.
(V)HON. MARKHAM: I asked on the tradable title, that is not the issue. The issue was - what is the difference between a first, second call and last resort when you are calling in a loan if there is no tradable title. I thank you.
HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: A typical borrower will be someone who has other assets that the bank can call upon. That should be the first resort before they call on to the Government to cover them by calling that guarantee. They have other assets, after all these are commercial farmers; they are in business and they have other assets that the bank can call upon before they call on the Government guarantee.
(V)HON. MARKHAM: Sorry, how do you get the collection from loans if you are still owed from other assets? I thank you.
HON. PROF. NCUBE: Thank you very much. That is exactly what we have asked the bank to do, to use every effort to increase their collection including following up on the assets owed by the defaulting farmers. I thank you.
(V)HON. MUSHORIWA: Hon. Minister, when you signed the guarantee with the bank, I want the Hon. Minister to confirm whether in terms of advances in terms of the quantum, you know it from the banking sector because you know that there are certain amounts that you know banks normally operate from certain limits, to say this limit, the bank can actually do what they want or this level can be done at branch level or this needs a board. Where there are any amounts of money that as a Government you would actually set so that at least there is no order that you as a Government you say above this certain limit, banks cannot just lend to their clients without the Government being the guarantor. I raised this issue primarily because knowing our Zimbabwean crimes from a bank point of view, most of the people that have actually borrowed huge amounts do not have assets specifically in their names and Government will own up on this debt. I am just wondering whether there were mechanisms that Government were involved in huge amounts of money that is lend to individuals.
HON PROF. M. NCUBE: From the banks that we contracted with, these banks have got a Risk Management Committee, Credit Committees both within management and then also at board level. There are several lawyers of risk management that are found in a typical commercial bank and these structures are also enforced by our delegated regulator, which is the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. So there is no need for Government having extended a guarantee to poke into the internal processes of a bank when we have got all these internal regulatory mechanism including the Central Bank. We did not see the need to poke into that, but we are very clear that our guarantee is the one that should be called upon only as a last resort. The institutions would have to come before us and show that it has applied best effort in collecting the loan before they can call on our guarantee. That issue is clear. Can you imagine Government going to every bank to check if its responsibilities and processes are in place? I do not think that is how you want Government to operate.
*(v)HON. RAIDZA: My question to the Minister regards the proposal on grain purchase for $25 billion. I just want to find out if that will be sufficient in terms of his projections on the required tonnage because our agriculture budget should not shoot too much beyond what is budgeted for grain purchase. So will that be enough to support the whole country for the coming season?
HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: I believe that the $25 billion is fair because we also expect the private sector to participate in grain purchases where once one has been paid for grain and it goes to GMB, those who need it and wish to process it as private players, the millers that is, they buy that grain then the fund is replenished. So, that action of creating that loop between Treasury, GMB and the private sector and millers’ purchases has allowed us to come up with an arrangement where all you need is this $25 billion which we think is fair in terms of grain purchases. We think this will work well going forward.
(v)HON. HAMAUSWA: I would want the Hon. Minister to clarify basing on what transpired in the last agricultural season. What percentage the private sector played in terms of helping in purchasing the grain from the farmers. This is because when we are going around the country, we are realising that the farmers are still owed. Maybe the Minister would want to take that into account that at the moment, the private sector is facing some challenges which the Minister of the Government has not looked to. So relying on the private sector might yield nothing without solving the problem our farmers are facing.
HON. PROF. NCUBE: We are working very well with the private sector especially on the wheat front where the private sector has agreed to buy 100 000 metric tonnes on this kind of model that I described. I am not aware of the challenges that the Hon. Member is referring to but we have a good working relationship with them. I am aware of the issue around maize which was a pricing issue where the market price was actually lower than the GMB price and that made it difficult for the private sector to buy the maize at that level when they could buy cheaply in the market. The issue really is just getting the price or making sure that the gap between the market price and the gazette producer price is narrow enough for the private sector to feel comfortable. We are working with private sector on that and do not foresee any difficulties.
Vote 8, put and agreed to.
On Vote 9, Mines and Mining Development - $3 020 9937.00;
(v)HON. MUSHORIWA: I just need the Hon. Minister to confirm the aspect of the value addition in respect to our minerals. When we talk of a $12 billion mining industry but if we were factor in the value addition and we do not see in this budget their tax band Minister to cut in the urgency of value addition in terms of our minerals. From 2019, …
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: Order Hon. Mushoriwa, the issue is we need to understand that certain ministries have to bring in their programmes that they want. If the Minister did not speak of a programme which is value addition, it is not up to the Minister of Finance to be able to do that. The Minister of Finance will only be working within line items of programmes that have been stipulated in the Appropriation Bill and also programmes that the Minister would have stated. For us to be giving suggestions to the Hon. Minister yet it is not his portfolio, I think we are now misinformed. He can only speak of programmes. Let us look into the Appropriation Book and then we look into programmes that the Minister would have done. If it means it has to be a recommendation coming from the Portfolio Committee and then the Minister would be able to bring it in. When he brings it in, then it is part of the budget unless we are now having a discussion which is policy based. For now, we need to stick to the budget, programmes and look at the Appropriation Bill so that we can be able to look at those programmes and we can negotiate in that way.
(v)HON. MUSHORIWA: I think the missing link and maybe the Hon. Minister knows where I am coming from. The Hon. Minister will recall that in 2019 when he brought the Finance Bill, part of the adjustment which was done in that Finance Bill was to prolong the question, for instance, the platinum industry or miners who were given the leeway up to 2021. Now, we are ending 2021 we do not see in place when we look into the Ministry of Mines in terms of this value addition and there is no commitment even if you then look into the budget statement that the Hon. Minister presented. What I am simply asking Hon. Minister is to simply say because this is a revenue generation model, to then say what is the Government position in respect to this issue of value addition of our platinum and other minerals, given that we are now ending 2021 and we should have been seeing some progress.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: Hon. Mushoriwa, this is exactly what I am saying if I look at these programmes that we have for now. There are six programmes under the mines and mining development which does not include that. I totally agree with certain suggestions that you are giving me, which is very much commendable but for the purposes of this budget conversation, let us stick to what is there on the Appropriation Bill and we can guide each other. As far as this year 2022 Appropriation Bill, that aspect on the programmes for the Ministry is not there.
(v)HON. MARKHAM: My issue with the budget is that I see that the budget is mute on the company called Kuvimba which is taking up assets and it worries me that this is happening and the Ministry does not even mention it. The second issue which I would like to ask the Minister is, can he explain to us the issue of selling shares or part- privatising or going into PPP with Fidelity Printers and the assets reflecting under this Ministry.
HON. PROF NCUBE: The issue of Fidelity is still ongoing and those who have expressed interest to buy into the company are still doing their due diligence. They said they wanted time to know who else is involved. We will give them time. There is no rush on the transaction because they have to pay so they need to feel free and be satisfied that they are doing the right thing. We will report once real progress has been made. For now, they are still doing due diligence and they want time doing that.
Kuvimba is a company owned 65% by Government entities which involves the Civil Service Pension Fund, Farmer Compensation Fund, National Venture Fund, Sovereign Wealth Fund and the fund under IPAC for the compensation of pensioners and the fund under the DPC – Deposit Protection Corporation for compensation of depositors. All these are necessary things that Government has to cover and we felt that one way to do it is to cover them through assets that Government owns. We have been very public about this. As I speak, next week we should see the first check being paid to depositors by the DPC for loses due exchange rate movements. Hopefully, the IPAC will be ready and we will do the same thing for a few pensioners who also lost value in their pensions due to exchange rate movements in February 2019.
(v)HON. MARKHAM: Can the Minister confirm that Kuvimba is actually going to compensate all the various companies he is talking of including the farmers, pensioners and so on. Secondly, could he confirm that with Fidelity, the option to take up shares was made public and genuinely and how.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: The Minister will respond to the second part of your question. The first one is out of order.
HON. PROF. NCUBE: On Fidelity, this was made public, that is correct. The responses are still coming through but really we are still hoping that those who have responded saying they want time to conduct due diligence on other investors or the company itself, we have given them that time. We are not rushing this partial privatisation process at all. Let them take their time and be satisfied that they are doing the right thing.
(v)HON. MUSHORIWA: The Hon. Minister has said this Fidelity thing was done publicly, can he clarify that in terms of whether it also met the procurement comparative schedule analysis and how was it done?
HON. PROF. NCUBE: I would like to confirm that this is not a budgetary issue, Madam Chair.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: Let me re-emphasise to the Hon. Members who want to indulge. Let us go to our Appropriation Book and we look at those votes which are there and then we debate on that so that we can stick to the budget and amounts which are there and all the programmes that each Ministry has given to us. Today, I am sorry I have to be very strict because people are online and we need to reach somewhere when the quorum is very much intact.
(v)HON. MUSHORIWA: Why we are asking on Fidelity is because we have got some other contribution that we need to put on Fidelity because Fidelity Printers have also approached us as Members of Parliament in terms of budgetary financing and when we ask the Hon. Minister to give us an explanation is to enable us to then submit that we want to give under the Ministry of Mines and because the Minister had actually started on it, I think there is nothing wrong for the Minister to just comply and explain to us so that we will be in a position to get the correct position. I am aware Hon. Chair we need to rush this process but I think it is only proper that we get the answers that we ask from the Hon. Minister.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: I totally concur with you because we had that conversation because I was just trying to indulge you but if I look at the Appropriation Book for page 180, I do not see anything to do with Fidelity there so that we can be able to engage. That is why the Minister had to respond that way because now what we need to do is for us to look at what is in the Appropriation Book and be able to debate on that. That is the purpose of this Committee Stage. If ever there are any suggestions, we give the suggestion and it is not about me rushing it but us doing what we should do properly so that at least we do not indulge ourselves into getting involved in conversations which we can do on Wednesday or any other day when it comes to policy questions.
(v)HON. MUSHORIWA: We hear you Hon. Chairperson but I do not think it will be correct to just look at things that have been proposed by the Hon. Minister. There may also be omissions that we feel should have been corrected. There are certain issues that we might actually need to proffer some solutions that can help the country.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: I totally agree and I am happy to indulge you on that but I am saying you know these processes very well. We first had the general debate where we were supposed to proffer these solutions. Now, we are strictly dealing with allocation. This is the stage that we are at now.
Vote 9, put and agreed to.
On Vote 10, Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry - $3 711 362 000.00:
(v)HON. MARKHAM: On environment, I am requesting the Minister to reconsider and think about this. The Ministry, forgetting tourism and hospitality at the moment because of COVID-19 but the Ministry of Environment has a natural disaster on their hands; this being small scale miners and deforestation but also wetlands. When you consider the VAT and that the Ministry of Environment is a serial Ministry for receiving less than 40% of their budget for the last three years. While the budget is correct and if the Minister can deliver on everything that he has budgeted for, there that will be fine. However, the hidden factor here is there are massive laws to be re-written in numerous areas covering Zimbabwe which environment Ministry has to cover and I urge the Minister to reconsider this budget. Thank you.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: Did you say laws?
HON. MARKHAM: Laws as in changing laws, re-definitions and re-alignment to the Constitution for everything from mining, agriculture, wetlands and general environment definitions.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: On page 198 of our Appropriation Bill there is that provision. I thank you.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: Did you say laws?
HON. MARKHAM: Laws as in changing laws and realignment to the Constitution for everything, from mining to agriculture and wetlands.
HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: I believe the budget is adequate because when we develop these Bills and laws, the burden is always shared between a specific Ministry and the Ministry of Justice. In this case, you also have the Ministry of Mines that is involved as well. If it is about disasters around mining, you have got three ministries that are sharing the burden in crafting these Bills. If we take the budget for those three ministries, that should be able to cover the demands adequately for new legislation. They will not carry the burden on their own for sure. I thank you.
Vote 10 put and agreed to.
Vote 11 - Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development - Z$60 802 472 000 put and agreed to.
Vote 12 - Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade - Z$14 877 305 000 put and agreed to.
On Vote 13 - Ministry of Local Government and Public Works - Z$403 965 300 000;
HON. MARKHAM: I would like to point out that for the third year in a row, under Spatial Planning, we are creating a disaster for the future in the context that the Spatial Planning budget, once you take out the ZUPCO mass transport subsidy, there is very little left for spatial planning. We are working with maps right back to 1960 and this is of urgent concern. Can the Minister consider that all subsidies should be on their own Vote because these subsidies are not necessarily run through Parliament? They originate from Cabinet and the Minister himself. These subsidies which are national priority must be alienated so that they do not cover up how much or how little Local Government is getting.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): This ZUPCO issue is a spatial planning issue in terms of mass urban transportation. We believe that it is sitting in the right place. If the question is, did we leave enough budget for planning purposes, that is another question. We are working within the confines of what the Ministry of Local Government proposed to us when we interacted with them. We believe that this figure is appropriate.
HON. MARKHAM: Can the Minister explain how mass transport is a spatial planning issue?
HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: We are very happy to put it on different line if he is uncomfortable but we have said that for the time being, in terms of the programmes that we have come up with, that is where we will let it sit. We have nothing to hide. We have explained, that item includes the cost of running acquisitions and running ZUPCO transportation system which I believe has gone a long way in alleviating the transport challenges especially within our urban areas.
Vote 13 put and agreed to.
On Vote 14 - Ministry of Health and Child Care - Z$117 749 215 000;
HON. LABODE: I am very disappointed. This $117bn leaves a gap of $104bn from the bid the Ministry put forward. You remember in your statement, you implied that you have allocated 14.9% of the Budget to the Ministry, which was not true. It is very important for you to ring-fence the COVID, $7bn separate from the Ministry of Health because COVID is reflected as a pandemic. We do not know whether we are controlling it. It would be nice for us not to end up diverting funds. We need to increase the budget; we cannot have such a huge funding gap just after coming out of COVID. People are sick and the hospitals are down; that $117bn does not work.
HON. MPARIWA: I am appealing to the Minister to reconsider this figure on the Budget. I say so because you have increased diseases through NCDs which cannot be foretold whether one will suffer from them in one way or the other. We are down from the 2021 Budget to have an attempt to reach the Abuja Declaration. It is my humble appeal that you relook at this Budget. During my debate, I mentioned it that this particular Ministry carries the face of a person including women, men and children. This Budget should cater for everyone if we are to be sensitive and to be pro-poor.
HON. TOGAREPI: I also want to raise my voice on this. Hon Minister, you need to dig deep and look at your back pocket and everywhere else to try and up this Budget. We know you are working within your revenue and it may be very difficult to manoeuver. We are in a difficult situation because of COVID and for us not to fund this Ministry, it will mean we will have staff in that Ministry who are so crucial to the health of the nation disgruntled. I really urge you to look at it. We understand where you are coming from but I think a little bit of flexibility will help improve the situation in the Health Ministry.
(V)HON. NDUNA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. What the Minister of Finance has proposed is to take the 20% from third party insurance. According to numbers, that is US$40 million converted into RTGS annually. That money can also be apportioned towards the health delivery sector as opposed to just being streamlined for RTA victims. I propose that irrespective of that, I ask him to apply that statutory requirement in retrospect. If he applies it immediately, he can take some of that money and also give sanitary wear to our kids, our girl child for free in the same way condoms are distributed. I propose that a portion of the 20% also be attributed to the health care delivery system and the Health Budget if this pleases the Minister.
(V)HON. MOKONE: Thank you very much Madam Speaker. I would like to concur with the previous speakers that the Minister actually increases the allocation for Health because we are in the middle of a pandemic right now and we do not know what tomorrow holds for us. Maybe tomorrow there will be another worst pandemic. So I would like to concur with the previous speakers that the Minister should increase the allocation for the Health Ministry. Thank you.
(V)HON. RAIDZA: Thank you very much Madam Chair. I just wanted to propose to the Minister to say, maybe he can also look into our proposed utilisation of the SDRs and see maybe if we can get something from there. To leave the bigger portion of our support for Health in the hands of donors, I do not think it is good for our country. So I propose that maybe he can look at the back-pocket like what our Hon. Chief Whip has said. Possibly from the SDR, he can increase the allocation on Health. Thank you very much Madam Chair.
HON. MOLOKELE-TSIYE: Thank you very much Chair, I would like to start by expressing my disappointment with the Minister in terms of the percentage amount that he represented last week, especially knowing that it is now exactly 20 years after the Abuja Declaration was signed. Zimbabwe has not, in each and every one of those 20 years, managed to meet its commitment towards 15%. Now, under the COVID environment that we are in, where anything can move from bad to worse, we still cannot increase funding for Health. We cannot afford to have a healthcare infrastructure that is at this stage where we can have a full blown COVID-19 epidemic ravaging our country, especially with regards to our wealth, the welfare of the staff, especially the nurses and doctors. The nurses and doctors are not even expected to continue to leave the country like that in numbers at the moment and going on strike when we are facing the COVID-19 epidemic.
I am challenging the Minister to think outside the box to come out with a better plan in terms of funding health. As Zimbabwe, we claim to be independent and sovereign but how can we be an independent and self-reliant nation when we cannot fund our own healthcare system. Our ARVs are not paid by Zimbabweans, they are paid for by international development partners. We claim to be a wealthy country, striving to be upper middle income by 2030, how can we even talk about that when we cannot even fund our own primary health care services. So I am challenging the Minister to put his money where his mouth is and increase funding for health in Zimbabwe and stop the rhetoric and grandstanding that he showed last week. It is embarrassing for a whole Minister to claim that you are allocated 14 point something percent when all the mathematics clearly points out to 12 point something percent. Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am.
(V)+HON. L. SIBANDA: Thank you Madam Chairperson, thank you for the opportunity to debate. Like I had alluded to earlier on when I debated that the Minister should add money allocated to the Ministry of Health and Child Care because things are not well in this Ministry, he is well aware of this. There are no drugs and blankets in hospitals and even salaries of nurses are very little and the Minister has presented a Budget which is not appropriate. Taking a close look at it, it takes us to 11%. Therefore, the Minister should increase the funds allocated to the Health Ministry because children are dying. The Health Ministry has a number of departments whose paltry allocations are supposed to be distributed to but what isallocated is very little and I do not agree withit Hon. Minister. Thank you Madam Chair.
(V)HON. MARKHAM: Thank you Madam Speaker. Can the Minister explain to us why as of September, only 46% of the Health Budget had been allocated? Is this because we are becoming more and more donor dependent and the donors have come in, bearing in mind within 18 months of the COVID pandemic. I thank you.
THE CHAIRPERSON: Are you talking of allocated or disbursed?
(V)HON. MARKHAM: We have 46% as on page 48 of the money disbursed for Health and Child Care for this year.
THE CHAIRPERSON: You have said allocated.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): Thank you Madam Chair. I thank the Hon. Members for their contributions. Let me start with Hon. Labode who expressed that the Budget ought to be increased; the same applies to Hon. Togarepi, Hon. Nduna, Hon. Mokone, Hon. Molokele and Hon. L. Sibanda. I will then deal with Hon. Markham and Hon. Mpariwa separately. Now, on that first part, you see the COVID response strategy of the Government is multi-ministry and multi-departmental. This also explains why we have got an Inter-Ministerial Task Force that deals with this. So what you find for example is that, when it comes to supplying PPEs, let us say to the police, we give resources to the universities to manufacture that PPE, whether they are sanitisers or masks, which are then forwarded to the police for use.
When it comes to other research, for instance if you look at the research that gave rise to the oxygen plant in Mutare - medical oxygen, that again was financed by the Government through Treasury, through the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development and then down to Eerify Engineering and then there it is.
What I am trying to say here is that, the response to COVID is not just through the Ministry of Health and Child Care, it is through an entire Government approach. You will find therefore, issues pertaining to the COVID response sitting in other ministries as well and these are coordinated by this Inter-Ministerial Committee on COVID. So the Budget we had before you only pertains to the Ministry of Health’s sole contribution to the COVID response effort and not for instance the Budget; the budget that pertains to the police that had to enforce roadblocks for example or indeed, the acquisition of PPEs or the oxygen plant that I referred to earlier. So I believe that this Budget is really adequate in terms of responding to the challenges at hand and as I say, we always stand ready to top up.
Then on the issue of SDRs and so forth, for a start, Hon. Mpariwa, I have actually proposed, something that I said was innovative but I see she is not making any comment on it. We basically set aside some resources from sin taxes and cigarettes and energy drinks to support the provision of services around NCDs the non-communicable diseases. It is the first time we have done this and we think that this is commendable indeed and will go a long way in bolstering the quality of services to sufferers from these NCDs.
On the issue of using SDR for example, we earmarked SDRS to be applied to the health sector for vaccine acquisition for developing and upgrading some of the health infrastructure. This is ongoing and I have asked the Minister of Health to identify very specific projects which SDRS can be targeted in terms of financing and this will do.
Hon. Markham asked about the disbursements to the Ministry of Health this year. Initially the combination of factors, for instance in the infrastructure budget - some has to do with procurement issues or delays in certain projects on the ground due to Covid. So there are different reasons as to why there will be delays in terms of budget disbursements on the ground, but it is what it is. It is 46% and that figure is correct.
I also believe that overally, a figure of $117.7 billion is a good allocation also because when we come to the disease at hand which is Covid, there are other ministries that also need to respond to it as we use the whole of Government approach and not just a single Ministry approach to the response. I thank you.
(v) HON. DR. LABODE: I have an objection. It is not fair for you Hon. Minister to squeeze the whole Ministry of Health in this category of COVID preparedness. I agree it is a brilliant idea that you have set aside money for oxygen or you have given higher education to cushion them by asking them to produce PPEs and the sanitisers – what about the traditional malnutrition for those people? What about the non-communicable diseases and what about the women who are delivering on the floor at Mbuya Nehanda, dying from maternity? Those are still there, Hon. Minister. They were there long before COVID came. That is where I am saying find money for Covid and separate it from this Ministry. My argument Hon. Minister is that I really feel it is very important for you to look at the sector. We are struggling to reach our SDGs because remember also this money you have given us is RTGs and most of our procurements are in USD. Anywhere Zimbabwe has adopted 30 for the Ministry of Health. Give us our first quarter tranche and see what happens because the hospitals are in tatters. We will be back to you. Thank you.
HON. MUSHORIWA: Thank you Madam Chair. First, let me start by buttressing the point that Hon. Labode has said. I think it is only fair when you are faced with a crisis like COVID. It is better to have a stand-alone budget for COVID which does not have anything to with health. Let health be a stand alone. We have had the crisis for health delivery constituency in this part of the country. So naturally, I will support that. My fundamental question to the Hon. Minister is on the COVID vaccine. Hon. Minster, you are on record and you told us that you had set $100 million from our own savings for the procurement of vaccines and you had said that time that the money had come from surpluses. That is where you got the USD100 billion.
You also told us that the intention of the country was to reach 60% herd immunity, which would mean that in the USD100 billion will overshoot that 60% immunity. We now learn that from the SDR, there is US$77 million earmarked for COVID vaccination – can you help us in terms of the reconciliation? What is happening there and how many vaccines are we buying or probably it is my misunderstanding in terms of the overall cost of the COVID vaccination because US$177 sounds a little bit on the high side in terms of the population that we have in this country.
HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: Thank you very much. Let me start with the comments by Hon. Labode. I hear you when you say we should have separated the COVID budget from the rest of the Ministry of Health budget but we have not done that. Basically, the course for COVID response are spread around various ministries as I have explained earlier because we use them for the intervention for various aspects in terms of the work of the taskforce. So, it is spread around and that is what it is but we seem to believe that in terms of the Ministry of Health, what we have allocated is adequate. We have to live within the means and within the budget that we have. There is very little room to maneuver if we were to look elsewhere for resources, I am not so sure which Ministry I would cut back on and how because we are using project based budgeting. All these programmes have been discussed and negotiated with the line ministries, programme by programme. It will be very difficult to make adjustments upwards and I do not know where to cut.
Then Hon. Mushoriwa on vaccines, the US$100 million that we used to the first round when we bought vaccines bought us about 12 million vaccines. So to get to cover 10 million people which is our target, we needed eight million more vaccines and that is what we do down to the SDRS 4. This is in line with the IMF guidelines to make sure that we respond to the pandemic and we are comfortable with that because each time we make a draw -own, they ask us what we are going to use the money for and we explain. We explained and we are pleased that they concurred. We will now be able to procure the entire US$20 million that we need for these vaccines but remember we need also to buy syringes as well and other related equipment that we had also to purchase to make sure that the programme works well. So that is what we have done with those resources but Hon. Labode, about the size of the budget, I feel that the money is adequate. Thank you.
(V)HON. MARKHAM (Spkng): The Minister has not considered anything including why 146% in a pandemic has been distributed. I honestly see no point in proceeding further. I thank you.
(v)HON. MUSHORIWA: Madam Chair, I think what Hon. Markham said makes sense. If the Hon. Minister feels so strongly that he cannot add an additional funding to Health, it just confirms the fact that the Minister is not open to debate and the position is to simply push the proposal from the Ministry of Finance as it is. It actually becomes a mockery to Parliament as the one that passes the Budget.
The other clarification that I would want to seek from the Hon. Minister, we were told that the vaccines from China, were costing around $6 thereabout, but from the figures that you are putting to say that you got 12 million from $100, it now appears that the cost per vaccine was even higher than the amount that we were made to believe. I am just wondering whether there is a problem in terms of the pricing or the price has been increased over time.
HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: Thank you very much. The prices for vaccines have been coming down over time. In fact, the programmes worked very well. The suppliers have even donated some vaccines and will be receiving further donations going forward which will go a long way in giving us enough vaccines to support a booster programme as well. Thank you very much.
Vote 14, put and agreed to.
Vote 15 – Primary and Secondary Education - $124, 069,971,000 put and agreed to.
Vote 16 – Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development - $35,774,248,000 put and agreed to.
On Vote 17 – Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development - $4,734,493,000;
HON. MOLOKELA-TSIYE: Thank you Madam Chair. I also speak in the context that I am a member of that Portfolio Committee. I just want to highlight to the Minister that a lot of hope was raised to many women in Zimbabwe who historically are marginalised and remain marginalised in the mainstream economy. We know that the Women Empowerment Bank was considered as one of the possible hopes to take them out of poverty. The way the Women Empowerment Bank has been underfunded in the past year has left a lot of women across Zimbabwe disappointed.
If this country is going to respect the expectation of the Constitution of achieving 50% gender equality, one of the most important thing is that what the Government of the day must be seen to be doing is to come up with budgetary support for any initiative that seeks to empower women economically. The idea of the Women Empowerment Bank is one of the options that the Government of the day has got. There is clear indication that it is underfunded and it is failing to meet the expectation of a lot of women across the country who are willing to start their own small to medium enterprises or informal businesses to ensure that they stop being dependent; they start to be self-reliant and return their own dignity as citizens of this country.
In spite of all the appeals, there still seems to be a situation where all the appeals of increasing massively the budget for the Women Bank falling on deaf ears. I am challenging the Minister to meet the women of Zimbabwe half way. Women of Zimbabwe are prepared to work closely with the Women Empowerment Bank and make sure that it helps them to move out of poverty.
In line with the vision of the country to achieve upper-middle income status by 2030, let us put our big mouths where our money is. Let us put our money where our big mouth is. Let us invest in the Women Empowerment Bank. I challenge the Minister to increase the budget massively so that next year we do not see what we have seen this year where the majority of women who apply for loans never got any loans. As I speak tonight, the Women Empowerment Bank is seen as a mirage. It is a false hope and it is time for the Minister of Finance to seek to make it a reality for millions of women across the country who really had hope a few years ago that the Women Empowerment Bank was going to be a game changer. It was going to give them dignity, it was going to help them to get economically empowered.
I challenge the Hon. Minister of Finance to come up with ways to make sure that the Women Empowerment Bank does not become a white elephant. A few years ago, hopes were raised that this was going to help a lot of women in Zimbabwe, to boost the economy of Zimbabwe and to make sure that women are recognised as equal citizens of Zimbabwe because they are the ones who are historically and presently excluded from the economy. Thank you so much.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): Thank you Madam Chair. We acknowledge that there is need to recapitalise the Women’s Bank and that is what is proposed in the Budget. I do not know if you can all remember. Maybe you missed the line in the Budget. We are going to recapitalise the bank. Secondly, we took on board a suggestion that came from the Committee and from our discussion in Victoria Falls, that we should set up a guarantee facility for a certain category of women entrepreneurs who may not have the adequate level of collateral that the bank would demand upon the procurement of loans. We took this on board as an innovation that will expand capacity of the bank.
In that intervention, I sense that the Hon. Member also wants coverage across the country in terms of access from this bank but then it is up to the bank to come to us with that strategy to say, how are they going to make this happen? Will they partner with other banks in doing so? That is more of an operational strategic issue which in a Vote, I am not able to capture but I will take the point about capacitating the bank and we are going to do so. Thank you.
Vote 17, put and agreed to.
Vote 18 – Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage - $49,417,575,000 put and agreed to.
Vote 19 – Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs - $22,705,137,000 put and agreed to.
On Vote 20, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services –ZWL2 652 674 000
(v)HON. MOKONE: I reject that figure. On a serious note, we are faced with a pandemic, Coronavirus and they are supposed to inform the nation on how they can protect themselves against this pandemic.
As a Ministry, we need to complete this digitalisation programme that was begun in 2015 and it was supposed to end in 2017. Now we are in 2021 and every year this Ministry is underfunded. Therefore, I object to this allocation. Information is a public good, it is key, especially these days. Without information we are not going to be able to fight this pandemic and other diseases globally.
(v)HON. MOLOKELE: Thank you Madam Chair. I speak on behalf of Matabeleland North Province where access to radio and television is very limited. I speak on behalf of my Constituency, Hwange Central, especially the rural wards in my constituency where we do not have access to ZBC, where we actually have access to the Zambia National Broadcasting Cooperation. I speak on behalf of all the people in Zimbabwe, especially in rural areas who could benefit if our Government decides to take seriously the request from the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Cooperation with regards to finally completing the migration towards the new system that they have been talking about since 2015. The digitalised system could help to improve access to radio and television which will also open up the airwaves for more people in this country.
Today, only people in urban areas are the ones who have access to the public media through ZBC. I am appealing to the Minister to say since the new dispensation claims that they are the ones who get things done, let us see that with ZBC, 6 years after this programme was launched with all funny fair, why not come up with a clear strategy to make sure that you fund and make sure that ZBC finally migrates as promised 6 years ago. When will this be finally put to finality?
Therefore, Hon. Minister, I am challenging you again, can you include more Zimbabweans into the broadcasting services by responding to the request from ZBC that has fallen on your deaf ears since you were appointed Minister. ZBC has been crying every year for your attention. We need a master plan to make sure that the migration happens once and for all, we want to increase access to people especially those who are being excluded like those in Matabeleland North who are being forced to listen to Zambia National Broadcasting, Botswana Broadcasting when they can listen to ZBC which is their national broadcaster. Hon. Minister, come up with a plan and respond to the budgetary request and make sure that this thing is done with once and for all. We cannot continue every year repeating the same request.
(v)HON. R.R NYATHI: I just want to make a small comment on the issue of financing for this particular Ministry. It is very true that the staff responsible for news broadcasting do not even have the requisite tools like cameras and even vehicles for them to move around. However, in the next year that we getting into, they would need adequate equipment because there are a lot of national activities such as general elections, census, delimitation and they will be needed all over. When they are talking of cameras, they usually hire from somewhere. In terms of vehicles, if you want them to go and do coverage somewhere, you have to send them a car. Therefore, Hon. Minister of Finance, may you increase the Vote of that particular Ministry.
HON. J. SITHOLE: I want to say this area of information and communication is very crucial. Right now we are busy communicating yet there is no consideration over the importance of the particular Ministry.
If you look at what we have observed when we visited some transmission sites, some of them were using generators which consume 15 litres per hour because they do not even have electricity, hence a lot is needed there through energy.
Today we are talking of community radios but there is no funding that can be provided through Government. I thank you.
HON. KASHIRI: I just want to concur with the two last contributions from Hon. Molokela and Hon. Nyathi. The Vote for the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services should be increased.
HON. NYABANI: Hon. Minister, may you put funding on the community radio stations so that communities in the border areas may also benefit. I thank you.
(v) HON. MUCHIMWE: Thank you Hon. Chair. Inasmuch as I have heard the debate from Members, most if not all are against this well presented budget. A budget is a framework of what is expected, what is expected to be put in place. The same figures, if you put them into the final analysis, are high but there is room to increase if funds are available. There is no way the Minister can hold funds if they are available. Otherwise if he gives too much – [HON. PETER MOYO: Inaudible interjection.] –
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (HON. M. KHUMALO): Hon. Moyo, order please.
HON. MUCHIMWE: My conclusion is, let us work with what is there. Thank you.
+HON. PETER MOYO: Thank you Hon. Speaker for the opportunity given. I would like to support the Chairperson of the Media Committee who is rejecting the funds allocated towards Media because radio and televisions in this country are taken as luxury, not knowing that it is people’s rights to be informed about what is happening in our country. If we are travelling in this country from Harare to Kadoma, radio and television network is no longer accessible. In fact we access South African stations, Zambian stations and Mozambican stations. What is really troubling us, we realise that other ministries are given enough monies, yet we do not even realise who is empowering these. It is people’s rights….
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: Hon. Moyo, proffer solutions, you are now debating.
(v) HON. PETER MOYO: You have to fund ZBC, put money in ZBC. What was requested by the Minister; what was requested by the Committee, that should be fulfilled. Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I ask that the Hon. Minister, he can get money in retrospect from the International Gateway Solution investment through the content that is being created by ZBC over the past 15 years. He can get that money in retrospect because every evening at 2000 hours, there is about 15 000 diasporans that watch ZBC news. If this has been going on for the past 15 years online, on Facebook, that is content created by ZBC, that needs to be renumerated and that needs to be paid. This is a practical solution and I also urge Hon. Members to vociferously, effectively and efficiently debate on this point so that ZBC can get money. ICT is a game changer, it is a multi-trillion dollar industry and we can start by 2022 Budget on information, using what is already gone before it. It is concept related through Gateway Solution establishment. I am sure the Minister of Finance can remove all the headache in terms of financing the new commission industry.
(v) HON. RAIDZA: Thank you Hon. Chair. I just want to add my voice to this Vote. My proposal is that it is ideal if the Minister can properly fund Transmedia where we will end up having digitalisation in this country. After we have digitalised our broadcasting services, then people will be in a position to pay. We have a lot of good programmes that the Government is doing that are not even known by the people on the ground. So I think it is very critical that some of the parastatals that are under the Ministry, if they are well funded they can generate income for the benefit of the fiscus and for the benefit of the nation.
HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: Thank you Mr. Chair. This budget pertains to supporting the Ministry of Information, including the parastatal, ZBC. In the last three years we have done a lot to support ZBC. In 2019, we used to pay salaries to ZBC staff. In 2020, we continued doing that, we bought them some cameras. We supported the refurbishment of some studios by year end of 2020. So we have been supporting this parastatal.
In the 2022 budget, we have set aside the forces to support this institution. So we are very supportive, we have never neglected them. On the issue of digitalisation, this cannot be a one off project. It is a multi-year project. It is quite heavy, we worked out and it needs about US$75 million to execute. It would not be done in one year. I have actually approached a lender from abroad who then said, this does not look like you could get a loan on the market, so we cannot lend you money as a country. So we have to support it via State coffers, through Treasury. We have allocated some resources this year. We will allocate some more next year. Within the next three years, we will be able to complete the digital process. We are quite aware that our citizens get radio from other countries and we are determined to really curtail that and stop that eventually. So we are committed to supporting the Ministry but it is on a monthly analysis and it shows what we have done to support ZBC.
(v)HON. MOKONE: Yes, I still stand on what I said earlier on that I reject this allocation. I was hoping the Minister would actually increase our allocation because the Minister, as he was responding, kept on referring to ZBC. May I actually point out to the Minister that ZBC is not the only company or parastatal under the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services. We have other parastatals that are under the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services and they have to fulfill their mandates. So I still stand on what I said that I object to this allocation and I am not going to actually say that this budget be approved because my Ministry was given a paltry amount. So I believe I have made my point.
(v)*HON. TEKESHE: Hon. Chair, I think the money that is being channeled to ZBC is way too much. They are actually covering only party activities. There is too much money going into the institution. It is better we channel that money to other sectors such as education. Thank you.
(v)HON. MOLOKELA-TSIYE: Thank you Hon. Chair, I wanted the Minister to take note that Zimbabwe is one of the countries that has got the highest numbers of decoders in households in Africa. I do not know whether he has managed to notice that a lot of Zimbabweans actually use satellite television which they obviously cannot afford. Zimbabwe is losing a lot of foreign currency because of payments to MutliChoice DSTV when we can avoid that kind of expense in Zimbabwe where we are forced to subscribe to MultiChoice DSTV.
Why can we not as Zimbabwe invest in our own broadcasting infrastructure, have our own television access improved and make sure there are community radio stations so that Zimbabweans stop wasting a lot of money each month, a lot of foreign currency that we desperately need to pay for subscriptions to DSTV and others? So we need to understand that the same $5 million that the Minister is talking about is nothing compared to the amount of money that Zimbabweans pay every month to access DSTV. This is simple mathematics. This is simple financial logic. The longer we take the more unnecessary waste of foreign currency will continue.
I am appealing to the Minister to take reason of that, that we are wasting a lot of money as Zimbabwe. Even the most basic family in the country has got DSTV. Why are we having DSTV, mostly because we do not have choice in terms of what to listen to and watch, mostly because there is no competition for ZBC, mostly because there is not enough coverage, especially in rural parts of Zimbabwe in remote parts of the country. All border towns in Zimbabwe do not listen or watch local television or radio. They are all listening to South Africa, Zambia and Botswana. This must come to an end. Forty one years after independence, this must come to an end where you deliberately exclude people in Beitbridge and everywhere from listening to their own national broadcasting. This is an urgent matter; $75 000 000 is not enough. We want to include everyone in the development of this country and State media is very important.
The issue of whether ZBC is biased towards other political parties has got nothing to do with the fact that people cannot even access ZBC in Hwange Central Constituency where I come from. So let us not confuse those two issues. We will fight about whether the ZBC is truly a public broadcaster but we cannot even go there when we cannot even access ZBC in the first place, when we do not have community television in this country, when we do not have community radio stations in rural parts of Zimbabwe. This needs to be addressed urgently. So let us increase money, let us increase funding for ZBC and let us make sure people stop subscribing to DSTV wasting a lot of foreign currency. Thank you Hon. Chair.
(v)HON. PETER MOYO: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir. Mr. Speaker Sir, why are we still having one national television in this country? It shows we are not even serious about information dissemination.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: Hon. Peter Moyo, you are out of order. That does not arise now.
(v)HON. PETER MOYO: I am not out of order; I am saying it. You have to give other players so that you get money. That is my solution. I am not out of order.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: But we are dealing with the Ministry’s budget.
(v)HON. PETER MOYO: Yes, the budget that was allocated is too little. The request by the Committee, the request from the Minister must be funded. It is a must; we are not even shy about it. We want this Ministry to be funded fully because we are talking about information to our citizenry in this country.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: But Hon. Moyo, we hear you. You are repeating the same thing.
(v)HON. PETER MOYO: Yes, so we need to have many stations in this country like what Hon. Molokela has said. We are subscribing to DSTV. Why can we not subscribe to ZBC if things are okay?
(v)HON. NDUNA: I ask that Hon. Members propose how to increase the revenue generation measures.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: Hon. Nduna, thank you they heard. Hon. Minister, any response?
HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: Hon. Speaker, to be honest, I think I am getting lost. I do not know if we are debating on the Vote or anything else. We are very committed to supporting this Ministry. We have walked the talk for the last three years supporting the ZBC in the way we have done and we are committed to doing more and that is what we have put in the budget allocation. I am hearing about additional stations and so forth. That is not what this budget is meant for but also there are other media platforms that are under the Government such as Zimpapers for example. What are we suggesting about those? So you have ZTN, you have got the whole stable under Zimpapers. So ZTV is not the only Government owned channel for communication and disseminating communication.
(v)HON. MOLOKELA-TSIYE: Let us be very clear. There is no access to ZBC in Hwange.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: Order Hon. Molokela!
HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: If I can proceed Chairman. ZTN is available on electronic media. I have been able to access it from any part of the country and also globally, I have been able to do that through the normal media channels. I am just saying that there are other platforms that are under the purview of Government and not just ZBC, but we are still showing a lot of commitment towards supporting ZBC. I thank you.
(v)HON. MOLOKELA-TSIYE: I want to respond to the Minister.
(v)HON. MOKONE: Yes, my hand is up.
(v)HON. MOLOKELA-TSIYE: We want to respond to the Hon. Minister Chair – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] - Why is the Minister being allowed not to answer our questions? It is really unfair Hon. Chair. The Minister is not answering questions; he is avoiding answering questions.
(v)HON. MOKONE: Hon. Chair, you are skipping debate.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: You are no longer debating. There is a stand-off here, you are no longer debating but repeating the same things. I want to put it to vote.
(v)HON. MOLOKELA-TSIYE: Hon. Chair, the Minister is not responding directly to the issues. He is avoiding them.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: That is how he is responding.
Voter 20, put and agreed to.
On Vote 21 – Youth, Sport Arts and Recreation - $7 844 058 000;
HON. MAVETERA: Thank you very much Hon. Chair for this opportunity. I would like to thank the Hon. Minister for the $100 000 000 that he managed to give to the people in arts, which is in arts fund. Following up on the conversation that we had in Victoria Falls, I remember very well the Hon. Minister in his budget statement mentioned that there was an emphasis that they will also put in terms of rehabilitation and in terms of drugs which a lot of young people are getting involved in now. On that one ,when I also look at the programmes that the Ministry had in the Appropriation Bill, I realise that there is a decrease even when it comes to some of the programmes that they have. Last year, they managed to capacitate in terms of youth development 25 000, because of the limited budget now, they will only be able to capacitate 15 000. Again, if you look at the ones that are supposed to be trained at national orientation, they are also decreasing from 1500 to 1000.
So on that, when I look at all these performance indicators, there is quite a limitation in terms of the amount. I understand the Hon. Minister was clear that it is a fiscal space which if quite limited. My call was especially on that $100 million, that $100 million is specific to arts which we appreciate and we want to thank him for introducing that. Now when it comes to sports, I had seen the amount that is supposed to go to SRC, it is quite good but when I look at how it is broken down, it is specific to compensation of employees and use of goods and service and do not go down to the young person. So now my interest is I understand that right now for us to be able to rehabilitate these young people, these are two programmes that I thought you are also supposed to be quite clear so that we can rehabilitate young people. We have the issue of arts and we have the issue of sports.
On the sports, I feel it is very much limited and if there is anything that the Minister can do, he will be able to come up with a sports fund as well ,the same way that we came up with an arts, this will actually be able to help young people. My call really is on the sports fund considering that the money which is going to SRC is going to the National Sports Stadium but not direct to the young person. So this was just my call to the Hon. Minister, if there is anything that he can do. Let us also applaud him for giving up a fund to Pan-African Youth Council. I thank you very much. In terms of VTCs (Vocational Training Centres), I realise that you have given a lot of VTCs money which is good for us but I remember very well that you also mentioned the issue of flagship VTCs. On that one now, I really wanted to ask the Hon. Minister to say of all these ones that you have managed to give which I appreciate and thank you, which one then becomes our flagship which will be more ICT based which we believe can be something that you can say this is an ideal centre for a VTC which you also promised us when you went to the budget conference? These are my submissions Hon. Chair.
HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: Thank you very much and I thank Hon. Mavetera for those interventions. Starting with the later in terms of which of these will be the flagship for national training centres, we will be guided by the Minister. As Finance we cannot choose for them, they will guide us accordingly and then ask us to direct resources accordingly. On the issue of the youth fund, yes thank you, we focused on the arts fund that was more an urgent issue in terms of creating jobs right there. On the youth fund, it looks like in our allocation, we do not specifically target the beneficiaries but rather the infrastructure if there is a training to be done for example including this idea that the Ministry could partner with higher education and access sports facilities from higher education institutions because each of these universities in the ten provinces will be their training facilities which the youth can access. There is need sometimes to reflect may be it could be that as we think through the back pocket, this is something that we could work together though the Ministry of Youth to sort out, right now I am not clear as to how we could intervene here but we can have a conversation and see how we can use the back pocket to intervene in this area. We are much clearer on the arts fund I tell you. I thank you.
Vote 21, put and agreed to.
Vote 22, Energy and Power Development; ZWL3 553 865 000.00. put and agreed to.
On Vote 23, Information Communication and Technology and Courier Services, ZWL3 294 554 000.00.
*(V)HON. NYABANI: Thank you Mr. Chairman. We do not have network in Rushing it is difficult for the children to access e-learning. We are appealing to Government that they put base stations. We are behind as rural communities and it is only those in urban areas that enjoy the added advantage. In rural areas and in border areas, there is no network. I thank you.
*(V)HON. GANDAWA: Thank you Madam Chair, we start a programme called Universal Services Fund this fund is helping us but because of COVID-19, remote areas that are marginalised do not have connectivity. There is a place called Dete, Kazangarare, they get Zambian airwaves not Zimbabwean. I wanted the Minister to look at that. Universal Services Fund must be funded and given enough allocation so that base stations are put in areas that are marginalised. Rural school children cannot access e-learning or any form of electoral media. People in rural areas are suffering. We want to move forward with technology. I remember you saying your pocket is rich and deep and everything is in place. You must consider ICT. I thank you.
HON. BRIG. GEN. (RTD) MAYIHLOME: Thank you very much. I just want to add my voice to the issue of ICT and USF funds that we have been talking about for the past 3 years. I come from a constituency which is barely 40 kms from Bulawayo, 50% of people in that constituency do not have any access to any connectivity of whatever kind. We are talking of people climbing mountains to access social media. We are talking of people climbing trees to report about ill patients. You are talking of people who have to compete with those based in cities to apply for vacancies in nursing, teaching and all those organizations now advertise on the internet or Whatsapp. How do we compete with those that come from Harare? They come 40 km away but they do not have any network and we have been talking about this every year and the Minister has been promising to fund this but nothing has happened.
Honestly, if the President is saying no region or no place and no one should be left behind, why is the Ministry not practicing that? Why should we be left behind and watch other parts of the country talk about smart agriculture, e-learning and all these other developments and yet we are just watching it all, nothing? Every year we get promised. This year we were told that the money was there and it was in foreign currency but the foreign currency is controlled by the same Minister. Honestly, I think this one needs more resources Hon. Minister. The issue of network cannot be delayed any further. We need it now so that our children, parents and those who want to transact, everybody is transacting through Ecocash, how do you transact when there is no network?
*(v) HON. P. MOYO: Hon. Chair, we want the Minister to have a relook at the budget and increase the budget. He should try and put more funds because we are now operating in an e-Governance system.
*THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: Where do you want him to adjust the funds?
*(v) HON. P. MOYO: If a Ministry is $3 billion out of $12 billion which they had requested for, I believe it is way too low. May the Minister please increase this money so that it is in line with the prevailing circumstances? We are now in wave four of COVID-19 and those that are not vaccinated may fall foul. It appears that we are going to even close the schools. If we close all schools and there is no network, the majority of us Members are actually failing to connect showing that our connectivity and network is not good. Our network should be improved so that we move with the times. When we go to other countries on benchmarking visits, we see that they learn very well using virtual platforms than in the physical institution. If we are going to be operating from home, how we are going to be able to do that, whether it is going to be through government. School children should be given sufficient amounts to be able to function properly.
This has been mentioned by Hon Brig (Rtd) Mayihlome. People are now climbing trees to be able to access network. We are in an independent country and should be seen to be ensuring that the local resources that we have are benefitting this particular meeting so that everyone has bandwidth and connectivity. No one should be left behind, be they in the communal lands or farms. It is my plea that the Minister should understand and increase the budget of this particular Ministry. If he is caught between a rock and a hard place, he must allocate at least some of what the Ministry had requested so that he disburses that amount for them to be able to function properly so that our country will not lag behind. It is my considered view that they be allocated half of their requirement, which is $6 billion so they will be able to discharge their mandate well.
*(v) HON. CHIKWAMA: The Minister should hear our plea and increase the allocation to the Ministry. The way that we are living, we are using internet and cannot use such gadgets in our constituencies. People are going up the trees as already mentioned and that is quite difficult for us. In fact, we are much better because at times we can access internet. Even if they have not been given half of the budget allocation, the Minister should have allocated more money. Everything that we require has to be done online, so if he is not going to increase the money and there is not even a single booster in my constituency, they go on to higher ground or mountains so as to access network. There is no network to talk about. It is our plea that other areas that do not have network get connected and be actually taken into consideration so that Zimbabwe can be seen to be moving into a modern State. It is not possible without connectivity. Please hear our plea Hon. Minister.
(v) HON. MOKONE: The NDS1 speaks about achieving a digital economy. How do we achieve a digital economy with such a paltry figure of $3.3 billion? These days there is so much talk about e-learning, children are not going to school physically because they are doing e-learning but there is no network. ICT is incapacitated to actually make sure that there is connectivity across the country. This Ministry should be given more money so that they can carry out that mandate in a professional manner and carry it out effectively.
(v)HON. NDIWENI: My own contribution on the ICT now that we are talking of a digital economy and the pandemic, I would like to inform the Minister that when we consulted the stakeholders, they suggested that the most feasible amount to be given to this Ministry will be 5% of the budget. I thank you.
(v)HON. MOLOKELA-TSIYE: This is one example where as Zimbabwe we are failing to do a proper cost-benefit analysis. When we exclude millions of Zimbabwe from accessing the internet like we are doing, from accessing Wi-Fi and mobile data, we are forcing those Zimbabweans to travel from their homes into town which is a much more expensive task because it includes transport, food and accommodation expenses when they can easily access mobile, internet banking and e-learning while they are at home in rural Zimbabwe.
In all the rural parts of my constituency, there is no access to internet. When we get out of town, we automatically go offline. I had the privilege of going to Lupane East Constituency where the Minister of Finance hails from. There is no network coverage, not just for internet but for mobile coverage. Most parts of that constituency have no mobile coverage at all for Econet and Netone. We need to understand as Zimbabwe that we are losing a lot of money by forcing our rural folk who are already poor and struggling in this economy. When they want to do a simple transaction, they go to Lupane Centre to do that. Hon. Minister, can you save a lot of money for Zimbabwe and for our budget by making sure that you increase network coverage especially for millions of Zimbabweans who are clearly being left behind in this digitalisation era. Let us build more boosters and increase the budget.
*(v)HON. NYAMUDEZA: I would like to request the Minister to allocate more resources towards the construction of boosters so that we will be able to look at maintenance in the next year. It is not only the installation of these boosters that we have to look at, we also need to look at maintenance. There is no installation that will not require maintenance. I implore you because you were born in a rural area which does not have internet connectivity and you are aware of that.
(v)HON. GABBUZA: Generally, internet services are provided for by private players, why then do we want to insist on getting money for boosters when there is Econet and Netone? We have a lot of duplication because where there are boosters, there is Econet, Telecel and Netone. Why do we not enforce these infrastructure sharing so that we are able to save resources and spread our coverage? There is the Universal Services Fund, I am not aware on which project that fund was released. Why do we not use that so that it is reflected in the budget and we are aware of how many projects have been funded by this fund?
*(v)HON. KARUMAZONDO: We request that we have sufficient boosters in Maramba-Pfungwe. The teachers and nurses are transferring from ward one because of poor network coverage. Teachers do not want to live in areas where there is poor network coverage because they are unable to communicate with their relatives. We ask that the Minister reconsiders and increase our budget so that civil servants will not run away from their stations. I thank you.
HON. PROF. M. NCUBE: I thank the Hon. Members for their comments. They basically said one thing, all of them, which is increasing the size of this budget. The issue of the digital economy is that of a shared economy. The private sector is very active in this regard because it is profitable but also so is Government. It is not the sole role of Government to provide the entire infrastructure to digital economy. We believe that what we have allocated is Government’s own contribution to this sector and we believe that it will go a long way in improving services in the sector.
There is an issue of shared infrastructure. One Hon Member mentioned this very important point that there is infrastructure that ought to be shared and why is it not being shared. It is not the responsibility of Government to provide all the infrastructure. When it comes to base stations which you mentioned, we are, as Government, already supporting Netone and Telone through loans from abroad where they are rolling out base stations. This is an ongoing programme. The fact of the matter is that the digital economy agenda is a shared agenda between Government and the private sector because it is a profitable area.
We believe what we have allocated is adequate but when you look at the digital services within Government, there is high performance computer that sits under the Ministry of Higher Education. There is also a data centre which sits under the Office of the President and Cabinet and then you have got other programmes sitting directly within the Ministry of ICT. Within Government, it is spread out as a sector in terms of activities but then the budget also follows the same ministries impacting programmes across the three areas and not just ICT Ministry. I thank you.
Vote 23, put and agreed to.
HON. MUSHORIWA: On a point of order. My point of order is that we consider adjourning the House primarily because of the nature of where we are, given the COVID crisis that we are having. Secondly and most importantly, you are aware that since we started debating, there has not been a movement by the Minister on each and every Vote. Maybe the best is to put all the Votes that remain because the answers are simply the same. The Minister has just come unprepared to debate. The best thing is to combine everything and allow staff members to have sufficient time to go and rest in order to see their families given the COVID situation that we are finding ourselves in. We cannot continue doing an exercise in futility. That is my suggestion Madam Chair.
*THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: Thank you very much. I have heard what you said, it is a suggestion, but we are going to proceed so that at least we can conclude. Thank you very much.
(V)HON. P. MOYO: Point of order Madam Chair. Thank you very much Madam Chair. I see as if what we are doing is not helpful. So I think we should go and rest, people should go and sleep and the Minister should also go and sleep and come back tomorrow when he is doing well. It is showing that he is not thinking well…
*THE CHAIRPERSON: Order Hon. Moyo. What you are supposed to do is if you want to sleep, just exit and go to sleep. Thank you.
Vote 23, put and agreed to.
Vote 24 – National Housing and Social Amenities – ZW$10 061 472 000 put and agreed to.
Vote 25 – Judicial Services Commission – ZW$5 445 814 000 put and agreed to.
Vote 26 – Public Service Commission - ZW$22 752 070 000 put and agreed to.
Vote 27 – National Council of Chiefs – ZW$671 030 000 put and agreed to.
Vote 28 – Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission - ZW$403 898 000 put and agreed to.
Vote 29 – National Peace and Reconciliation Commission - ZW$441 333 000 put and agreed to.
Vote 30 – National Prosecuting Authority - ZW$1 629 265 000 put and agreed to.
Vote 31 – Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission - ZW$913 713 000 put and agreed to.
HON. NDEBELE: Madam Speaker, just allow me to observe that this is my second term in Parliament and I have never seen us conduct a Budget in this manner. I am just disappointed, I thought I would state that for the record.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: Noted.
Vote 32 – Zimbabwe Electoral Commission - ZW$11 632 813 000 put and agreed to.
HON. NDEBELE: This is a process that is supposed to define lives of our people for the next 12 months and we treat it in a kindergarten manner like this. This is absolute child’s play and it is an embarrassment. I think the Second Republic can do way better than this. We are regressing in terms of our standards. I did not expect us to sink so low.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: Thank you very much, noted.
Vote 33 – Zimbabwe Gender Commission - ZW$497 590 000 put and agreed to.
Vote 34 – Zimbabwe Land Commission - ZW$1 759 307 000 put and agreed to.
Vote 35 – Zimbabwe Media Commission - ZW$510 990 000 put and agreed to.
House resumed.
Main Estimates of Expenditure reported without amendments.
Report adopted.
Bill ordered to be brought in by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development in accordance with the Main Estimates of Expenditure adopted by the House.
FIRST READING
APPROPRIATION BILL (2022) [H. B. 15, 2021]
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. NCUBE) presented the Appropriation Bill (2022) Bill.
Bill read the first time.
Bill referred to the Parliamentary Legal Committee.
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER
NON-ADVERSE REPORT RECEIVED FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY LEGAL COMMITTEE
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. KHUMALO): I have received a Non-Adverse Report from the Parliamentary Legal Committee on the Finance (2022) Bill [H.B. 16, 2021].
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. NCUBE): Thank you Mr. Speaker. I move that the Bill be now read a second time.
SECOND READING
FINANCE (2022) BILL [H.B. 16, 2021]
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. NCUBE): This Bill seeks to support the statement that I have read before this House and makes several proposals. The Bill seeks to give effect to some of the proposals that were outlined in the statement that I gave before this august House, proposals which pertain to incentives or disincentives or revenue raising measures. I must say that within that, I wish to highlight that Clause 3 of the Bill...
(v)HON. MUSHORIWA: Mr. Speaker Sir, I think with all due respect, we received the Finance Bill at close to 6 p.m. this evening, a 100 page document and for the Hon. Minister to say that he can read the Finance Bill now, I think that will be stretching Parliament to the limit. There is sufficient time next week. Let the Finance Bill be stood over and allow Hon. Members to go through the 100 page document that has been sent at 6.00 p.m. It will be very unfair and wrong for this to happen and I think the Hon. Minister should take cognisance of the Hon. Members. We have been patient enough –[AN HON. MEMBER: Inaudible interjection]-
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Members, order please. Can I rule on Hon. Mushoriwa’s concern? The Departmental Draft was distributed two days ago and this one is basically the same as the Departmental Draft. So the Minister can proceed. I think Hon. Mushoriwa, you are the one who asked for the Departmental Draft yesterday.
(v)HON. MUSHORIWA: No, there is a difference between the Departmental Draft and the Finance Bill. I have got the Departmental Draft and it is different from the Finance Bill.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, I have ruled, may the Minister proceed reading the Bill.
HON. PROF. NCUBE: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir, if I could proceed. This Bill seeks to support the proposals that were outlined in my Budget Statement in various ways. First of all, in Clause 3, Part II of the Finance Act, Chapter 23:04 provides for specific deductions (called “credits”) of an actual amount of tax from the actual tax payable. This clause introduces a tax credit of US$50 or local currency equivalent per additional employee recruited per month for corporates that employ physically challenged persons. The credit will however, be limited to a maximum of US$ 2 250 per year of assessment.
This will go a long way in support of the mantra of ‘leaving no one behind’ in terms of the job market. On tax free threshold on tax bands, the Bill seeks to adjust with effect from January 1, 2022, the tax free thresholds from the current Z$10 000 to Z$25 000 and the tax bands to end at Z$500 000 above which a marginal tax rate of 40 percent will then apply. For example, Clause 8 pertains to the maximum debt redemption on strategic reserve levies. We need to build reserves of the country to make sure that we can support ourselves and we have enough fuel available should there be an energy shock.
Clause 11, this clause seeks to amend section 77 of the Income Tax Act in order to compel taxpayers filing returns of income for legal entities to disclose particulars of beneficial owners.
Clause 13, the most salient feature of this clause is the adjustment of the local currency tax-free bonus threshold from ZWL25 000 to ZWL100 000 and the foreign currency tax-free bonus threshold from US$320 to US$700, with effect from 1 November 2021. Additionally, to preserve value of retrenchment packages, this clause will adjust the non-taxable portion of the local currency tax-free threshold from the greater of ZWL 50 000 or 1/3 of the retrenchment package, whichever is higher, up to a maximum of ZWL240 000, to the greater of ZWL400 000 or 1/3 of the retrenchment package, whichever is greater, up to a maximum
of ZWL2 million, for income earned in local currency.
Clause 16 deals with the signing of returns by tobacco merchants. This clause provides for the submission of a single tax return by tobacco merchants and auctioneers on the prescribed date. Clause 17 seeks to exempt from the intermitted money transfer tax transfer sales from the carbon tax sinking fund and the Agriculture Development Fund.
Clause 19, this clause restores the exemption of marketable securities from capital gains tax. In order to curtail speculative tendencies, this clause increases the capital gains tax withholding tax to 1.5% on the transfer of shares that are held for a minimum period of six months. Shares held for a period of less than six months will be subject to a withholding tax of 2%.
The next one is on Dairy Revitalisation Fund where, in line with the interventions proposing the NDS1 to improve performance in the dairy value chain, this clause seeks to introduce a levy of 5% on the value imported dairy products. This will be closed in a fund, the Dairy Revitalisation Fund which we will then use to develop our daily herd.
The other clause I want to highlight pertains to Clause 35. This clause seeks to implement a standard methodology for calculation of mineral royalties. There has been a lot of difficulty as we work with platinum producers, especially in terms of coming up with the right levels of royalties. We have tried to simplify this using some formula which is laid to the global price in the London Metals Exchange and this is well articulated in Clause 35. Clause 34 pertains to the tax free threshold for a deceased estate. We received submissions, especially from the widows who really feel that they needed some relief here, so we listened carefully. This Clause 34 seeks to adjust the tax exempt portion of a deceased estate from ZWL 50,000 to US$100,000 or local currency equivalent.
On Clause 45, I can highlight that this clause prescribes the rates of fuel levy in respect of blend and specify the Section 7 (3) of the Roads Fuel Levy, Notice 208 published Statutory Instrument 168 of 2008 at $US0,02 per litre. Mr. Speaker Sir, I now move that the Bill be read a second time. I thank you.
(v) HON. GABBUZA: Mr. Speaker Sir, just one small point which the Minister should attend to. I do not see any duty rebates on renewable energy projects. The current law is that only solar panels are exempt from duty but the current technology is that the solar panels come in packages. So, if you exempt the solar panel, what happens to the batteries and other gadgets that go with the solar? That is not promoting renewable energy as a Government policy. Where does that leave the renewable energy thrust that the Government has put? May the Minister consider including all other accessories and the solar energy gadgets. Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
HON. MUSHORIWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Let me start by expressing my reservations pertaining to the Finance Bill with such a short notice. I have noted that if you go through the Finance Bill, the Hon. Minister has tried to bring in the Reserve Bank Assumption Debt into this Bill. Mr. Speaker Sir, there is need for us as Parliamentarians to go through this list of companies whose funds were eaten by the Reserve Bank. We did not even have the chance of the Auditor-General to provide a report to this august House to confirm the authenticity of the amount or the quantum of the debt that the RBZ incurred.
Mr. Speaker Sir, in terms of the proposals by the Hon. Minister, there are several things that are not in sync with the current economic set up we have in this country. The first and foremost is to start with the question of the Poverty Datum Line and you compare this with the Pay As You Earn. Anyone who is earning a salary that is less than ZWL50,000 should not pay tax because that person is living below the Poverty Datum Line. The tax bracket in my view, needs to be adjusted. I have just emailed my amendments to the Minister. If you compare the tax bracket for those who are earning foreign currency and those who are earning local currency and try to see what is the exchange rate which the Hon. Minister is using, you will get a feeling Hon. Speaker that you have got a Minister who, during the course of the day, speaks about the auction rate. In reality, the Government does not believe it. There should be a system that solves even the question of tax brackets for those earning in local currency and those earning in forex.
The third issue Mr. Speaker Sir, where the Hon. Minister is failing to appreciate is, Zimbabwe has actually re-dollarised. The only people that are ensuring that the RTGs are mostly civil servants and those that are on the quasi-government institutions like local authorities and State enterprises. What it means Mr. Speaker Sir, is that we have a situation where in terms of the 2%, the people that are paying the 2% tax are basically the civil servants and those who are in the quasi-government institutions. If you go to any shop or any small operator, all the charges that they charge, even rentals in the various high density suburbs are now being charged in US dollars. When civil servants get their money, they have to change part of their money into forex for them to pay rentals.
Mr. Speaker Sir, it is unfair to have a Finance Bill that does not speak to the reality of the day. As far as they are concerned, the proposals by the Minister do not result in increased revenue. In fact, the Hon. Minister should actually come up with a proper and an innovative way of simply saying how do you charge the intermediate tax of those people that are not employed and those that are getting their salaries in forex but in an informal manner where people are getting their money in fuel coupons, groceries and other stuff. The RTGs is no longer a currency of choice. We may keep it because we want to make sure that our civil servants remain poor but it is ironic that a Government that talks of pro-poor would want its workers to remain poor. No wonder why Mr. Speaker Sir, you would find that corruption will continue. If you pretend to be taking care of your own workers, they will also pretend to be working. Right now as we are speaking Mr. Speaker, you have got Parliament staff who at the end of the day are going to be paid in RTGs but they are today at this hour working for this nation.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the Minister talks about the tax credits for employing those who are physically disabled, the youths and so forth. Remember, the question for employment of the youths came in the last Budget. The report that the Minister gave when he presented the Budget Statement was not sound enough to see the benefits that have been accrued in terms of those credits.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON (HON. KHUMALO): Hon. Mushoriwa, I suggest that you reserve those comments until the stage when the House is in Committee so that you do it one by one. Otherwise, you will still have to debate them when you are in Committee.
(v)HON. MUSHORIWA: When we do Second Reading of the Bill, we comment on the Bill in its totality.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: But you are now repeating when we are going to be in Committee again.
(v)HON. MUSHORIWA: We never thought this Bill would be debated today…
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: Hon. Mushoriwa, you are also hijacking Parliament by repeating many times.
(V)HON. MUSHORIWA: I have not repeated anything, I have actually been stating my points…
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: May you proceed and conclude.
(V)HON. MUSHORIWA: A Finance Bill should be in a position to reflect and show us how the revenue of the budget is going to be financed. What we are finding in this Finance Bill is a situation where certain things which have nothing to do with this budget are now in. We are being allowed to quickly pass this Finance Bill without due consideration and that is a traversty, unfair, unjust…
(V)HON. MUDARIKWA: On a point of order! I think Hon. Mushoriwa is trying to mislead the House. At one time he was saying he was tired, he just received this and that, he has not read about this and that but now he is debating – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]-
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: Order, order!
(V)HON. MUSHORIWA: Thank you Hon. Speaker for ruling Hon. Mudarikwa out of order who is sitting in the bar. I was submitting that there are issues that have been smuggled into this Finance Bill which have no relation to the budget as presented by the Hon. Minster. This is the reason I was appealing to you to say we needed time to submit the amendments to this Bill.
Sothis is my contribution Hon. Speaker, we are doing Zimbabwe a disservice if we are to push this Finance Bill in its current format.
(v)HON. R.R. NYATHI: I think we should pass this Bill today due to the current prevailing situation of COVID-19 4th wave which has also made us to receive messages that we should make contributions or debates whilst in our constituencies for the safety of our people. This means in one way or the other, we should be thanking the Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Development for pushing that the Finance Bill passes tonight because we might not be able to come back next week, due to the prevailing situation of COVID 19 4th wave.
So if we proceed to the next financial year without passing the Budget, the Finance Bill, it would not be reasonable. This then calls us as Hon. Members to put our heads together and work overnight in order to pass the Finance Bill. The Bill might have gaps here and there but we must consider that the nation’s health is at stake and that as a nation, we cannot function without a budget.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Development is also allowed to come back to Parliament for the purposes of correcting those gaps that might be found in the budget. So let us not waste much time and put our heads together to finish this work. This is for our own good and for the good of the nation. I thank you.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, I thank the Hon. Members for their contributions. Hon. Mushoriwa referred to the portion of the Bill that pertains to the assumption of the RBZ debt. This is very relevant to the Finance Bill. It is a finance issue which speaks to the indebtedness of our country, so it should be part of this Bill.
In case that section is not very clear, what it seeks from Parliament is permission in principle to assume these debts subject to verification and an audit process. On the tax bands, we believe that the increase from 10 000 to 25 000 ZWL has done taxable income is a step in the right direction. It is quite a big jump we believe this also is adequate.
On the issue of tax credits, I did not realise that the Member of Parliament was anti-disabled citizens. We are trying everything we can to make sure that we do not leave anyone behind. So the tax credit to us is justified in that companies that employ differently enabled or disabled citizens ought to be rewarded for this. We want to make sure that they do not discriminate against the disabled, instead, they are incentivised to take them on. I do not understand why the Hon. Member is objecting to this noble proposal.
Coming to the issue that some issues were smuggled in which are not financial, that is not true. Everything in the Finance Bill should be in there. Certainly, I agree with Hon. Nyathi that we really need to make progress on this Budget Finance Bill so that we are ready to start the New Year on the right footing.
On the issue of renewable energy, yes, we have covered solar panels, lithium batteries. There has always been an issue with the jelly batteries because they can cross over in terms of their technology to car batteries. So we are not so sure that we should exempt those because we see an opportunity for those who are not so straightforward taking advantage and start bringing in jelly car batteries through this provision. So we thought that we should keep that still closed but we stand ready to evaluate as we go forward; maybe we might be in a different position next year. I thank you.
Motion put and agreed to.
Bill read a second time.
Committee Stage: With leave, forthwith.
COMMITTEE STAGE
FINANCE (2022) BILL [H. B 16, 2021]
House in Committee.
Clauses 1 to 53 and Schedule put and agreed to.
House resumed.
Bill reported without amendments.
Third Reading; With leave, forthwith.
THIRD READING
FINANCE (2022) BILL [H. B. 16, 2021]
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): Mr. Speaker Sir, I move that the Bill be read the third time.
Motion put and agreed to.
Bill read the third time.
ANNUONCEMENT BY THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER
NON-ADVERSE REPORT RECEIVED FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY LEGAL COMMITTEE
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. M. KHUMALO): I have received a non-adverse report from the Parliamentary Legal Committee on the Appropriation (2022) Bill [H. B. 15, 2021].
SECOND READING
APPROPRIATION (2022) BILL [H. B. 15, 2021]
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): Mr. Speaker Sir, the Appropriation Bill so proposed before this House will go a long way in financing the Government’s National Development Strategy objectives, making sure that we can maintain macro-economic stability, we can finance infrastructure, and we can ensure food security, we can promote value chains right across our economy. We can support our youths to promote gender equity and make sure that we keep going on our re-engagement and engagement process. This Bill covers all those areas which are critical pillars of the NDS strategy. After all, this 2022 Budget is the instrument for enactment of our NDS1 strategy. I do believe if we approve it, it will go a long way for us reaching that goal of being an upper middle income economy by 2030; at least contributing to that road map. I thank you.
Motion put and agreed to.
Bill read a second time.
Third Reading; With leave, forthwith.
THIRD READING
APPROPRIATION (2022) BILL [H. B. 15, 2021]
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): Mr. Speaker Sir, I move that the Bill be read the third time.
Motion put and agreed to.
Bill read the third time.
On the motion of THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE), the House adjourned at a Quarter to Ten o’clock p.m. until Tuesday, 15th February, 2021.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 7th December, 2021
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two o’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE ACTING SPEAKER in the Chair)
HON. T. MLISWA: Thank you Madam Speaker and a very good afternoon to you.
THE ACTING SPEAKER (HON. MAVETERA): Afternoon, how are you?
HON. T. MLISWA: Madam Speaker, I am a Member of Parliament for Norton Constituency, elected by the people of Norton. In being the Member of Parliament, my social standing is important. My way of doing things is important and I have worked all my life to protect the good name that I have. Madam Speaker, I read an article of the Grain Marketing Board Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Mutenha.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Can you please connect, you are going on and off, I do not know why.
HON. T. MLISWA: Madam Speaker, he appeared before the Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement and gave evidence under oath that I had maize seized, 40 tonnes which never happened; that the maize was seized in Selous, which never happened. So, it is only proper for good governance and for two sides of the story to be heard that the Committee invites me to give my other side. You cannot talk about somebody, mention them and not bring them to also give their side of the story.
Right now I am the Chairman of APNAC, which fights corruption and that on its own is corruption. Basically, I was labelled as a corrupt person and I have to be given an opportunity to give my side of the story because it is painful that my name would come up before a Committee with witnesses taking oath to say that 40 tonnes of the maize was seized. I say this, it was never seized, I have no seizure document, I am an honest farmer who takes my maize to GMB and that maize is on my farm as I speak. So how can you seize maize and let it be on my farm? I was never given any documents for me to take any maize to GMB.
I have supported the Agrarian Reform in this country by being a productive farmer and taking my maize to GMB. So, I would like to know and it is only proper Madam Speaker that my integrity and dignity, which is of utmost importance be upheld. I have got children, I have got my mother who thinks she gave birth to a corrupt person, I have never been corrupt in my life. It is not the first time, the first time it happened I was accused of accepting a bribe from Goddard. A Privileges Committee was set up and I was cleared. So who is really behind this? Why are you using this institution of Parliament to settle personal scores? Is it what it is there for? I therefore require, and it is only proper Madam Speaker, that I be invited to the Committee to give my side of the story. It is only proper because this Parliament will be rendered useless and will become a ground of settling personal scores. I know that I am fearless in exposing people, but doing this to me, it will not stick, and it will never stick because I am not corrupt. My day must be given to me.
Secondly Madam Speaker, it is with a heavy heart and Hon. Members will agree with me, on the passing away of the ZIDA CEO, Doug Munatsi who was patriotic and served this country in a manner which we have not seen. Doug had his own wealth, his good name, he did not need to work for this country or be a civil servant but he took it upon himself that in the Second Republic, he would be part of it in ensuring that business was done in a professional manner. I have known Doug Munatsi for many years, he was a great banker, the founder of BancABC and involved in many other activities.
To me, it is quite sad that a man who then devoted his time and career to Government is no more today. I am sure Hon. Members will agree with me that the passing away of Doug leaves a vacuum which will never be filled by anybody else. It is in that spirit that we pass our condolences to his Family; his wife, children, mother and entire associates. Doug was really a special person. Doug, if you knew him, was not for politics but was for this country. Doug was loyal to the President, he loved the President and as such, he wanted to serve under the President to ensure that this country moves forward.
The last one is for Dhewa Mavhinga who Madam Speaker, was an advocate for human rights. A lot of people misunderstood Dhewa thinking that he was anti-Government but whenever you came up with reports, Dhewa would be able to do his due diligence and give you a proper report on what was going on. It is sad that people who advocate for anything or activists in many ways in this country are said to be anti-Government. They are not anti-Government; they are the ones who the Government must be listening to, to engage so that there is a way forward. Dhewa Mavhinga was a champion for human rights, internationally, locally and globally. May his soul rest in peace and again, condolences to the family. It will be a very difficult one to fill in for he was always for the people of Zimbabwe. Democracy is critical. The foundation of democracy is the one that observes people’s human rights. As such, may his soul rest in peace. Thank you Madam Speaker.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Thank you very much Hon. Mliswa. I am going to refer your request to the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture for them to be able to indulge you to that effect so that at least they can have an all conclusive report. Concerning the two people that you spoke about, may their souls rest in peace.
+HON. MATHE: Thank you Madam Speaker. This year there is so much production on the land. All inputs for small grains, groundnuts, round nuts, maize - it is all over in the communities. Everyone has these inputs and everything is available. The Government is distributing these to its people. This is proper and it is good. This country which I represent in this Parliament should stand up and commend the President that we got inputs at the right time way back in November. Some are double dipping. I would like to commend the President who grows resources so that inputs get to the people at the right time and so that they farm at the right time with everything in place so that Zimbabwe may have a good yield.
Secondly, I would like to put a point of privilege that this Parliament is in place and all Members of Parliament should use diplomatic passports. We debated the matter here and every Member of Parliament was issued with a diplomatic passport. My problem is, after all of us had been given diplomatic passports, did you actually teach us the significance of the diplomatic passports? That was not done. I have reasons which I will not express now. I would like to direct this Parliament that we be taught the symbolism of the diplomatic passport. These diplomatic passports, what does it symbolize? When you are out of the country with it, there are expectations from holders of diplomatic passports. Therefore, we request that we be educated about it. I thank you Madam Speaker.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Thank you very much Hon. Mathe for the two statements that you made in relation to the President and that is applauded and the second to do with Members of Parliament on the diplomatic passports. I think it is critical and that will be taken note of.
(v)HON. MOKONE: Thank you Madam Speaker. I stand on an issue of national importance. It is quite sad that while we are commemorating the 16 Days of Gender Based Violence, two pregnant women had been raped in Maphisa Hospital. This has happened twice in the same hospital. It is not only in Maphisa Hospital that his has happened. Sometime in July, a similar unfortunate incident happened in Manama Hospital in the same province. As Matabeleland South legislator, I am concerned about the safety of anyone in this hospital. This means that even minors can now be kidnapped in these hospitals. I therefore plead with the Minister of Health to issue a statement ensuring the public that their lives are safe and are not in danger when they are in hospitals. The Minister of Home Affairs should consider security issues in the hospitals. It has happened in Matabeleland, who knows – maybe it might happen in Harare or Matabeleland North next time. So the Home Affairs Minister must make sure that perpetrators of this kind are brought to book. I thank you.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Mokone for such an important point of national interest. I am sure the Hon. Minister if he is going to come through and be able to furnish us with that Ministerial Statement to that effect and also the Minister of Home Affairs, they will be informed of your request so that at least they can take action on this. Thank you.
(v)HON. DR. KHUPE: Thank you very much Madam Speaker. I would like to add my voice in passing our condolences to the Dhewa-Mavinga family on the untimely death of a renowned human rights activist who fought for the recognition and protection of dignity of all human beings. We will always remember him for the role he played. May his soul in eternal peace. I thank you.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Khupe. For the purposes of us not taking this as a debate, we will not be debating when it is a point of national interest. One person has already raised it and we would not allow any other person to speak as if we are now debating, but thank you for that. May his soul rest in peace.
MOTION
LEAVE TO MOVE FOR SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDER NUMBERS 53, 66 (2), 144 AND 147
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. CHIDUWA): Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I seek leave of the House to move that the provisions of Standing Order Number 53, 66 (2), 144 and 147 regarding the automatic adjournment of the House at Five Minutes to Seven o’clock p.m. on sitting days other than a Friday and at Twenty-Five Minutes past One o’clock p.m. on a Friday, Private Members Motions taking precedence on Wednesdays after Question Time, procedure in connection with Parliamentary Legal Committee and Stages of Bills respectively, be suspended with effect from today and for the next series of sittings in respect of the following:
- Business relating to the Budget debate;
- Committee of Supply;
- The Finance Bill;
- The Appropriation (2022) Bill; and
- Other Government Business.
HON. MUSHORIWA: I object.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: What is your objection Hon. Mushoriwa?
(v)HON. MUSHORIWA: Madam Speaker, the request by the Hon. Minister is vague in two respects. Whilst we may appreciate and allow the suspension in respect to the Finance Bill, I do not think it will be prudent to give a blanket authority to suspend any other Government business. The Minister has to be specific. If it is for the Budget, then we will be agreeing for the Budget, the Finance Bill and the Appropriation. But for the last item to say ‘any other Government business’, I object to such an addition. We are agreeable to the Budget but for any other Government business, it should actually follow the normal procedure.
HON. CHIDUWA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. Thank you for the submission that has been made by Hon. Mushoriwa. I would want to concur with what he submitted that we deal with issues,numbers 1 to 4 so that we can dispense and remove any other business. Thank you.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS NUMBER 53, 66 (2), 144 AND 147
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. CHIDUWA): Madam Speaker, I move that the provisions of Standing Orders Number 53, 66 (2), 144 and 147 regarding the automatic adjournment of the House at Five Minutes to Seven o’clock p.m. on sitting days other than a Friday and Twenty Five Minutes past One o’clock p.m. on a Friday, Private Members motions taking precedence on Wednesdays after Question Time, procedure in connection with Parliamentary Legal Committee and Stages of Bills respectively, be suspended with effect from today and for the next series of sittings in respect of the following:_
- Business relating to the budget debate;
- Committee of Supply;
- Finance Bill; and
- The Appropriation of Bill of 2022
Motion put and agreed to.
(v)HON. S. BANDA: On a point of order! I think this is one of the times when we are doing the budget and a good number are in the House and a good number are also not. So, I just wanted to check on the issue of quorum because this is very important and we do not want it to be disturbed. So, I do not know what the ground rules are. I thank you.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: I am sure if you can check on your chat, you can see we have already exceeded the number which is accepted for quorum. There are more than 106 members so the quorum is sufficient.
(v)HON. S. BANDA: Is it possible to lower the number from 70 to about 50 so that we can get this thing done which is very important.
THE ACTING SPEAKR: That cannot be done overnight, it is supposed to be done through the Standing Rules and Orders so that we can then be able to amend our Standing Rules but so far we are going to concur with what the Standing Rules and Orders say which say 70 and it is now allowing the people that are also on virtual to also be considered as part of the quorum.
MOTION
FINANCE BILL: BUDGET DEBATE
First Order read: Adjourned debate on motion that leave be granted to bring in a Finance Bill.
Question again proposed.
HON. DR. NYASHANU: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. The Minister of Finance and Economic Development Hon. Prof. Mthuli Ncube tabled a Z$927.268 billion (approx. US$8.775 billion) 2022 National Budget on the 25th of November 2021 themed “Reinforcing Sustainable Economic Recovery and Resilience.
To borrow the wise words of our President Dr. ED Mnangagwa,“Nyika inovakwa nevene vayo" Also to borrow the words of the late John Maynard Keynes, a renowned British Economist of the 20th Century, we need to create economic possibilities for our grandchildren
The 2022 budget is the second step in the implementation of the first National Development Strategy (NDS 1) that runs from 2021 to 2025. The government expects to collect revenues totalling Z$850,7 billion (17% of GDP), thus resulting in a budget deficit of Z$76,5 billion which will be funded through issuance of Treasury Bills (TBs), utilisation of the country’s SDR allocation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and external loan disbursements (external debt).The budget is being implemented in the context of the NDS1’s 14 pillars namely:
- Economic Growth and Stability;
- Food and Nutrition Security;
- Governance;
- Moving the Economy up the Value Chain & Structural Transformation;
- Human Capital Development;
- Environmental Protection, Climate Resilience and Natural Resource Management;
- Housing Delivery;
- Digital Economy;
- . Health and Well-being;
- Infrastructure & Utilities;
- Image Building and International Engagement and Re-engagement;
- Social Protection;
- Youth, Sport and Culture; and
- Devolution.
NDS1 seeks to create 760,000 new jobs, bring inflation down to between 3-7% by 2025 and expand the economy by 5% year on year.
- ECONOMIC CONTEXT
The 2022 National Budget came at a time when the country is battling to contain the negative ramifications of the COVID 19 pandemic, which have extended beyond the direct health consequences, but has had negative social and economic impacts, thereby posing a big threat to decades of hard-won development. The Zimbabwean Government has however, emerged as one of the leading countries on the continent in implementing the vaccination programme with a target to reach 60% herd immunity. The country has so far vaccinated 38% and 29% of the targeted population with first and second dosses, respectively as at 16 November 2021.
The economy faces a number of challenges, which include erratic supply of key enablers such as electricity and water, deficiencies in delivery of social and other public services, slow implementation of value addition initiatives, and resurgence of inflation pressures. The premium between the parallel and the official interbank exchange rates has been widening and has now exceeded 50%. The economy also faces the risk of the fourth wave of the Coronavirus with the recent discovery of a new Variant in South Africa, the Omicron variant which is fuelling a surge in Coronavirus cases in South Africa and rapidly becoming the dominant strain. The variant has been detected in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe’s economy is expected to grow by 5.5% in 2022, down from 7.8% projected in 2021. The 2021 growth is well above the 3.4% average growth for Sub-Saharan Africa. Alongside GDP growth, average industry capacity utilisation is gradually picking up, reaching 47% and 54% in the first and second quarter of 2021, respectively.
In view of the above, Government is expected to enact a pro-poor, inclusive and sustainable National Budget that prioritizes service delivery. Moreover, there is need to ensure budget credibility, which the International Budget Partnership (IBP) defines as the “ability of governments to accurately and consistently meet their expenditure and revenue targets”. When budgets are not implemented as planned, spending priorities can shift, deficits may exceed projections, and critical services may be compromised in addition to eroding public trust if governments consistently deviate from their budgets.
Annual inflation, recorded at 54.5% in October 2021 is projected to decline and close at between 52-58%, up from 25-35 % initially projected. An average inflation target of 32.6% and end period range of 15% to 20% is projected in 2022. Adverse macroeconomic conditions characterised by high inflation and severe exchange rate depreciation decimated the 2021 budget, including erosion salaries and wages for Government employees. As such, the 2022 National Budget in real terms is therefore Z$476.7 billion, using 2021 as the base year (discounting the 2022 allocation by the expected inflation) compared to the 2021 budget of Z4421.6 billion.
- COMPLIANCE TO THE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK
The 2022 budget presentation followed Section 305 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and Section 28(1) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) [Chapter 22:19] on the timelines for the tabling of the budget in Parliament. The budget also adheres to the PFMA and the Reserve Bank Act [Chapter 22:15] with regard to fiscal targets on level of budget deficit (Not more than 3% of GDP) and Central Bank lending to Government (Not more than 20% of the previous year’s revenue).
The 2022 budget deficit is projected at ZWL$76.5 billion (-1.5% of GDP) and is above legal requirements, total public and publicly guaranteed debt (PPG) is estimated at more than 80% of GDP by end of 2021 which is above the SADC recommended threshold of 60% of GDP and the Public Debt Act threshold of 70% of GDP. The total public debt as at end September 2021 amounted to US$13.7 billion, comprising of public external debt of US$13.2 billion and domestic debt of US$532 million. The total public debt stock excludes contingent liabilities of US$3.5 billion for the compensation of former farm owners, which will be incorporated on completion of cession agreements with former farm owners.
Moreover, an allocation of Z$ 42 539 billion (5% of projected 2020 revenue of Z$ 850 770.66 billion) to provincial and local tiers of Government is in compliance with Section 301(3) of the Constitution which provides for allocation of “not less than five per cent of the national revenues raised in any financial year to the provinces and local authorities as their share in that year.” However, there is need to revise upwards the allocation in the event of revenue over performance in order to remain compliant to the Constitution.
- CONSULTATIONS HELD
The Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee received stakeholder feedback on the 2022 budget from the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC), Chamber of Mines (COM), Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), Zimbabwe Statistical Agency (ZIMSTAT) and Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) as well as individuals who wrote directly to Parliament in their personal capacities. The Committee also benefitted from workshops and engagements with ICOD and the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD). The consultations were done pursuant to budget inputs obtained from conducted countrywide budget consultations from 11-16 October 2021 to gather views of the general public in compliance with Section 141 (a) of the Constitution and 28(5) of the PFMA [Chapter 22:19].
- EXTENT TO WHICH COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS WERE INCORPORATED INTO THE BUDGET
The Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee (Hereafter referred to as the Committee) commend the Minister for incorporating and responding to most of Parliament’s recommendations into the 2022 budget. Although total bids submitted to Treasury by various ministries and departments are much higher than the capacity of revenues and borrowings, the Minister did well in counter-balancing the demands with the resource envelope. The Committee however, feels there is room for improvement in the budget in order to best match it with the views of the public. Given the macro-fiscal stabilization objectives of the budget and the National Development Strategy 1, adhering to an expenditure ceiling is imperative.
- COMMITTEE OBSERVATIONS
- Budget credibility – The Committee is concerned with what has become perennial underfunding of some ministries and perennial overspending by certain ministries without Parliamentary approval. The perennial under-spenders and over-spenders are indicated on fig 1 below:
Fig 1: Over expenditure and underspending in different votes, 2020 and 2021
The Committee notes that although deviations from the approved budget sometimes can be unavoidable as they may result from external economic shocks or unforeseen circumstances like drought, floods, cyclone or pandemics, repeated deviations without Parliamentary approval through a supplementary budget points to undermining of Parliament’s “power of the purse. The deviations have happened despite the undertakings in the budget statements of 2021 and 2022 that “disbursements to Government, ministries, departments and agencies will be limited to the Vote Appropriations in order to sustain the macro-fiscal stability so far achieved”.
The Committee is concerned with the erratic releases of funds for some votes, which has become predictable given the trend of overspending and underspending ministries over the years. This renders the budget process and the work of this august House a mere academic process just to fulfil the requirements of the law. No motion allowing for any excess to stand charged to the Consolidated Revenue Fund and to be included in a Financial Adjustments Bill was introduced in Parliament in accordance with Section 19 (3) of the PFMA despite the deviations.
The Committee is concerned with the failure by the Minister to table a supplementary budget for the second-year running despite the glaring need for such given the inflationary environment. The Committee noted that although, on average, budget utilisation has been 41% by 30 June 2021 and 86% by 30 September (with 7 Votes having already spent above the budgeted levels), there is widespread imbalance on the utilisation. There is therefore need for Government to explain and justify such deviations, as well as take corrective measures to minimise the adverse impact on budget outcomes. It is therefore imperative that the Minister observes and abides by provisions of Section 307 in the Constitution which obligates him to introduce a Bill into the National Assembly seeking condonation of the unauthorized expenditure without delay and in any event, no later than sixty days after the extent of the unauthorized expenditure has been established. Further, the Committee recommends that the Minister must include a Fiscal Responsibility Statement which assigns responsibilities and commitment for implementation of the 2022 National Budget.
- Parliament budget-The Committee noted the Parliament of Zimbabwe budget of Z$14.6 billion, which is a 100% increase from Z$7.3 billion allocated in 2021. Of concern however is the erratic releases of the budget with Parliament having spend only 33% of this budget by 30 September 2021 despite the mounting debts and which have seen the august House being shunned by service providers. The Committee however commends the marked improvement in the release of funds for Committee business which was largely flawless with the exception of a few isolated cases. It is important for the budget to facilitate Parliament to discharge their constitutional mandate without interruptions. In the same vein, the Committee requests the Minister to urgently capacitate Parliament with the requested vehicles and buses, in view of the logistical challenges that are likely to be faced if Parliament relocates to the new building in Mt Hampden.
- CDF Allocation- the Committee welcomes the allocation towards the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) of Z$2.4 billion which translates to Z$11.4m per constituency. The Committee calls upon the Minister to expedite early release of the funds before they are eroded by inflation. The Committee also noted that Constituency Information Centres were allocated ZWL$300 million. This maybe be inadequate given the target to establish 210 CICs in 2023 in the Parliamentary Institutional Strategic Plan and the Blue Book. The 2022 budget must lay the foundation for the establishment of the CICs through procurement of the land, construction of the offices as well as equipping some of the centres.
- SDR Allocation- The Committee is concerned that despite the Ministry of Finance undertaking to consult Parliament before the utilisation of SDRs, the 2022 budget indicates that Treasury has already withdrawn US$311 million from the facility, with most of the funds (US$144 million) going to the rehabilitation of the Harare-Beitbridge Highway and the remainder being allocated to Covid-19 vaccination programmes (US$77 million) and agriculture social protection (US$80 million). Of the remaining amount, US$280 million has been set aside for foreign exchange reserves. The Committee calls upon the Minister of Finance to consult Parliament in the utilisation of the SDRs set aside as contingency reserves. Moreover, the Committee calls upon the Auditor General to thoroughly audit the utilisation of the SDRs.
- Audit Office Budget- the Committee recommends continuous strengthening of the Auditor General, another watchdog institution. A budget of 0.3% of the total budget will not empower the office to effectively perform its mandate given the huge resource requirements for an effective audit. International best practise dictates that the Office of the Auditor General is allocated 1 % of the budget. Moreover, disbursement of funds is critical as the office only got 30% of their Z$1.349 billion 2021 budget by 30 September 2021.
- Vote 1-OPC-As raised in 2020, this Committee is concerned with the consolidation of several issues which Parliament ordinarily should be overseeing and should be kept abreast of under Vote 1. In that regard, there is need to separate votes for monitoring Government programmes and service provision. As such, votes for Radiation Protection, SIRDC and DDF, ZIDA should be under the existing ministries so as to separate from votes for the presidency and administration that are charged with the responsibility of providing strategic policy direction, coordination and monitoring of service delivery in Government departments. This will also facilitate monitoring and evaluation of the performance of the institutions.
- Welfare of Civil Servants-the Committee noted with concern a 97% increase in the provision for employment costs from Z$170.6 billion in 2021 to Z$340 billion in 2022. The increase is not commensurate with the need to cushion the hard-working Government employees who for long have been paid salaries below the poverty datum line, estimated at Z$39 924 as of September 2021. The Committee therefore calls on Government to design appropriate packages for public sector employees and expeditiously address their grievances in order to minimise disruptions to service delivery. On their end, the workers need to negotiate from a moral viewpoint realising that continued industrial action while accepting salaries is unethical.
- Tax Free Threshold- the Committee noted that Government is proposing to adjust the tax-free threshold from Z$10 000 to Z$25 000 and widening of the tax bands to end at Z$500 000 where a marginal tax rate of 40% will apply with effect from January 1, 2022. Equally, the tax-free threshold on US dollar income is proposed to be increased from US$70 to US$100. The Committee calls upon the Ministry to review these tax bands every quarter in line with inflation trends or Total Consumption Poverty Line (TCPL) movements. It is important to note that government revenues increase significantly with advances in inflation, enough to exceed revenue targets. It is therefore prudent that government undertakes frequent adjustments in order to reduce the effects of bracket creep and a higher tax burden on workers. At current levels of prices, the Committee proposes a tax-free threshold of Z$40 000 in order to alleviate poverty of the Zimbabwean workers whose majority are now below the TCPL.
- Review of IMTT- the Committee noted with concern that there was no review of the minimum taxable amount for the Intermediated Money Transfer Tax (IMTT) from Z$500 despite the significant adjustments in prices since the last review. The rationale for extending this tax relief is no longer upheld given that most products which the poor purchase at any given time cost more than $5000. The Committee therefore recommends revision of the IMTT minimum threshold to Z$5000, if the tax relief measure is to make a meaningful impact on the lives of the people. The Committee also calls upon the Reserve Bank to adjust the maximum amount that the transacting public can transfer at any given time on mobile money platforms and in the ZIPIT platform from Z$500 and Z$20000 respectively to Z$20000 and Z$50000 respectively.
- Taxation on mobile phones- The Committee noted that to curb tax evasion on new cellular telephone handsets which attract a 25% customs duty (but can be easily concealed), the Minister proposed to introduce a levy of US$50 which will be collected prior to registration of new cellular handsets by Mobile Network Operators (MNOs). Previously, handsets attracted a 25% customs duty and this had seen the increase in mobile penetration rate and broadband access in the country. The Committee feels that the proposal defeats the whole purpose of encouraging use of ICTs especially in schools in view of COVID 19, in addition to the tax being administratively complex to manage. The new tax will be passed onto consumers, thus pushing the price of cellphones up and creating remittance nightmares for MNOs. The Minister failed to recognise differences in value of cell phones and applied a blanket rate. The Committee recommends that the levy be scrapped to encourage use of ICTs and government can recoup this forgone tax from increased use of cellphones on airtime levy and IMTT.
- National Debt-The Committee comments the Ministry for presenting comprehensive debt information along with the budget. The Committee observed the 28% growth of the public and publicly guaranteed national debt from US$10.7 billion to US$13.2 billion on account of inclusion of blocked funds amounting to US$3.1 billion. The Committee also noted that Government has signed a US$3.5 billion Global Compensation Deed for the compensation of former farm owners in 2020 and this amount will be part of the total debt when the former farm owners sign a cession agreement. The Committee is however concerned that the debt figure excludes the debt to the African Export-Import Bank which is estimated at US$1.4 billion borrowed by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe between December 2017 and December 2019 with the government acting as guarantor. Afreximbank is excluded on the list of creditors on Annex 2 of the debt bulletin.
The Committee is also concerned that the US$3.1 billion is a debt arising from negative effects of Government policies and moral hazard behaviour from farmers. It is therefore paramount that Government adopts market-based exchange rate policies (Allowing the auction system to function without interference) as the current misalignment is likely to lead to another debt takeover by Government. The continued use of below the equilibrium exchange rate is creating opportunities for arbitrage on the economy and has brought more costs than benefits to the economy. Of concern is also the fact that the Ministry of Finance deliberately avoided expressing the national debt as a percentage of GDP. It is clear from the Macro-Economic Framework table that a higher inflation rate from what is indicated was used to convert nominal GDP figures to real GDP figures. As such, the need for consistency in the budget figures cannot be overemphasized.
The Committee is equally concerned with the poor recovery rate from the National Enhanced Agriculture Productivity Scheme (NEAPS) where the following is noted:
- CBZ Agro yield (maize farmers) 0.6% recovery rate-ZWL$76.8 million and 50% guarantee;
- CBZ Agro yield (maize farmers) 22% recovery rate-ZWL$21.7 billion and 80% guarantee;
- CBZ Agro yield (wheat farmers) 77% recovery rate-ZWL$1.57 billion and 100% guarantee; and
- CBZ Agro yield (soyabean farmers) 13.3% recovery rate-ZWL$1.5 billion and 80% guarantee.
- Withholding tax- the Committee noted the proposal to hike withholding tax from 10% to 30% to push non-compliant businesses to get their tax clearance certificates on time. The increase of the tax in a situation where close to 75% of the economy is informal will lead to a blanket increase in prices of goods and services to cover for the amount withheld for non-compliant suppliers. The Committee is concerned that this increase comes in the background of Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) consistently failing to issue tax clearance certificates on time to various businesses and running behind schedule in processing tax rebates. The Committee calls upon the Minister to maintain the withholding tax at 10% and prioritise support to ZIMRA to automate the tax compliance process and reduce human interface to deal with deliberate bottlenecks in the system and corruption.
- Youth Employment Tax Credit -the Committee noted that Government extended the Youth Employment Tax Credit for youth employees hired without revision of the figure from ZWL$1500 approved in 2021. The Committee recommends upward review of the figure to a minimum of US$500 or equivalent. This will enhance the attractiveness of the scheme to employers who weigh the opportunity cost of employing an inexperienced youths over the abundant experienced potential employees flooding the job market. The Committee wishes to commend the Minister for extending this tax credit to people with disabilities (PWDs). The proposed credit of US$50 is however too low to incentivise employers to employ PWDs given other costs associated with hiring them. These costs may include modifications to the existing infrastructure, or hiring assistants in some cases. The Committee therefore recommends upward review of the tax credit to over US$2000 if it is to be attractive.
- Motor Vehicle Rebate Scheme for Civil Servants -The Committee comments the Minister for extending the for-Motor Vehicle Rebate Scheme for civil servants to cushion them from excessive transport costs bearing in mind the inadequacy of public transport. The budget however proposed to review the grade thresholds to US$3 500 for Grade B and C, US$5000 for Grade D and E and US$10 000 for Deputy Directors. This is ostensibly to curb abuse of the facility, whereby some beneficiaries cede their privileges to third parties in exchange for monetary gain. The thresholds are however at odd with SI 89 of 2021 which bans importation of motor vehicles above 10 years from the day of Manufacture. Only substandard used vehicles below 10 years can be procured at less than US$5000. The Committee recommends strengthening of the monitoring and verification systems, as is done in other countries like Kenya and Tanzania instead of reducing the thresholds.
- Devolution-the Committee is concerned with the insufficient transfers to provincial councils and local In 2020, Z$1,045.0b was transferred out of the budgeted Z$2,662.9b despite actual revenue being Z$183.0 billion implying transfers were supposed to be Z$9.15 b, as provided for in Section 301(3) of the Constitution which provides that “Not less than five per cent of the national revenues raised in any financial year must be allocated to the provinces and local authorities as their share in that year”. In 2021, actual transfers as at 30 September were Z$ 6,311, which is 32 % of the budgeted Z$19 540. 2021 revenue is now projected at Z$495 billion implying that transfers to provincial councils and local authorities should be Z$24.75 billion. The Committee is aware that disbursement to local authorities is dependent on readiness to spent, local authorities failed to submit the documentation required. The Committee therefore calls upon local authorities and provincial councils to submit required documentation well in time and Treasury to respect the constitutional provision regarding allocation of not less than 5% of revenues raised in any financial year to devolution.
- Social safety nets -the Committee noted that the 2022 National Budget proposes to set aside resources amounting to Z$21 billion (2.2% of the budget for social protection programmes that will improve livelihoods, empower persons with disabilities and enhance capacities of parents and guardians of persons with disabilities, including care givers of adults and children with severe disabilities. The Committee however feels that the allocation is insufficient if the budget is to be what the Minister of Finance calls the 2022 budget “the People's Budget”. According to the Social Policy for Africa (2008), 4.8% of the country’s GDP should be allocated towards social protection programmes. The Committee made the same recommendation in 2020 and has been vindicated as there is an expenditure overrun of 121.5% of the budget by 30 September 2021. In addition, the social transfers should be remodelled from a charity model to an empowerment model. The Committee emphasises the need for timely implementation of the various social protection measures and better policy coordination, that is, ensuring that there is policy consistency in the budget execution through alignment of action plans to the realisation of social and economic rights of the citizens especially People with Disabilities (PWDs), the elderly and the vulnerable. The budget should also provide clear job creation strategies beyond just supporting economic value chains, if the pro poor budget is to lift majority of the citizens from poverty and a significant number from dependence in social safety nets. The Committee recommends an upward adjustment of social welfare benefits for the elderly, PWDS, people in difficult circumstances and orphans from the current levels of approximately $1500 to $20 000.
- Subsidies-the Committee is concerned with the over expenditure in subsidies whose expenditure up to 30 September was Z$4.676 billion, a 119.6% above the budget of Z$2,129 million. The Committee recalls that Government, on paragraph 234 of NDS1 undertook to “Review subsidy policy for better targeting and fiscal sustainability” As part of the wider reform process, the 2022 budget seeks to streamline subsidies as a way of creating fiscal space for development programmes and projects, as well as social services. In the 2020 National Budget, the Hon Minister of Finance and Economic Development highlighted that subsidies, in particular those on fuel, electricity and agriculture have, in the past, “led to large and often unpredictable expenses”, forcing Government to run a budget deficit that was eventually financed by excessive borrowings and in the process, putting pressure on the local currency and inflation”. As such, the Committee recommends streamlining of subsidies to the bare minimum where necessary. As such, the Committee calls upon the Minister of Finance to annex to the proposed budget statement a detailed appendix of the proposed subsidies.
Mining-the Committee is concerned with the slow pace in the implementation of the mining cadastre system which has been on the cards and resources have been allocated over the past five years. Through the computerised mining cadastre system project, the government intends to create a database of information such as applications, licence holders’ rights, restrictions, sizes of mining claims and their geographical location among other issues. The cadastre system will create opportunities for addressing mine ownership disputes, loss of potential revenue from mining claims as awarding, administration, and security of mining titles especially in the ASM sector. This will also give government an opportunity to tax better the ASM sector which has been contributing more than large scale miners in terms of gold deliveries to Fidelity Printers and Refiners. The 2022 National Budget should therefore avail adequate resources towards finalisation of the computerised mining cadastre system. The Committee also calls upon the Minister to commit, with resources, adoption and implementation of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiatives (EITI). The Committee recalls that the 2019 budget committed to join EITI and the 2021 budget in paragraph 235 reiterated this but the commitment was not backed by resources. The Committee also recommends Government to step up research and advisory services to artisanal miners through universities, SIRDC, ZEPARU and the Zimbabwe School of Mines, in addition to extending financing through the Gold Development Initiative Fund (GDIF) created by the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) as part of initiatives to enhance economic productivity through promotion and development of the gold mining industry in Zimbabwe. The GDIF should be supported by resources from the fiscus and should be remodelled so that there is clarity on its intentions and outcomes.
- Agriculture-the Committee welcomes Government commitment to finance agriculture especially through the Agriculture Productive Social Protection Scheme for crops and livestock (which targets vulnerable households) while banks will fund commercial farming activities, through the National Enhanced Agriculture Productivity Scheme (NEAPS), with Government only providing guarantees on a risk sharing basis. The Committee calls upon Government to remodel the NEAPS with a view to reduce moral hazard and adverse selection. The Committee calls upon Government to release the Z$18 billion for the Agriculture Productive Social Protection Scheme targeting to support 540 000 vulnerable households well on time and to ensure the right and appropriate inputs mix for the different ecological regions are distributed. The Committee also calls upon Government to prioritise the effective functionality of the commodities exchange for marketing of agricultural commodities. This will ensure price discovery in the wake of subdued producer prices against inflated costs of inputs which has rendered farming a less viable business.
- Currency issues- the Committee is concerned with the absence of deliberate strategies in the budget to support the Zimdollar in the wake of onslaught on the value of the national currency by the parallel foreign market players. As such, the three-tier pricing system is now tilted in favour of the US Dollar as the Zimdollar prices are indexed to the highest parallel market rate. This is obviously affecting the already burdened members of the society, most of whom earn Zimdollar salaries. The reduced confidence on local currency by the authorities is clearly evident from the statement wherein most fees, fines and prices have been expressed in US dollar terms with a Zimdollar equivalent. The fallacy of a US$ budget against Bond notes medium of exchange is threatening the implementation of this budget and negates the impact of the proposed reforms as the allocated resources are inadequate to meet expenditure forecasts, in real terms. The Committee therefore wonders how the budget is going to account for revenue and expenditure where one part is forex and the other Zimdollar. One cannot discount the potential for illegalities and rent seeking behaviour.
- ZIMSTAT allocation-the Committee noted that ZIMSTATS was allocated Z$3.8 billion in 2022 even though Z$6 billion is required for the 2022 census. The difference is expected to be contributed by Development Partners. The Committee also noted with appreciation the pledges have been received from Cooperating Partners to support 30% of the Census budget. The mapping exercise to divide the country into enumeration areas in preparation for the 2023 National Census is underway. ZIMSTAT envisages to finish the mapping exercise by 21 January 2022. ZIMSTAT is currently seized with the procurement of IT equipment and software for the Census. The Committee therefore calls upon Treasury to prioritise ZIMSTAT in the disbursement of the remaining 2021 and 2022 budget wherein a release of Z$2.9 billion for procurement of tablets, computer equipment, vehicles and other operational expenses is targeted in 2021. The Committee also noted with appreciation that ZIMSTAT is intending to produce new statistics starting 2022. These include quarterly GDP statistics as well as the new agriculture and economic census to be done in 2024 whose preparations have to begin in 2022. The Committee therefore calls upon the Ministry of Finance to prioritise programmes for retention of experienced staff within the agency especially statisticians and IT experts.
- ZIMRA Allocation-the Committee noted with concern the inadequacy of the ZIMRA budget to support infrastructure development as well as ICT systems to enhance revenue collection and reduce exposure to corruption (human interaction). Some of the IT equipment like scanners and drones as well as the software require foreign currency. The Committee also noted with concern the failure by the authority to provide senior managers with condition of service vehicles due to resource constraints. The authority is losing staff due to uneconomic salaries in a unionised environment. ZIMRA also indicated to the Committee that it requires capacitation in terms of vehicles as 347 out of its fleet of 479 vehicles are now aged five years or more. The Committee therefore calls upon the Ministry of Finance to allow ZIMRA to retain 3% of net revenue collected.
- RECOMMENDATIONS
- Treasury should improve on the releases and predictability of resources to MDAs. Erratic releases impede on the ability of ministries to achieve what they set out to achieve in their strategic plans and as reflected in the blue book. The releases should be balanced by programme and economic classification henceforth. All payment runs should be honoured and Treasury should not authorise budget releases not linked to the cash availability.
- Treasury should adopt a system of quarterly releases of operational budget after a Ministry has satisfied all reporting and acquittal requirements beginning first quarter 2022. Where possible, capital releases should be once off so as to preserve value for money and facilitate realisation of economies of scale.
- Treasury should take the lead, as custodians of the public purse in addressing Auditor General’s recommendations and consistently reporting to Parliament on such efforts. In that regard, Treasury should quarterly update Parliament on progress made in addressing AG recommendations through comprehensive Treasury Minutes.
- There is need for the Minister of Finance and Economic Development to condone any unauthorized expenditure timeously in line with Section 307 in the Constitution which obligates Minister of Finance to introduce a Bill into the National Assembly seeking condonation of the unauthorized expenditure without delay and in any event no later than sixty days after the extent of the unauthorized expenditure has been established. This should be done annually.
- Treasury should, beginning 2022, put in place mechanisms which will ensure observance of hard-budgetary constraints as contained in the NDS1 and the 2021 and 2022 Budget Statements. There should be no room for additional resources outside the already approved resource envelope by Parliament in order to instil fiscal discipline and effective budgeting across MDAs.
- ZIMRA must be allowed to retain 3% of the net revenue collected for its operations beginning 2022 fiscal year. This will ensure that the authority is adequately capacitated to pursue revenue enhancement measures and plug revenue leakages.
- There is need to speed up enactment of a legal instrument to ensure accountability for the devolved funds as such the Provincial Councils and Administrative Amendment Bill which is expected to clearly define roles, responsibilities and parameters for the three tiers of government to avoid duplication of functions should be fast tracked and brought to Parliament by March 2022.
- The overdue Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill should be promulgated into law. This will in turn usher in the necessary processes for the amendment of the Precious Stones, and Gold Trade Acts to facilitate growth of the mining industry and the nation as a whole. There is also need to effect the cadastre system and employing digital technology in the mining sector so that there is constant surveillance of mining operations through the country.
- CONCLUSION
Regardless of the difficult macro-economic environment exacerbated by exogenous shocks related to recurring droughts, Cyclone Idai and the COVID-19 pandemic as well as limited external support, the economy is exhibiting some positive sentiments and is on its way to recovery. Efforts to stabilize the local currency and lower inflation through the Foreign Currency Auction system are commendable. The Committee recommends that Parliament approves the 2022 budget subject to the proposed amendments by the Committee. I thank you.
HON. CHIKUKWA: I am going to present the report on the Ministry of Local Government and the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities.
1.0 Introduction
The mandate of the Ministry is to ensure that functional human settlements are promoted and sustained in all local authorities back-stopped by sound local governance and provision of quality, well-maintained Government infrastructure. The Ministry was allocated a revised estimate of ZWL$19.54 billion in the 2021 financial year, with only ZWL$6.31 billion (32%) having been disbursed by September 2021. For the 2022 financial year, the Ministry submitted a total bid of ZWL$114 billion but was allocated only ZWL$24.3 billion (21%). The enormous negative variance shall severely undermine Ministry activities in the coming budget year.
2.0 Budget Analysis Meeting Observations
On 2 December 2021, the Committee held a virtual meeting with Ministry officials, and observed the following:
- The glaring variance between budget allocations and disbursement is paralysing Ministry operations.
- The Committee remains seized with continued violation of the Constitution regarding the allocation of 5% of the budget towards devolution. In the previous budget, while the allocation was 4.5%, only 1.47% was allocated. In the 2022 budget, there was an even lower allocation of 2.2% which may imply an even lower disbursement. These funds are critical for infrastructure development and water and sanitation hygiene, especially in rural growth points which are experiencing increasing population pressure.
- Another area of concern is the delay in the aligning of laws with the new Constitution to allow the operationalisation of the Council of Chiefs. This step will enable the establishment of the Council of Chiefs secretariat, thus giving them freedom to manage their own funds. The current arrangement where the Traditional Leadership Support Services Department acts as the secretariat does not promote transparency and accountability. The Committee requested the Ministry to submit a written report explaining the delays but it is yet to do so. Therefore, the Committee has decided to summon the Ministry, through the Office of Clerk, to a physical meeting to discuss the matter.
HON. T. MLISWA: On a point of Order Madam Speaker or maybe it is more in terms of education and enlightenment. In terms of tradition, the Opposition usually comments first on the Budget before all these Committee reports are tabled. When we first brought this issue up last time, we were told that we will be allowed to speak when we next assemble in Parliament. It is tradition, I do not know how we have lost the tradition but the Opposition is here to comment on the budget. I am just saying this so that we have clarity on the matter and would not want us to be recorded as having deviated from tradition.
I know Dr. Mashakada is ready and waiting to make his traditional contribution to the Budget Statement. I just need to be educated Madam Speaker. I thank you.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: I think it is common knowledge that we all reside in certain Committees and the practice is that Chairpersons are supposed to start with the presentations. What has been happening for some time and has now been regarded as tradition is because the reports were taking a long time to be produced and Dr. Mashakada would be allowed to stand and give his comments/sentiments whilst awaiting the production of the various Committee Chairpersons’ reports.
Now that the reports are ready for tabling and also taking into consideration the fact that we all reside in certain Committees, it would be prudent for Committee Chairpersons to table their reports and Hon. Dr. Mashakada and the rest of the Hon. Members will be given opportunity to debate later.
(v)HON. NDEBELE: I think Hon. Mliswa is right in saying that Hon. Dr. Mashakada comments on the Budget Statement before everyone else and that has always been tradition. I am in total agreement with Hon. Mliswa. It is not a matter of accident that the Opposition responds to the Minister’s Budget Statement before the Committee Chairpersons because it is something that has been entrenched within parliamentary tradition and I see no reason why we are deviating from the norm.
Madam Speaker, I wish to appeal to you to request our esteemed Chairpersons to present summarised reports and submit the full reports to Hansard for publishing in order to maximize on time and more so in the case of Hon. Chikukwa since she presides over two ministries.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Thank you very much Hon. Ndebele. We will look into the matter and see how we can resolve it and also see how we can safeguard the interest that you had in the matter. It is also worth knowing that Chairpersons are supposed to be given precedence first. Please proceed Hon. Chikukwa. It is also worth knowing that all Hon. Chairpersons will be allotted 20 minutes to table their reports.
HON. CHIKUKWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I will be done with my presentation within the allotted time.
- Furthermore, the Council of Chiefs is not being allowed to install new headmen in line with population growth, with the shortage of funds being cited. In the 2021 financial year, the council was allocated a revised estimate of ZWL$317 million, but received a 41% disbursement. For the 2022 budget, the Ministry was allocated ZWL$671 million, representing 42% of the bid, implying that the installation and replacement of new headmen among other activities shall remain a challenge.
- Relatedly, the alignment of Acts and production of principles received only 10% of the bid. A far more rational amount of 50% of the requirement would be the bare minimum. The slow pace in the alignment of laws is hampering progress in areas such as devolution and operationalisation of the Council of Chiefs, among many other areas.
- The spatial planning programme remains underfunded, as it was in the previous budget, implying that the regional master plans for Masvingo South, Victoria Falls-Zambezi, Harare Metropolitan, the new city and Tugwi-Mukorsi, shall remain unfinished. Such a scenario compromises the long-term development of the nation, given the importance of planning. Due to underfunding, we are still working with planning maps from the 1960s and there are no future plans for roads, water, and sewerage. Informal settlements remain in a mess 20 years later.
- The gross underfunding of disaster risk management is extremely worrisome. More funding is needed for Civil Protection to finance tent-age, evacuation centres and warehouses in case of extreme weather events whose intensity and frequency is increasing. There also is a need to train local authorities and traditional leadership on disaster risk management.
- Furthermore, it was noted that the ZUPCO subsidy is placed under spatial planning which then gives the impression that spatial planning is well funded. As it stands, the ZUPCO budget is 68% of the spatial planning budget.
- Also as raised in the previous budget, the underfunding for the Construction, Maintenance and Management of Public Buildings Programme continues. While the Ministry had decided not to initiate any new projects, the allocated funds are not enough to complete the ongoing projects. Some of the priority projects include completion of the Lupane and Mutoko Government Offices, and the revamping of Mukwati and Kaguvi Buildings which are now an eyesore. Under programmed strategic projects, eight of them have received no funding including some classified as stalled.
- Underfunding of staff training will continue to hamper lines of reporting in local government. As we stand, the Ministry has failed to produce Q3 accounts and to also account for devolution and ZINARA funds disbursed to local authorities.
- The Ministry also pointed out that the allocation for the ZUPCO mass transport subsidies is only sufficient for six months. This is a challenge since this is a contractual obligation towards bus operators.
- Recommendations
The Committee recommends that:
- Treasury should allocate 5% of the budget to devolution in line with the Constitution. The continued violation of the Constitution is unacceptable.
- Furthermore, the Devolution Bill must be brought before Parliament as a matter of urgency.
- Alignment of laws for the operationalisation of the Council of Chiefs and establishment of its secretariat must be expedited, to allow the council to manage its own funds. Also, adequate funding should be availed to the council to allow it to properly discharge its mandate.
- Disaster risk management should be fully funded to ensure the establishment of warehouses, evacuation centres and acquisition of adequate tent-age in preparation for possible extreme weather events this summer.
- The allocation towards spatial planning be increased given the critical role it plays in long term development.
- Mass transport budget must be removed from the spatial planning budget and be a stand-alone sub-vote. Alternatively, it can be transferred to the Ministry of Finance budget since it is the creation of a Cabinet decision and we then avoid the overstating of the Ministry of Local Government budget.
- All devolution and ZINARA funding received by local authorities must be listed for reconciliation in the budget. In this regard, funding should be availed to strengthen monitoring and evaluation of fund disbursement to local authorities by the Ministry. The Committee further proposes that it be notified of devolution and ZINARA funds disbursements to local authorities through mandatory quarterly reports.
- The allocation to ZUPCO subsidies should be increased to sufficiency for a year.
- Conclusion
The Committee is concerned with the gross underfunding of the Ministry which compromises service delivery. It is the Committee’s hope that Treasury shall review the allocated amounts to the above-mentioned critical areas in line with the Ministry’s bids.
2022 Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities
- Introduction
- The Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities is responsible for the promotion and facilitation of urban and rural development through the provision of modern and affordable housing and social amenities, and the regularisation/sanitisation of informal settlements in consultation with relevant ministries.
- With a housing backlog of 1.25 million units, the Ministry is targeting to deliver 220,000 housing units over five years under the National Housing Delivery Programme (2020-2025). The Ministry shall adopt a multi-pronged approach involving the public and private sectors, and broad-based citizenry participation to achieve this goal.
- Budget Allocations for 2021 and 2022
- In the previous and current budget, the Ministry remains grossly underfunded, thus compromising its operations as a fairly new Ministry. In the 2021 financial year, from a revised estimate of ZWL$2.8 billion, only ZWL$486 million (17%) was disbursed, while out of a bid of ZWL$48 billion, only ZWL$10 billion was allocated for the 2022 budget. Such underfunding for a new Ministry is unacceptable and leaves little hope for the clearance of the housing backlog.
- Post Budget Analysis Meeting Output
The Committee held a post-budget analysis meeting with Ministry officials and departmental heads led by the Permanent Secretary on Thursday 2nd December 2021. The following was observed:
- The Committee noted with concern that up to now, the Ministry still remains under-resourced such that it only has 34% of the approved staff establishment (275/790), there is inadequate office equipment, furniture and fittings, and vehicles at the Head Office, and both provincial and district levels. The provincial offices do not even have computers for report writing. No new Ministry can stand on its feet with such gross underfunding and meagre resources. The Ministry has a bid of 22 vehicles and one mini-bus for the Head Office, 10 vehicles for provinces and 20 single-cab for districts and aims to move from the current 275 in post to at least 558 by end of 2022. Unfortunately, the allocations made towards these expenditure lines are glaringly way below the bids.
- Due to lack of funds, the Ministry had decided not to embark on any new projects but finish the stalled projects first. However, with the low allocation standing at 18% of the bid, not even the stalled projects can be completed. Its ‘major’ achievements are completion of a few old housing projects.
- Also, the regularisation and sanitisation of various informal settlements remains outstanding due to lack of resources.
- Furthermore, the erratic Treasury disbursements have also seen contractors downing tools awaiting payment for work done, thus further delaying the completion of on-going projects.
- Recommendations
The Committee recommends that:
- Treasury increases its allocation to the Ministry towards the acquisition of office equipment and vehicles to enable the setting up of administrative structures at all levels for effective discharge of its mandate. An increase of the overall allocation to at least 75% of the bid is recommended.
- The allocation towards stalled projects be increased to match the bid.
- Adequate allocation is needed for the completion of Cyclone Idai victims’ housing.
5.0 Conclusion
Given the gross underfunding of the Ministry, the goal of decent shelter, a critical human need and an essential feature of an upper-middle-income society will remain elusive. In this light, the Committee appeals to Treasury to reconsider increasing the allocations to the Ministry to allow it to be fully constituted in terms of human and material resources so that it fully discharges its mandate. I thank you.
HON. DR. MASHAKADA: Thank you Madam Speaker for affording me this opportunity to join the debate. I am most grateful to the Minister of Finance and Economic Development for tabling measures relating to the revenues and expenditures of the country and I am also grateful to the Chairperson of the Budget Committee, Dr. Nyashanu, for presenting the position of the Budget Committee which I also belong to.
I rise to give my own assessment as the shadow Minister of Finance from the opposition. It is a tough balancing act, I am a Member of the Budget Committee but at the same time, I also have a constituency which is the opposition, to articulate our position and views.
Madam Speaker, in looking at the budget, there is a structure which the Minister has followed and I think in assessing the budget, I will also want to follow the structure which was used to present that budget. The structure which I am going to use or the framework I am going to use to analyse this Budget is as follows:
First, I will look at the budget as a tool for macro-economic management, budget as a tool to advance NDS 1 and also to direct the economy towards meeting of the Vision 2030 goals.
Secondly, the other leg, I will use to analyse the budget is to what extent does the budget transform the lives of the people. Does it have an impact on society, does it meet the basic needs of the people, have the people’s expectations been met by the 2022 Budget? That is very important because in everything that we do, we must put people first.
Thirdly, the framework I am going to use is to look at whether the budget allocates resources efficiently to line ministries.
Fourthly, I will look at whether the budget is set to develop the country as a whole and finally, I will also look at what are the downside risks of underlying the budget. I will use those five pedestals to assess the budget.
Madam Speaker, looking at the macro-economic framework that the budget has set, I am encouraged first by the growth trajectory – [HON. T. MLISWA: Sorry Madam Speaker, my sekuru is busy snoring.] –
THE ACTING SPEAKER: May you please proceed.
HON. DR. MASHAKADA: Thank you. I look at the macro-economic framework/macro-economic dashboard that is set out in the budget and note that the growth target of 5.5% is very encouraging. If we are going to stimulate the economy, even under the challenges of COVID, stimulate the mining sector, stimulate the agricultural sector, manufacturing and tourism and all other growth enablers so that we can meet the 5.5% target. I think this is going to benefit the country. I hope that the 5.5% growth that we are talking of is not only growth per se. It must be inclusive to growth. It must be shared growth. It must be growth that will bring jobs. It must be growth that would reduce poverty among our people. It must be growth that will increase the happiness of our people. If it is going to be growth per se which does not trickle down to touch the lives of the people, then we will not need that growth. At this stage, let us hope that the 5.5% is going to impact the lives of the people. I am encouraged that the 5.5% growth is way above the global growth target of 3.6%. Zimbabwe must continue to chat this positive growth trajectory. The other thing to look at the macro-economic dashboard is the budget deficit. I see a continued and spirited effort by the Minister to contain the budget deficit and this is to be encouraged. In the past, Government borrowing had been too high and almost unsustainable but I see that the deficit is being contained progressively going forward. I think it is a positive mark on the macro-economic dashboard.
I also note that our exports in the current account balance are set to increase to over US$4 billion. In fact, we will continue to register a positive trade balance and that should be maintained. I also note that a diaspora remittance to the tune of $1.5 billion is on the high note. These are macro-economic variables or targets which conform to the theme of reinforcing sustainable recovery and resilience. I think in the era of COVID, we are fairly doing well as a Southern African country to keep the economy on track.
On the downside risks which are very visible in this budget, the first one Madam Speaker is the question of the fiscal space which is very problematic. You will recall that ministries had a total bid of ZWL$2.7 trillion but the Minister was only able to allocate a budget of ZWL$927 billion which was close to a trillion. That shows you that there is lack of fiscal space. If you look at the revenues that the Minister has projected to collect, those revenues at over $800 billion are only 17% of GDP. If we are collecting only 17% to 18% of DGP and our GDP is about US$25 billion, it means we are not doing well in terms of revenue collection. That will impact the release and allocation of the monies to Government departments. That is the question of fiscal space that I am happy on, that Government has to come up with more innovative ways to raise revenues just outside the taxation framework. We have to look at other ways to raise our revenues. That is where our natural resources sector come in. Let us leverage on our huge natural resources. We have got huge deposits of platinum, huge deposits of gold and other sub-soil resources. Let us do forward contracts and sell some of these things in advance so that we can fund our budget, strengthen our budget and complement the fiscal taxes that we used to raise the revenues. So I see fiscal space as one obvious downside.
Madam Speaker, the second downside to note is the question which Dr. Nyashanu ably enunciated – the issue of budget credibility. If the uptake of allocations by ministries is going to be under 40%, surely it is a low uptake. It will affect service delivery by ministries because there are no resources to release to these ministries yet when ZIMRA reports their income statement, they say that they have registered surpluses but this money, because it is a cash flow problem, the money is not released in time to benefit Government ministries. We might be persuaded as the Chairperson of the Budget Committee has noted, maybe to do quarterly releases which are timed to coincide with the ZIMRA revenue targets. Maybe that can improve the allocation to ministries. Otherwise it will not work if the ministries continue to get less than 40% of what is allocated to them. That is a true downside.
The other downside is the threat of inflation. You may recall Madam Speaker, that the Ministry had projected an inflation target of 25% by December this year. Contrary to that, inflation is now poised to reach 58%. That creates new inflationary pressures in the economy. With new inflationary pressures, the monies that had been allocated would be wiped out. I agree that without resorting to a supplementary budget, these monies will not be enough because of inflation which is creeping in again, like I said, at 58%. We have to watch on inflation. This will mean that money supply, growth will increase, borrowing also will increase and that will create a huge crisis for us. The other measure downside risk is that whereas we are budgeting in Zim Dollars, which is our official currency and we must promote the usage of our local currency; there is no doubt about that, we need to strengthen our mono currency. The fact of the matter is that on the ground, it is the US dollars which is being paid or charged by the market. Just go out, very few retail shops or agencies charge you in the mono currency. The fuel sector, everyone has to find US dollars to buy fuel in Zimbabwe.
There are very few garages which sell fuel in bond notes or RTGS, that is a reality. Most bills are paid in foreign currency and that is the reality. It is the market which is driving this US pricing system and we have to be more innovative to make sure that our people do not suffer as a result of this re-dollarisation that is taking place. In fact, I want to commend the Government for paying bonuses in US dollars, they realised that it is hard currency that is working. It is an admission that this economy is based on hard currency – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] - So we want to thank Government for that. We urge Government to go beyond - they must start collecting taxes in foreign currency so that they can even pay half the wage bill in hard currency to cushion civil servants. The other issue Madam Speaker is the question of non-taxable income which has now been raised to RTGS39 000. This falls short of the poverty datum line. Economists estimate the poverty datum line at RTGS50 000 not RTGS39 000, so this figure will fall short of the poverty datum line and it will not cushion the civil servants or the workers as it is intended to do. These are some of the down-side risks I thought I should raise.
Most importantly Madam Speaker, attached on the macro-economic dashboard is the macro economic framework and had the positive outturn there. What is now important is to make sure that the budget benefits the people. The poor person in the streets feels that there is a 2022 National Budget by way of the income that they get, jobs that are created, food security and by way of strengthening their pockets. That is what people need, we do not want a budget that is divorced from the practical day to day lives of the people. If people see a road being constructed for example, they must be able to relate that to a good economy. If they see a dam being constructed, they must be able to relate it to a good economy and see that they are benefiting from the construction of that dam. So, we need to make sure that there is a trickle-down effect of whatever we do or achieve through the budget to benefit the people.
Madam Speaker, I noted that the SDRs have not been disbursed even without the involvement of Parliament.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Hon. Dr. Mashakada, you are only left with 5 minutes.
HON. DR. MASHAKADA: I thank you. The SDRs have not been disbursed even without the involvement of Parliament. I noticed that a huge chunk of the money has gone to the Harare-Chirundu-Beitbridge highway which is commendable. The other chunk has gone to agriculture and social protection which is again commendable. The other chunk has gone to fight COVID-19 and the other has been reserved to boost our reserves at the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. Well, these sound to be very good areas to spend the SDRs but we need public expenditure tracking system and a strong system to make sure that this money is truly going to where it is intended to benefit. Is the money going to agriculture? Is the money going to social protection as stated? Is the money going to COVID-19 as stated? Has some money been set aside for reserves? We need some verification or some audit of some sort, that is why I still feel that it is necessary for the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to come to Parliament and address it on the disbursement of SDRs rather than smuggle it in the budget statement as it were. We need a Ministerial Statement on the planned usage of the SDRs but I hope that we can take good care of our SDRs because when rainy days come, we must be cushioned or not misapply or misappropriate the SDRs.
Madam Speaker, having said this, I still feel that Zimbabwe needs to pull together and all stakeholders have to be involved in the execution of this budget. We need quarterly reports from the Minister on the execution of this budget so that we can monitor and evaluate the implementation of this budget. It is one thing having the budget presented but it is another to monitor it and to track the expenditures and even the revenue side so that we always stay alert and always stay on track. I thank you very much.
(v)HON. NDUNA: On a point of order Madam Speaker.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: What is your point of order?
(v)HON. NDUNA: If it pleases you Madam Speaker, if you may increase his time by another 5 minutes, I think he was beginning to submit something very critical.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: I am sure he had finished – [HON. MUSHORIWA: Inaudible interjections on virtual platform.] – Hon. Mushoriwa, let us not want to just put each other at a corner, I think I indulged Hon. Dr. Mashakada so that at least we can then be able to balance the House. So now we need to do the procedure that we always do because we all reside in Committees like I had ruled before. For now, can I allow the Hon. Chairpersons to debate? We know we have extended our time. We have got enough time for us to be able to have this conversation. So I am going to indulge soon after the Hon. Chairpersons have finished speaking. I thank you.
HON. SACCO: Thank you Madam Speaker – [AN HON. MEMBER: Madam Speaker, I am representing the Portfolio Committee on Public Accounts] –
THE ACTING SPEAKER: I have a list that I have been given by the Chief Whips here so I will also indulge you.
HON. SACCO: Thank you Madam Speaker. I stand to present a report by the Portfolio Committee on Industry and Commerce.
1. Introduction
- On the 25th of November 2021, the Minister of Finance and
Economic Development, Hon. Professor Mthuli Ncube presented the 2022 National Budget. The 2022 National Budget was presented in the COVID-19 context and was informed by the country’s Vision 2030, which is benchmarked by the continued implementation of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1), 2021-2025, which is an economic blueprint outlining the policies, institutional reforms and national priorities as the country aims to attain the middle-income status by 2030. Hence, the 2022 National Budget is aligned to the provisions of the NDS1 as it is centered-on building resilience and sustainable economic recovery.
- The 2022 National Budget comes also after the country has
received the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) to the tune of US$958 million aimed at addressing the liquidity crisis, build confidence, and foster the resilience and stability to the economy which has been affected due to Covid-19 pandemic and this will necessitate social and economic growth during and post COVID-19 era. The Ministry will directly benefit through allocation for industry support worth US$30 million under the proposed SDR utilisation. The US$30 million is intended for retooling/revolving fund for new equipment and replacement for the value chains specifically targeting cotton, leather, pharmaceuticals, and other agro-processing industries.
HON. T. MLISWA: On a point of order. My point of order is on the Ministry of Finance. When we debated the budget, the Minister was very clear that he will never allocate SDR to anyone before coming to Parliament. It is there in the statement and we now hear he already did it before coming to Parliament. So how can people trust the Ministry of Finance? That is dishonest and criminal. May I know which Parliament he went to? Maybe he went to another Parliament. I can even come up with the Hansard and to quote his words, he said he would not allocate anything before coming to Parliament but now the allocations have been made and Parliament is supreme in terms of oversight. So how then can we trust him and it is not sitting well with me because we are dealing with dishonest people. He is the Minister of Finance and that statement is there but now he has allocated, and we must sit here and listen to a statement full of lies and dishonesty. So the Minister of Finance must tell us which Parliament he went to. We were here. He said it. He must respond which Parliament did he went to - how then can we trust him moving forward? This is where the corruption starts where you are allocating these funds, to who? This Parliament has got the power through Section 119 of the Constitution. We have the power and with that power, may he answer before we move forward because we will not pass the budget until he comes here. We will not pass the budget with this dishonesty. He must come here first and then we will move forward.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Hon. Mliswa, that is noted. I am sure that is very much in order. We hear everything you are saying. The Hon. Minister will be given an opportunity to respond and I am sure he is going to respond accordingly.
HON. T. MLISWA: The response was for now because it is a waste of time sitting here when the Minister is doing things. It is like you are stupid. He is here and he can respond which Parliament they went to.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: I am sure he can respond but for the purposes of this meeting, I am the one chairing and we are going to get a response when the time comes.
HON. SACCO:
1.3 While the economy has been exposed to varying shocks, coupled with macro-economic risks, there is still need and space to firmly set focus on strategic priorities for economic recovery and growth anchored on building resilience against such shocks. Hence, the need to accelerate the industrialisation drives, if we are to turn around the economy and steer it towards the achievement of Vision 2030.
2. The Ministry’s 2021 Budget Performance Review
2.1 The mission of the Ministry is aligned to the Second Republic’s vision of transforming the economy to the middle-income status by 2030. Thus, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce’s vision is to attain a highly industrialized, technologically advanced and diversified Zimbabwean economy by 2030. This will be attained through its main service delivery areas of policy and administration, industrialization and consumer protection and quality assurance.
The Ministry was allocated a total budget of ZWL$2,345,000,000 during the year 2021, which represented an increase in nominal value from the 2020 National Budget allocation of ZWL$60,760,000. However, the worrying trend over the period 2020 and 2021, is the Ministry’s poor absorption rate which has been stagnant at 32 percent. This has not been spared by challenges imposed by Covid-19 pandemic, shortages of electricity and water, inadequate foreign currency and backlog at the foreign currency auction system, high cost of utilities, shortage of raw and intermediate materials, depressed aggregate demand, and inadequate ICT infrastructure.
The Ministry’s major achievements under the three key result areas
during the 2021 budget year includes:
- Implementation of the Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy (2019-2023)
- Launch of the Pharmaceuticals and Leather sectors strategies
iii. Successfully held the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair and coordinated participation of the industrial sector in the recently opened Expo Dubai.
- Implementation of the E-Licensing for Import and Export licences.
- The establishment of the Consumer Protection Commission
- The development of the second draft Consumer Protection Policy
- Facilitated resuscitation of closed/distressed and creation of new companies
- Coordinated implementation of selected value chains
- Improved the World Bank ease of doing business ranking from 156 to 140
- Successfully funded the IDCZ to the tune of ZWL$450 million
- Overview of the 2022 National Budget
3.1 The Ministry was allocated ZWL$3, 879, 548, 000, which
represents a 65 percent increase from the 2021 National Budget allocation. The allocated figure exceeds the initial expenditure ceiling of $3, 631, 495, 000, according to the Treasury Budget Call Circular Number 3 of 2021 by 7 percent. This does not suffice the Ministry’s requirements to fulfill its mandate of providing a conducive environment for sustainable industrial and commercial growth and development. However, the budget allocation fell below the proposed bid by the Ministry of $40,843,795,736 and is most likely to be eroded away by the inflationary environment.
The variance between the Ministry’s bid and the 2022 National Budget allocation to the Ministry have huge implication on the nation’s route to the fourth industrial revolution and the successful attainment of Vision 2030.
3.2 While the Ministry appreciates the overall allocations to its three main operating areas; Policy and Administration, Industrialization and Consumer Protection and Quality Assurance, the Committee is concerned with the variance between the proposed Ministry bids and the ceilings.
3.3 The Ministry noted that the industrial sector is continuously facing challenges pertaining to access to affordable and long-term financing for retooling and working capital. The Industrial Development Corporation of Zimbabwe (IDCZ) is being capacitated financially to provide funding to the industrial sector. However, concerns were that the National Budget allocation of ZWL$2, 250, 000, 000 to the IDCZ is just 10.34 percent of the Ministry’s request.
- 4. Post Budget Presentation Analysis Meeting Output
Your Committee duly held a post budget presentation analysis meeting with Ministry officials led by the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Mavis Sibanda and the industry representatives, CZI on Thursday the 2nd of December 2021. The following issues were observed:
4.1 In its meeting with Ministry officials on the 2nd December 2021,
the Ministry appreciated the 2022 National Budget allocation to the Ministry. However, there were concerns on the variance (92 percent) between the Ministry bid of $40, 843, 795, 736 and the budget allocation of $3, 879, 548, 000 which is likely to have a negative impact on the efforts of the Ministry to revamp the industry which is significantly affected by Covid-19. Your Committee was in consensus with the Ministry officials in regards to the need to capacitate the industry towards aiding the 2030 vision.
4.2 Your Committee raised concerns on the low resource absorption rate, 32 percent in 2020 and 2021 and further asked a question on whether the Ministry provides cash budget to the Treasury to aid disbursement process. The Ministry officials also highlighted their concerns on delayed disbursement of budget allocations and indicated that they will make available paper-trail showing their efforts on engaging the Treasury for quick disbursement of resources to the Ministry.
4.3 Your Committee took note of the US$30 million from the
proposed SDR utilization that will be made available in 2022 for retooling, new equipment and replacement for the value chains. However, your Committee highlighted the need for clarity on the method of disbursement of the SDR allocations.
4.4 Your Committee noted that the attainment of the Vision 2030
and national economic development is centered on successful industrialization process and value chain mapping and beneficiation. However, your Committee raised questions on the competitiveness of the industry compared to regional and international standards with regards cost of doing business and technological advancement.
4.5 The Ministry, in their submissions, emphasized the significant
role of IDCZ on offering affordable long-term finance for retooling of the industry. The Ministry further raised concerns on the under-funding of IDCZ and your Committee also agreed that the budget allocations, 10 percent of the Ministry bid towards the IDCZ is too little for IDCZ to contribute meaningfully towards industrialization and the attainment of Vision 2030.
4.6 The submission from CZI as one of the key industry
stakeholders was pinned on the hopes that the 2022 National Budget should have been intended on stimulating industrialization, boosting exports, growing the tax base and boosting aggregate demand. CZI reiterated the need for more effort towards policies which encourage more productive industry, as a way to reduce taxes and increase companies’ performance. They also called for policies which promote import substitution, local procurement and value chain support. Overall, CZI continues to believe that the focus of the budget should be to ensure macro-economic stability, which will in turn enhance attaining of the projected 5.5 percent GDP growth in 2022.
4.7 Your Committee asked a question on the status of ZISCO Steel
resuscitation as it has been appearing in the national budgets since 2019 but without notable progress on the ground. The Ministry officials highlighted that there is progress on the ZISCO Steel resuscitation process as there is work in progress with regards to potential investors’ engagement and there are short-term roadmap targets for recapitalization and resuscitation of the firm’s subsidiaries in the steel industry, particularly Lancashire Steel.
4.8 Your Committee, the Ministry and CZI noted with concern the
faltering foreign exchange auction system as a complication to competitiveness and production capacity of the industry. Your Committee suggested fiscal and monetary policy alignment or complementarity to avoid a situation where either of the policies will become a risk for the other.
4.9 Your Committee also asked the Ministry officials about their
key priority areas going into year 2022 if the history of low/delayed resource disbursement repeats itself. Your Committee further asked for the Ministry’s steps towards prioritized value chains. The Ministry responded by reiterating that low disbursement rate implies prioritization of the Ministry’s work plans. The Ministry officials further highlighted that they have developed sector specific strategies intended for full value chain. CZI buttressed the Ministry’s response by highlighting how the private sector have established a memorandum of understanding with external business partners intended at moving up value chains and enhancing industrialization.
4.10 Your Committee also raised concerns on the tax burden posed
by the 2022 National Budget, especially the impact of the increase from 10 percent to 30 percent of the withholding tax, the US$50 levy on the new cell phone handsets as these will affect industry performance and tax compliance rate.
4.11 Your Committee also highlighted the need for a retreat
between the Ministry, the Committee and the private sector partners aimed at discussing challenges faced by the industry and proffer mitigation strategies.
5. Recommendations
Your Committee recommends:
5.1 The improved Vote to the Ministry from the current less than 1
percent to at least 5 percent of the total National Budget, particularly IDCZ allocation in order to enhance retooling/revolving fund for the industry, value addition and implementation of stimulus funding for industries.
5.2 There be complementarity between the Fiscal and Monetary
Policy to avoid jeopardisation of sustainability amongst the policies and embrace the demands posed by the Vision 2030 policies and strategies.
5.3 Improved and expedient disbursement of funds by the Treasury,
from the 32 percent in 2020 and 2021, to allow the Ministry to carry out its core mandate towards Vision 2030.
5.4 The need for continuous oversight on budgetary allocation and
disbursement to the Ministry on a monthly basis to ensure funds are released with the oversight of the Committee.
5.5 Establishment of concrete steps towards the resuscitation and
capacitation of ZISCO steel citing clear stages to be followed with timelines.
5.6 Review upwards of the US30 million SDR allocation for
retooling, new equipment and replacement of value chains since industrialization requires significant transformation in order to improve production capacity and competitiveness. Hence, an allocation of at least US$100 million will have positive and significant effect on industrialization and digitalization processes.
5.7 The need to improve the ease of doing business and
competitiveness of the country so as to attract both domestic and foreign investment, hence the need to ensure macro-economic stability as a benchmark for economic growth and attaining of Vision 2030.
5.8 An improved foreign exchange auction system based on market
fundamentals, with expedited allocation and disbursements of foreign currency.
5.9 Prioritization of IDCZ funding from the auction/foreign
exchange system.
5.10 Revisit of the proposed taxes especially increase (10% to 30%)
in withholding tax, IMTT ZWL$500 threshold, and the new cellphone levy of USD$50 with an intention to boost the industry through induced aggregate demand.
5.11 The meeting between the Ministry, Portfolio Committee on
Industry and Commerce, and the private sector partners meant to discuss the industry challenges and develop unified solutions to industry problems.
6. Conclusion
The Zimbabwean economy has been exposed to varying shocks and macro-economic risks which have disturbed the industrial growth and development process. Hence, industrialization lies at the heart of our vision of becoming an upper middle-income economy by 2030. It is through industrialization and digitalization that we can effectively exploit the backward and forward linkages that primarily exist among the agricultural, mining and manufacturing sectors, thus bringing to reality the structural transformation that this economy desperately needs. There is a call for unified voice and action amongst all stakeholders in the Zimbabwean economy in order to create a matrix which points or aids the national policies, priorities and strategies. Thus, when there is complementarity and coordination amongst all stakeholders, the middle-income status is for us to attain.
HON. DR. LABODE: Thank you Mr. Speaker.
INTRODUCTION
Background
The Ministry of Health and Child Care’s mandate is to provide the highest standards of health care services to all Zimbabweans in line with the Primary Health Care approach as set out in the National Health Strategy.
Methodology
Following the presentation of the 2022 National Budget by the Minister of Finance, the Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care engaged the Ministry of Health and Child Care and stakeholders to gather their views. The Committee consolidated the views and came up with its own analysis of the budget.
HEALTH AND CHILD CARE BUDGET ANALYSIS
Overview of the 2022 budget
The Ministry of Health and Child Care received an allocation of ZWL$117.7 billion in the 2022 National Budget up from ZWL$54.7 billion allocated in 2021. This allocation represents a 115.17% nominal increase to what was allocated in the previous budget. It further represents a 12.16% share of the National Budget indicating a marginal decline from 12.87% achieved in 2021 and not 14.9% as presented by the Minister of Finance in his 2022 National Budget Statement.
To contextualise the budget allocation to the health sector, an analysis of the top ten Vote allocations was made (see Figure 1). Allocation to the Ministry of Health was ranked third after Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture (see Figure 1).
Figure 1: Top ten vote allocations for 2022
Figure 2 shows the trends in the Ministry of Health and Child Care budget allocations and its share to National Budgets from 2010 to 2022. It illustrates a general decline in the share of the health sector to total national budget from a high of 8.6% in 2012 to 5.84% in 2018 before a steady increase to 12.16% in 2022.
Figure 2: Trends in Health and Child Care Budget Allocations (US$): 2010-2022
The share of the health budget to total expenditure for 2022 slightly exceeds the Southern African Development Community (SADC) average of 11.3% but remains slightly below the 15% stipulated under the Abuja Declaration for the delivery of quality health services.
Trends in per capita health spending
The 2022 Health Budget allocation of ZWL$117.7 billion translates to US$71.66 in per capita terms, up from US$42.34 in 2021 (see Figure 3). Whilst this allocation is progressing towards the World Health Organisation recommended threshold of US$86, it is only 48.22% of the SADC average per capita health spending of US$146.29.
Figure 3: Trends in per capita spending on health in Zimbabwe (2010-2022)
Low levels of per capita spending in health care indicate that health financing in the country is insufficient to guarantee adequate access and quality health care. This implies that the health sector will continue to significantly rely on out-of -pocket expenditures and donor assistance, which is not sustainable given the low disposable income amongst the public and the unpredictability of donor support.
The 2021 Health Budget performance
Only 46.74% of the 2021 budget allocation to Health had been released as at 30 September 2021. Table 1: Summary of the 2021 Expenditure performance
|
Allocation |
Releases |
Actual Expenditure |
Burn Rate % |
Compensation of employees |
22,958,000,000 |
12,518,604,093 |
12,455,790,523 |
99% |
Capital |
9,455,000,000 |
2,916,633,585 |
1,937,755,850 |
66% |
Recurrent |
22,292,000,000 |
10,136,109,664 |
9,284,829,629 |
92% |
TOTAL |
54,705,000,000 |
25,571,347,342 |
23,678,376,002 |
93% |
As shown in Table 1, the Ministry of Health had used up 93% of what was released. As much as 99% of the salaries budget, 66% of capital budget and 92% of the recurrent expenditure had been exhausted as at 30 September 2021. The burn rate for central hospitals was 99% while that of provincial hospitals was 89%. District hospitals had a burn rate of 90%.
Some of the capital projects accomplished in 2021 include construction of 30 clinics; rehabilitation and upgrading of health facilities; installation of solar system to 522 health facilities; drilling of boreholes to 441 health facilities; and procurement of 30 ambulances with delivery of 70 more being expected before the end of the year. Major challenges faced in 2021 include delayed release of funds by Treasury to execute projects; requests for prepayment by most suppliers before project implementation; difficulties in getting borehole water in most health facilities resulting in dry holes; and fluctuating exchange rates that resulted in price instability.
Economic Classification of 2022 Health and Child Care Budget
About 15.5% of the Health Ministry’s Budget was allocated towards capital expenditure which includes buildings and structures, machinery and equipment as well as capital grants (Table 2). The Minister of Finance maintained the share of the budget was allocated to capital expenditure in 2021(see Table 2).
Table 2: Economic Classification of MOHCC 2022 Budget (%)
|
2022 |
2021 |
Capital expenditure |
15.5 |
17 |
Employment Costs |
21.5 |
62 |
Use of Goods and Services |
63 |
21 |
As much as 63% of the Ministry’s Budget will be spent on recurrent expenditure compared to 21% allocated in 2021. Recurrent expenditure includes purchase of goods and services and current grants. Employment costs will take 21.5% of the Ministry’s total budget compared to 62 % allocated in 2021. This allocation represents a significant slash in employment costs.
Programmes Budget Allocations vs Bids for 2021
In developing the 2021 budget requirements for the Ministry of Health, the following evidence was used to inform key issues to be stressed in budgeting.
- The NDS 1 which focus areas to concentrate on as well as contributions from various stakeholders
- The National Health Strategy.
- The 2022 Annual Work Plan
- Inputs from the various programme managers and sub-programme managers
- 2021Budget performance
- The Expenditure target that it received from Ministry of Finance.
The Ministry submitted a bid of ZWL$232.2 billion to Treasury for its programmes but received an allocation of ZWL$117.7 billion leaving a funding gap of ZWL$114.5 billion (or 49% of its funding needs) (see Table 3).
Table 3: 2021 MOHCC BID vs Allocation by Programme (ZWL$)
PROGRAMMES |
Bid |
Allocation |
GAP |
%ge less |
Programme 1. Policy and Administration |
33,693,140,033 |
18,684,184,000 |
15,008,956,033 |
45% |
Programme 2: Public Health |
31,178,597,509 |
17,736,227,000 |
13,442,370,509 |
43% |
Programme 3 : Curative Services |
163,350,103,220 |
78,123,155,000 |
85,226,948,220 |
52% |
Programme 4 : Bio-Medical Engineering, Bio-Medical Science, Pharmaceuticals and Bio-Pharmaceutical Production |
4,009,027,326 |
3,170,649,000 |
838,378,326 |
21% |
TOTAL |
232,230,868,089 |
117,714,215,000 |
114,516,653,089 |
49% |
All the Ministry’s four programmes have financial gaps ranging between 21% and 52% as illustrated in Table 3.
Of the ZWL$117.7 billion allocated to the health sector, the Curative Programme received the largest share where it was allocated ZWL$78.1 billion (66.4%) followed by Policy and Administration that received ZWL$10.14 billion (15.9%). Public Health was allocated ZWL$5.27 billion (15.1%) whilst Biomedical Engineering, Bio-Medical Science, Pharmaceuticals and Biopharmaceutical Production received the least share of the budget which amounted to ZWL$1.24 billion (2.7%).
Table 4: Programme 1. Policy and Administration (ZWL$)
PROGRAMME 1: POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION |
Allocation |
Share of Programme allocation(%) in 2022 |
Share of Programme allocation(%) in 2021 |
Sub-Programme 1: Ministers' and Permanent Secretary's Office |
764,114,000 |
4 |
4 |
Sub-Programme 2: Policy Planning and Coordination |
2,668,733,000 |
14 |
11 |
Sub-Programme 3: Human Resources |
2,534,830,000 |
14 |
12 |
Sub-Programme 4: Finance and Administration |
2,959,580,000 |
16 |
11 |
Sub-Programme 5: Monitoring and Evaluation |
770,639,000 |
4 |
3 |
Sub-Programme 6: Internal Audit |
489,043,000 |
3 |
2 |
Sub-Programme 7: Logistics and Asset Management |
8,147,351,000 |
44 |
56 |
Sub-Programme 8: Legal Services |
349,894,000 |
2 |
1 |
Total |
18,684,184,000.00 |
100 |
100 |
Policy and Administration Programme received ZWL$18.7 billion and 45% of its financial needs were not met by under the 2022 Budget. The most affected sub-programme is the Policy Planning and Coordination whose requirements are ZWL$18.68 billion but only received ZWL$2.67 billion. The level of priority to sub-programme allocations did not change much from 2021 except for logistics and asset management whose allocation declined from 56% in 2021 to 44% in 2022 (see Table 4).
Table 5: Programme 2: Public Health (ZWL$)
PROGRAMME 2: PUBLIC HEALTH |
Allocation |
Share of Programme allocation(%) in 2022 |
Share of Programme allocation(%) in 2021 |
Sub-Programme 1: Communicable Diseases |
12,549,308,000 |
71 |
34 |
Sub-programme 2: Family Health |
2,482,058,000 |
14 |
35 |
Sub-Programme 3: Non-Communicable Diseases |
861,064,000 |
5 |
3 |
Sub-programme 4: Environmental Health |
1,843,797,000 |
10 |
28 |
Total |
17,736,227,000 |
100 |
100 |
Communicable diseases received the largest share (71%) of the budget allocated to Public Health compared to the 34% it received in 2021 (See Table 5). Significant reductions in allocation of shares were noted in Family Health and Environmental health (see Table 5).
Whilst the rest of the sub-programmes under Public Health received close to what was requested, the worst affected is sub-programme on communicable diseases that received ZWL$12.55 billion from the ZWL$18.46 billion originally requested. The most affected areas under this sub-programme are HIV/ AIDS and COVID-19. Through resource mapping however, the Ministry noted that it would fund HIV/AIDS programme through partner and Aids levy funds to the tune of ZWL$3.3billion. The ZWL$300 million allocated in the budget would go towards advocacy activities. COVID-19 programme received funding of ZWL7 billion from the ZWL$15 billion originally requested for 2022. The Ministry of Finance assured the Ministry of Health of additional resources should the need arise. The Committee is of the view that the ZWL$7 billion allocation needs to be reviewed upwards in view of the fourth wave that has already hit the country. The health sector needs to be adequately funded to respond to the fourth and other future waves of COVID-19.
The Minister of Finance tried to meet the funding request on drugs and medicines towards cancer and dialysis diseases. The Ministry of Health requested for ZWL$ 2.28 billion for cancer drugs and received ZWL$2.13 billion. It further requested for ZWL$1.4 billion for dialysis drugs and received ZWL$1.37 billion.
The Committee is concerned that communicable diseases sub-programme was not adequately funded. One of the country’s goals is to eliminate cholera by 2028, hence the country needs to work towards this goal now. More-so, Treasury allocated ZWL$141.2 million towards mental health sub-programme. It is the Committee’s view that this is hugely underfunded to adequately deal with mental health issues that have been brought by COVID-19 and drug abuse by the youths.
Table 6: Programme 3: Curative Services
PROGRAMME 3: Curative Services |
Allocation |
Share of Programme allocation(%) in 2022 |
Share of Programme allocation(%) in 2021 |
Sub-Programme 1: Quinary (Research Hospital) |
357,409,000 |
0.5 |
0.4 |
Sub-Programme 2: Quaternary Care(Central Hospitals) |
23,073,926,000 |
29.5 |
32.5 |
Sub-Programme 3: Tertiary Care (Provincial Hospitals) |
10,512,657,000 |
13.5 |
11.9 |
Sub-programme 4: District/ General Hospitals Services |
20,336,222,000 |
26.0 |
31.4 |
Sub-programme 5: Rural Health Centre and Community Care |
23,629,354,000 |
30.2 |
23.5 |
Sub-Programme 6: Traditional Medicines |
213,587,000 |
0.27 |
0.3 |
Total |
78,123,155,000 |
100 |
100 |
The level of priority in sub-programme allocation did not change from 2021 (Table 6). Allocation of ZWL$23 billion to the central hospital exceeded the Ministry of Health’s bid of ZWL$15.5 billion whist provincial hospitals got an underfunding of ZWL$10.5 billion down from the request of ZWL$18billion.
Table 7: Programme 4: Bio-Medical Engineering, Bio-Medical Science, Pharmaceuticals and Bio-Pharmaceutical Production
|
Allocation |
Share of Programme allocation(%) in 2022 |
Share of Programme allocation(%) in 2021 |
Sub-Programme 1: Bio- Medical Engineering |
487,615,000 |
15 |
19 |
Sub-Programme 2: Bio- Pharmaceutical Engineering and Production |
526,125,000 |
17 |
16 |
Sub-Programme 3: Bio-Medical Science Research |
725,254,000 |
23 |
24 |
Sub-Programme 4: Bio-Analytics |
543,688,000 |
17 |
14 |
Sub-Programme 5: Health Research |
887,967,000 |
28 |
28 |
Total |
3,170,649,000 |
100 |
100 |
The level of priority on allocation to the sub programmes did not change from the 2021 allocation (see Table 7).
Zimbabwe Health Financing (2014-2021): Domestic vs Partner funding Trend
The 2022 health financing mix shows that Government of Zimbabwe increased its contribution from US$ 739 million (or 61.5%) in 2021 to US$1.094 billion (or 68.4% of the total budget on health).
Figure 4: Zimbabwe Health Financing Trend: (2014-2022) (US$)
Source: Ministry of Health and Child Care
The Ministry of Health and Child Care continues to receive partner funding in various programmes such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, maternal health among others. It hopes to receive similar support in 2022 but with increased Government of Zimbabwe funding (see Figure 4). Between 2016 and 2022, two partners namely the Global Fund and the US Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS relief contributed between 75% and 81% of total external funding. This increases the country’s vulnerability health shock should these funds dry up.
COMMITTEE OBSERVATIONS, ISSUES AND CONCERNS
Funding gap too wide, health outcomes may not be met
2.7 With a funding gap of ZWL$114.5 billion (or 49%) for its programmes, the Ministry of Health is faced with huge challenges of achieving its policy targets and ensuring a healthy human capital that will take the country into an upper middle-income class by 2030.
2.8 The Committee is concerned that blood and blood products sub-programme is grossly underfunded. It only received a funding of ZWL$583.6 million (or 39% of its requirements) against a bid of ZWL$1.5 billion. This is a critical area in the treatment of patients and needs adequate funding to guarantee stable blood supply to hospitals. More-so, the cost of screening blood is very high in Zimbabwe, making it unaffordable to patients. It is the Committee’s concern that the supply of blood in Zimbabwe has been left in the hands of a non-governmental organization, the National Blood Service Zimbabwe and not under a government agency.
2.9 The allocation towards procurement of gas is commendable as it was fully
funded as per the Ministry of Health’s’ request.
The budget is far from achieving the Abuja Declaration target of 15%.
2.10 Whilst the steady increase in the share of the health budget from 5.84% in 2018 to 12.16% in 2022 is a positive step towards the Abuja Declaration target, the Committee’s concern however, is on the partial and late disbursements of allocated funds. Only 46.74% of the 2021 Health budget had been released as at 30 September 2021. In fact, this constitutes 5.89% of the 2021 budget. The biggest question is how much the Ministry of Health will receive before the end of this year for it to achieve the 12.87% it had originally been allocated. Late disbursements delay the implementation of programmes and compromise health service delivery. This is in sharp contrast to some Vote appropriations that had overspent their allocations by 30 September 2021. These include the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, Climate and Rural Development (171%); Ministry of Finance and Economic Development (135%); Ministry of Power and Energy Development (131%) and Office of the President and Cabinet (112%). Such huge disparities in budget allocation seem to be pointing to the low level of priority the Government attaches to the health sector.
2.11 The Committee is concerned that the 2022 budget allocation to the health sector is only 11.3% if the ZWL$7 billion allocated to COVID-19 is factored out. Thus, the country’s commitment to meet the Abuja Declaration and its endeavour to achieve desirable health outcomes in line with NDS1 remain elusive. Given the high and urgent demand on COVID19 mitigation expenditure, there is a risk of diverting funds from the already underfunded conventional health care.
2.12 Quality of the budget is equally important. Increase in domestic spending does not always translate to increased access to health care given the inflationary and exchange rate pressures bedeviling the country, inefficiencies and unequitable distribution of health services among other challenges that undermine the best intentions. As poverty levels in the country continue to rise, more and more people cannot afford health care services, hence government health financing becomes important.
2.13 Budget proportions between central and district/provincial hospitals are not speaking to the current problems on the ground. Primary health care is largely being offered at central hospitals where there are specialized doctors and nurses who must instead focus on complex health care issues. This results in the country running a very expensive healthcare system.
2.14 Planning in and unstable currency (RTGs) for programmes that are implemented in USD is not being realistic.
Health Financing mix needs further balancing
2.15 Although external health financing significantly dropped from 47.5% in 2021 to 27.3% in 2022, it is still substantial and is largely funded by two partners, notably the Global Fund and the US Presidential Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Reduced global health financing is anticipated in the medium to long term. This significant level of dependency on external sources compromises sustainability of health cares should external funding be withdrawn.
2.16 The Ministry of Finance allocated ZWL$697.4 million towards contraceptives pills against a bid of ZLW$985.7 million. One of the programme’s major funders, DFID cut their contraceptives budget for 2022 by 75% implying that Government of Zimbabwe must take full financial responsibility of this programme to reduce teenage pregnancies and avert population boom.
Additional funds to the health sector commendable
2.17 The SDR 122 million allocated to the heath sector is commendable. The Committee notes that SDR 87 million has already been disbursed towards COVID 19 (SDR 77 million); health infrastructure and health consumables and equipment. The balance of SDR 35 million is projected to be disbursed in 2022.
2.18 The Committee commends Treasury for approving that the Health Service Fund be retained at the public hospitals. This fund is critical as it is meant to cushion the unpredictable flow of funds from Treasury in cases of drug shortages as well as repairs and maintenance.
Confirmation letter on this position to be sent to the Ministry of Health as soon as possible.
2.19 The proposal to introduce the Non-Communicable Disease Fund resource through excise duty on cigarettes and energy drinks is a welcome development. It is however, not clear how the fund will be managed and framework for disbursement to be adopted.
Skills gaps in the health sector remain a challenge
2.20 The health sector is still understaffed and inadequately remunerated. Out of an approved staff establishment of 51,929, only 83.4% of the post are filled leaving out 8, 616 posts vacant. There is a rising trend in emigration of trained doctors and nurses. The country is spending an average of US$72,000 per year in training a doctor and cannot continue to invest in training for other countries such as South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, United Kingdom and United States of America.
2.21 Not only is the issue of staff numbers important but the availability of specialized skills. With the reality of COVID-19, some of the disciplines have emerged as areas that require more capacity. These include epidemiology; and virology in the context of COVID-19 vaccines production.
Drug costs is phenomenal and institutional framework to facilitate local production of drugs is grossly underfunded
2.22 Drug costs is phenomenal in Zimbabwe and the country ends up importing drugs that can be produced locally thereby losing the much-needed foreign currency. Pharmaceutical producers use obsolete machinery and suffer from other cost drivers in the economy such as erratic supply of electricity and water among others.
Health budget allocation of 2.69% to the Bio-Medical Engineering, Bio-Medical Science, Pharmaceuticals and Bio-Pharmaceutical Production means that Zimbabwe will continue to be a net importer of drugs, thereby exporting jobs and the much needed foreign currency.
RECOMMENDATIONS
3.1 Treasury to increase the health budget and ensure that it is at least 15% of the National Budget in line with the country’s regional commitments. In addition, more resources still need to be channeled towards the central hospital given that they are national referral institutions; contraceptives, mental health, blood and blood products; remunerations; research and development; and specialized skills building among other areas
3.2 Treasury to ensure timely disbursements of the allocated resources in full to facilitate provision of the health care services; implementation of planned projects and preservation of real value of money given the inflationary and exchange rate pressures in the economy. In fact, the Committee recommends quarterly disbursements of funds to ensure health care service delivery. Further, Treasury to ensure that conventional health care receives its allocated budget in full and not to be diverted to other budget lines.
3.3 In view of the inflationary pressures and disbursement delays, Minister of Finance to prepare another budget in USD which then is tracked for resource use.
3.4 Allocate more resources to district and provincial hospitals so that these institutions are adequately capacitated to delivery primary health care and reduce resource pressure on central hospitals.
3.5 Government to focus more on building resilience and sustainability in domestic health financing and reducing partner dependency through:
3.5.1 Incorporating the private sector to ensure adequate health care financing in Zimbabwe. The Aids levy that private sector contributes can be transformed to finance, not only AIDS related expenditure but also other health financing issues which are affecting the country.
3.5.2 Introducing a National Health Insurance in the long term as a solution to guaranteeing sustainable health care services. The Government can pick lessons from Rwanda National Health Insurance that has every citizen logged onto its database. Any change to their incomes is automatically captured in the National Health Insurance system thereby guaranteeing its funding.
3.5.3 Tapping into the Motor Vehicle Insurance Pool. Due to low claims ratio, surplus funds are distributed to participating short term insurance companies. The Minister of Finance to redirect 20% of the surplus funds into the Consolidated Revenue Fund in order to assist victims of road traffic accidents, thereby reducing the health financing burden on Medical Aid Societies.
3.6 Minister of Finance to set up a transparent framework for the disbursement of levies collected from cigarettes and energy drinks excise duties to ensure the Non-Communicable Diseases Fund is consistently funded.
3.7 Government to eliminate inefficiencies in blood screening. Further, it reviews the legal status of the National Blood Services and attach it to a local university. The Committee recommends a study tour to University of Zambia that has a similar structure that is functioning very well and supplying blood at half the cost of what is prevailing in Zimbabwe.
3.8 Zimbabwe to prioritise building capacity in specialized skills in order to adequately respond to epidemics. Government of Zimbabwe therefore need to assess how many experts they have and to what extent they need to develop skills in these specialized areas such as epidemiology and virology.
3.9 The Minister of Finance to develop long term human resource retention schemes to health personnel to attract and retain motivated staff and stem brain drain. The country is spending an average of US$72,000 per year in training a doctor and cannot continue to invest in training for other countries such as South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, United Kingdom and United States of America.
3.10 Government to capacitate local pharmaceutical companies to procure latest equipment for drug manufacturing. Further, it needs to ease the doing business environment by addressing the cost drivers such as electricity and water.
3.11 The Minister of Finance to prioritise Bio-Medical Engineering, Bio-Medical Science, Pharmaceuticals and Bio-Pharmaceutical Production and increase funding towards building and strengthening of specialized skills, deeper research and development as well as local production of drugs. I thank you.
HON. GABUZZA:
- Introduction
The Portfolio Committee of Energy and Power Development has an oversight responsibility over the Ministry of Energy and Power Development. The Ministry of Energy and Power Development is mandated to provide adequate and sustainable energy supply through formulating and implementing effective policies and regulatory frameworks. Post budget consultations conducted with the Ministry and its stakeholders showed that there was an increase in 2022 budget allocations to the Ministry of Energy and Power Development from the 2021 budget allocation.
- Key Policy Priorities for the Ministry of Energy and Power Development in 2022
The Ministry of Energy and Power Development has managed to identify some key developmental areas to pursue. Some of the Ministry’s priorities for the period 2022-2024 include:
- Building up national strategic stocks of fuel reserves
- Rehabilitation and maintenance of existing infrastructure
- Completion of storage facilities for Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) and ethanol
- Maintaining a sustainable fuel pricing policy
- Increasing pipeline capacity utilisation
- Promoting independent power producers
- Ministry’s key achievements in 2020
Despite the economic challenges experienced in 2021 and economic disruptions caused by COVID 19, the Ministry of Energy and Power Development managed to post some achievements in 2021. Some of these achievements include:
- Significant progress in the expansion works at Hwange 7 and 8 units which are now 72% complete
- Kariba dam rehabilitation which is now 57% complete
- Initiated the Hwange units 1-6 expansion works
- Significant progress in Mabvuku Ethanol Project which is now 88% complete
- Ministry of Energy and Power Development 2021 Budget Performance
Despite being allocated a revised total budget of ZWL$1.641 billion in the 2021 budget, Ministry of Energy and Power Development’s expenditure in 2021 amounted to ZWL$2.154 billion which represent a 131% budget outturn. The budget overshoot was mainly a result of capital grants to ZESA for the Hwange 7 and 8 expansion works, ZRA Legacy and loans and Rural Electrification Fund for the promotion of renewable energy. However, it disappointing to note that although the Ministry’s overall disbursements surpassed the Ministry’s allocation, Treasury disbursed very little towards funding Ministry’s operations. Policy and Administration Programme expenditure as at 30 September was only 27.2%. The non-disbursement affected the acquisition of motor vehicles and machinery and equipment which had a budget outturn of 0%. As a result of the failure by Treasury to release funding to the Ministry, the following budget performance impacts were noted:
- Failed to carry out monitoring and supervision of projects under the Ministry’s purview as the Ministry’s vehicle fleet is very old and have become very expensive to maintain;
- Failed to achieve some of the 2021 targets as the non-disbursement of funds resulted in the stagnation of most projects.
- Overview and Analysis of the Ministry's 2022 Budget Allocation
- Ministry of Energy and Power Development 2022 Budget Allocations
The Ministry of Energy and Power Development was allocated a total of ZWL$3.553 billion (equivalent to US$33,634,913.87) in the 2022 budget. The amount allocated represent a 116.6% increase from the 2020 budget allocation of ZWL$1.641 billion (equivalent to US$20.04 million). While in nominal terms the amount allocated increased, the share of the Ministry’s budget the total budget decreased from a share of 0.38% in 2021 to 0.36% in 2022. Figure shows the Ministry of Energy and Power Development’s budget shares in the total national budget.
Figure 1: Ministry of Energy and Power Development’s budget share in the total national budget (2019-2022)
Source Budget Estimates (2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022)
- Economic classification of the budget
Of the Ministry’s total allocation of ZWL$3.553 billion, 20% was allocated towards the Ministry’s current expenditure, 3% for employment costs, 67% for capital grants to the Ministry’s Parastatals and 10% for capital expenditure. Although the total allocation to the Ministry falls short of the Ministry’s requirement, Treasury is applauded for greatly improving the budgetary allocation for use of goods and services in the 2022 budget which received 96% of the bid submitted.
Figure 2: Economic Classification of the Ministry’s 2022 Budget.
Source Budget Estimates (2022)
- Ministry’s 2022 Budget Allocations vs Bids
In the 2022 budget, most of the Ministry’s programmes received budget allocations which meet the programme requirements for 2022. The budget lines that received allocations that meet the funding requirements include goods and services which got 96% of the funding requirements, capital grants (86%), building and structures (74%) and other expenses (90%). There are, however, some budget lines which were grossly underfunded. These include transport and equipment (32%) and machinery and equipment (46%). Overally, the Ministry was allocated 33% of its 2022 budget funding requirements. The Ministry had submitted bids amounting to ZWL$10.335 billion but was allocated ZWL$3.553 billion giving a funding gap of 67%. The variance is mainly a result of strategic fuel reserves which were not funded in the budget despite the Ministry submitting a bid of ZWL$5.85 billion. The failure by the Ministry to provide funding for strategic fuel reserves underfunding for this programme will negatively affect implementation of Ministry’s projects in 2022.
Figure 3: Ministry of Energy’s Allocation vs its funding requirements
Source Budget Estimates (2022)
- COMMITTEE OBSERVATIONS, ISSUES AND CONCERNS
The Committee noted that the Ministry got an overall budget which is 67% lower than what it had requested. The major shortfall is on strategic fuel reserves which was not allocated anything in the 2022 budget. The following are some of the Committee’s observations and concerns with respect to the Ministry of Energy and Power Development’s budget and the possible implications of the 2022 budget allocation to the Ministry’s operations and the energy sector.
- Goods and Services- the Ministry was allocated ZWL$655 million against a funding requirement of ZWL$684 million. For a number of years, the Committee has raised concern that Treasury was not making adequate provision for Ministry operations. Goods and Services is one of the major sub heads in the Ministry’s operations and was allocated 96% of the requested funding from Treasury. The Committee appreciates this improvement in funding for goods and services which is a key sub head item in the Ministry operations.
- Capital Transfers: Treasury allocated ZWL$2.405 billion for capital grants to the parastatals under the Ministry of Energy and Power Development. Of the Ministry’s capital grant allocation, ZWL$1.7 billion will be for Hwange 7 and 8 expansion works. The construction of an additional two units at Hwange 7 and 8, which will come on board in July and September 2022 respectively, will add 600MW onto the national grid. The Committee is hopeful that Treasury will be able to release the ZWL$1.7 billion during the first quarter of 2022 to ensure that there are no delays in the construction works and avoid the situation that happened in 2021 when the project was affected by Interim Payment Certificate (IPC) outstanding payments as well as the effects of Covid-19. The capital grant will also cater for the promotion of the Ministry’s renewable projects under the Rural Electrification Agency. REA will get ZWL$354 for 32 solar institutions and 7 community solar grids. Whilst the Committee applauds Treasury for allocating $354 million for supporting installation of solar systems at various institutions around the country, it is disappointing to note that in the 2021 budget, the Rural Electrification Fund was allocated ZWL$137 million to support the same projects but Treasury did not disburse anything. This negatively affected the Agency’s projects.
- Revenue from Retention Funds: In previous years, the Ministry of Energy and Power Development used to collect revenues from various levies and would use the collected revenue to fund the procurement of strategic fuel stocks. However, in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, revenue from levies will now be remitted to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF). In light of this development, the Ministry will not be able to procure strategic fuel reserves in 2022 as Treasury did not allocate any funding for the procurement of strategic fuel reserves. Ministry of Energy and Power Development had submitted a funding requirement of ZWL$5.85 billion for strategic fuel stocks that would provide nine days’ fuel cover as outlined in the Ministry’s Strategic Plan. Strategic Stocks are an important component of any government policy package aimed at coping with severe fuel supply disruptions. Disruptions to the availability of fuel often results in economic losses besides social inconveniences.
Motor Vehicles: The Committee noted with concern that the budget allocation for transport and equipment only met 32% of the Ministry’s requirements. The Ministry is running an old fleet whose maintenance cost is very high. The poor funding will have negative implications on the Ministry’s operations as the mobility of Officers to monitor the Ministry’s projects will be limited by the non-availability of vehicles. The situation is made worse by Treasury’s failure to even release the little amount allocated. In 2021, Treasury allocated ZWL$29.7 million for motor vehicles but by 30 September 2021, no disbursement had been made towards this sub head. It is disheartening to note that since 2019, Treasury has not disbursed any funding to the Ministry of Energy for the procurement of motor vehicles. This is despite the fact that in each budget, provision would have been made for the purchase of motor vehicles but Treasury would then fail to meet its part of the bargain.
- Recommendations
In light of the analysis of the Ministry of Energy and Power Development’s budget analysis and issue raised, the Committee recommends the following measures that it feels will raise revenue in the sector and contribute to economic growth.
- It is of concern to note that Treasury has for the past yearsfailed to disburse the total budgets allocated to the Ministry. This trend implies that Ministry’s activities also suffer from the failure by Treasury to timeously release funds allocated in the budgets. For example, in the 2021 budget, REA was allocated ZWL$137 million but as at 30 September, Treasury had not released anything to support the parastatal’s projects. It is therefore recommended that in 2022, Treasury should meet its side of the bargain by timeously releasing allocated funds to the Ministry.
- The Committee reiterates the importance of providing funding for strategic fuel stocks and having considered Zimbabwe’s own situation in terms of risk exposure and the associated effects resulting from any disruptions in the fuel supply, the Committee recommends that Government revises upwards the level of stockholding from the current 3 days cover to 60 days’ cover whilst working on reaching 90 days cover which is in line with the International Energy Program (IEP). The government should come up with a strategic stocks policy that endeavors to ensure uninterrupted supply of petroleum products in the country through the provision of adequate strategic stocks and infrastructure such as storage facilities.
- The Committee notes with concern Treasury’s intention to achieve cost recovery electricity tariffs which are guided by the cost-of-service study by the World Bank which is also in line with cabinet decision to streamline subsidies. Although this is a good idea that has the possibility of ensuring sustainable and efficient energy supply in the country, there is need for government to come up with a tariff structure that is aimed at achieving the four objectives of tariff structure design. These include cost recovery, affordability, equity and efficiency. The tariff structure should take into account the depressed income levels of most people in the country and should also be aimed at promoting domestic production through provision of low cost electricity that will make our products competitive in regional and international markets. The Committee recommends that in 2022, we need a stop gap measure which can be a once off grant to ZESA to avoid the increase in tariffs and in 2023 the cost recovery tariff structure can then be implemented when the economy has recovered from economic challenges resulting from the COVID-19 induced shutdowns.
- The Committee noted with concern the deteriorating electricity distribution infrastructure around the country. In some areas the power lines have fallen, transformers have not been replaced. The Committee recommends that Treasury through the budget makes provision for a grant that will assist ZESA to repair and acquire transformers to improve the electricity distribution in the country. This is necessitated by the fact that the existing mechanisms that are in place and those being proposed are not enough to cover the damage that is already there.
- The Committee notes with concern the inadequate funding for the Ministry’s transport equipment. The Ministry has the mandate to promote the use of renewable energy sources around the country and therefore there is need for the budget to support the mobility of Officers so that they are able to access all the country’s provinces and promote the use of renewable energy. In the long term, Treasury should provide funding for the establishment of provincial offices in all the country’s provinces. Currently the Ministry has only 2 provincial offices (Bulawayo and Masvingo) whilst Mashonaland Central Provincial Offices are being operated from Harare. It is recommended that Treasury increases the ministry’s budget allocation for motor vehicles and then ensure that whatever allocation that has been promised is then funded through making the disbursements.
- Conclusion
The Portfolio Committee on Energy and Power Development is of the view that the energy sector is a key enabler for the success of the NDS1. Failure to implement the infrastructure and development projects such as the rural electrification projects, Hwange Units 7 and 8 expansion projects will inevitably impact on the success of the NDS1. Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
(v)HON. MUSHORIWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir for giving me the opportunity to present the Report on the Public Accounts in respect of the Vote that was allocated to the Auditor General and the Audit Office. Mr. Speaker Sir, for the sake of time, I will not go into nitty- gritties of the report because the secretariat will actually forward the report to Hansard. What I am going to do is to summarise this Report.
Mr. Speaker Sir, every one of us is aware that the Minister of Finance made his largest proposal on the 30th of November. The Public Accounts Committee, just like all the other committees had the chance to meet the Auditor General in respect of the budget so that we hear the views of the Auditor General in respect to the allocation to the Audit Office.
INTRODUCTION
On 25 November 2021, the Minister of Finance presented the proposed National Budget for the 2022 Financial Year. As is the tradition, the Public Accounts Committee embarked on the process of interrogating the proposed allocation for the Audit Office as the other Committees analysed allocations for Ministries and Commissions that fall under their purview.
METHODOLOGY
On 30 November 2021, the Committee had a virtual meeting with the Auditor General wherein she presented her views on the proposed budget allocation for her Office. Thereafter, the Committee deliberated on the submissions leading to the compilation of this Report which summarises the Committee’s observations and recommendations on the Budget. The Committee’s process of analysing the Budget was adversely affected by the delays encountered whilst waiting for a correct copy of the Estimates of Expenditure to replace the initially tabled one. It is important to note that this is the second successive year where the copy of the Estimates of Expenditure has had to be replaced.
COMMITTEE’S OBSERVATIONS
Audit Office’s Overall Allocation
Of the total $968.3 billion National Budget, the Audit Office was allocated $3,014 billion. This constitutes 0,31% of the national cake, the same percentage the Office was allocated in 2021. In the 2022 National Budget, the Audit Office had requested for $7. 1 billion for its operations, which would translate to 0. 75% of the National Budget. The total shortfall therefore amounts to $4. 29 billion, whose breakdown is shown in the analysis that follows. Besides 0.75% being the Audit Office’s requirements from the 2022 National Budget, the percentage compares well with the benchmark for National Audit Offices in Africa. The Committee however, observes that other Audit Offices are well established compared to ours. This difference warrants the local Office to be allocated much more than the 0. 75% so that the Auditor General is able to work effectively under a conducive environment with adequate human resources and tools of trade.
Refurbishment of Burroughs House
The Committee commends the Minister of Finance and Economic Development for allocating adequate resources to the Audit Office for the refurbishment of Burroughs House, its office premises. This is a once off cost which is dispensed with once taken care of. The line item was allocated $500 million, a realistic amount the Audit Office had requested. The Committee observes that the allocation should be adequate to ensure that costs associated with requirements for electrical works, carpeting, partitioning and air conditioning are met. This should transform the premises into a safe and pleasant environment to work from.
Transport and Mobile Equipment
The Committee also appreciates the Minister of Finance and Economic Development’s good gesture of allocating the requested amount for the purchase of 10 vehicles. The Audit Office’s bid was $20 million and this amount was granted. It is the Committee’s hope that the Office will be able to secure the vehicles for use by auditors who conduct visits to auditees located in various outstations. The Committee has confidence that the Audit Office is aware of some unscrupulous suppliers of vehicles who have failed to deliver when they were engaged by some Government departments and local authorities. These must not be entertained because of their tainted business records. The Committee also appeals to the users of the vehicles to safeguard the valuable assets from abuse once they are in their custody.
The allocation of $90 million for the purchase of four 75-seater buses is noted by the Committee. The Committee however, submits that the shortfall of $18 million for another bus required by the office is something the Minister of Finance and Economic Development should reconsider in his final allocations before Parliament approves the budget. As alluded to earlier on, expenditure of a capital nature once catered for is dispensed with for a reasonable period of time unlike recurrent expenditure and therefore, it would be advisable to include the extra bus in this 2022 National Budget.
Employment Costs
The Minister of Finance and Economic Development allocated $364. 1 for employment costs. The Auditor General’s bid for the item stood at $1.258. The difference between the bid and allocated resources leaves a huge negative variance of $893,9. The Auditor General’s explanation of the variance points to the calculation of the salaries based on the old scales that obtained before the review that was affected in June 2021. An analysis of the allocated amount means the salaries will cover only five months, something that is not tenable. This line item needs a plausible explanation from the Minister of Finance and Economic Development as it is the lifeline of any employee, the basic benefit that accrues in exchange of his or her labour.
The Auditor General submitted to the Committee that due to some previous high turnover, her office was in dire need of 124 more auditors in order to have its full establishment of 381 staff. This is justified considering additional work for her office arising from devolution of funds to provinces, where the office would need to make follow-ups on disbursements to various outstations. Audits as an integral part of public finance management should be supported adequately to expose weaknesses in the system and delinquent behaviour by some public officials.
Digitalisation/Communication
Over the past few years, the Auditor General has been requesting for the digitalisation of their systems so that the officers move away from the awful manual system they are still using. Besides moving on with trends, digitilisation has been made a necessity by COVID-19 containment measures that sometimes prohibit physical interaction. An allocation of $131. 8 million against a bid of $268. 5 falls short of the office’s requirements. The Committee wishes to point out that in the last four years (2005 -2008), the Audit Office was up to date as it met its statutory deadline for producing the annual audit reports. The current delays that have characterised the production of the 2019 and 2020 Reports should be addressed and digitalisation of the systems. As such, the Committee implores the Minister of Finance and Economic Development to consider revising the allocation upwards. An element of communication is embedded in the above allocation.
Communication with the outside world is critical to the office, thereby deserving adequate resource allocation.
For hardware and software ICT digitilation infrastructure, the office requires $856. 6 million. Against this requirement, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development allocated the office only $300 million. The paltry allocation unfortunately negates the efforts to digitalise the operations. The Committee urges the Minister to reconsider the amount allocated as this falls short of the requirements.
Training and Development
The Committee is aware of training of staff by the Audit Office in global auditing guidelines and paying tuition and examination fees for graduates put through the articles of clerkship programme and other study programmes at various institutions in Zimbabwe. This enables them to acquire the necessary audit qualifications, which helps them to be efficient in their specialised field of work. In addition, the Auditor General referred to in-house courses on SAP, Management Development Programmes and Continuous Professional Development through training workshops they undertake.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Development allocated $123,6 million against $648 million bided for by the Audit Office for training and development. Given a shortfall of $524,7 million, not much will be achieved against the office’s intentions and this is likely to compromise on quality of output from the untrained staff. It would be in the interest of the nation at large for the Minister of Finance and Economic Development to improve the allocation to this line item even if it does not allocate the full amount requested by the office.
Furniture and Fittings
The Auditor General informed the Committee that the current state of chairs and desks coupled with the absence of some leaves a lot to be desired for an auditor working at a supreme audit institution. From a budget request of $50, 3 million, the office was allocated $39,3 million leaving a shortfall of $11 million. Given this allocation, the purchase of suitable furniture to replace the obsolete items will go a long way in matching the expected renovations to the premises. The shortfall can hopefully be taken care of should there be surplus funds resulting from some savings or increased revenue streams than projected during the course of the year. If the above assumptions do not materialise, the Committee implores the Minister of Finance and Economic Development to treat the allocation of additional funds for the acquisition of furniture to the Audit Office as a priority in the 2023 National Budget.
Staff Revolving Fund
The staff revolving facility which got approval and was resourced with $100 million in the 2021 National Budget received a boost of another $100 million in 2022. The increase to $200 million was significant though it falls short of the $500 million that had been requested by the office based on the demand for the facility. It is the Committee’s view that given the revolving nature of the facility, the actual amount available by end of the year exceeds $200 million as some beneficiaries of the facility will be expected to service their loans through their monthly payments. Funds available, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development can always consider increasing the capital injection into the facility.
Audit Visits
The Audit Office is centralised as it has one office premises in Harare with no office in the provinces. It is necessary that the auditors visit provinces in order to carry out audits, thus guaranteeing the nation of comprehensive audits. The office was allocated $292. 8 million against its requirement of $684 million, leaving a gap of $391. 2 million. The net effect of this shortfall is failure to achieve reasonable coverage and therefore, not so accurate an assessment of the utilisation of public resources. The Committee respectfully requests the Minister of Finance Economic Development to revise the allocation upwards. The request is also made against the background of a relatively small audit coverage recorded during the 2019 Audit Reports.
2021 Budget Releases
The Committee noted from the presentation made by Auditor General, that of the $ 1 199 000 000 allocated in the 2021 Budget, only 32% had been released by 30 November 2021, this being $ 383 680 000 in real value. This percentage is too low for the Audit Office to have undertaken the planned programmes in 2021. A budget allocation becomes real when actual releases are made.
Recommendations
The Minister of Finance and Economic Development should allocate to the Audit Office at least 1% of the National Budget.
That the Minister of Finance and Economic Development should ensure that the amounts for capital expenditure are released immediately after budget releases commence with periodic releases for operational expenses being made timeously and consistently.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Development should consider an amendment to the Audit Office Act to provide for the levying of audit fees by the Auditor Generals on Ministries’ financial statements.
Conclusion
The Committee implores the Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Development to consider the Committee’s requests for an upward revision of the Audit Office. Failure to do so has a direct implication on the work of the Public Accounts Committee. Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
(v)HON. MUSHORIWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir for giving me the opportunity to present the Report on the Public Accounts in respect of the Vote that was allocated to the Auditor General and the Audit Office. Mr. Speaker Sir, for the sake of time, I will not go into nitty- gritties of the report because the secretariat will actually forward the report to Hansard. What I am going to do is to summarise this Report.
Mr. Speaker Sir, every one of us is aware that the Minister of Finance made his largest proposal on the 30th of November. The Public Accounts Committee, just like all the other committees had the chance to meet the Auditor General in respect of the budget so that we hear the views of the Auditor General in respect to the allocation to the Audit Office.
INTRODUCTION
On 25 November 2021, the Minister of Finance presented the proposed National Budget for the 2022 Financial Year. As is the tradition, the Public Accounts Committee embarked on the process of interrogating the proposed allocation for the Audit Office as the other Committees analysed allocations for Ministries and Commissions that fall under their purview.
METHODOLOGY
On 30 November 2021, the Committee had a virtual meeting with the Auditor General wherein she presented her views on the proposed budget allocation for her Office. Thereafter, the Committee deliberated on the submissions leading to the compilation of this Report which summarises the Committee’s observations and recommendations on the Budget. The Committee’s process of analysing the Budget was adversely affected by the delays encountered whilst waiting for a correct copy of the Estimates of Expenditure to replace the initially tabled one. It is important to note that this is the second successive year where the copy of the Estimates of Expenditure has had to be replaced.
COMMITTEE’S OBSERVATIONS
Audit Office’s Overall Allocation
Of the total $968.3 billion National Budget, the Audit Office was allocated $3,014 billion. This constitutes 0,31% of the national cake, the same percentage the Office was allocated in 2021. In the 2022 National Budget, the Audit Office had requested for $7. 1 billion for its operations, which would translate to 0. 75% of the National Budget. The total shortfall therefore amounts to $4. 29 billion, whose breakdown is shown in the analysis that follows. Besides 0.75% being the Audit Office’s requirements from the 2022 National Budget, the percentage compares well with the benchmark for National Audit Offices in Africa. The Committee however, observes that other Audit Offices are well established compared to ours. This difference warrants the local Office to be allocated much more than the 0. 75% so that the Auditor General is able to work effectively under a conducive environment with adequate human resources and tools of trade.
Refurbishment of Burroughs House
The Committee commends the Minister of Finance and Economic Development for allocating adequate resources to the Audit Office for the refurbishment of Burroughs House, its office premises. This is a once off cost which is dispensed with once taken care of. The line item was allocated $500 million, a realistic amount the Audit Office had requested. The Committee observes that the allocation should be adequate to ensure that costs associated with requirements for electrical works, carpeting, partitioning and air conditioning are met. This should transform the premises into a safe and pleasant environment to work from.
Transport and Mobile Equipment
The Committee also appreciates the Minister of Finance and Economic Development’s good gesture of allocating the requested amount for the purchase of 10 vehicles. The Audit Office’s bid was $20 million and this amount was granted. It is the Committee’s hope that the Office will be able to secure the vehicles for use by auditors who conduct visits to auditees located in various outstations. The Committee has confidence that the Audit Office is aware of some unscrupulous suppliers of vehicles who have failed to deliver when they were engaged by some Government departments and local authorities. These must not be entertained because of their tainted business records. The Committee also appeals to the users of the vehicles to safeguard the valuable assets from abuse once they are in their custody.
The allocation of $90 million for the purchase of four 75-seater buses is noted by the Committee. The Committee however, submits that the shortfall of $18 million for another bus required by the office is something the Minister of Finance and Economic Development should reconsider in his final allocations before Parliament approves the budget. As alluded to earlier on, expenditure of a capital nature once catered for is dispensed with for a reasonable period of time unlike recurrent expenditure and therefore, it would be advisable to include the extra bus in this 2022 National Budget.
Employment Costs
The Minister of Finance and Economic Development allocated $364. 1 for employment costs. The Auditor General’s bid for the item stood at $1.258. The difference between the bid and allocated resources leaves a huge negative variance of $893,9. The Auditor General’s explanation of the variance points to the calculation of the salaries based on the old scales that obtained before the review that was affected in June 2021. An analysis of the allocated amount means the salaries will cover only five months, something that is not tenable. This line item needs a plausible explanation from the Minister of Finance and Economic Development as it is the lifeline of any employee, the basic benefit that accrues in exchange of his or her labour.
The Auditor General submitted to the Committee that due to some previous high turnover, her office was in dire need of 124 more auditors in order to have its full establishment of 381 staff. This is justified considering additional work for her office arising from devolution of funds to provinces, where the office would need to make follow-ups on disbursements to various outstations. Audits as an integral part of public finance management should be supported adequately to expose weaknesses in the system and delinquent behaviour by some public officials.
Digitalisation/Communication
Over the past few years, the Auditor General has been requesting for the digitalisation of their systems so that the officers move away from the awful manual system they are still using. Besides moving on with trends, digitilisation has been made a necessity by COVID-19 containment measures that sometimes prohibit physical interaction. An allocation of $131. 8 million against a bid of $268. 5 falls short of the office’s requirements. The Committee wishes to point out that in the last four years (2005 -2008), the Audit Office was up to date as it met its statutory deadline for producing the annual audit reports. The current delays that have characterised the production of the 2019 and 2020 Reports should be addressed and digitalisation of the systems. As such, the Committee implores the Minister of Finance and Economic Development to consider revising the allocation upwards. An element of communication is embedded in the above allocation.
Communication with the outside world is critical to the office, thereby deserving adequate resource allocation.
For hardware and software ICT digitilation infrastructure, the office requires $856. 6 million. Against this requirement, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development allocated the office only $300 million. The paltry allocation unfortunately negates the efforts to digitalise the operations. The Committee urges the Minister to reconsider the amount allocated as this falls short of the requirements.
Training and Development
The Committee is aware of training of staff by the Audit Office in global auditing guidelines and paying tuition and examination fees for graduates put through the articles of clerkship programme and other study programmes at various institutions in Zimbabwe. This enables them to acquire the necessary audit qualifications, which helps them to be efficient in their specialised field of work. In addition, the Auditor General referred to in-house courses on SAP, Management Development Programmes and Continuous Professional Development through training workshops they undertake.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Development allocated $123,6 million against $648 million bided for by the Audit Office for training and development. Given a shortfall of $524,7 million, not much will be achieved against the office’s intentions and this is likely to compromise on quality of output from the untrained staff. It would be in the interest of the nation at large for the Minister of Finance and Economic Development to improve the allocation to this line item even if it does not allocate the full amount requested by the office.
Furniture and Fittings
The Auditor General informed the Committee that the current state of chairs and desks coupled with the absence of some leaves a lot to be desired for an auditor working at a supreme audit institution. From a budget request of $50, 3 million, the office was allocated $39,3 million leaving a shortfall of $11 million. Given this allocation, the purchase of suitable furniture to replace the obsolete items will go a long way in matching the expected renovations to the premises. The shortfall can hopefully be taken care of should there be surplus funds resulting from some savings or increased revenue streams than projected during the course of the year. If the above assumptions do not materialise, the Committee implores the Minister of Finance and Economic Development to treat the allocation of additional funds for the acquisition of furniture to the Audit Office as a priority in the 2023 National Budget.
Staff Revolving Fund
The staff revolving facility which got approval and was resourced with $100 million in the 2021 National Budget received a boost of another $100 million in 2022. The increase to $200 million was significant though it falls short of the $500 million that had been requested by the office based on the demand for the facility. It is the Committee’s view that given the revolving nature of the facility, the actual amount available by end of the year exceeds $200 million as some beneficiaries of the facility will be expected to service their loans through their monthly payments. Funds available, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development can always consider increasing the capital injection into the facility.
Audit Visits
The Audit Office is centralised as it has one office premises in Harare with no office in the provinces. It is necessary that the auditors visit provinces in order to carry out audits, thus guaranteeing the nation of comprehensive audits. The office was allocated $292. 8 million against its requirement of $684 million, leaving a gap of $391. 2 million. The net effect of this shortfall is failure to achieve reasonable coverage and therefore, not so accurate an assessment of the utilisation of public resources. The Committee respectfully requests the Minister of Finance Economic Development to revise the allocation upwards. The request is also made against the background of a relatively small audit coverage recorded during the 2019 Audit Reports.
2021 Budget Releases
The Committee noted from the presentation made by Auditor General, that of the $ 1 199 000 000 allocated in the 2021 Budget, only 32% had been released by 30 November 2021, this being $ 383 680 000 in real value. This percentage is too low for the Audit Office to have undertaken the planned programmes in 2021. A budget allocation becomes real when actual releases are made.
Recommendations
The Minister of Finance and Economic Development should allocate to the Audit Office at least 1% of the National Budget.
That the Minister of Finance and Economic Development should ensure that the amounts for capital expenditure are released immediately after budget releases commence with periodic releases for operational expenses being made timeously and consistently.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Development should consider an amendment to the Audit Office Act to provide for the levying of audit fees by the Auditor Generals on Ministries’ financial statements.
Conclusion
The Committee implores the Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Development to consider the Committee’s requests for an upward revision of the Audit Office. Failure to do so has a direct implication on the work of the Public Accounts Committee.
HON. SHAMU: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I stand to present the report of the Portfolio Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
- a) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade’s mandate is to safeguard national interests of the Republic of Zimbabwe, promote trade and build the country’s image in the regional, continental and international arena. It plays a critical role in the attainment of Vision 2030 through its engagement and reengagement exercises. Cognisant of the above, our embassies are at the epicentre of the Ministry’s mandate. Hence, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development must allocate adequate financial resources to support our foreign missions.
The following were noted as challenges which are impeding the Ministry in achieving its mandate:
- Some embassies abroad are uninhabitable, for example, mission’s residence in New York, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Mozambique. These require urgent face-lift.
- Rental arrears - non-payment of rentals is still a major threat; with the worst case scenario of staff being evicted or locked out.
- Salary arrears – this is a perennial challenge with the greater part of each new budgeted figure being consumed by the salary arrears only. Salary arrears is viewed negatively as a breach of international labour laws by not paying workers accordingly.
- Abrupt and delayed payment of salaries as - this has affected staff payment of rentals, school fees and medical bills for the staff and their families. Such delays negatively affect staff morale in the missions.
- Inability to host administrative meetings at Missions residence aimed at promoting trade, investment and re-engagements.
- Inadequate embassy vehicles – in some missions there are no representational vehicles and in others limited vehicles to carry out all mission duties. In a bid to minimise the challenges, the need to reposition the country and the need to achieve its mandate, the Ministry submitted a budget totalling ZWL$32,726,289,000 (US$130, 437, 440). However, the Ministry received ZWL$14,877,305,000 (US$69,276,800) which reflects a shortfall of 47%. The following table showcases budget submissions from the Ministry and budget ceilings and ultimate variances.
Table 1: Budget Submission and Allocated Funds
Descriptions |
Submitted Budget (ZWL$) |
Budget ceiling (ZWL$) |
Variance (ZWL$) |
Variance (%) |
Compensation of employees |
3,500,000,000 |
2,727,305,000 |
-772,695,000 |
-22% |
Goods & Services |
13,776,289,000 |
7,223,296,000 |
-6,552,993,000 |
-48% |
Subscriptions |
1,850,000,000 |
1,203,186,000 |
-646,814,000 |
-35% |
Acquisitions of Physical Assets |
13,600,000,000 |
3,650,000,000 |
-9,950,000,000 |
-73% |
ZimTrade*** |
150,000,000 |
73,518,000 |
-76,482,000 |
-51% |
Total |
32,876,289,000 |
14,877,305,000 |
17,998,984,000 |
-55% |
Total (USD) |
US$130,437,440 |
US$69,276,800 |
US$61,160,640 |
47% |
*** ZimTrade figures were excluded in the final figure when adding because they are included in subscriptions.
- RISKS AND IMPLICATIONS OF SHORTFALLS IN BUDGETS
The budget shortfalls are expected to result in the following risks:
- Compensation of Employees
The approved budget shows a variance of -22%. Given the fact that underfunding compensation of employees which is already in arrears will worsen the situation in Zimbabwe Missions abroad. The risks which are most likely to rise are non-payment of rentals and school fees for children by mission staff and evictions or locked out scenarios.
- Use of Goods and Services
This budget heading has a shortfall of -48% (Table 1). A significant share of this budget line item are rentals and hire expenses which amounts to ZWL$101,171,000 (i.e., US$418,492). The fact that there is an overall shortfall of -48% of the total budget requested, the risks which emerge from here are as follows:
- Continuous evictions of officials in diplomatic missions;
- Legal suits since the diplomatic missions have contractual agreements with the landlords;
- Bad country image;
- Restrictions to foreign travels thereby slowing international re-engagement;
- Subscriptions
This budget item has a negative budget variance of 35% (Table 1). This variance is worsened if there are any arrears to be paid. The Ministry must allocate resources in full to this item as arrears or non-payment to these international bodies is unavoidable and will affect Zimbabwe’s participation in international groupings. More importantly, arrears to these international organisations have a negative effect on the country’s image.
- Acquisition of Non- Financial Assets
This budget heading has a huge shortfall of negative 73% (Table 1). With the urgent need to improve Embassy properties given the deplorable state of properties at various Missions abroad. The following are the risks expected:
- The diplomatic missions will remain in a deplorable state which reflects badly on the country;
- Negative image of the country and loss of confidence by investors in countries where Zimbabwean Embassy are in a bad state.
- In ability to scale up Missions across the world.
- The Ministry will risk losing its land in some countries if there is non-development of infrastructure especially in Abuja (Nigeria), Lusaka (Zambia), Pretoria (South Africa), Abu Dabhi, Ankara, New York and Kigali.
- Limited Funding on ZimTrade Portfolio
The role of ZimTrade is to grow exports by at least 10% per year. This was enunciated by His Excellency, the President, Dr E.D. Mnangagwa when he was launching National Export Strategy and the National Development Strategy 1 which, combined, places emphasis of ZimTrade role in promoting exports and nation branding.
In this regard, the country is expected to grow exports from the current US$4.5 billion to US$7.3 billion by 2023. In addition, ZimTrade is expected to do clustering of exports in all the ten provinces to contribute to national exports. This development requires funding.
In addition, in recent months, ZimTrade has won prizes in international exhibitions and presentations which is also assisting the country in rebranding and in a number of cases. Therefore, this calls for continuous funding for ZimTrade.
Given the fact that the Government is not matching dollar to dollar from private sector contribution as stated in the ZimTrade Constitution, ZimTrade will be constrained in delivering its mandate and carrying out its operations. This will negatively impact ZimTrade and will undermine the achievement of the goals set in the NDS1 and National Export Strategy.
- Exchange Rate Volatility
The Committee noted that the budget is in ZWL$ which poses further risks from the budgeted amount due to the risk of exchange rate losses when the local currency depreciates. In view of the above, the Committee recommends that in future, the budget be in foreign currency (US$ which is more stable) as all payments are made in foreign currency.
CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS
In view of the shortfalls of the overall budget by -47% and the fact that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade utilises foreign currency in most of its activities as it drives the re-engagement agenda enunciated by the President, there is evidence that the Ministry will not achieve its targets.
In addition, the Committee unanimously agreed that there is need to reaffirm on the following recommendations which were previously submitted during the pre-budget consultations:
- The Government must provide the budget for the Ministry in foreign currency as payments are in foreign currency such that the Ministry does not suffer from exchange rate movements;
- The Government must review the budget upwards to enable the Ministry to meet its financial needs (subscriptions, goods and services, compensation of employees etc);
- The Minister of Finance and Economic Development should reconsider to fully allocate the requested funds for Subscriptions as this will ensure that Zimbabwe will subscribe fully to all international bodies without any discrimination.
- The Government must match the dollar to dollar the funds provided by the private sector for ZimTrade to deliver its mandate of promoting exports and nation branding;
- Additional resources are required with a view to equip the Ministry as it takes a leading role in engaging the diaspora with a view to promote their participation in the economy which is key in mobilising resources for the NDS1.
- There is need for provision of sufficient budgetary support towards diplomatic missions with a view to clear salary arrears;
- Additional resources must be provided, targeted at the procurement of land for the construction of new embassies and refurbishment of the existing dilapidated ones;
- There is need for additional resources for refurbishment of Mission infrastructure, procurement of motor vehicles and office equipment as well as furniture for the diplomatic missions;
- There is need to be transparent by the Ministry in terms of revenues generated by Missions outside in order to have a proper understanding of the financial position of each Embassy;
- In order to improve accountability and efficiency in the operations of embassies in foreign missions, the Committee highly recommends that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be given a relative autonomy on the refurbishment and maintenance of Zimbabwean embassies;
- In order to raise resources for the Ministry, the Committee highly recommends for the promulgation of a Statutory Instrument which gives authority to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to make use of funds collected by Embassies for services rendered for example visa fees, emergency travel documents et cetera; and
- The Committee highly recommends that Treasury must expeditiously release allocated resources with a view to help the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade ease operational challenges.
Based on the foregoing recommendations and the fact that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade does not have parastatals under its purview which gives it additional funds, the Committee is humbly requesting the Minister of Finance and Economic Development award the Ministry its budget request of ZWL$32,726,289,000 instead of the budget ceiling of ZWL$14,877,305,000.
This request if fulfilled, will help the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to effectively discharge its mandate. I thank you.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON KHUMALO): I am informed that other Committee Chairpersons are going to submit their reports tomorrow. May I ask those Hon. Members who wish to debate now to do so on those Committee reports that have been submitted to the House?
HON. TOGAREPI: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. TEKESHE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 8th December, 2021.
On the motion of HON. TOGAREPI seconded by HON. TEKESHE, the House adjourned at Twenty-Five Minutes past Five o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Thursday, 25th November, 2021
The Senate met at Half-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE
PRESENTATION OF THE 2022 NATIONAL BUDGET
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: I have to inform the Senate that the Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Development will present the 2022 National Budget in the National Assembly at 1445hrs. Hon. Senators can follow proceedings on monitors in the Chamber after we adjourn the Senate or on the Virtual Platform.
On the motion of HON. SEN. MATHUTHU seconded by HON. SEN. CHIRONGOMA, the Senate adjourned at Twenty-Five Minutes to Three o’clock p.m. until Tuesday, 14th December, 2021.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Wednesday, 24th November, 2021
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. ACTING SPEAKER in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE HON. ACTING SPEAKER
LIGHTING CEREMONY IN COMMEMORATION OF THE 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER BASED VIOLENCE
THE HON. ACTING SPEAKER (HON. MAVETERA): I have to inform the House that a Zoom link will be sent to your e-mails later today to follow proceedings of the lighting ceremony of Parliament of Zimbabwe virtually, in commemoration of the 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence. The ceremony will be held at Parliament Building today from 1800 hours to 1915 hours.
APOLOGIES RECEIVED FROM HON. MINISTERS
THE HON. ACTING SPEAKER: I also have got apologies which have been received from Hon. Ministers in respect of the National Assembly sitting of today:
Hon. General (Rtd) Dr.C.D.G.N. Chiwenga, Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care;
Hon. O.C.Z. Muchinguri-Kashiri, Minister of Defence and War Veterans;
Hon. Zhemu Soda, Minister of Energy and Power Development;
Hon. S.G.G. Nyoni, Minister of Women’s Affairs, Community Small and Medium Enterprises Development;
Hon. W. Chitando, Minister of Mines and Mining Development;
Hon. Dr. S. Nzenza, Minister of Industry and Commerce;
Hon. Prof. P. Mavima, Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare;
Hon. Prof. A. Murwira, Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development;
Hon. Dr. F. Shava, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade; and
Hon. P. Kambamura, Deputy Minister of Mines and Mining Development.
(v)HON. GONESE: On a point of order, in terms of Hon. Ministers who gave apologies, could you please inform us which Ministers are in the House so that we ask questions accordingly. I thank you.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Hon. Gonese, I am being advised that all the Hon. Ministers who are present are going to be put on the chat. So may you please check on the chat, you will actually be able to see the Ministers who are available today.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
HON. TOGAREPI: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. My question is directed to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, but I need to give a little bit of background. Madam Speaker, we have seen a lot of meddling and interference from the House of Lords in the United Kingdom. Recently, they came out debating Zimbabwe and vilifying our country, talking about us joining the Commonwealth as if they kicked us out before. In my view, we walked out of the Commonwealth.
I would like to hear from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, what is the position of Government, as regards these attacks from the British Parliament? These people, in my view, are breaking the international law. They are interfering with our internal affairs and our sovereignty. What are we doing in terms of raising this behaviour on the international platform so that they are seen by this behaviour that they would want to influence another country to interfere with another country’s processes? What are we doing as a country because we cannot keep on allowing them to attack us in the name of re-engagement? They are attacking us daily.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE (HON. DR. MUSABAYANA): Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I would like to thank Hon. Togarepi for a very important issue that is really topical, in terms of the social media. In terms of Zimbabwe as a sovereign State, we cannot determine what another sovereign State debates or discusses on their forum. Just like this august House, someone can raise a motion about the happenings in another country or another jurisdiction and is debated here but that does not amount to international engagement. So while it is not a good idea for those in the august House that is being referred to, to debate on issues of a sovereign State as if we are indeed a province or within their jurisdiction, it is not a good idea and it is not good international practice but as Zimbabwe, following from our Chief Diplomat, His Excellency Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa, he said that engagement is not an event, it is a journey and a process.
Recently, the Head of State was in Europe and had very sound engagement at the highest level of those same jurisdictions that you are talking about, which may actually explain that the lower tiers or structures of that governance were not happy with the way our Head of State was received or the level of engagement that we are now tapping into. So that should not discourage us and we should make noise about it because as a sovereign State, our engagement is moving well and is on course. We will continue to engage in good faith and spirit. I submit Hon. Chair.
HON. MANDIWANZIRA: Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to make the follow up question. I totally understand and agree with the Hon. Minister when he says that we cannot determine what a sovereign State or a Parliament in another area discusses in its deliberations, but I think the concern here is the misinformation. The Hon. Minister highlighted himself …
THE ACTING SPEAKER: May you please connect!
HON. MANDIWANZIRA: Thank you. For the benefit of those who are not in the House, let me start afresh. I want to thank you Madam Speaker for giving me this opportunity to ask a follow up question.
I totally agree with the Hon. Minister when he says that we cannot determine what other people, in their own forums decide to discuss on and if Zimbabwe is discussed in the House of Commons, it is their business to do so. I think the concern here is about the misinformation and propaganda that goes around as a result of some of the misinformation or misinformed positions taken by parliamentarians in the House of Lords in this instance. The Hon. Minister did admit to the fact that it is already doing significant rounds on social media. I would like the Hon. Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs to perhaps state categorically that when this Parliament makes laws, they cannot be determined to be not lawful because one of the issues that is being made in the House of Commons is that we have passed the Patriot Bill and as a result, certain measures must be taken against this country until we implement the rule of law - trying to suggest that any laws that we make here do not comply with the concept of the rule of law. Can the Hon. Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs please categorically state for the audience here, the recipients of that message, that in fact we make lawful laws in this House? I thank you.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Order, order Hon. Mandiwanzira, you have now redirected the question to another Ministry which I believe now we are looking for point of any questions that you thought were going to be follow ups to the questions that were previously asked to the Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs. So I would want you, if ever you can, you have to direct a question specifically to him and not then redirect it to the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs unless if it is a new question. So I am going to indulge another person unless you have another question.
HON. T. MLISWA: On a point of order! The point of order is, we need to be very clear, the sponsor of the question was not specific to what the British have said. He just said they are saying this and that in the House of Commons. What is it that they are saying which is an attack on the people of Zimbabwe? It was a debate, the same way we debate about sanctions that the British must not push for sanctions, the Americans must not push for sanctions – it was a genuine debate. We must be very clear when interfering with debates of other countries.
He can move a motion for us to discuss on it. It is a clip and I wish I could be connected; you could listen to it. There was nothing, Zimbabwe wants to re-engage in the Commonwealth and in so doing, they are going to the British, they are lobbying the British who have got their own terms of re-engagement. They are saying, human rights violation, you are not adhering to it and so forth; persecution of people – I am one who has been persecuted by this Government. So to me, I also agree in terms of reforms that should take place. So I do not know when they are debating on issues which have not been put in this House to say, the British have said A, B, C and D.
We debate on sanctions, let us also sit down and debate on the wrongs that the British are doing if there are any. Each House debates on what it believes - sanctions for example. I do not expect a British Member of Parliament to say Zimbabwe House of Assembly debated on sanctions and they are attacking us. There was no attack. We must be an institution of integrity and I think we are really making our ministers appear foolish at the end of the day. If the British are out of order Madam Speaker, the Ambassador is called by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to put them in order – that is how we work in terms of diplomatic ties.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Hon. Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, may you kindly respond to this very pertinent issue on what was raised before?
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I want to thank Hon. Mandiwanzira for the follow up question. Madam Speaker, Zimbabwe is a sovereign State and a constitutional democracy that is a member of the United Nations and each State determines the laws that govern it. As such, I did not have the occasion to listen to the said debate on the so-called Patriotic Bill but my understanding is, perhaps they were ignorant as regards our law making process. We do not have a law that is called Patriotic Bill before Parliament but rather, we are looking into crimes against the State and ensuring that we amend our Criminal Code to include a crime where somebody lobbies for sanctions to be effected against his own country.
We believe that all patriotic Zimbabweans must not lobby for the suffering of Zimbabweans. The net effect of sanctions is a regime change tool to ensure that the ordinary people suffer and they effect regime change. We believe that is illegal, because the only organ that can impose sanctions is the United Nations. Therefore, when we put our laws to protect our sovereignty to ensure that we insulate ourselves from foreign attacks, we do not view that as a threat to any country or to the international community.
Coming to the debate within the Commonwealth as regards the imposition of sanctions, my understanding is that following the visit of His Excellency, we are engaging the British so that we can explain to them the democratic processes that we have done. Any concerns that happen after our exit from the Commonwealth. We will respond to the Commonwealth because they expressed an interest in us joining but there are certain issues that they wanted clarified which we are in the process of doing. His Excellency has explained very well that we are friends to all and enemies to none. We want to re-engage and will duly respond to the issues that they raised - so that we can join the Commonwealth as usual.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Madam Speaker. My follow up question goes to the Minister of Justice on the same issue. Madam Speaker, listening to the social media clip, it will be viewed as though law in Zimbabwe is not law, as though Zimbabwe is a pariah State and as though Zimbabwe does not observe law. I am a student of law myself...
HON. T. MLISWA: On a point of order Madam speaker. This is Parliament, records cannot be discussed on social media. If we start discussing issues on social media, hazvipere. Mangwana ndinonzi ndine girlfriend pasocial media, torifeya. Hazvipere. Can we have facts? I therefore, implore somebody to put it there. I have got the video on my phone. If ICT can do it so that we follow properly what has been said. We cannot just refer to things on social media. Madam Speaker, so many things happen on social media and this House is not determined by social media, but facts. The precedence you set of social media, you will not deal with it moving forward. It will destroy all these Members of Parliament tomorrow if we are going to talk about social media. We must protect this institution by doing things which have credible evidence.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Whilst we connect to that video, let me allow Hon. Nduna to be able to debate.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Madam Speaker. What happened in the House of Lords is now in Hansard and on international record. As a student of law, we are a law abiding country. Law is law, just or unjust, moral or immoral. Any country is viewed by the way it upholds its own Constitution. What is just to us might be unjust to the Londoners but it does not make law unlawful because it is unjust to the House of Lords. My supplementary to the Hon. Minister would be because the Londoners are so aggrieved, firstly because of our land reform, would it please the Minister to engage with the House of Commons and the House of Lords in so far as it relates to Section 72 (7) (c) of our Constitution which states clearly that the people of Zimbabwe should be enabled to assert their right to land? This is not going to be reversible. The whole of Section 72 speaks to the pith, the heart, the core of interest of the British or the former colonial masters of Zimbabwe. This has not gone down very well with the former masters. Would it please the Minister to repeat and send record to them that the land reform is irreversible? It was the reason why some paid the ultimate sacrifice...
THE ACTING SPEAKER: What is your supplementary question Hon. Nduna please?
HON. NDUNA: Would it please the Minister to state and also –[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Order, order Hon. Moyo. We are not supposed to be debating Hon. Nduna. Please go straight to your point and ask the Hon. Minister your question.
HON. PETER MOYO: On a point of order Madam Speaker. I think we are just wasting time for nothing here. The Hon. Minister responded very well and clearly. I do not see any reason why we should continue debating something that has been answered clearly. I do not know why Madam Speaker. You should not allow this debate to go on and on because it is just nonsense.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Order Hon. Moyo. If you do not have any points of order and others have, you are not supposed to be doing that – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – No, no. You will have your own point of orders. If he has got a point of order, he has to be allowed – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Order Hon. Moyo. Hon. Nduna, please go straight to your question so that the Minister can indulge you.
HON. NDUNA: May the Hon. Minister create a pedestal, a platform for a one-on-one with the House of Lords with the National Assembly so that certain issues can be clarified including on virtual. Also restate the position of Zimbabwe in terms of its land reform programme. I thank you.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Nduna. That is a good recommendation. Thank you.
(v)HON. MUTODI: Is this not the time that Hon. Minister can engage with their counterparts to clarify the Bill and ensure that there is no misconception or misinformation. The habit of just arguing without presenting facts and without being properly heard has caused a lot of economic misfortune on us yet we need to rejoin the global community of nations and also have friendship with every willing nation in this planet. Thank you.
HON. ZIYAMBI: Thank you Madam Speaker. If you combine what the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs said and what I said, I think we adequately addressed it. I indicated that there are desires between both parties for us to go back into the Commonwealth and for the Commonwealth’s desire for us to go back. There is engagement that is going on. We do not respond to isses that are raised in the House of Lords or House of Commons. The Deputy Minister was perfectly correct. If there is any issue that London wants to raise with us, there are appropriate channels that are used. Likewise, in our engagement and in our efforts to join the Common-wealth, there are issues that they raised that are indicating that we are responding to through the diplomatic channels. I believe that let us leave this case as it is. His Excellence is handling it in a manner that is extremely good. Allow those processes to proceed. I thank you.
HON. MADIWA: My question is directed to the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. What is Government policy in terms of post-care support for children discharged from residential care institutions or children’s homes?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE (HON. MATUKE): The issue is to do with children who are under our care as the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare. When we discharge them, the first thing is; we ensure that they have birth certificates. Before we discharge them, we have to look for foster parents to look after those kids. The new policy which is going to be in place in the near future is, we are going to take those children up to university level and make sure that the Ministry will be responsible for the payment of fees. For those who are not going for university, they will join others in our communities and we make sure that we register them under the normal food aid so that they continuously receive their food perks on a monthly basis.
HON. MAPHOSA: I would want to thank the Deputy Minister for the ambitions that he has for these children who come out of foster care because they are said to be adults. What he said is what they would want to do, but at the moment the children or young persons are discharged from care facilities at the age of 18 despite the grade or form or level of education that they have. I want the Deputy Minister to clarify where he said they give them post homes after the care homes. I would want to know the statistics of the children that they have discharged and given homes and the students they have helped through university after they have reached the age of 18.
HON. MATUKE: I think the last question is quite specific. I am sorry I cannot provide the statistics offhand, but if you want us to provide that, then we will be able to furnish that maybe next week. I can only say it is the responsibility of the Ministry when they graduate after 18 years and if they want to proceed to university, to pay for their fees and upkeep. When they go home maybe after O’Level then either we send them to parents who then look after those kids or we take them to the communities and ensure that we register them under social welfare so that they are able to receive whatever we give other people in the communities. For the specific figures, we may look around and see whether we can provide them because I do not have offhand.
HON. MATARANYIKA: On a point of order. My point of order is that the Hon. Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare received an assessment report from the respective Portfolio Committee sometime in 2020. In that report, issues regarding this matter were discussed in this august House. If my mind serves me right, I do not remember the Minister giving a response to the report. So I am requesting through you Madam Speaker, to ask the Minister to issue a statement regarding this post-care issue so that we get to know exactly what the Ministry or the Government’s policy is on this matter.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Thank you very much Hon. Mataranyika, I am sure you have heard that Hon. Minister.
(v)*HON. KWARAMBA: I heard the Minister talking of the Bill, so I wanted to find out from the Minister when this Bill will be brought to Parliament because we want to hear about the after-care of children in homes.
HON. MATUKE: I think the question is when we are going to bring the Bill to Parliament. Let me assure the Hon. Member that as soon as the process is through - because it goes through other stages before it comes to Parliament. I can assure this House that come next sitting, we will be in a position to give a definite period when we are going to bring the Bill to Parliament.
HON. MAPHOSA: I think the Minister needs to commit on when he will bring the Ministerial Statement. Through you Madam Speaker Ma’am, the reason I am saying this is because we have heard that the Ministry was supposed to respond last year. We are approaching the end of year and there is still no response. We need to come to the finality of this human right issue. Imagine your child turning 18 and you say you are now an adult, whether the child is in form six or first year in university – you are 18, get out of my house. If we are to be seen as a serious country in terms of human rights and care for these children who are children to the Government and State, we should finalise this.
HON. MATUKE: I can feel that there is a lot of pressure and I think the Bill is quite important before this Parliament. May I commit that the Minister will give a statement on the next sitting or we give each other ten days to do that. After next week, we should be able to do that.
*HON. PETER MOYO: My question is directed to the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage. Is it Government Policy that police officers refuse to accompany the Deputy Sheriff to where he is supposed to discharge his court directives because of the nature of the work that will be executed on private property that would have been invaded? Once the court has made a ruling that the invaders are illegal, the police refuse to accompany the Deputy Sheriff.
*THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE): In terms of the law, the Deputy Sheriff is the one who is lawfully mandated to serve court processes or to evict people. It is not policy that police officers refuse to go and assist the Deputy Sheriff, but maybe we may require the details to find out the reasons that were there that did not allow the police to go and execute their duty.
We used to face resource constraints but if the Hon. Member has got a specific case, you can bring it to my attention so that I will investigate what took place since there could be valid reasons. The position is that once police help is enlisted, they must assist the Deputy Sheriff as and when they require help.
HON. PETER MOYO: Some of the court orders that are before the court are supposed to be executed. As I speak, I have a lot of evidence and if he wants it, I will go to his office tomorrow and he must call Commissioner Matanga so that I give them the files of people who are invading private property. We cannot create warlords. The police are saying we will accompany you tomorrow and when tomorrow comes, they do not accompany the Sheriff to go and demolish what was built on private property - [HON. TOGAREPI: That is specific.] - No, that is not specific but the entire country has witnessed the same issues. That is why the Minister is saying if I have evidence I should bring it to his office. I think that is in order. So tomorrow Hon. Minister, I will come to your office with the evidence but you must call Commissioner Matanga in that meeting so that I give you all the files that you want and then you will see that the police are not doing their work professionally.
*HON. NYATHI: I think the Hon. Member spoke very well but if he is now saying to the Minister that the Commissioner of Police should be present, he is now wrong. May he withdraw that statement?
THE ACTING SPEAKER (: Hon. Moyo, may you please approach the Chair.
Hon. Moyo approached the Chair.
HON. PETER MOYO: Thank you Madam Speaker for schooling me on that one. I withdraw that the Minister calls the Commissioner to that meeting. I will go to his office one–on-one and I think we will be able to solve the problem.
HON. MUNETSI: My question is directed to the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development. Why is that subjects that are written at O’level, when students apply to do courses at tertiary education, you do not consider all those subjects?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT (HON. MACHINGURA): I think we need to know which subjects are not permissible at tertiary institutions and then we can look into the issue.
HON. MUNETSI: Subjects like metal work, fashion and fabrics, Bible Knowledge and Wood Work - if someone has five subjects, Maths, English, Science, Shona and Wood Work, they consider that person to have four subjects if they apply for a course within our education system.
HON. MACHINGURA: Thank you Madam Speaker. Some subjects are very specific to certain areas, for example if somebody has Metalwork and wants to do agriculture, you will find that the two do not match. So each tertiary course has got three requisites and I think if Woodwork is a pre-requisite to a certain course, there cannot be discrimination but if it is not and somebody wants to do a course where it is not a pre-requisite, surely we can consider that the person does not have what it takes to study the course. I thank you.
HON. T. MLISWA: On a point of order: I do not know if I heard correctly, the Minister has referred to you as a Deputy Speaker, but you are not the Deputy Speaker when you are sitting there, you are the Speaker. I do not know if I heard correctly, I thought you said Deputy Speaker; she is not the Deputy Speaker there, she is the Speaker, so I think it is important to take corrective measures to address her correctly. I thank you.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT (HON. MACHINGURA): Thank you Madam Speaker, if there was a slip of the tongue, I withdraw if I said that.
HON. MUNETSI: Thank you very much Madam Speaker. We are talking of point of entry to a course. Most of us here have degrees and some courses which we do when we do those degrees have nothing to do with that degree at all, it is a point of entry. Point of entry to a certain course in tertiary education is five Ordinary level subjects. You make these students to sit for Ordinary level examinations and pass those subjects and they have so many subjects which you deny, that is my question. It is a point of entry.
HON. MACHINGURA: Thank you Madam Speaker. Thank you Hon. Member for your question and suggestions. I would like to give you an example, if somebody wants to study medicine and they have the 15 points that are required but they have Shona, English and Geography, then you say it is a point of entry they must go and study medicine? This is why maybe we are in the situation we are and this is why Education 5.0 is going to solve some of those problems. We are saying, let us take a person who is inclined to a particular skill to go and do that skill, sharpen it and use it for industrialising and modernising our nation. Certainly we cannot say it is a point of entry and everybody should be able to do a particular course, no, we cannot do that. A course has got its own pre-requisites. If somebody who has the pre-requisite entry qualifications and is denied entry, we can look into that but if they do not have the pre-requisite subjects, they do not have. Thank you Madam Speaker.
HON. MUNETSI: Let me get it clearly from the Minister. Are you saying; a person has three subjects and these are Science, Maths and maybe Geography; Science can qualify that person to study and become a doctor, so a person can proceed without five ordinary level subjects, is that what you are saying. If that is not, then the point of entry requires you to have subjects which do not even relate to the course you want to do. As long as you meet the number of subjects that are required, then you can streamline, unless you are saying you have changed everything. Can I get clarity?
HON. MACHINGURA: Madam Speaker Ma’am, thank you very much. Thank you Hon. Member. That opinion, yes, we can look into it and I think I will have to take it back to the Ministry and give them your opinion. However, what we are trying to do in this country is to develop skill and that has some pre-requisites. So where the pre-requisites are, that person cannot be discriminated. I thank you.
*HON. CHIKUNI: Thank you Hon. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Energy and Power Development. In this country we have the problem of power shortages but I want to ask what the policy is concerning companies and Government offices where power is left switched on throughout the night and are only switched off because there will be power outages yet they are on day and night? – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
*THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER DEVELOPMENT (HON. MUDYIWA): Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to thank Hon. Chikuni for her question which shows that she is so much concerned about the issue of lights left on in Government and other offices day and night without being switched off. As the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, yes we have the problem of power shortages but we do not have a law or policy to hold accountable those who leave their lights switched on day and night. However, we urge people to use power sparingly without leaving them on throughout the day and into the night, we say, ‘Switch Off Switches’ (SOS). We urge people through the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) to save electricity by switching off lights but we do not have any law to enforce that.
*HON. CHIKUNI: I want to be helped because we then go on to hear that such and such an institution of Government owes ZETDC a certain amount of debt but they continue to leave their lights on. Is that not an offence?
*HON. MUDYIWA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I would like to thank Hon. Chikuni for the supplementary question. It is like at home when you leave your lights on. If you do not conserve your energy, it is because you are able to pay. Should you run out of electrical units, then you can go and buy more power. Government Ministries must pay for their electricity depending on what they are consuming. If they are leaving them on, the bills still come. It is up to them to conserve the electricity in a proper manner so that they are able to reduce their bills. If they are using their electricity excessively, they should switch off switches.
As the Ministry, we have no other mechanisms that we have except to appeal to the public and Government institutions to ensure that they switch off switches and that we conserve electricity so that the majority of it is channeled towards agriculture, hospitals and other critical areas. I thank you.
(v)HON. GONESE: Thank you very much Hon. Speaker Ma’am. My further supplementary question to the Hon. Deputy Minister is in light of what she stated that we have got a deficit in terms of the supply and we are failing to cope with the demand, what specific measures have the Ministry considered in terms of sensitising and ensuring that the people of Zimbabwe embark in energy saving measures? What efforts have the Ministry done in order to ensure that we save electricity?
*HON. MUDYIWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to thank Hon. Gonese. As Minister of Energy and Power Development, through the Zimbabwe Energy and Regulatory Authority (ZERA) and ZETDC, we urge people to use gadgets that save electricity. In the homes, we urge people to use Led bulbs so that they save electricity. We have campaigns that are carried out through ZERA and ZETDC to enlighten people on how they can conserve electricity. In times when we have challenges with electricity, you see adverts in the electronic media, newspapers and other forms of media where they will be urging people to conserve energy. We also urge people to use solar geysers which are cheaper and they do not use electricity. These are some of the efforts that we have put in place in order to urge people to conserve energy. I thank you.
HON. T. MLISWA: On a point of order Madam Speaker. The Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services was here and she left. The Deputy Minister sat again and he is gone. To me, I see the backbench having to deplete in numbers. Why are we not respecting this House? Can the Leader of Government Business respond to this because he is in charge of these Ministers? Where are they? Honestly, the Minister and the Deputy Minister were here but they have both gone. If there is a question directed to the Ministry, who responds to it? Today is Question Time and they must focus on it. We have got seasoned Ministers like Hon. July Moyo here sitting and Hon. Kazembe. Where are the others? Hon. Mhona is there. Where are the Cabinet Ministers? This is where we are getting it wrong. The 2030 Middle Income Economy will never be achieved unless these men here take seriously the responsibilities and the mandate given to them by the President. We have oversight over there. Where are they? I was very quiet. The Leader of Government Business must respond to this. It is our job of oversight.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: You left other Cabinet Ministers though. Hon. Leader of Government Business, may you please respond.
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Madam Speaker. I am not sure whether there is a point of order. People are allowed to go out to refresh and to go to the washroom. If he has a question, he can simply ask his question. There are adequate Ministers to deal with any information. In any event, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Ministry does relate to information that pertains to all Government Ministries and the Ministers are here. So I do not think there is anything that he is asking for in terms of the Minister and the Deputy Minister who have gone out to refresh themselves and they will come back. I thank you.
HON. MUSIKAVANHU: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. My supplementary question to the Minister responsible for energy is; in view of the current shortages we are experiencing with electricity, what is the Ministry doing to ensure that we have adequate maintenance of transformers at Government institutions so that we curb the recent rise in fires that are happening? We had a fire that broke out in Bulawayo the other time and yesterday we had a fire that was reported, resulting in the loss of a hospital and medical supplies. Thank you Hon. Speaker Ma’am.
*HON. MUDYIWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I did not understand the question. Did the Hon. Member say that fires were caused because of electrical faults? May the Hon. Member repeat the question?
*HON. MUSIKAVANHU: Thank you Madam Speaker. Let me ask the question in Shona. What is the Government policy in improving maintenance of transformers, especially in Government institutions? Faulty transformers and faulty cables are causing fires. In Bulawayo, there was the issue of a hospital that caught fire and the doctors’ residence also caught fire. Yesterday, we heard that in Shamva a dispensary unit at a hospital caught fire and medical supplies were lost. What is Government doing to improve the safety of such facilities? I thank you.
*HON. MUDYIWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I now appreciate the question. He is saying these fires were caused by faulty cables or transformers. There are several reasons why fires can erupt, which could be through faults that can occur on the cables and there will be fire. ZETDC is responsible for transformers maintenance. Once faults are done, there should be no faulty transformers. The issue of maintenance is the responsibility of ZETDC. Some of those faults just occur not because it has been switched off and on. ZETDC always goes there to investigate the cause of the fire. Once there is a fire caused by a problem that might have led to such a fire, ZETDC has the responsibility of maintaining the transformers to ensure that there is smooth flow of electricity.
We are in the process of having a computerised monitoring system for our transformers nationwide. It is not yet in place but we would want to come up with such a programme to look at all transformers. Once there is a fault or an indication that there might be a fault, it can raise the alarm. I thank you.
HON. T. MLISWA: Madam Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Tourism and Hospitality Industry and it is on Green Energy, COP 26. A lot of reforms and resolutions were reached at COP 26. Has that not affected your policy in terms of the environmental policy that you had after COP 26? What are you doing to have the resolutions of COP 26 into your policy here? Thank you.
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE, TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY (HON. N. M. NDLOVU): Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I would like to thank the Hon. Member for a very important question. Madam Speaker Ma’am, with your indulgence, it is my intention to present a detailed Ministerial Statement, which is a report on COP 26 with clear implications from the decisions of COP 26 on Zimbabwe going forward, including some of the measures that we are taking. I do not know if the Hon. Member is willing to hold on. Unfortunately, my hope is to present it next week on Wednesday. I could not present some of the recommendations in Cabinet yesterday but I believe this to be a very important report, for which I believe Members can then ask more detailed questions. We will be able to engage them following that presentation. I am able to respond here but I am thinking it will be fair if I present the report and you will be able to indulge from that report. I seek you indulgence, Hon. Member.
HON. T. MLISWA: The Minister is correct. Can you take these two issues that you must include in your report? Zimbabwe is sitting on over 12 billion of coal. How does that affect us and how do we intend to clear it? I heard the Prime Minister Boris Johnson trapped about 10 billion being available for those countries willing to comply. If so, what measures are you taking to receive that so that we also benefit from this, especially with this clean energy that wants to happen and the 10 billion that is available? What are you doing to make sure we have access and the 12 billion that we have, reserves in coal? How is that going to affect us as an economy and again from the energy point of view and also coming up with better ways of making it clean? So if you can factor this in your report. I thank you.
(v)HON. GOZHO: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. My question is directed to the Minister of Health. What is Government policy with regards to a raped patient traveling cost, when a patient is required to travel to the nearest police station, hospital and courts for hearing together with the witnesses?
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI) Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I kindly request the Minister of Home Affairs to respond to that question because he is the one who deals with cases that are under investigations and all that. The question pertains to rape victims, their transportation costs going to hospital and courts - who bears the costs.
THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULURAL HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE): Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I want to thank the Hon. Member for such a pertinent question. If I got it right, the Hon. Member wants to know who bears the costs when a raped victim is going to hospital or court. It depends on the moment the case is reported and it is under investigation – that person becomes a State witness and those costs are supposed to be borne by the police. I thank you.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I am also hoping that as you directed yesterday, the Hon. Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services is going to favour us with a Ministerial Statement as it relates to the International Termination Centre.
My question is directed to the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. In so far as it relates to pensions, in the advent of the mortality and the life expectancy, especially of those who would have been affected by natural attrition or those who would have gone into pension. What is Government policy in so far as it relates to bulk payment accosted or in the face of people who are now dying at a much faster rate than age 70 and above? In so far as it relates to giving their pension in bulk after they have retired. What is Government policy as it relates to that?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE (HON. MATUKE): Thank you very much, I think that is an important question but in the majority of cases when somebody retires, they can receive their bulk pension. Supposing they have been employed for 10 to 20 years and they retire today, they may request to get their pension in full but in the event that somebody retires on age. We do not have a policy that would then allow the system to give you the full amount – the bulk payment.
Maybe as you are putting across that important question, we can also see whether we can bring this policy for ratification. I thank you.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am, my supplementary question to the Hon. Minister is that the people whom we are speaking to and about are people of a frail age whose bodies are being gnawed, their vitals from within are being gnawed and they have failing health. Would it please the Hon. Minister if approached by these people to give them that bulk total payment so that they can elongate their livelihoods using that pension by addressing their failing health?
In particular, where I come from, there are a lot of them in Chegutu. Would it please the Hon. Minister that you give them that bulk payment so that they can go to hospital using that money and enjoy their pension instead of them dying before they enjoy their pension which is a look forward for those staying behind?
HON. MATUKE: Thank you Madam Speaker, that is a very good proposal but that is not policy and this is why I said, if you want to push that proposal, maybe people could visit and see whether it is worth doing what you are proposing, but it is contrary to the current policy. I thank you.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Hon. Stella Ndlovu, is that another supplementary question?
(v)HON. S. NDLOVU: No Madam Speaker Ma’am, it is a new question.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: Thank you, I am following certain lists here, my apologies.
*HON. PRISCILA MOYO: Thank you Madam Speaker, my question is directed to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development. I once asked a question on tollgates. What is Government’s policy as regards tollgates that continue working using substandard structures? I rest my case, thank you.
*THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA): Hon. Madam Speaker, I would want to thank the Hon. Member, Hon. Moyo; your question is very pertinent. First and foremost, we expect that the road users and the workers who work on the roads are protected. Once there are these drums that you are talking about or substandard structures, it is a danger to the road users and to the workers as well.
It is not Government policy that we have substandard tollgates and to collect revenue from such structures. Hon. Moyo, if there are such tollgates that are in existence, we should not be using such tollgates but I would want to assure you that as Government, we are busy trying to ensure that such tollgates are developed to world class level, especially those who use the Bulawayo, Plumtree and Mutare Roads – that is the model tollgate that you will see and within a short time, we are going to be putting in place such structures. We should not use substandard tollgates.
I want to reassure the House that of those tollgates that you mentioned, we are going to ensure that we develop them as Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development. I thank you.
*HON. PRISCILA MOYO: I want to thank the Hon. Minister for the response but I want to know their timeline. This has been the response that we have been getting from time immemorial. May he give me a timeline because we are observing that criminal activities are even becoming worse because people continue to collect revenue from drums and substandard structures on the road?
*HON. MHONA: I would want to thank you again Madam Speaker and Hon. Moyo. I am grateful for what she is saying because the first Government had such tollgates that she made reference to. It would take the second dispensation led by President Mnangagwa to rectify the situation. We are coming up with the right tollgates. It is our hope that when the national budget is going to be delivered, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Hon. Prof. Mthuli Ncube would have allocated sufficient funding to ensure that we upgrade our tollgates. If it is not contained in that budget, we will then ask the Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Development that this should be given priority in terms of our road maintenance. As you have said, it is also our wish as a Ministry that we should not continue to have substandard tollgates on our roads in the form of the drums that you have referred to. We are going to remove tollgates that are built within residential areas. It is one of the issues that we are going to address. I will give you the opportunity to listen to the budget tomorrow. Once it is tabled, we will also be looking as a Ministry to see if your issue has been prioritised in that budget. I thank you.
* HON. TEKESHE: Thank you Madam Speaker. What is the duty of the police officers at the tollgates? Some would be busy playing draft game or basking in the sun. What is their duty at the tollgates?
*HON. MHONA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I would want to thank Hon. Tekeshe. It is true and I concur with the observation. Whenever we invite our colleagues to work together, those that are in the law enforcement and peace and security in Zimbabwe, we expect them to do their duties. What you have observed Hon. Tekeshe is true. At times these are the ones that are working with people that we have been seeing at the tollgates. It is my sincere hope that with my counterpart, the Minister of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage, we are going to look into all these issues of tollgates and visit them to see whether officers are performing their duties to ensure that there is smooth flow of traffic. We do not call police officers to be bystanders or to bask in the sun. They are there to ensure that there is peace and order that they also deal with offenders that want to bypass tollgates. Thank you for the observation that some of them are now so rude and are no longer discharging their duties. I thank you.
(v)HON. CHINYANGANYA: We really appreciate the measures that have been contemplated by the Ministry to ensure that there is no congestion at tollgates. However, those measures seem to be falling short because at times some tollgates will have queues stretching kilometres. What other measures are being put in place by the Ministry to ensure that there is smooth flow of traffic at tollgates now that we are getting into the festive season where there will be volumes of traffic, especially with the diasporans coming back home? Thank you Madam Speaker.
HON. MHONA: Thank you Madam Speaker. With your indulgence, I did not get the first part of the question. Can the Hon. Member repeat the question?
THE ACTING SPEAKER: The question was on congestion on tollgates?
HON. MHONA: Thank you Madam Speaker. Let me also thank Hon. Chinyanganya for that important question which has been before this august House for some time. I am glad to say that it resonates well with the question that has been posed by Hon. Moyo on what we are doing in terms of rehabilitating and modernising our tollgates. I want to assure Hon. Chinyanganya that we also have it on our agenda as we are rehabilitating our roads that we are expanding to have the model that we desire as a nation that will accommodate a number of lanes as you gravitate towards the tollgate. The mitigatory measure that we have taken is to enlarge the road as you approach the tollgate. As we are rehabilitating the tollgates, this is the measure that we are taking as a Ministry. I assure the Hon. Member that besides the technology that we are also working on so that as you move towards the tollgate, within 100m radius, the number plate would have been picked by the system so that you would not queue, especially if you have got an exemption or if you are using a tap card. These are some of the measures that we are taking. I would be glad to continue updating the august House on the measures that we are taking. Thank you Madam Speaker.
*HON. RAIDZA: Thank you Madam Speaker for allowing me to pose my supplementary question. When you look at the tollgates which are being made reference to by Hon. Moyo, besides being properly constructed, what else is the Ministry doing to ensure that Government does not lose revenue through leakages from the sub standard tollgates? We have observed that there is no proper system at such tollgates.
*HON. MHONA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to thank Hon. Raidza for his supplementary question. It true and it is a problem that we are facing nationwide that we are having leakages through criminal and corrupt activities. From the way we conduct business in terms of our culture, if you are handling funds, we must know that the funds do not belong to us. The money that you are stealing is not any individual’s money but it is money for the Zimbabwean people. We are having problems with people that are working for ZINARA who are enriching themselves. They were stealing enriching themselves but because of the New Dispensation, we now have inspectors that go about unannounced and make observations and find out how much money did the person have when they got on duty. Majority of them are dishonest characters and are being weeded out. As Parliament, we should open our eyes to fight the scourge of corruption so that our country’s development is not stifled.
When I assumed my role, I said we were going to come up with state of the art systems to ensure that I can be able to mount computerised systems to see whether there are any problems and why vehicles are not moving faster at tollgates so I can directly deal with the manager or supervisor at a particular tollgate. This, we are doing so that people are able to know that we are now enforcing transparency in the manner in which we are doing our systems. We are doing this so as to enhance the speedy flow of traffic or curbing this country of corruption. This corruption is now a cancer, so I am grateful that these are some of the measures that we are putting in place Hon. Raidza. As this august House, you are free to advise and we do have such a Committee that carries oversight over our Ministry; come and we put our heads together. I thank you.
HON. T. MLISWA: My supplementary to the Minister is that you have companies that were given contracts in terms of registration plates and tollgates monitoring, companies like UNIVEM. Is it not their responsibility in terms of the contract to make sure that the tollgates are accessible and they are also putting money there because they cannot just be making money and not improving that? It should not be the burden of Government. What are you doing to approach those companies which were given contracts and are still making money, especially UNIVEM who have a contract which I am told will last for years and years yet they are not performing according to expectations because Government at times takes the burden when it is not supposed to take the burden? The contractor must be able to expand things accordingly because they are making money. So, why are we not approaching companies like UNIVEM who I am told are responsible for some of the tollgates and Group Five to expand, of course people are fast but when it comes to the tollgates, they are not slowing down. The question is; what can we do to engage the companies that were given these contracts to ensure that they serve their purpose by improving these conditions rather than giving the burden to Government?
HON. MHONA: Let me thank Hon. T.P Mliswa for that important question. It is true Hon. Madam Speaker that there are companies that have been engaged and I also want to make it clear in this august House that at times the issues of technology, you face resistance when you try to implement. We have been hearing what has been happening at ZINARA whereby systems were actually being denied to be implemented in terms of the process flow.
Hon. Mliswa has cited a company called UNIVEM. If you then interrogate after the Auditor-General’s report, you find that some of the issues and in the first republic that were being talked of in terms of the implementation matrix, the company in this particular case ZINARA, was resisting some of the digitalisation of the institution. It is very clear and if you then go to that same company, it would tell you how many cars have passed through a tollgate but that information was not being shared by the company. So, these are some of the issues that we are also addressing as a Ministry.
In terms of their contracts that were just haywire, we have amalgamated the contracts to say we cannot have contracts that will run in perpetuation and we must have a contract that has got a termination date. This has been what the institution has been seized with in order to try to harmonise all those haywire contracts so that we have got one vibrant contract that will specify the terms and conditions, and deliverables so that no one does not doubt what one is covering.
I want to assure the august House that in terms of implementation, Hon. Mliswa you are very right. The burden is not within the Government but this is an arrangement of working together. So, what has been done now is to say, what are the expectations from the Government and the service provider, and this has been well spelt out as we speak. The implementation matrix also involves the service provider. I thank you.
HON. GABBUZA: My supplementary is; is there a standard operation procedure given to the tollgate operators? I am raising this Minister because one tollgate is very busy but efficient like Norton yet another tollgate is not even busy but very inefficient. Do you give them times as to how many minutes they must take to serve a customer?
HON. MHONA: Why the delay that we witness on some of these tollgates is to create chaos and corrupt tendencies so that you start stealing money. If you then monitor those tollgates, they then create the detours and one will just be pocketing money. We are saying no to such practices and this is why we have seen that the performance of tollgates from Plumtree, Bulawayo and Mutare are very efficient and vibrant because the systems are intact and the cameras were actually mounted. One would not try to pilferage because of the cameras that are in place but if you then go to the other tollgates that were there, about 22 of them, there were no cameras and one would just do willy nilly in terms of the work ethic.
As we speak, we now have cameras on all our tollgates so that they monitor some of these activities which will then mirror and report to Head Office to say what is happening. Truly speaking, we do not want. If you then measure the timeframe that you then stand, we are saying as you then move you must be processed within a minute so that you do not have to queue for some time. Now, we have introduced some marshals so that as the queue gets longer, they come through, swipe or use tap cards and these are some of the initiatives that we are making to reduce the issues of congestion.
Above all, the only solution is to expand the infrastructure which will then address some of these anomalies that we are seeing as a nation but that kind of observation is well noted Hon. Gabbuza. The idea behind, of taking time is to frustrate motorists so that they do not queue and try to use the detours.
HON. NDUNA: I have been listening to the Hon. Minister and he spoke to the issue of Committee playing oversight on his Ministry. It would have been prudent if that Committee had put in a report insofar as it relates to the issue of tolling systems is concerned. The Hon. Minister would have eloquently espoused himself on the matter.
It is my hope therefore, in the clear absence of clear oversight by the relevant Portfolio Committee which has decided to go to sleep by word and deed, that the Hon. Minister in his wisdom puts in the issue of the tolling infrastructure in the Ministerial Statement that we requested for so that we can also give or proffer to him other revenue streams and tightening measures so that he can receive a bigger cake and chunk from the Minister of Finance, if it pleases you Madam Speaker Ma’am, if the Hon. Minister can put that in a package together with a Ministerial Statement before this Budget so that we can proffer some solutions, coupled with information from him. I rest my case.
Questions Without Notice were interrupted by THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER in terms of Standing Order No. 68.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE
REHABILITATION OF MTSHABEZI BRIDGE
- HON. MOKONE asked the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development what the Government plans are as regards the rehabilitation of the Mtshabezi Bridge which connects Blanket Mine and Gwanda town.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MADIRO): Madam Speaker Ma’am, The declaration of state of disaster on all roads around the country by His Excellency the President of Zimbabwe, Cde E.D. Mnangagwa led to the promulgation of S.I. 47 of 2021 – Civil Protection (Declaration of State of Disaster: Rural and Urban Areas of Zimbabwe) (Road Infrastructure Network). In response, Government launched the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme 2 (ERRP2) being spearheaded by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development.
The national roads rehabilitation under ERRP2 is a massive task in terms of scope of work and financial resource requirements. For implementation, ERRP2 was being done in phases as follows:
Phase 1: Emergency works that included wash aways, potholes patching, drain clearing and verge clearing. This was executed in the first three months of the ERRP2.
Phase 2: Preventative works that included reseals, re-gravelling grading and selective rehabilitation. This was executed within six months of ERRP2.
Phase 3: Rehabilitation and reconstruction works. These include full road rehabilitation, full road reconstruction and construction of drainage structures. This is currently being executed.
Phase 4: Other works that included major bridge reconstruction and major repairs of structures damaged by earlier disasters is earmarked for 2022.
From the above chronology, Mtshabezi Bridge is going to be rehabilitated in the Emergency Road Rehabilitation 2 (ERRP2) Phase 4, which is going to be implemented next year 2022. All the planning activities were done and the designs are available.
Questions with Notice were interrupted by THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER in terms of Standing Order No. 68.
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
UPDATE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TELECOMMUNICATION TRAFFIC MONITORING AND REVENUE ASSURANCE SYSTEM (TTMS)
THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (HON. DR. MUSWERE): With regards to the question by Hon. Nduna on international traffic, in particular grey traffic in this country. We have responded appropriately through the implementation of a telecoms traffic revenue monitoring system. Through the Traffic Monitoring and Revenue Assurance System project (TTMS) as of 22 November 2021 – we have ensured that we signed a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) with GVG to provide the TTMS which will run jointly through our implementation agent POTRAZ for a period of 54 months, thereby sharing revenue from the TTMS levy in order to ensure that GVG recoups its investment. This equipment will then be transferred to POTRAZ after 54 months.
The project objective in the implementation of the TTMS is primarily to ensure that there is traffic measurement, monitoring, quality of service and detection and localisation of fraud management. This is a civil regulatory tool that monitors the telecommunication traffic using non-intrusive passive probes. The TTMS does not monitor the telecommunication content in the networks.
In terms of capabilities, these are as follows:
Real-time measurement, monitoring and billing of international incoming and outgoing telecommunication traffic flows between international carriers and operators in Zimbabwe, including data and internet traffic;
Real time measurement, monitoring and billing of national interconnection traffic flows between the various operators within Zimbabwe;
Real-time measurement monitoring and billing of all mobile money transactions by mobile operators;
Fraud detection – the TTMS fraud module detects, tracks and identifies fraudulent routing of telecommunication traffic at both international and national levels.
The system is scalable and will be used to accommodate other applications, including Mobile Number Portability (MNP) and SIM Registration.
Real-Time monitoring of the Quality of Service at the Interconnection;
The system has the capability for measurement of international incoming and outgoing Short Messages Services (SMS).
The expected outcomes because of the implementation of the Telecommunications Traffic Monitoring System (TTMS) Project are:
- Improved regulatory overview on international and national interconnection telecommunications traffic,
- Reduced bypass fraud traffic on international traffic,
- Improved accountability and surveillance of revenues on international incoming traffic.
The TTMS Project implementation is managed by a TTMS Project Management Team comprising experts from GVG and POTRAZ. The project management teams meet every two weeks. GVG has three dedicated experts in Zimbabwe based at POTRAZ. The three meet with POTRAZ Engineers daily.
PROGRESS TO DATE/ KEY MILESTONES ACCOMPLISHED
The TTMS Contract was signed by POTRAZ Director General on 22 September, 2020 and Global Voice Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) signed the contract on 2nd October, 2020.
The TTMS Regulations were gazetted on 9th April, 2021 as Postal and Telecommunications (Telecommunications Traffic Monitoring System) regulations Statutory Instrument 95 of 2021.
The project was granted the National Project Status by the Government of Zimbabwe in August 2021.
The following stages have been completed:
Site surveys, the opening of an escrow account, preparation and approval of high level TTMS engineering, shipment and clearance of the equipment, excluding Visual Fraud Systems which are actually part of the work in progress. The installation of the FMS and CDR processing system is done and currently we are working on ensuring that before 31 December, we will have set up the installation of this system and commissioned it. That is my Ministerial Statement. Thank you Madam Speaker.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. My points of clarity are as follows;
First and foremost, I want to congratulate the Hon. Minister for signing that agreement on the 22nd of November, 2021. What it therefore means is; point A, R T D of Real Time, Real Time, Real Time, on audit, billing and accountability is now going to come to fruition. My question therefore is: what cost has the Global Voice Group (GVG) Company set to this International Call Termination Centre? Irrespective of that, we are going to recoup it under a Build-Operate and Transfer basis. What cost is the installation for the establishment of that international call termination centre?
The second issue, will this system be able to interrogate the International Telecommunications Union with a view of applying or recouping our monies in retrospect for over 15 years ago, seeing as you have mentioned that we are in line to recoup our international call termination amounts that we have not been receiving as a country; data and SMS monies that are attributed to Zimbabwe that we have not been receiving because we did not know what it is that was due to us and we were at the mercy of telecommunications players, Econet, TelOne, NetOne, Telecel, Zol and a few other internet providers. Will we be able to also recoup monies in retrospect, even going back as much as 15 years in ICT and give to content creaters?
I am alive to ZBC/T.V online on Facebook content creation, which is viewed by more than 15 000 viewers each night at 20 00 hours. Will they be able to recoup monies owed to them by international or diasporians who are watching ZTV online on Facebook?
There are local content creators in Zimbabwe who are sending their content on You-Tube or other platforms including WhatsApp - will they be able and to what extent, to recoup monies paid for viewing this content because there is an expense that is incurred by anyone outside the country who is viewing that content that has been created?
Last but not least, would it not have been good to the Ministry of ICT, POTRAZ in this instance, to negotiate and show sincerity from GVG Company that you speak to and about, that this issue of International Call Termination Centre or Gateway solution is an in-thing and there is a lot of money owed to Zimbabwe because of the absence of an international Gateway solution in the past and maybe advancing Zimbabwe? Let us say maybe US$3 billion because we know that there is money that has accrued and is there outside and has not been paid, or that was paid but without the knowledge of how much you are being paid.
Madam Speaker Ma’am, in conclusion, it is my hope and view that this system can now make us know as a country that there is ubiquitous amount of money out there through ICT. ICT is the way to go all after the BBC age. We cannot continue to lose monies through ICT because we are moribund, rudimentary, antiquated and medieval. We received US$1 billion from diasporians in 2020 and for us to receive such an amount, there had to be some facilitation minutes and moments which I attribute the amount to be 10% of the amount received by the Minister of Finance as diaspora remittances.
It is my thinking that unless the Minister …
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Nduna, you just need to ask questions and not to debate.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you. There is going to be a windfall to this country if you allow me to interrogate ICT. It is my thinking however, unless the Minister can dispel that notion that somehow because of that US$1 billion remittance that we received, over and above that, telecommunications networks and Government are supposed to receive at least 10% of that money, which could have been monies used for telephones and communications to facilitate the remittance of that US$1 billion. That in my view, in conclusion, would it also please the Minister to establish that international call termination centre in Chegutu West Constituency so that we can also get the numbers of direct employment to that call termination centre coming in from Chegutu West Constituency because they are the ones that have raised this point? I thank you.
HON. GABBUZA: Thank you Madam Chair. I have a few points for clarification by the Minister. Do we have a mechanism of establishing how much we have lost or prejudiced because of the absence of this termination centre? If we have a mechanism to establish the kind of prejudice, what is the scope of recovering? What is the possibility of recovering and from who?
Secondly, is it because of the lack of human resources capacity in the ICT or it is the machinery that we did not have? Of course you have contracted a company to put up the equipment but how about the human resources? From the way I heard it, it would look like we did not know. How can that be an explanation that we did not know there was such a thing unless Hon. Nduna has misrepresented us?
Lastly Madam Speaker, some of us are a bit skeptical when we hear about Government contracts with international players. We know of our own incapacities in terms of negotiating international contracts. How can the Minister assure us that this company GVG, is a reputable company? Are we likely not to sign a contract and two years down the line, nothing has been done like has happened all over. Can the Minister assure us that this is a reputable company and they have got the capacity? Are there other people who have tendered them and they did a successful job? We do not want to be playing the same politics of contracts signed and nothing happens and we go back to the drawing board.
THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (HON. DR. MUSWERE): Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to thank the Hon. Members for the pertinent questions. The solution in terms of the project design, supply, installation and commission is valued at $19 million. The scope of the TTMS project will run with effect from 1st January, 2022 for the next 54 months. This is a Build-Operate and Transfer PPP project where Government does not invest any money.
The second question which he asked in terms of computation of numbers, that do we have capability in terms of invoicing the previous grey traffic that might have been invoiced through Scene boxes. The current contract covers from January going forward. Madam Speaker, I assume what Hon. Nduna is asking is related to a DST platform, a national digital tax system which will then contribute to the fiscus. This, we have developed a framework and in the framework, we are now working on the modalities on how best we can ensure that we recoup what was lost in the past and going forward.
The other question related to Hon. Gabbuza is that this has been an ongoing project and it was an international public tender which started way back. The signing only took place in September, 2020. The gazetting of the TTMS regulations was done on 9 April, 2021. We are fully aware of what was going on, especially when I became Minister of ICT. We then intervened through the implementation of the TTMS project.
In terms of competency, GVG is a very reputable organisation which has established TTMS projects in a number of African countries, including the African Union where they have installed a number of systems as well. In terms of human resources, part of the TTMS project involves skills transfer mechanism where Zimbabweans will be trained since this is a BOT project, which will then take over after the end of 54 months tenure. This will be implemented to ensure that we have got a skills transfer base. This has been an ongoing project which was disrupted because of the COVID-19 pandemic but we certainly are on course to ensure that by December, we will have commissioned this project. Thank you Madam Speaker.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I have just two issues.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Please be brief Hon. Nduna.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I am worried that the Hon. Minister does not give us assurance that we can recoup now going 15 years back. I am worried that the Hon. Minister is not telling us that GVG might establish a relationship with ITU to go into an audit process for monies that were supposed to come into Zimbabwe, which otherwise could have been billed or given as remittance for local calls as opposed to international calls. These international or local telecommunication people are gullible. I am very worried that we cannot go to ITU and get an audit. The Auditor-General cannot go to ITU. It was my feeling that by engaging GVG, GVG can stand in the gap and be allowed to go into an audit process with ITU for us to recoup monies that were due to Zimbabwe for the past 15 years. Madam Speaker Ma’am, I pray that there are trillions of dollars that are sitting outside this country from all local content creators who have been accessed internationally.
Madam Speaker Ma’am, ICT is the in-thing and ICT is a game changer and a cash cow. It is my request that he responds to that. Otherwise, it is only prudent if GVG cannot go into the ITU audit database, to recoup our monies to terminate this country and ask for someone who can go into the ITU database and audit process for us as a country to benefit. I thank you.
THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (HON. DR. MUSWERE) Thank you Madam Speaker. I think I assured this august House that we have developed a framework in terms of international digital tax services. That will finalise the framework. What happens with grey traffic is that this is when international traffic is re-directed into Scene boxes and becomes grey traffic. Instead of Zimbabwe recouping foreign currency, we end up getting our local currencies. That diversion is done through techno bridges or these illegal Scene boxes.
Through our capabilities, as a Ministry, we have managed to identify some of these scene boxes. In order to respond to this, we brought in the TTMS and this Traffic Monitoring System has a capability also to detect, identify and locate any scene box that is re-directing traffic in the country and obviously hand over the culprits to the courts of law.
In terms of the content which was created in this country or if – I am sure I got your question that all these international social media platforms that are participating in this country, I have said we have developed a framework and in the framework we have capability to be able to calculate going backwards. This is called a national DST Platform, which we are currently developing. In order to ensure that the TTMS is buttressed in terms of the law, as a Ministry, we then issue SI 95: 21, with the following capabilities: Real time measurement, monitoring and billing. So this is real time of international incoming and outgoing communication traffic flows, between international couriers and operators and Zimbabwe.
One of the questions that you have asked me in terms of the establishment of the TTMS project- this will be established, obviously through the players currently in the country. Like I have indicated in my Ministerial Statement that the TTMS surveys has been done. The operators were requested to complete cite survey forms and the cite forms were completed and submitted to GVG on 16 August, 2021. The second stage was to carry out physical surveys by POTRAZ and GVG. The physical cite surveys were carried out and the purpose of these physical cite surveys was to ascertain the information submitted on the survey forms and prepare the high level designs for the TTMS. So, these are done through the players.
Secondly, the preparation and approval of the high level TTMS engineering designs are also done. The installation of part of the machinery will be at the POTRAZ headquarters. This I am responding to your question that this system be established in Chegutu West. So, this has been done also including by working through the players in the ICT sector. Precisely, your last point of clarity in that ICT is the future, surely ICT is the future. It is electricity of the 21st Century. It has replaced every function, obligation and responsibility. It has replaced the classroom. It has replaced the physical interaction between doctors and patients.
I am sure you are aware that Cabinet also approved the Smart Health Pillar, where you will be utilising tele-medicine. So, ICT has also revolutionised agriculture. It has revolutionised everything. Every sphere, we have changed the way we live, the way we work, just like now in Parliament, we are able to interact virtually. So ICT Broadband is the new oil. That is the future and I totally agree and support what you said. Also that most of the responsibilities that we currently have will change as we journey towards Vision 2030. This has also been underlined by the President, last year when he launched the NDS 1 in that he prioritised a digital economy as one of the key and critical pillars which is going to turnaround this economy. I thank you.
On the motion of HON. TOGAREPI seconded by HON. NDUNA, the House adjourned at Six Minutes to Five O’clock p.m.