PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Wednesday, 17th February, 2016
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two o’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. SPEAKER in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE HON. SPEAKER
INVITATION TO A SENSITISATION WORKSHOP ON
PROCUREMENT REFORM
THE HON. SPEAKER: I wish to inform all Portfolio
Committee Chairpersons and members of the Committee on Finance and
Economic Development that they are invited by the Office of the
President and Cabinet to a sensitisation workshop on Procurement
Reform, to be held on 19th February, 2016, at Kadoma Hotel and Conference Centre. Hon. Members are expected to check in on 18th
February, 2016. Presumably, this means in the evening.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
HON. MANGAMI: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My question is directed to the Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry. Hon.
Minister, what is your Ministry’s policy regarding the promotion of tourism in all the communities, including the rural areas?
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
INDUSTRY (HON. ENG. MZEMBI): I want to thank the Hon.
Member for that incisive question. In our Ministry structure, we have a dedicated Domestic Tourism Department that is now charged with the responsibility of going on the ground…
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order. Hon. Minister, can you raise your voice, Hon. Members at the back cannot hear you?
HON. ENG. MZEMBI: Mr. Speaker Sir, I wish to share with
Parliament that we have conceived a fully-fledged Domestic Tourism Division within my Ministry whose responsibility is basically to rewrite the Domestic Tourism Policy and take it to the people. Products that we have conceived in the last two years since consummation of the National Tourism Policy in 2012 include the now popular religious tourism, liberation enshrinement, historical tourism, cultural tourism and community based tourism enterprises. Lately, of late, we are going to within the context of the national tourism master plan evolving rural products that will build up to the national tourism product as enshrined within the National Tourism Policy. I thank you.
HON. R. N. S. MAWERE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I have noticed that Hon. Made is not around, so I do not know, maybe if I could direct my question to the Leader of the House. There are about 600 former employees gathered at GMB for the past 10 days. They want to get their arrears but there is no response from management. They are just seated there; some are breast feeding. So, I do not know if the Ministry is aware of this position and I do not know how these people could be rescued because they are suffering. They have been sleeping out in the open for the past two weeks. I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE
LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON.
MNANGAGWA): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I thank the Hon. Member for telling us what we did not know, that there are some people gathered at some place who require assistance from Government. We will certainly attend to the issue.
Fortunately, the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development has just walked in. Perhaps he has knowledge on this issue. Hon. Made, there is a question on the floor just now that there are some people, I do not know where, but they work for the GMB and they have babies, so they need assistance – [Laughter] -.
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, MECHANISATION AND IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. MADE): I have
heard of the issue raised and management is dealing with that matter. Management has been instructed to handle that matter because management was not responding to the workers. So, the matter is being dealt with.
HON. MANDIPAKA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. Can the Hon.
Minister highlight how soon management is going to attend to that matter because those people are quite desperate? It is now two weeks while they are camping at that place. I thank you.
HON. DR. MADE: It involves financial resources. I cannot answer that.
HON. MUTSEYAMI: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My
supplementary question to Hon. Made is to complement what Hon. Mandipaka said. Did the Minister get details of challenges these families are facing outside the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depot. I am sure as an Hon. Minister of the Republic of Zimbabwe, you looked into the matter and when you discussed this issue with management there, you made up some provisions. What are those provisions which bears for those families to leave the place rather than for us to say we do not have an answer, blah! Blah! Let us be serious.
HON. DR. MADE: Thank you Mr. Speaker. There has been no
blah, blah – [Laughter] – The matter is very specific; it involves payment that is due to the workers – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – I cannot answer that one. It depends on when the resources are mobilised. Thank you.
HON. R. N. S. MAWERE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. It would
also appear that there is now a health hazard at that place. So, a quick solution is required as soon as possible. When is that as soon as possible going to be implemented? – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON.
MNANGAGWA): Mr. Speaker Sir, now that I am fully aware of the reason why the Hon. Member asked that question, a lot of information has been passed on to me as I was seated. I think it is necessary for Government to react to the plight of the people stationed at this particular place – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – Let me assure the House that everything possible will now be done to attend to their plight.
I thank you.
HON. MARIDADI: On a point of order. Mr. Speaker Sir, I am worried that the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development is here and he defers the question pertaining to his Ministry to the Vice President. Does it mean that the Minister has no capacity to deal with issues arising from his Ministry?
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order! I think the point of order
raised must be in context of the fact that the Hon. Vice President, as
Leader of Government Business…
Hon. Rungani having made noise while trying to create space for Ministers to have seats.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Deputy Chief
Whip, order! order! I was saying the point of order is noted from Hon.
Maridadi. I think it should be put in context that the Leader of
Government Business was on his feet. He had been recognised and after consultation, he had to answer. I also think Cabinet exercises is collective responsibility. In that regard, the point of order is noted but must be put in context.
HON. MARIDADI: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I have two Herald newspapers here. In one of the newspapers, Government is advertising STEM and in another newspaper, there is an advertisement by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education which says they do not know anything about STEM. My question is then directed to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education. What is Government policy on STEM?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND
SECONDARY EDUCATION (PROF. MAVIMA): Thank you Mr.
Speaker Sir. The Government policy on STEM is to, as much as possible encourage the taking up of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics education at all levels. We have reviewed our curriculum to where, at every level of our education, we are going to emphasise STEM, depending on a stage.
At infant level, it is rudimentary; at junior level, it becomes more focused and at secondary level, there is a lot more emphasis on science education. We are doing everything possible to ensure that facilities are there and teachers are trained in order for us to deliver on STEM.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order! I think the Hon. Minister did not understand the question. There is an advertisement from
Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology
Development and another from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, contradicting each other. What is the correct position; where does STEM lie? That is the question.
HON. MAVIMA: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir. The specific programme that people are referring to would be best responded to by the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development. What I was doing was to comment on the policy that we have as a Ministry …-[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]- THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNONOLOGY (HON. DR.
GANDAWA): I want to thank Hon. Maridadi for asking the question. STEM lies in both Ministries and it is the responsibility of both
Ministries to make sure that we advance the development of STEM. It will not make sense for us to start STEM at the Higher and Tertiary level without starting it at kindergarten. So, our sister Ministry, the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has embarked on a comprehensive curriculum review in which they have started to implement STEM at the lower level whilst we take it up at the higher level. Both Ministries serve one Principal who is the President, Cde. R. G. Mugabe. We are only
Agents … -[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]- Mr. Speaker
Sir, …
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order! Can I direct the House that
if we have called on the Hon. Minister to respond, let us hear him and if you have got a supplementary question, then we can proceed accordingly. May the Hon. Minister proceed? –[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]- I have ruled that the Hon. Minister should proceed. That is my ruling.
HON. DR. GANDAWA: Mr. Speaker Sir, whether we like it or not, every country has a President … – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections]- and both Ministries are Agents of the Principal and the Principal is Cde. R. G. Mugabe who has directed that we should train our people with cutting edge skills, (STEMITISED) so that we are able to industrialise our country. So, both Ministries should be able to implement STEM as per the directive of the President. I thank you Mr.
Speaker Sir.
HON. KWARAMBA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I would like to
know if pupils are going to be enrolled this term for STEM. As I was going around looking for my child’s lower sixth place, one head was
approached and he said STEM haisati yaakushanda. Thank you.
HON. ENG. MUDZURI: On a point of order Mr. Speaker.
THE HON. SPEAKER: What is your point of order?
HON. ENG. MUDZURI: I raise my point of order on conditions of Privileges Hon. Speaker. When Ministers are giving answers, let them respect the House. My point of order is that the Minister is referring to their work related to the Principal. They are supposed to be serving the country. They have been appointed to serve Zimbabwe. When they are answering a question; when they are given a directive, the directive is supposed to serve Zimbabweans not an individual. That is why this House is here to ask questions. So, to serve a person the principal alone is wrong but to serve Zimbabwe is important. What happens when the Principal is not there?
THE HON. SPEAKER: May I respond to that point of order. I draw your attention Engineer Mudzuri to Chapter 5 of the Constitution which says, the Executive authority derives from the people of
Zimbabwe and must be exercised in accordance with this Constitution. Section 2, the Executive authority of Zimbabwe vests in the President who exercises subject with his Constitution and through Cabinet. This is very clear.
HON. DR. GANDAWA: Thank you very much Hon. Speaker. I
have heard the response from the …
HON. KWARAMBA: On a point of Order Mr. Speaker. My
question has not been responded to Hon. Speaker?
THE HON. SPEAKER: Pardon, sorry, sorry. Could the Hon.
Minister respond to the question please?
HON. DR. GANDAWA: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir. I
want to respond to the Hon. Member’s question. There is no going back on STEM. We are going to pay tuition, levies and boarding fees for the students that will enroll for the STEM initiative. We have already put adverts showing where these students are supposed to go. All what we need is your invoice and registration from the school that you have enrolled at. You then go to our ZIMDEF offices where you will submit the forms and the invoices. After compilation, the fees, tuition and levies will be paid before the school term for ‘A’ Level 2016 starts. So, STEM is currently under way. We have put funds aside to make sure that the programme is funded adequately. I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
HON. CHIBAYA: Thank you very much Hon. Speaker. Hon.
Minister, you responded that you work lively as two Ministries under one Principal. The question from Hon. Maridadi was very clear that why are you issuing conflicting statements as two Ministries if you work together? I thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Wait for the answer. Why do you not
wait for the answer? Over to you Hon. Minister.
HON. DR. GANDAWA: Mr. Speaker Sir, I would respond to the
question in the context that I am standing; I am not sure of what they define as conflicting. The bottom line of the matter is, the advert that we put in the newspapers is very clear on what we intend to do. As a
Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, under one Principal of course but, we are sure that we will pay for the fees if you register irrespective of the conflict that people are talking about, But STEM (Science Technology Engineering and
Mathematics) there is no conflicting in terms of STEM implementation. If it is administrative procedures, because I do not have the advertisement that they are refereeing to I have not been favoured with the advert they are referring to in terms of the other Ministry advertising that they are against STEM. They might be attributing this to the statement that could have been issued by someone, but there is no conflicting positions among the two Ministries in terms of the development of STEM.
HON. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Point of order.
THE HON. SPEAKER: I am not accepting a point of order. I have not recognised the Hon. Member, and I have not recognised anybody. May I advise that Hon. Maridadi favours the Hon. Minister with the two papers and perhaps tomorrow he can make a Ministerial Statement. Thank you. There is no supplementary if it is a different issue. No more supplementary. I think the Minister’s explanation is very clear.
HON. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: A direct question not
on the conflict.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Not on the conflict.
+HON. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: I wish you could trust
me -[Laughter]- Hon Minister where has he gone to? In your advert in terms where people go and do registration, you have indicated centres for all the other provinces. You have not indicated the centre for
Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South, you have just indicated as
Bulawayo. The problem is most of the students who have problems with Mathematics and Science is that when you put registration-the registration centres in Bulawayo, how are the people coming from Matabeleland South and Matabeleland North going to reach that place? THE HON. SPEAKER: I have not recognised you Hon. Holder.
HON. DR. GANDAWA: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir. I
want to thank the Hon. Member for the pertinent question that she has asked. These centres that we advertised are administrative offices for ZIMDEF that we already have but we have put provisions for our Science and Technology officers who will go into each province. By yesterday we had dispatched our Science and Technology officers to all provinces across the country. We are also going to be using the
Provincial Ministers’ offices to assist the students. I take note of the fact that in most areas that are affected we did not have offices there. We are taking it upon ourselves to make sure that since we are driving this thing we are able to establish offices in every part of the country so that we serve the people that need the services from our Ministry. I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
HON. ZINDI: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir. I am making a follow up question in regard to gender equity in as far as this STEM policy is concerned. Why I am raising the gender equity is because it is known … THE HON. SPEAKER: What is the supplementary question?
HON. ZINDI: The supplementary question is on the policy with regards to gender equity because it is known that most of the girls do not take science subjects. Mainly boys are into science – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]- You see how insensitive men
are.
HON. DR. GANDAWA: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir. We are
very cognisant of the Constitution and the requirement of the
Constitution to be gender sensitive and in this pro-programme we will be sensitive to the gender. I must hasten to say that since I have taken note of the issues that have been raised here, we will cover more of these things in the Ministerial Statement to be issued tomorrow. I thank you Hon. Speaker Sir.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Where is your list? -[AN HON.
MEMBER: We do not have a list and we do not want a list]- Hon. Munengami, Munengami! -[AN HON. MEMBER: He has no question.]- So, why was he standing up?
HON. MUNENGAMI: I will ask Hon. Maondera to speak on my
behalf.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Okay.
HON. MAONDERA: Thank you Mr. Speaker my question is
directed to the Vice President Hon. Mnangagwa. We received auditor’s reports on corruption that is going on.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Can you address your question to the Minister?
HON. MAONDERA: I wanted to ask the Minister of Finance and
Economic Development. So he is not here so I am directing it to the Leader of the House the Vice President. What I am saying is Parliament received audits which are full of corruption from the Auditor General. What is Government policy so that those who stole from the parastatals and the Government, what is the Government doing about it or the Auditor General just compiles a report which is not effected? I thank you.
*THE VICE PRESIENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE,
LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON.
MNANGAGWA): Hon. Speaker Sir, I thank the Hon. Member for asking such a pertinent question discussing people who benefited from corrupt activities and these corrupt individuals have not been arrested and yet we have arresting forces. What is surprising is why are these people not arrested and yet we have police around. So we have asked the policeman why are you not arresting these people? –[HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear.]-
HON. MAONDERA: Mr. Speaker Sir, the monies we are talking about which have been corruptly benefited belong to the public and the public should benefit. What is surprising me is the Leader of the House is asking why the police have not arrested these corrupt individuals. Is it not a dereliction of his duty as leader of Government?
HON. MNANGAGWA: Maybe I was misunderstood, so let me
elaborate. As Government and Members of Parliament, we are all saying, anybody who is involved in corruption should be arrested and convicted. The Hon. Member talked about a report which was tabled in this House from the Auditor General and Comptroller, where these people were mentioned. In Government, we have a Ministry of Home Affairs, which is the mother body of the police force. The responsibility of the police is to arrest these corrupt people and whosoever was involved in these corrupt activities should be arrested. The policemen should do their duty.
HON. MUNENGAMI: Mr. Speaker Sir, since the responsible
Hon Minister of Home Affairs is now here, can we redirect that question to him?
THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (HON. DR.
CHOMBO): I also did not get the report, but now that the report is said to be out and has specific names and accusations on the specific individuals who committed the crimes, as soon as we finish this business, I will look for the report and ask ZRP to track all those people and arrest them according to the charges that were presented therein. I thank you Mr. Speaker.
*HON NKATAZO: My question is directed to the Minister of Health and Child Care, regarding the Mrewa District Hospital. It has now been a long time since ……- [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjection] -
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order Hon. Members. Can you be
reminded to ask questions on policy and not on a specific incident?
HON. MUZONDIWA: My question is directed to the Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Services. What plans do you have regarding the welfare and rehabilitation of children living on the streets?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL SERVICES (HON. ENG. MATANGAIDZE): We
have a board which looks into the welfare of the vulnerable children on the streets. Right now we have several recommendations which are coming through on rehabilitating them into the children’s homes which are available. However, the challenges we get with them is that most of them revert to the streets even if they are given the opportunity to get off the streets. But yes, we are seized with that problem and the board is working diligently on that matter. I thank you.
HON. TOFFA: I have a supplementary question on children that are being thrown out of schools, in particular in Bulawayo. You actually find headmasters standing outside the gate chasing children from schools. What is your Ministry doing to make sure that these children are not continuously harassed?
HON. ENG. MATANGAIDZE: I take the question is directed at
children whose school fees have not been paid and I take it that these are children covered under our school programme called BEAM. Policy is very clear there. No child should be thrown out of school because school fees have not been paid. It is about implementing that policy now because Government is seized with that matter and it will be paying school fees for all the children on BEAM. So, no children should be sent away from those schools if they are on the BEAM programme.
HON. S. MPOFU: I would like to find out from the Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education what Government policy is on schools that would have taught pupils the wrong syllabus up to examination time and the affected pupils?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND
SECONDARY EDUCATION (HON. MAVIMA): This is the first
time that I am hearing of an incident like that. It has not been reported to us but it would be helpful if we could get the question in writing with specific information on the school where it happened. There are specific syllabi that we give to our schools, which they are supposed to use when teaching. So, I would appreciate the specific information so that we can investigate.
+HON. D. SIBANDA: My question is directed to the Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce. Bulawayo City was well known for having vibrant industries. What is Government doing about the industries that are working now so that we do not face the same situation where they will close down?
+THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND
COMMERCE (HON. MABUWA): Thank you for such an important
question. We know Bulawayo to be a city that used to have smoke every time but we do not want that now because it causes air pollution. We want an industry that has technology that does not damage our industry. Like what the Hon. Member said, Bulawayo was a city well known of always having a smoke or a hub industry, even up to now, there are some industries that are now functional. We know that the speed of having these industries back to functioning is very slow.
What we want to know are the problems that these industries are facing so that the industries do not close again. For example, if the company is located where there is a problem of ZESA, we can try and talk to people from ZESA so that they do not switch them off and the industry continues working. We can even have an industry that can negotiate with the Ministry by highlighting certain raw materials that they need and we can negotiate on their behalf at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development so that they are exempted from duty. The main intervention that we have is at enterprise level so that we can attend to their issues. I thank you.
+HON. D. S. SIBANDA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. What I want to understand Minister is when you look at our industry, there are some people coming from outside Zimbabwe to buy certain machines that are being used by industries that are still functioning. These are machines that we hardly get. My question is, what exactly is the Government doing so that we do not lose those machines.
+HON. MABUWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. The name will not be erased for it means a lot. All I was trying to say is we want modern technology. Hon. Speaker, I would want to ask that the Hon. Member submit a written question with names of those companies that received certain machines from the Government and sold them to other companies outside the country. Most of the machines that we have in our industries are very old. If only I can get a written question with specific examples, it will help me give a detailed answer in this House. I thank you.
HON. B. TSHUMA: Thank you very much Hon. Speaker. I would wish to direct my question to the Minister of Transport and
Infrastructural Development, Hon. J. Gumbo. I am informed by the Minister himself that his Ministry is owed $9 million and a big chunk of this amount is in respect of arrears in rent by tenants who reside in their various properties scattered across the country. A good number of these people reside in my constituency. I would want to know why, in a country like ours with a well developed legal system, the Ministry has resorted to desperate, self-help barbaric measures in terms of collecting the money.
In my constituency, they locked out about 40 households. They just appeared; it was an ambush. They locked them out, there are kids outside and people living with AIDS had their drugs locked in those rooms and they were complaining. I want to know why, in a country like ours with a well-developed legal system; why is the Ministry not collecting its debts through the courts? They have chosen as a matter of policy to resort to these barbaric measures in debt collecting. Thank you very much.
THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND
INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. J. GUMBO):
Thank you Mr. Speaker. I want to thank you Hon. Tshuma for asking the question that I already gave you an answer and it is not a policy question. The Hon. Member came to my office and we discussed about it and I gave him an answer. So, he is trying to popularize himself by asking the question. Mr. Speaker Sir, the hon. member came with a very important question and he wanted to get an answer from me about issues that are affecting our people in Hwange. It is not a policy question. I did tell him and we agreed on the way forward together. I do not know about the number of people he is talking about.
Definitely, we sat down yesterday; not very long ago, that he might have forgotten and we did come up with a proposal. So, I thank him very much for trying to come up with that question again. It is not a policy issue and he is right to say that there are ways and not barbaric ways of collecting money, which he himself knows very well and we talked about it. He had actually been shown a list of people who had been served with notices to make payments and that all the necessary procedures and steps for collecting the money had been taken. He is the one who came up with the information to give us that he agreed and he wanted us to save ten people he thought were in a very difficult situation. I agreed that we can maybe come up with an arrangement for those ten people. So, I do not know why he is bringing this question into this honourable House.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order. I regret that this question could have been raised when in fact it was discussed fully with the Hon.
Minister. Please do not waste our time in future.
HON. B. TSHUMA: On a point of order …
THE HON. SPEAKER: I am not allowing it.
HON. CHIWETU: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My question is directed to the Hon. Minister of Primary and Secondary Education. What is the Government policy on increasing schools with lower sixth forms? The experience which is going on at the moment is many children passed their O’ Levels and have got nowhere to go. Further to that, my constituency does not have any A’ Level school. I thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order. Please Hon. Members, ask
questions on policy.
HON. BUNJIRA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education. What is Government policy on headmasters who are withholding students’ results for O’ Level and A’ Level because their parents were unable to pay school fees?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND
SECONDARY EDUCATION (HON. PROF. MAVIMA): Thank you
Hon. Speaker. Government policy states that no results should be withheld. Schools should make arrangements for payment of fees with the parents. In fact, when it gets to the collection of results, it indicates a failure on the part of the school to have made those arrangements during the time when the pupil was at the school. We encourage all schools to make sure that they make arrangements with the parents. We understand that most parents are facing difficult financial and economic conditions. However, the policy is, no school should withhold results on account of parents not having paid their school fees.
HON. BUNJIRA: Thank you Hon Speaker. My supplementary question is, are these headmasters aware of the communication that they should not withhold the results?
HON. PROF. MAVIMA: Indeed, the headmasters are aware, we have been on an outreach programme as a Ministry. All the principals in the Ministry have gone to five provinces so far. The message has also been broadcast during the outreach programme, to say, as Government policy, we do not allow results to be withheld on account of parents having failed to pay school fees.
*HON. CHIBAYA: Thank you Hon. Speaker. Hon. Minister, I thank you for the response which you gave regarding the withholding of students’ results by headmasters. What measures are you going to take against these headmasters who are withholding people’s results because they are abrogating the rules which you made?
I am talking about my Constituency in Mkoba. I have a lot of children whose results are being withheld by schools. I thank you.
*HON. PROF. MAVIMA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has offices all over the country, beginning from the district. In order for us to rectify this anomaly, the complainants should go to the district offices and we are going to craft ways and resolutions of solving these problems. I remember sometime last week, I held a meeting with some headmasters who had withheld results and we solved this problem amicably.
*HON. MUTSEYAMI: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My question is directed to the Minister of Information Communication Technology,
Postal and Courier Services, Hon. Mandiwanzira. I think I am the first Hon. Member to ask a question directed to Hon. Minister Mandiwanzira. What is Government policy regarding the network providers, especially on telecommunications.
We realize that most of the mobile service providers are providing a shoddy service, especially in relation to the amount of money paid for the services. There is no correspondence between the service provided and the charges demanded. I will give an example; if you make a call, during the conversation, communication is cut off but cash will be deducted. At times some unanswered calls also attract charges.
I therefore kindly ask the Ministry to make it a point that the cash deductions made and the services provided correspond. I thank you.
THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (HON.
MANDIWANZIRA): Thank you Hon. Speaker. I thank Hon.
Mutseyami for this question, which is a pertinent one. We have had a lot of complaints from mobile customers because even those who are using internet are also facing the same problem. The money paid is used up before they can use the services. We have had meetings with the
Postal and Telecommunications Regulations Authority, (POTRAZ) and I gave this explanation to this organisation for listeners and viewers. We are saying enough is enough.
These service providers should not shortchange the users and they should set equipment which will monitor the usage of these phones as compared to the money used. We are urging POTRAZ to convict whoever is found guilty of providing a shoddy service. We hope that this is going to be implemented as soon as possible. The delay in setting up this is that, there was no board in POTRAZ but it has been set now.
I will now turn to Net One. I also learnt of some of this in the media. The Net One board was selected by the Ministry in consultation with the Head of State and Government in selecting these board members. This is the board which is looking at the operations of Net One so that whenever there are any suspicions, anomalies or corruption, they should be investigated and measures taken to rectify and solve these problems.
*HON. MUTSEYAMI: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir for giving me the opportunity to ask my supplementary question. My question is that, considering that the amount involved in the Net One issue runs into millions, is it not prudent to ask the leadership of Net One, led by Mr.
Reward Kangai, to step down whilst investigations are being carried out.
*THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION, COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (HON.
MANDIWANZIRA): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Hon. Speaker, I can assure you that the board is investigating all this. The investigations involved some corrupt activities in the procurement of some assets and also payment of some stakeholders who were paid before they had done anything. Some people also had their rents paid. We are looking into all this and such investigations can be done whilst the leaders of these organisations are there. There is a tendency that when investigations are carried out and you are aware, you seem to instigate that this person has a crime but we need to establish whether there is a prima facie case and also establish the animus furandi in such cases. This can only be done when the people responsible are there. Of course, there are fears that when these people are there, they may end up interfering with the investigations but we are saying that is not the fact.
*HON. NYAMUPINGA: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker for
recognizing me at last.
THE HON SPEAKER: Order, order! Can you withdraw your
statement; I am following a list here.
*HON. NYAMUPINGA: I withdraw Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker,
my question is directed to the Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care. I must start by congratulating his Ministry for opening up a heart surgery clinic because people in Zimbabwe had problems going abroad for such surgeries. We have heard the media talking about Government saving money because people have been going abroad for heart surgery. Now, we have this done at home.
So, my question is; we have done well on cardiac but what are we going to do about cancer because it is a problem which needs
Government intervention? Many people are dying on a daily basis. The amount they have to pay for cancer treatment is very high and cannot be afforded. We also need to know about treatments such as chemotherapy. Some people do not understand how chemotherapy works because they are shunning this treatment because of rumours which are spread by other people. I am therefore asking the Minister to hold awareness programmes on cancer.
*THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD
CARE (HON. DR. MUSIIWA): Thank you Hon. Speaker. I want to thank the Hon. Member for asking this question. I also thank her for showing gratitude on congratulating us on heart surgery equipment which was installed at one of our hospitals in the country. She talked about cancer treatment. This is a wide spread disease especially in this country and it is one of the killers in this country. It is even killing more than people who are dying of AIDS, TB, Malaria and STI; it is a bigger
killer.
The main reason why cancer is a killer disease is that cancer has no known treatment and hence, as a Ministry of Health and Child Care, all we do is we hold awareness campaigns so that people are aware of what cancer is and we put more emphasis on that. People should go for examination on an annual basis especially women. We ask them to go for screening so that they are checked for cervical cancer using a pap smear methodology. This is done in all district hospitals in this country because if the cancer is dictated at an earlier stage, it can be treatment or the effects can be reduced. As a result, when people have delayed receiving treatment they are then referred to Mpilo hospital in Bulawayo and Parirenyatwa in Harare. This is simply because we use expensive equipment in treating this ailment.
Whenever somebody has been operated when they have cancer, they need to go on chemotherapy and at the moment, the country only has two machines which are being serviced by the Government. Let me assure this Hon. Member that we hold awareness campaigns and we also want to raise funds to help these people who are suffering from cancer in their treatment.
*HON. MATAMBANADZO: Thank you Mr. Speaker. My
supplementary question is - Minister, we know that these people are suffering from cancer. Yes, you have given us an explanation that cancer cannot be treated and I am surprised as to why you are making these people pay money yet you know that they are not going to live. All you are doing is only to relieve pain from these people. I therefore request that you make it a policy that people who are suffering from cancer are treated free of charge.
*HON. DR. MUSIIWA: Thank you Hon. Speaker and I also
thank the Hon. Member for such a pertinent question. It is not true that everybody who suffers from cancer will die. We have a lot of cancer survivors and as I have explained, what is very important in cancer is that people should go for early testing so that when symptoms are visible, can then be treated. Some people who receive this treatment, the cancer may not spread. We have noticed that in some cases, some of these people may not be treated but need pain killers. That is why we are looking for funds so that we can help these people. We are working with organisations such as Kidzcan which help in the treatment of these people.
* HON. MUNENGAMI: Thank you Hon. Speaker. The question
I wanted to ask the Minister is that, as he stated that in Zimbabwe we are now able to carry out heart surgery, we wish if very few people could go out of the country to receive treatment because treatment can be done in Zimbabwe.
My question is, are we implying that even the Head of State and Government is no longer going to go out of the country to receive treatment but receive treatment in the country since we now have all the equipment we want.
*THE HON. SPEAKER: Your question is misdirected. The way
you are saying is that the Head of State and Government should not go out of the country. You are talking about people who are suffering from cardiac related illnesses. We should treat our Head of State and Government with respect. Who told you that he is suffering from heart related disease?
Barring what I have corrected in the point of order, the question is, will the current facilities be able to take the number of patients that are suffering from heart problems.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE
(HON. DR. MUSIIWA): Thank you Mr. Speaker. Yes…
Questions Without Notice were interrupted by THE HON.
SPEAKER in terms of Standing Order Number 64.
HON. ENG. MUDZURI: On a point of order. My point of order
is still on the duties of Parliament and its responsibility over the executive authority. We have noticed of late that there have been utterances and speeches which tend to suggest that the First Lady is now ruling the country. She has mentioned it and it is written in newspapers that “varikutonga” and also she can disappoint Ministers and other officials –[AN HON MEMBER: Gara pasi]- My point of order is that, as a Parliament, we have a responsibility to check on the Executive to ensure that the President plays his role without interference and disharmony. The people of Zimbabwe are confused on who is running the country.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order! Order! We are not here to follow
some political jest and it is common cause that we still have one President in Zimbabwe. What happens at rallies, whether for this party or that party, has nothing to do with Parliament here – [An Hon Member having stood up to debate] - I have ruled. Sit down! Sit down!
HON. D. S. SIBANDA: I move that the time for Questions Without Notice be extended by 15 minutes.
HON. RUNGANI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
*HON. RUNGANI: My question is directed to the Deputy
Minister of Primary and Secondary Education. Is it Government’s policy that most schools in the country want to enrol students with 10 “As” and above? We are having problems in the rural areas because those with 9
“As” and below are not being admitted for Lower Sixth Form.
*THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND
SECONDARY EDCUATION (HON. PROF. MAVIMA): Thank you
Mr. Speaker. That is not Government’s policy that schools should enrol students with 10 “As” and above for “A” level. That is not
Government’s policy. What is happening is that there are a few schools which receive around 500 applicants and these schools end up devising a way of enrolling these students. That is why they end up having these cut-off points. We feel sorry for schools like Goromonzi High School and St Faith Mission which are always inundated with students looking for places and I must say that it is not Government’s policy.
HON. MARIDADI: On a point of order. Mr. Speaker, with all due respect, the issue that was raised by Hon. Mudzuri here is a very pertinent issue to this House and to the country.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order! I have ruled already on that one. I
told you very clearly that we do not discuss political speeches of political parties in this House. Thank you.
HON. NDEBELE: I have a question for the Hon. Vice President of the country. In his wisdom, the Hon. Vice President Mphoko has categorically refused to be called Second Vice President. The question from the people of Magwegwe therefore is - what is Government’s policy in terms of designating either of the two Vice Presidents as First and Second Vice President. This question is asked in anticipation of a constitutional crisis in the event that we have to invoke Section 101 of our Constitution which expressly mentions a First and a Second Vice President. Clearly at law, the express mention of one totally excludes the other. I thank you
THE HON. SPEAKER: What Section did you refer to?
HON. NDEBELE: Section 101.
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. E. D.
MNANGAGWA): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I thank the Hon.
Member who has raised this question. There is great possibility that there are more people of his category in terms of misunderstanding the Constitution. If you go to the special provisions under Schedule 6,
Section 14, on page 149 reads, “Special provision for election and tenure of first President and appointment of Vice Presidents”. The issue is that he is referring to a suspended provision of the Constitution which will apply 10 years from now.
Currently, the provision which applies is the one which I am reading. Paragraph 14 (1) says, ‘Notwithstanding Section 92, (meaning 92 yatsvetwa parutivi), in the first election and any Presidential election within 10 years – the first election refers to the 2013 elections. Any presidential election within 10 years after the first election, candidates for election as President do not nominate persons in terms of that section to stand for election as Vice President’. That has been deferred for 10 years. Subsection (2), ‘Without delay the person elected as President in any election referred to in paragraph (1) must appoint not more than two Vice Presidents, who hold office at his or her pleasure. (3) Where (a) one Vice President is appointed in terms of Subparagraph (2), that person is the first Vice President for the purposes of this Constitution” where one has been appointed and not two.
However, where two Vice Presidents are appointed and in this particular case, there are two, in terms of Sub-paragraph (2), “the
President may from time to time nominate one of them to act as President whenever he or she is absent from Zimbabwe or is unable to exercise his or her official functions through illness or any other cause” – I think I am still very clear.
(4) Notwithstanding Section 101…’; meaning that Section 101 is being put aside, “but subject to paragraph (5) and (6), if the person elected President in an election referred to in sub-paragraph (1), dies, resigns or is removed from office - (a) the Vice President or, where there are two Vice Presidents, the Vice President who was last nominated to act in terms of sub-paragraph (3) (b), acts as President. The Vice President who had last acted when the President was out of the country like Vice President, Hon. Mphoko who was the last acting Vice
President when the President was away, acts as the President until a new President assumes office in terms of paragraph (5). So there is no case, it is very clear.
‘(b) The vacancy in the office of the President must be filled by a nominee of the political party which the President represented when he or she stood for election’, that is ZANU PF –[HON. MEMBERS: In
audible interjections.]- those who would want to learn will listen but the empty tins will always make noise because they have no capacity to learn. I thought that you would want to learn about what the Constitution says and I am reading the Constitution for the benefit of those who would want to understand what the Constitution of this country says about this issue.
Paragraph (5), ‘A political party which is entitled to nominate a person in terms of sub-paragraph (4) (b), must notify the Speaker of the nominee’s name within ninety days after the vacancy occurred in the office of the President, and there upon the nominee assumes office as President after taking the oath of President in terms of Section 94, which oath the nominee must take within forty-eight hours after the Speaker of the National Assembly was notified of his or her name’. That concludes the process, I thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: In addition, Part 1 of Schedule 6,
Subsection 2, is also clear to buttress what the Hon. Vice President had said. Schedule 6, prevails to the extent of any inconsistency over all other provisions of this Constitution.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE
CORPORATE TAX AND DIVIDENDS FROM MARANGE
DIAMOND PROCEEDS
- HON. MARIDADI asked the Minister of Finance and Economic Development how much money Treasury has received ever since diamonds were discovered in Marange in terms of corporate tax and dividend.
HON. MARIDADI: Hon. Speaker, I am worried that this question continues to appear on the Order Paper, it has been appearing for the past three weeks. An answer was made available to this House by the Hon. Acting Minister of Finance and Economic Development, the Deputy Minister of Industry and she did not adequately answer the question. We wanted her to please bring the answer to the question that we asked and I hope she has the answer today.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Which Minister?
HON. MARIDADI: The Hon. Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce. She took it upon herself to avail an answer.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Is it Ministry of Industry and Commerce?
HON. MARIDADI: It is Ministry of Finance and Economic Development but she presented an answer on behalf of the Minister of Finance. The answer was written but was not adequate.
THE HON. SPEAKER: You are not satisfied with the response?
HON. MARIDADI: No, the whole House is not satisfied. There was no answer actually.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Which Minister stood in his place?
HON. MARIDADI: Hon. Chiratidzo Mabuwa.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, kindly convey the message that we need a more comprehensive answer from the responsible Minister.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND
COMMERCE (HON. MABUWA): Thank you Mr. Speaker. I have
noted but may I kindly alert the House that I have already done so.
ASSISTANCE TO SMEs IN MINING
- HON. MANGAMI asked the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development to explain how the Ministry has assisted SMEs in mining to grow their businesses.
THE MINISTER OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
AND COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT (HON. NYONI): The
Ministry is assisting SMEs in mining to grow their business through the following ways:
- Business Management Training in areas such as bookkeeping, financial literacy, business planning, project proposal writing, costing, business registration among other aspects of business. In 2015 Hon. Speaker, my Ministry trained 500 small scale miners, especially youths from the following districts; Shamva, Bindura, Mazowe, Umzingwane, Mberengwa, Shurugwi, Umguza, Bubi and Zvishavane.
- Cooperative development: Small scale miners are being organised to form mining cooperatives where they pool their resources together. The Ministry has registered over 35 cooperatives that are into mining. Registering them into cooperatives is a way of formalizing them and it becomes easier for them to access support in terms of loans and equipment facilities.
Hon. Speaker Sir, as a result of these support areas that the Ministry has put in place, the contribution of SMEs into the gold input that is being sold through Fidelity has increased. I thank you.
HON. MANGAMI: I heard the explanation from Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development. On the proposals, what languages are you using because for those who do not have the expertise in the other language because most proposals are written in the English language? How are you assisting?
HON. NYONI: The project proposals, unfortunately, they have to be written in English. In most cases they are writing project proposals so that they send them to banks for funding or other institutions to help them with equipment. These institutions still need them to put their project proposals in English but as a Ministry we really do not mind. We would like people to use any language. If they use Ndebele or Shona and they go to the bank or to other institutions that would assist them, and that proposal is accepted in that language, we say well and good. We do not limit or restrict our SMEs to use any language. They can use any of the national languages but then the decision depends on those that receive the proposals.
POLICY REGARDING REGISTRATION OF COMPANIES BY SMEs
- HON. MANGWENDE asked the Minister of Small and
Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development the government policy regarding registering of companies by SMES considering that it is too much cumbersome and expensive.
THE MINISTER OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES AND COOPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT (HON. NYONI): Again, I
would like to thank the Hon. Member for asking that question. The Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative
Development does not register SMEs. The responsibility falls in the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. My Ministry has engaged the Registrar of Companies pertaining to the registration of business and currently they are facilitating SMEs to register as Private Business Corporations (PBCs), in terms of Private Business Corporations Act (Chapter 24:11). However, the requirements for registrations are not cumbersome and expensive as they are as follows:
- To submit four company names from which they will choose one.
This is done in order to do the name search.
- They have to state the type of the business.
- Physical address.
- An accountant address and the signature of the accountant and the date of the financial year.
This process only cost US$5 for the name search and US$20 for
the certificate that is required. That is all and I think this path is helping the SMEs. Thank you Mr. Speaker.
HON. PHIRI: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My question is on the expenses of registering a company and also operations. What is your Ministry doing to assist these small and medium enterprises in getting licences from local authorities where they are being asked to pay a tax which is very expensive before they get an operating licence.
HON. NYONI: I think that is a very important question which also concerns my Ministry because it is only in registering that the SMEs turned to be really reaped off and all that my Ministry can do and is doing is to represent them and to lobby. We are hoping that the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing will assist us in making sure that they streamline the expenses that are charged for SMEs.
Mr. Speaker Sir, when you really look at it, most local authorities are surviving because of SMEs. Most local authorities get more than 50% of their revenue from SMEs but as a nation and a Ministry, we would like this to be done properly and not through stripping the SMEs off. The Hon. Member has a pertinent question which we hope that the local authority will take into consideration and assist us so that we assist SMEs that are assisting them after all.
HON. PHIRI: Mr. Speaker Sir, there is an aspect of it that I would want clarification. The Ministry of Local Government issued a directive to local authorities that they should not issue licences until and unless these SMEs have produced tax clearance certificates. This is coming from a Ministry not from local authorities.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MARUMAHOKO): I
think you are being unfair now to the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development. That should be directed to the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing. The Minister is not here, so, put it in writing as a new question so that
the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing will respond to that. Thank you.
HON. MARIDADI: On a point of order Mr. Speaker. Mr.
Speaker Sir, two Questions were deferred to next week because the Minister of Finance and Economic Development was not here, now that the Minister is here can we kindly ask that we go back to Questions, especially Question No. 2 now that the Minister is here, so that he can address that.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Okay, I will proceed with the
Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Co-operative
Development and after that then we revert to those Questions since the Minister is around.
POLICY ON THE REGISTRATION PROCESS OF COMPANIES
- HON. MANGWENDE asked the Minister of Small and
Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development to inform the House what the Government policy is towards the registration process of companies by the Ministry.
THE MINISTER OF SMALL AND MEDIUM
ENTERPRISES AND CO-OPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT (HON.
NYONI): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, these questions are similar, the only difference is that the other one was enquiring on the expenses and this one is enquiring on the registration process. For the record, let me say, the registration process of companies falls under the ambit of the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.
Mr. Speaker Sir, while my Ministry encourages SMEs to register as companies and the Private Business Corporations (PBCs), currently there is no policy on the registration of companies in my Ministry. However, it is worth noting that my Ministry as part of its formalization drive offers a facilitating role to SMEs in registering as companies or
Private Business Corporations (PBCs) in terms of the Private Business Corporations Act, (24.11). The Ministry is in the process of crafting a formalisation strategy which is going to further facilitate the registration process of SMES.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Now that the Minister of
Finance and Economic Development is in the House, may we revert to Question 1.
CORPORATE TAX AND DIVIDENDS FROM MARANGE
DIAMOND PROCEEDS
- HON. MARIDADI asked the Minister of Finance and Economic Development how much money Treasury has received ever since diamonds were discovered in Marange in terms of corporate tax and dividend.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT (HON. CHINAMASA): I am surprised that this
Question is still on the Order Paper because I recall that three weeks ago, I asked the Hon. Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce to read an answer which I had prepared in response to this Question. I am surprised that it is still on the Order Paper, it was responded to and I think the Hansard will show.
HON. MARIDADI: Mr. Speaker, this Question appeared three weeks ago and it was responded to but the main gist of the Question was not responded to because we wanted figures and those figures were not made available. Hon. Minister, can you kindly make those figures available. Thank you Sir.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: With all due respect Hon. Member, if you feel your question has not been answered adequately, you have to rephrase it not to come back as it was before. You may resubmit your Question so that the Minister may respond to that.
TOURS OF PROVINCES BY THE FIRST LADY
- HON. CROSS asked the Minister of Finance and Economic Development whether the recent tours to the provinces by the First Lady were catered for by the State, and if so, to state the expenditure incurred and also if the Minister could report to the House the extent and justification of such expenditure.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT (HON. CHINAMASA): Mr. Speaker Sir, my apologies, I do not have the answer to this question ready and I crave the indulgence of the Hon. Member to give me more time.
SELECTION OF ZIFA COUNCILLORS
- HON. MANGAMI asked the Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture to explain how ZIFA councillors are chosen, who presides over their choosing and what their term of office is.
THE MINISTER OF SPORTS AND RECREATION (HON.
HLONGWANE): Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir. ZIFA councillors are officials who lead the various bodies that make up the composition of the ZIFA assembly. To that end, they also represent their respective constituencies at general and special meetings of the ZIFA assembly.
According to the ZIFA Constitution, any aspiring football administrator must meet the following criterion in order to qualify as a ZIFA councilor; they must have served football for at least 5 years. They must be in possession of functional literacy skills. In other words, being able to read and write and they must have no criminal record and a police clearance must be produced upon election.
Who elects ZIFA councilors? ZIFA councillors are elected by various affiliate member organisations of ZIFA and these affiliate member organisations are;
- The Premier Soccer League, which has 16 delegates in the ZIFA Assembly.
- The Women’s Football League, which has four delegates in the ZIFA Assembly.
- Fife Aside Soccer League, which has one delegate in the ZIFA Assembly.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Members, your
whispers are too loud. Let us hear the Minister in silence.
HON. HLONGWANE:
- Beach Soccer League, which has one delegate in the ZIFA Assembly.
- The National Association of Primary School Heads, which has two delegates in the ZIFA Assembly.
- The National Association of Secondary School Heads, which has two delegates in the ZIFA Assembly.
- Tertiary Sports, which has two delegates in the ZIFA Assembly.
- The Provincial Football Associations, with one delegate each in the ZIFA Assembly.
- The ZIFA Regions – the Northern region has four, the Eastern region has four, the Southern region has four and the Central region has four delegates in the ZIFA Assembly.
ZIFA councillors are elected at the general assemblies or meetings of ZIFA affiliate organisations and those who make up the affiliate body are comprised of clubs, district, provinces, schools, colleges as well as universities. I thank you Hon. Speaker Sir.
ASSISTANCE TO WIDOWS ON TRANSFER OF DECEASED
ESTATES
- HON. MASUKU asked the Minister of Justice, Legal and
Parliamentary Affairs to explain to the House the assistance the Ministry is providing to widows who are incapacitated to raise fees for transfers of the estate of their deceased husbands into their names.
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE,
LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON.
MNANGAGWA): Mr. Speaker Sir, the question by Hon. Member
Masuku is well thought out, especially against a backdrop of difficulties that are faced by many widows in inheriting the estate of their deceased husbands. In view of such difficulties, the Government of Zimbabwe has put in place constitutional, legislative, institutional and administrative measures to arrest such mischief.
There is a large body of legislation that deals with substantive and procedural aspects of succession law in Zimbabwe. Among these are the Deceased Estate Succession Act [Chapter 6:02], the Administration of Estates Act [Chapter 6:02], the Wills Act [Chapter 6:06], the
Deceased Person’s Family Maintenance Act [Chapter 6:08] and the
Finance Act [Chapter 23:04]. These laws have evolved over the years in order to correct the injustices that have been experienced in our succession jurisprudence.
Of the pieces of legislation I intimated, item 6(2) (d) of the Schedule to Chapter 2 of Section 25 of the Finance Act [Chapter 23:04] is most relevant in registering the progress so far made by our Government in ensuring that indigent widows easily transfer the inherited estates into their names. The Government of Zimbabwe took into account the various financial challenges that were faced by incapacitated widows transferring real rights to immovable property into their ownership in view of the then peremptory stamp duty that was supposed to be paid to ensure such transfer. In light of this need, an amendment to the Finance Act exempted indigent widows from paying stamp duty on immovable property was introduced.
Mr. Speaker Sir, in view of the question at hand, stamp duty for the transfer of property acquired from the estate of the deceased spouse is exempted for the surviving spouse. Be that as it may, as long as the concerned indigent widows can prove that they are unable to pay the duty and that the Master of the High Court has duly issued the consent to transfer the estate to the said widow; the law is in place to protect all the vulnerable spouses. This is a great relief to our people as you may be aware that stamp duty is very expensive.
The Government of Zimbabwe, through my Ministry, also plays an important role in ensuring the provision of the necessary legal representation and conveyance work to the indigent. This is in keeping with our mandate as prescribed in terms of Section 31 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe that the State must take all practical measures, within the limits of the resources available to it, to provide legal representation in civil and criminal cases for people who need it and are unable to afford legal practitioners of their choice. We execute this mandate through the Legal Aid Directorate for free. In order for widows to be able to access this service, they have to be in possession of the consent to transfer, as already mentioned, the deceased’s death certificate and the title deeds.
Mr. Speaker Sir, lastly, it is important to note that the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs always takes positive steps in ensuring that justice delivery is accessed by everyone, including the vulnerable members of our society. The Legal Aid Directorate which is a department within my Ministry does a lot of work for the indigent and these may include widows who cannot afford transfer fees. Let me take this opportunity to sensitise all the Hon. Members of the existence of this institution called the Legal Aid Directorate. We have decentralised it to all the regions of our country and plans are underway that it spreads to all convenient provincial and district centres to ensure unfettered access. Therefore, in executing your representative role, I urge you to refer such indigent widows and all other citizens of the country who are desirous of accessing justice, but cannot afford legal practitioners of their choice, to approach the Legal Aid Directorate. I thank you.
POLICY REGARDING COMPENSATION TO VICTIMS OF
NEGLIGENCE IN GOVERNMENT HOSPITALS
- HON. MASUKU asked the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs to explain the policy regarding compensation to victims of negligence within Government hospitals.
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE,
LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON.
MNANGAGWA): Mr. Speaker Sir, I would like to inform the House that I will give the legal position regarding compensation to victims of negligence within Government hospitals. However, on the issue of any existing policy, I will kindly refer this question to the Hon. Minister of Health and Child Care to give an official position.
The area of medical negligence is not novel in our jurisdiction and it is sad that some patients end up as victims because of ignorance of the law regarding to delictual remedies that may accrue to such victims. It is equally unfortunate that such cases are prevalent in our Government hospitals. The issue of medical negligence mainly arises out of contracts or delictual claims and it normally accrues when a victim suffers negligence by the hospital authority, staff or doctors. A victim may
want to either initiate criminal liability or civil liability. For the purpose of victims who would like to receive compensation, they should pursue the issue against the medical practitioner or hospital. A contract between the patient and hospital arises from mere consensus and use of admission forms or written consent for surgery. The delictual claims emerge when the hospital staff and doctors do not take reasonable care, administer wrong procedures, commit omissions and other acts that they are normally expected to exercise in order to prevent harm from occurring to the patient.
It is to be noted that before one can receive compensation for medical negligence, the victim has to prove the following essential elements: Firstly, that hospital staff or practitioner committed an act or omission that resulted in the loss. Secondly, that one has to prove wrongfulness to measure the act with legal conviction of the society.
The question is, will the society view the act or omission as wrong?
Another essential element is fault, which can be in the form of intention or negligence. The victim also has to prove that they have incurred damage or loss. Thirdly and lastly, they should be a clearly link that the negligent party’s acts caused the victim’s loss or damage, which is referred to as causation. It is also important for us to understand the link of how medical negligence by hospital staff results in burdening the hospital itself. This is described as vicarious liability; it is a secondary liability that is governed under the common law doctrine of agency.
In terms of medical negligence, a health organisation may be accused of liability for the work of any subordinate, physician or staff that has caused negligence.
Let me now highlight the procedures to be followed by a victim of medical negligence who wants to sue or receive compensation from a Government hospital. Legally, a victim must institute civil proceedings seeking compensation from both the hospital and hospital staff responsible. When instituting legal proceedings against a Government hospital, the victim must first make notice of intention to institute legal proceedings which is covered under Section 6 Chapter 8 (14) of the State Liabilities Act. Thereafter, the victim may then approach the courts for redress.
If the courts find the hospital liable, they will determine the apportionment of damage which equate to what Hon. Masuku described as compensation. Let me conclude by highlighting that these are elements to prove and the procedure to be followed when a victim has suffered medical negligence in a Government hospital. I have applied legal position and respectfully refer discussion on the policy in place to be addressed by the Minister of Health and Child Care. I thank you.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE DANDE DAM
- HON. KANHANGA asked the Minister of Environment,
Water and Climate to state when the construction of the Dande dam in Guruve would resume considering that the project has been partially done and abandoned.
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND
CLIMATE (HON. MUCHINGURI): Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to thank
Hon. Kanhanga for question. The Dande dam project involves the construction of a 16o million cubic metres capacity earth fill dam on the Dande river in Guruve District of the Mashonaland Central Province. This project also incorporates the construction of a 7.3km tunnel to be drilled through the Mavhuradonha mountains.
The project is intended to supply irrigation water to more than 1
000 small holder farmers and communities in the drought prone Dande Valley which lies below the Zambezi escarpment. The construction of the project started in 2000 and was funded through the African Development Bank (AfDB). Government took over the project in 2001 when the funding by the AfDB failed to materialize. Works briefly started before coming to a standstill due to financial challenges.
The Ministry wishes to advise that a number of water infrastructural projects have been suspended due to insufficient budgetary provisions. These include, Marovanyati, Bindura, Semwa, and Dande Dam and tunnel and Tuli Manyane dam among others.
Mr. Speaker Sir, in fulfilling its mandate to develop, manage and deliver water to the people of Zimbabwe, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate has embarked on raising funds to complete these important water infrastructure projects through the involvement of private partners/investors. As part of these efforts, the Ministry held a
Water Resources and Infrastructure Investment Conference on 24th and
25th June, 2015 at the Rainbow Towers Hotel. The Investment Conference was attended by many international and local investors who showed interest in partnering Government in the implementation of such dam projects like the Dande dam and tunnel.
The Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate is currently…..
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MARUMAHOKO):
Order, order Hon. Minister. Hon. Member who is in a white blouse, may you take your call outside.
HON. MATIENGA: I am sorry Mr. Speaker Sir. I was trying to
switch it off.
HON. MUCHINGURI: The Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate is currently awaiting responses from potential investors who have to do bankability and feasibility analysis on the projects. The Ministry also initiated the process of floating water bonds, through ZINWA, which would allow commencement of works on a selected list of projects. The Dande dam and tunnel is one such project due to the immense impact on the communities in the Dande Valley. The Dande dam and tunnel remain on the list of priority projects to be undertaken by the Ministry and was duly shortlisted and included among the project to be done under our national economic Bblueprint, the ZIM ASSET. I thank you.
HON. MUSANHI: Hon. Minister, my supplementary question is, what are you going to do with the prohibitive costs of drawing water for irrigation on farms which has become very expensive and unaffordable to farmers?
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, is this question
emanating from the response or it is a new question? Sorry, it is not part of the response. So, it does not align.
ASSISTANCE FROM THE JOINT OPERATIONS COMMAND
(JOC) ON CONTAINING RAMPANT POACHING
- HON. KANHANGA asked the Minister of Environment,
Water and Climate, whether the Ministry has approached the Joint Operations Command (JOC) for assistance to contain the current rampant poaching and state what results have been yielded.
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND
CLIMATE (HON. MUCHINGURI): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Let me start by conveying my appreciation to the Hon. Member Kanhanga, for asking such a pertinent question with regards to poaching. The
House may recall that Cabinet, at its 33rd meeting on the 14th September,
2014 set up an ad hoc Cabinet Committee chaired by the Minister of Environment, Water and Climate. Its main mandate was to come up with strategies to address the challenges of poaching, illegal wildlife trade and to improve the wildlife industry in general.
Following several meetings of the ad hoc Committee, it was agreed that a number of issues such administrative, policy and human resources needed to be addressed if we are to reduce poaching, illegal wildlife trade and improve the wildlife sector performance. We have since made efforts to address some of the issues in the short term and we are now working to address strategic issues that require more time, resources and consultation.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the issue of poaching is no longer a conservation issue alone, but a national security issue as well. In this regard, the issue of strengthening our law enforcement effort through Joint Operations with other law enforcement agencies was identified as an immediate strategy to address the rampant poaching.
We have been engaging with JOC in the past and we will continue to engage them for assistance in order to deal with this scourge.
Currently, additional manpower was deployed by the Zimbabwe
Republic Police in Matopos National Park, Zambezi Valley, Sinamatella Camp and Hwange Main Camp to address both wildlife protection and illegal gold mining. We have established special reaction teams around the country with the assistance of JOC.
Countrywide, law enforcement efforts resulted in detection of 2139 incursions, and arrest of 1354 local and 129 foreign poachers. There was decline in the number of armed contacts from 26 in 2014 to 23 and in number of poachers killed from 13 in 2014 to 11 in 2015. (Table below).
Recoveries made in the field included 25 rifles, 276 rounds of ammunition, 496 pieces of elephant ivory, 4 rhino horns and 5 133 wire snares. The breakdown of poachers who were killed in 2015 poachers were killed in Mabalauta (2), Save Valley Convervancy (3), Matusadona
National Park(2), Chirisa Safari Area (1), Sengwa (1) and Chizarira National Park (2).
Table detections, Arrests and Recoveries for 2013, 2014 and
Year | No of
Contacts |
No. Of Poachers | Recoveries | Other Recoveries and Arrests | ||||||||||||
Killed | Arrested | |||||||||||||||
2013 | 1842 | 27 | 344 | 9 | 0 | 1421`
|
131 | 20 | 945 | 436 | 5 | 4415 | 93 | 264 | 180 | |
2014 | 1571 | 26 | 362 | 10 | 3 | 4161 | 94 | 20 | 163 | 202 | 19 | 4864 | 221 | 186 | 272 | |
2015 | 2139 | 23 | 356 | 6 | 5 | 1354 | 129 | 25 | 276 | 496 | 4 | 5133 | 134 | 339 | 167 |
Mr. Speaker Sir, as long term measures, we are embarking on various projects to capacitate our Parks Authority to better equip them to deal with poaching. We will be procuring additional vehicles and equipment such as drones using our own funds and with additional assistance from other countries such as China. We will not rest or tire until we rid this country of illegal wildlife trade and poaching.
We would like to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to JOC and other partners for their unwavering support for environmental law enforcement and conservation in general. Without them, the situation would have been insurmountable.
WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PUNGWE PROJECT
- HON. SARUWAKA asked the Minister of Environment
Water and Climate to explain the following in relation to the implementation of the Pungwe project:
- why Mr. Frank Nyaumwe led Committee which was popularly elected by villagers in Wards 17 and 19 in October last year to lead them in the project was disbanded and replaced by a handpicked one;
- what role Mr. Oliver Sakupwanya was playing in the project, who appointed him and what was the criteria used to appoint;
- why are the Tsonzo Small Scale Farmers being excluded from benefiting from the Pungwe pipeline water;
- what role (if any) is the Mutasa Rural District Council playing as the appropriate local authority; and
- who is funding the project.
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND
CLIMATE (HON. MUCHINGURI): I would like to thank Hon.
Saruwaka for his questions requiring me to explain the modalities around the implementation of the Pungwe Project. Particularly, in respect of clarity on why Mr. Frank Nayumwe’s led committee popularly elected by villagers in Wards 17 and 19 in October last year to lead them in the project was disbanded and replaced by a handpicked one; Mr. Speaker Sir, the project is being implemented by the community under the leadership of the respective headman as organised by the District Administrator’s Office. How the community organises itself under the headman is a decision made by the community through their own system which the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate is not involved in.
Regarding the role Mr. Sakupwanya was playing in the project, who appointed him and what was the criteria used to appoint him; Mr. Speaker Sir, as I said earlier, the communities have organised themselves under their headman and allocated responsibilities among themselves. The Ministry has not noted any challenges so far with the structures and arrangements made by the traditional leaders and if any should arise, they will be addressed.
Responding to the question raised on why Tsonzo Small Scale Farmers are being excluded from benefiting from the Pungwe pipe line water; Mr. Speaker Sir, the Minister of Environment, Water and
Climate ensures equitable access to water by all citizens in the country. The villagers are organising themselves under the leadership of the respective headman. The different villages are at various stages with the project depending on how organised and committed they are. The Ministry, through ZINWA, is providing technical expertise for the design and construction of the off-take infrastructure.
Elaborating on the role (if any) is the Mutasa Rural District
Council playing as the appropriate local authority; Mr. Speaker Sir, the Rural District Council has always been involved in the project as an important stakeholder representing the beneficiaries along the pipeline. The negotiations for access to the Pungwe pipeline water by the local communities were done between Mutare City Council and the Mutasa Rural District Council together with other stakeholders.
Regarding the funding of the project Mr. Speaker Sir; resources are being mobilised from various stakeholders. The communities have so far committed significant resources in the form of cash, labour, quarry stone and sand for the construction of access roads and tanks.
KAMALALA PRIMARY SCHOOL SOURCES OF WATER
- HON. MKANDLA asked the Minister of Environment, Water and Climate why Kamalala Primary School in Hwange has no source of water and teachers have to rely on water brought by pupils from their homes.
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND CLIMATE (HON. MUCHINGURI): I want to thank Hon. Mkandla for the question requesting me to explain why Kamalala Primary School in Hwange has no source of water and teachers have to rely on water brought by pupils from their homes.
Mr. Speaker Sir, my Ministry is aware of many schools, clinics and other Government establishments that do not have sources of water within a reasonable distance. Resources are being mobilised through Government, NGOs and other stakeholders to ensure that every citizen has access to safe drinking water, e.g. the Rural Wash Programme. The Government has also drilled a number of boreholes through its agencies and efforts are continuing to cover more areas. It is also important that as we plan for schools and other services, water and sanitation be considered so that the necessary facilities are included in the construction of these service centres not to be after thoughts or add on features. The Ministry is now looking into putting in place piped water schemes starting with communities through which major water pipelines for urban centre pass, e.g. Pungwe and Mtshabezi pipeline.
ERADICATION OF HUMAN AND WILD LIFE CONFLICT IN
CHIKANDAKUBI WARD
- HON. B. MPOFU asked the Minister of Environment, Water and Climate to explain what the Ministry is doing to completely eradicate the human and wild life conflict in Chikandakubi Ward in Hwange West, considering the fact that the demarcation between the community and forest land commission is too small.
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND
CLIMATE (HON. MUCHINGURI): Mr. Speaker Sir, in response to
Hon. Mpofu’s question, Chakandakubi area adjoins Fuller Forest of the Forestry Commission and the common Human/Wildlife conflict reported are lions and hyenas attacking livestock and elephants destroying crops. So far, no reports of people being injured or killed in the area have been recorded. Animals have no boundaries and they traverse the lands in search of food and water.
Mr. Speaker Sir, currently the Ministry is running a project funded by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in Wards 2, 3, 5, 8, 11, 14, 15, 16 and 17 in areas surrounding Sikumi Forest and Hwange National Park. Under this project FAO is testing the effectiveness and range of the Ambush Chilli educator by creating a virtual fence around resource centres i.e. water holes. It is being tested under controlled conditions but the intention is to then extend it to communal areas to cover all the resource centres like water hole, fruit tree orchards, garden and even dump sites, areas normally frequented by these animals.
Under this project FAO has developed a multiple mitigation toolkit to manage Human Wildlife Conflict. If this project is successful, there is scope for replicating it to other areas on a full scale, resources, permitting.
In pursuit of the collective management concept, issues of land-use planning, types of crops to grow in such areas, creation of buffer zones on adjoining lands are pertinent – requiring all stakeholders’ involvement. As of now, there is a training workshop organized by FAO in collaboration with the Ministry, targeting field officers on how to holistically manage the process.
The Ministry is hoping that the initiatives taken so far will be extended to other areas but for this to take effect, we are hoping that the donor community will assist to fund the project.
MEASURES TO ALLEVIATE PROBLEMS OF UNDERGROUND
WATER USAGE
- HON. CHIRISA asked the Minister of Environment, Water and Climate:
- to explain measures in place to alleviate the problem of use of underground water by residents as an alternative source of water;
- to explain what advice can be given to the Ministry of Agriculture. in terms of climate change effects on agriculture; and
- to explain if there are any plans for new dams or rehabilitation of existing ones given the current low levels of dams.
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND
CLIMATE (HON. MUCHINGURI): Mr. Speaker Sir, I would like to thank the Hon. Member of the House, Hon. Chirisa for asking the question ‘to explain what advice can be given to the Ministry of
Agriculture in terms of climate change effects on agriculture’
Mr. Speaker Sir, the evolving climate change phenomena across the whole region has brought about high daily average temperatures, late onset of the rainfall season, prolonged mid-season dry spells, fewer but high intensity rainfall events and early cessation of the rainfall season. These result in high evaporation losses of soil moisture leading to moisture stress, droughts and reduced productivity in rain-fed agriculture systems which support livelihoods to over 70% of the rural population. The El Nino induced drought clearly demonstrates the impacts of climate change in the agriculture sector and the need to address the challenges.
Given the background above, my Ministry recommends the following interventions to alleviate climate change effects in the agricultural sector:
Enhanced rainwater harvesting and supplementary irrigation – most of the high intensity rainfall received is lost to runoff, therefore there is an opportunity to capture that water in weirs and dams among other reservoir types. The development of irrigation infrastructure for supplementary irrigation to bride dry spells will then be developed in these reservoirs. The development of irrigation systems should preferably be gravity or renewable energy powered, for example, using solar and wind energy for access and sustainability. Proper catchment management practices should complement rainwater harvesting in order to ensure there is reduced soil erosion and subsequent siltation of water bodies.
Development and Promotion of drought tolerant seed varieties – traditional seed varieties are generally long season, thus a higher crop water requirement, so we recommend breeding and promotion of short season, drought tolerant varieties that can withstand the harsh prevailing conditions.
Furthermore, small grains can be promoted, ensuring their seed availability as these have since been proven to be drought tolerant. The need for technologies and innovations of processing small grains and providing a sustainable market for them will go a long way in ensuring improving agricultural production, subsequently contributing to households’ food security.
Livestock production system – breeding drought tolerant livestock strains that are not highly susceptible to diseases and low quality pastures, ensure regular animal disease surveillance and administration of doses and medications. Hay bailing and storage before the fire season is recommended for supplementary livestock feeds and maintaining recommended livestock carrying capacities. Promoting a market for small breeds such as the goats and chickens can also cushion rural agriculture in the face of climate change.
Spreading the risk associated with droughts – Farmers are encouraged to stagger their crop planting dates as the rainfall variability has increased. This ensures at least some decent harvest is obtained assuming all the necessary inputs have been provided. As cropping becomes more and more risky, alternate livelihood activities can be adopted, for example, bee keeping, poultry production and aquaculture to leverage the output from mainstream agricultural production. The role of forests in sustaining livelihoods need to be embraced and promote sustainable forest management and agro forestry which offer communities local based adaptation options in the face of climate change. Leaves from trees are organic manure for the crops and assist in holding soil moisture. Being cognisant of the provisioning function of forest resources through non-timber products like ecotourism, fruits and medicines among others also offers community based adaptation to improve livelihoods and cushion them from extreme weather events. I thank you.
POLICY REGARDING NUMBER OF BOREHOLES
- HON. M. SIBANDA asked the Minister of Environment, Water and Climate to explain the policy regarding the stipulated number of boreholes within a ward or village.
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND CLIMATE (HON. MUCHINGURI): Hon. Speaker, the policy does
not stipulate the number of boreholes per ward or village. Rather, it gives a guideline on the number of people to share a borehole, which is 250 people per borehole. The UN Sustainable Development Goals also aim to promote safe drinking water to every citizen within 500m of their residence.
MEASURES TO DESILT DAMS IN GWANDA NORTH
CONSTITUENCY
- HON. M. SIBANDA asked the Minister of Environment,
Water and Climate to state the measures that the Ministry is taking to desilt the dams in Gwanda North Constituency.
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND CLIMATE (HON. MUCHINGURI): Hon. Speaker Sir, my Ministry
has a plan to desilt the major rivers and dams to improve access to water for communities. This plan was approved by Cabinet and VP
Mnangagwa oversees the Cabinet Committee responsible for desilting of dams and rivers.
The process however, requires extensive amounts of resources due to the level of siltation obtaining in our dams and rivers. Some dams in Matabeleland South are almost completely silted. While Government is at an advanced stage to mobilize resources (through mineral recovery from silt in rivers and dams), all stakeholders are urged to ensure that we minimize erosion and siltation especially from illegal mining activities and poor agricultural practices.
CONSTRUCTION OF DAMS ALONG NATA, NATANE AND
MANEHA RIVERS
- HON. M. S. NDLOVU asked the Minister of Environment, Water and Climate to explain whether there are plans to construct dams in the following rivers:
- Nata;
- Natane; and
- Maneha
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND CLIMATE (HON. MUCHINGURI): Hon. Speaker Sir, Government, through ZINWA has a continuous programme to measure river flows across the whole country. This information is used to determine the amount of water that can be potentially stored on these rivers by building dams. Most potential sites have been identified for all districts and with the advent of climate change, ZINWA is intensifying efforts to update the database for potential sites and revising the amount of water that can be stored at these potential sites. Mobilisation of resources is required so that all these dams are constructed.
REDUCTION OF CARBON EMISSIONS FROM THE
TRANSPORT SECTOR
- HON. A. MNANGAGWA asked the Minister of
Environment, Water and Climate to inform the House what the Ministry is doing to reduce the carbon emissions from the transport sector.
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND CLIMATE (HON. MUCHINGURI): Mr. Speaker Sir, my Ministry uses the Environmental Management Act [Chapter 20:27], as read with Statutory Instrument 72 of 2009 on Atmospheric Air Pollution in addressing carbon emissions. These Instruments provide a framework for vehicular emission standards as stipulated in the fifth schedule of the Statutory Instrument 72 of 2009.
These standards enable my Ministry, through the Environmental Management Agency, to conduct routine roadside emission tests to enforce the minimum emissions limits set in terms of the Statutory Instrument. During these routine test inspections, vehicles are tested to determine whether or not their emissions are within the stipulated limits.
The parameters tested include carbon monoxide, particulate matter (soot), and nitrous oxide.
Vehicles emitting over the prescribed limit are issued with an order to have the vehicle repaired and retested by the agency before being permitted to be used on the country’s roads. A total of 4 906 vehicles have been tested since 2015, with a compliance rate of 79%. One thousand and thirty one (1 031) vehicles were repaired as a result of the operations.
Mr. Speaker Sir, my Ministry, through the Environmental Agency, has proposed amendments to SI72 of 2009 to create a legal framework for the licencing of vehicles on a yearly basis. This is meant to ensure that vehicles meet the minimum emission limits set in the proposed regulations.
In addition, Mr. Speaker Sir, my Ministry also promotes various initiatives that are meant to reduce carbon emissions from vehicles such as the use of fuel additives that reduce the consumption of fuels by 30% and increase vehicle life spun.
Currently, Mr. Speaker Sir, my Ministry, through the
Environmental Management Agency, has set up ambient air monitoring points and is acquiring the mobile and stationary ambient air monitoring equipment through the United Nations Development Programme UNEP for the purpose of monitoring the general ambient air quality and to complement the point source vehicle monitoring.
Questions with Notice were interrupted by THE HON.
SPEAKER in terms of Standing Order Number 64.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON.
MNANGANGWA): Mr. Speaker Sir, I move that Orders of the Day, Numbers 1 to 27 be stood over until Order of the Day, Number 28 has been disposed of. Thank you.
Motion put and agreed to.
COMMITTEE STAGE
ADVERSE REPORT OF THE PARLIAMENTARY LEGAL
COMMITTEE ON THE CRIMINAL PROCEDURE AND EVIDENCE
AMENDMENT BILL [H.B. 3A, 2015]
Twenty Eighth Order read: Committee: Consideration of the Adverse Report of the Parliamentary Legal Committee on the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Amendment Bill, [H. B. 3A, 2015].
House in Committee.
HON. ZIYAMBI: Thank you Hon. Chair. I rise to present the
Report of the Parliamentary Legal Committee as regards the Criminal Procedure and Amendment Bill. I have an Adverse Report that was issued by the Committee. In pursuit of its constitutional mandate as provided in Section 152, (2) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the Parliamentary Legal Committee met on the 20th October 2015, at 1000 hours to consider the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Amendment Bill (H.B. 2B, 2015). After deliberations, the Committee resolved that an
Adverse Report be issued in respect of Clause 6 of the Bill, amending Section 16 of Chapter 9.07 and Clause 30 of the Bill, amending Section 121 of the Bill. In compliance with Standing Order 32 (3), members of the Committee legally qualified as envisaged by Section 152, (2) of the Constitution, agreed 4 – 0 that the Bill contained provisions that if enacted, would violate the Constitution.
The Adverse Report was issued due to the following considerations: in particular, Clause 6 of the Bill which amends Section 16 is counterproductive in that Section 16 (3), paragraph (a) rebuffs the position as set out in Section 16 (2), which sets conditions that are to be met in order for the Prosecutor-General to grand a certificate for private prosecution. Section 16 sub section 3 then gives the Prosecutor General discretional powers to refuse to grant the certificate. The reasons pronounced in Section 16 sub section 3 paragraph (a) to (b) being the same reasons and considerations that the Prosecutor General would have refused to prosecute and makes his position unsustainable as the true spirit and purpose of allowing private prosecutions is to give private persons the chance to go before the court at their own expense where the Prosecutor General has decided not to.
Further, the criminal penalty in the proviso to paragraphs (a) and (b) of Section 16 sub section 3, discourages people from approaching for fear of criminalization. With regard to Section 16 sub section 3 paragraph (c) interested persons should not be precluded from seeking justice based on the fact that there is a civil approach available. Section
56 (1) of the Constitution stipulates “All persons are equal before the law and have the right to equal protection and benefit of the law” Therefore, it appears that the proposed Section 16 (3) violates Section 56
(1) of the Constitution.
Coming to Section 121 Hon. Chairman, it has not changed as it still provides that a Magistrate or a Judge decision to admit an accused person to bail shall be suspended if immediately after the decision, the Magistrate or Judge is notified by the Prosecutor General or Public Prosecutor that he wishes to appeal against that decision. The mere difference is that an accused person shall now remain in custody, despite being found to be a proper candidate for bail for a further 72 hours as opposed to the previous 7 days.
In other words, the previous section allowed the prosecution to appeal and an accused would remain in custody for 7 days. What has now changed is that the period has been reduced, but the argument is that it has been repealed by the Constitutional Court and it was not part of our statute books and now it is being brought by the back doors, it is now smuggled in when in effect it was not part of our laws by virtue of it being having been struck down by the Constitutional Court.
The controversy surrounding this provision is the suspension of the Court Order to admit an accused person to bail upon prosecution notifying the Court of its intention to appeal against such an order. It is clear that the provision creates inequality of arms and tilts the scales of justice unfairly to the prosecution side at the expense of the accused. The principle of equality of arms is recognised in International Human Rights Law and is integral to the right to a fair trial entitling both parties to same procedural and substantive rights and powers …
HON. TARUSENGA: On a point of order, there is no quorum in the House – [AN HON. MEMBER: Ah, hati kwane 72.] –
– [Bells Rung]– [Quorum formed.]
HON. ZIYAMBI: Thank you Hon. Chair. I was presenting the report of the Parliamentary Legal Committee. Let me summarise to say that when the Committee looked at the report, it noticed several violations of the Constitution, in particular the right to liberty. We also took into consideration jurisprudence from other jurisdictions like South Africa and Namibia. We compared and we felt that even if the State were to appeal and the appeal is upheld, they can still issue a warrant of arrest and the person can be arrested and put in jail. So, we felt that with those violations that are there, we issued an adverse report as regards the provisions of those two sections that we have highlighted in the report. I thank you.
HON. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Thank you Hon. Chair.
This is to basically agree with the Committee’s report but perhaps to speak a little bit more on it. You will remember Chair that when we debated this particular amendment, we raised these issues, suffice to say at the time that we were debating these issues we had not necessarily heard the constitutional judgement that was given. Let me raise two or so issues before we get there because I tend to think that sometimes when we are discussing issues of law making in the House, we think we are being defensive. As legislators we think our role and responsibility is to defend or to be with the Executive.
It is interesting though that the events that we have noticed in the last few weeks speak to something else. It speaks to the fact that we may be some of those people who are sitting down and putting these rules and may be victims of the same rules that we are putting in. Let me give you an example, Hon. Chair. I am not sure that the Prosecutor General at any time thought that he himself would be a beneficiary to the striking off of Section 121, but he was. I am sure at the time of us debating this issue, he himself was on the other side, in defence of
Section 121 but before he knew it, he himself was a beneficiary for that striking off of the section. I just want to implore particularly members of the Legislature and some of the members of the Executive that I love dearly which I will not say and mention by name, that they may actually be subject and may be victims of these very laws that we are putting in here. We need to be careful about the things that we are trying to push
for.
Let me go to the point. Hon. Chair, we have three Arms of the
State so that we have separation of power. We have the Legislature, the Judiciary and the Executive. The Legislature’s responsibility is to make laws, the role of the Judiciary is to do arbitration and the Executive is to implement. What we are finding in all these things that we are discussing is that we are beginning to find a situation in which seemingly the Executive is now at loggerheads with the Judiciary, because we have a situation in which the Judiciary makes a judgement. We still come back to this House and we want to implement exactly what the Judiciary has struck off or has said is unconstitutional.
Let me go back to the issue that was being raised by the Committee, which is the issue of the striking off of Section 121. If we clearly believe that a person should be taken back and be re-arrested, there is a process of doing so. Let us maintain a situation in which the Judiciary maintains its role in doing the arbitration and making a judgement over a law. Let ourselves do what we have to do but let us not conflate these particular things and I think this is where we are saying it is problematic. When we take things to a Constitutional Court, it means both ourselves as the Legislature and the Executive have gotten to a point where we are in disagreement in terms of how that particular provision has to be interpreted. If we have a Constitutional Court giving us an interpretation, I think it is only fair to understand that it is the Constitutional Court that has made that arbitration. To continuously fight with a Constitutional Court over a decision that they have made, I think for some of us is problematic. I still do not understand why we are going where we are going.
The second issue Hon. Chair, which I think the Committee spoke to very clearly is the issue around private prosecution. You will remember that when we debated this, again we raised this particular issue. The first one was the issue of the unfettered powers that we were giving to the Prosecutor; not in terms of his denying prosecution but in terms of saying when he has denied prosecution, we should create a situation where anybody can therefore move for private prosecution. I am surprised that we seem to still have that confusion. I would want just to add a section in the Constitution which I think the Committee did not speak to. If you go back to our Constitution on Section 69 (2), “In the determination of civil rights and obligations, every person has a right to a fair, speedy public hearing within a reasonable time before an independent and impartial court, tribunal or any other forum established by law”. If we are saying everybody has a right, I think let that right be a right that is given to everybody.
I then tried to see whether if you go to the limitations, because we know that there are limitations of those rights and freedom to try and say is this a right that can be limited. It is very open, if you go to Section 86
(3), that “No law may limit the following rights enshrined in this
Chapter, and no person may violate them”. One of those rights that cannot be limited are the rights to a fair trial. I am not sure what it is that we are trying to do, but what I know is that, it does not matter what we do today.
We can take the attitude that we always take where we say we are not interested in compromising or hearing how the adverse report has come through. However, if this is taken to the Constitutional Court again – I want this recorded and those who have diaries should put it down. If it goes to the Constitutional Court, it will come back with the same verdict, this is ultra vires the Constitution.
I am not sure what this is all about. I think when we drafted this Constitution, we were very clear on what we were trying to say. We wanted to make sure that we are left in no doubt that there is a right to a free trial and everybody is equal before the law. There is no debate around that. I still do not understand why we want to violate that principle.
Like I said, I am not sure what this means. Perhaps when the Minister makes a response, he may indicate to us, why we seem to be interested in continuing to have this particular fight between the Executive and the Judiciary. I think as the Legislature, this is the time we need to take our stand, who are we standing with? Are we now standing with the Executive to say we do not want to adopt what the Judiciary is saying? Are we going to stand on our own and say, in terms of our evaluation of the Constitution; whatever is being put before us now and today violates the fundamental principles and rights which our Constitution clearly sets out that those rights cannot be limited. I thank you Mr. Chair.
HON. CROSS: Thank you Mr. Chair. In March 2013, this nation adopted a Constitution, which is now recognised throughout the world as a remarkable document in terms of reflecting our national character and our commitment as a nation to the principles of upholding basic human rights. I find it strange today. I think this is an excellent report. It is a report by the top Legal Committee of this House. I think it is founded on strong principles and it would find the full support of the
Constitutional Bench. I find it difficult to understand why the Executive would want to challenge it. Surely, the right to private prosecution is a fundamental right and we know what the views of the Constitutional
Court are because they have recently given a judgment to that respect.
Surely, the right of a judge, magistrate or law officer to grant an accused the right to bail is within the ambit of the rights of the Judiciary. I cannot see why the State would seek to challenge either. What I hope
Mr. Chairman, is that this House, on a united basis, would support our Legal Committee and request the Minister to modify his draft so as to reflect their findings. Thank you.
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE,
LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON.
MNANGAGWA): Thank you Mr. Chairman. I know that some
colleagues are students of history and jurisprudence. In the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, after reading the submissions by the Parliamentary Legal Committee (PLC), we have conceded to the observations in that report and we communicated that to the PLC and there is no dispute. I am surprised that some Hon. Members are saying there is a conflict between the Judiciary and the Executive. There is no conflict. The Prosecutor General conceded and allowed the issuance of private prosecution, which is going on now.
So, accordingly, Section 21 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act should be amended by the deletion of subsection 3 and substitution of the new subsection 3 along the lines of the notice of amendment attached hereto. Furthermore, in respect to the proposed new Clause 6 of the Bill, we should delete the proviso to Section 16(3) and B and also delete Paragraph C of Section 16(3) in Paragraph D and E to become the new Paragraph C and D.
With regards to that amendment, in relation to Section 121, appeals against decisions regarding bail of the principle Act is amended by the repeal of subsection 3 and the substitution of 3. Where a magistrate or judge has admitted a person to bail and an appeal is noted by the Prosecutor General or his/her representative under subsection 1; the decision to admit to bail remains in force unless, on the application of the Prosecutor General, or his/her representative, the court is satisfied that there is a reasonable possibility that the hindrance of justice will be defeated by the release of the accused on bail before the decision on appeal in which the court, not the Prosecutor General, may suspend the decision to admit to bail and order contiguitation of the person.
Therefore, we are saying, we accept the recommendation of the PLC – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – Mr. Chairman, I had to distinguish between students of history and those of jurisprudence – [Laughter] – Mr. Chairman, I therefore move that the Chairman of the Whole House reports progress and seek leave to sit tomorrow.
Hon. Chamisa having stood up to make a contribution.
THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON (HON. MARUMAHOKO):
Do you have any objection?
HON. CHAMISA: No objection, but just to note a point. In terms of the rules, I am not out of order Hon. Chair. I just want to say, this is a very positive development when you find that the Executive is willing to listen to the wisdom and logic of the Parliamentary Legal Committee.
We must commend good things – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – This is what gives Parliament its positive role in a democratic society. We are now legislating good laws for good citizens. It is a very, very positive thing. We hope that this spirit continues. We do not expect a short race on this. Let us have a marathon. Thank you very much Hon. Vice President. May you continue to open your gates to the wisdom from your legislators. Thank you very much.
House resumed.
Progress reported.
Committee to resume: Thursday, 18th February, 2016.
On the motion of HON. VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER
OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON.
MNANGAGWA), the House adjourned at Twenty Eight Minutes past
Five o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Wednesday, 17th February, 2021
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. SPEAKER in the Chair)
THE HON. SPEAKER: The Hon. Minister of Information,
Publicity and Broadcasting Services where is your staff, the journalists.
THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND
BROADCASTING SERVICES (HON. SEN. MUTSVANGWA):
The Clerks at the Table might know better.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Minister, today is Members day just like it is tomorrow Thursday. The message from this House and the Senate must go to the people through the media. We are not quite happy with the sluggish manner in which ZBC in particular covers this House and the Senate. The message must go out there; policy issues from Hon. Ministers must go out there and can only do so through the media, both public and private. This is the importance of the fourth estate in any country.
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE HON. SPEAKER
APOLOGIES FROM HON. MINISTERS
THE HON. SPEAKER: I have got some apologies from the following Hon. Ministers; Hon. Rtd. General Dr. Constantino D. N.
Chiwenga, Hon. Kembo C. D. Mohadi, Hon. Oppah C. Z. Muchinguri- Kashiri, Hon. July Moyo, Hon. Ziyambi, Hon, Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu and Hon. Cain Mathema.
HON. T. MLISWA: On a point of order.
THE HON: SPEAKER: Is it a point of order really, nobody has spoken.
HON. T. MLISWA: It is you who was speaking, so how do I come in. It is to do with section 107, exactly what you are talking about.
THE HON. SPEAKER: It is a point of clarification.
HON. T. MLISWA: I stand guided by you. Mr. Speaker Sir, it is on the announcement of the Ministers who have been constantly absent but what is important as we conduct our duty, is to send a clear message to the Executive that they have work to do. Already they know there is COVID and there are many issues which are affecting people. Parliament has done what it can in ensuring that social distancing is observed to accommodate the Ministers.
As you can see, today is their day and Members are present. I do not know what other excuse they have other than disrespecting this House and yourself as Chair. On numerous occasions they just do not attend. What Members of the Cabinet and Executive must understand is, even if you are not asked a question, you being in this House, you learn from other line ministries. Wednesday and Thursday are for that, so do not think that you just come here to answer questions but you also come to learn and understand because some of these issues we talk about affect your Ministry too and you being here, you are able to grasp
certain issues which make us a better nation at the end of the day. Line ministries are able to then function properly.
So it is important that lessons be given to the Executive that Wednesday - I see some of you come here, they are not asked questions but also listen to what other Ministers are responding to which affects you. So it is important Mr. Speaker Sir, to conduct a workshop with the Members of the Executive to understand that coming to Parliament is a mandate that they have. Just as they attend Cabinet meetings at the end of the day, it is equally important for them to be here on Wednesday and Thursday and discharge their duties in a manner which is professional. I will certainly not hesitate in following the rules of this House to ensure that those who are not here answer accordingly because it is becoming a circus. They really do not respect this House and it is about time Mr. Speaker Sir, you allow me to take the necessary measures of holding any of them in contempt so that they can learn. Parliament should have a stick coated with salt to discipline absconding Ministers so that they do their work. Thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you very much Hon. Mliswa. Some of those Ministers who are not here are connecting virtually. I think what we need to do Hon. Mliswa, is to actually indicate that they should be here in the House and not to connect virtually, but my calculation is that the Hon. Ministers are present; the Clerk is showing me. But, we need to write to them that they should be here in person accordingly. Thank you very much.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
HON. T. MOYO: My question is directed to the Hon. Minister of Primary and Secondary Education. In his absence, I will direct the question to the Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education. My question is that in view of the decline in the pass rate of Grade 7 district examinations for 2020 which saw a decline from 46.9% in 2019 to 27.1% in 2020, what is Government policy towards the students and schools that performed dismally in the Grade 7 examinations? Should they proceed to Form 1 or should they be given a chance to rewrite the examinations and what happens to the schools that performed 0% during the Grade 7 examinations? Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL
HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, I
would like to sincerely thank the Hon. Member for such a pertinent question.
Yes, indeed, the pass rate that we witnessed this time around is very worrisome in any language. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education is seized with the matter. They are actually investigating to find out exactly what transpired and a decision will be made – it is indeed worrisome Mr. Speaker Sir. I thank you.
(V)HON. T. MOYO: What remedial policies will be taken towards those schools, particularly in Matabeleland region that obtained 0%? What action is going to be taken by the Government on those schools - particularly the teachers who did not perform well, whose students failed dismally? I thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: That aspect Hon. Minister.
HON. KAZEMBE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, as I mentioned
earlier that Government is equally worried and disturbed – investigations are on going to establish the reasons why this happened and that will then inform decisions going forward. I thank you Mr. Speaker.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you – [HON. MEMBERS:
Inaudible interjections.] – I am making a ruling. The question asked by Hon. T. Moyo is of great importance to our education system and it will be fair for the Hon. Minister of Primary and Secondary Education to come up with a Ministerial Statement to explain this low pass rate and also those schools where there has been a zero pass – what are the reasons?
I think that the nation deserves to know and we expect that statement next week on Tuesday at the latest. – [HON. MADZIMURE:
Inaudible interjection.] Yes, I have called upon Hon. Kashiri and Hon.
Madzimure, you may come through soon after him. Hon. Kashiri!
HON. KASHIRI: Hon. Speaker Sir, I am looking for a gadget to use.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Pardon!
HON. KASHIRI: I am looking for a gadget to use Sir.
THE HON. SPEAKER: No, no wait a minute, wait a minute! We spent a lot of money to purchase Ipads for you – these tablets. There is no excuse that you do not bring these tablets. Next time, any Hon. Member who does not have a tablet will not be allowed to pose questions because you were given that asset last year.
HON. KASHIRI: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir. My question is directed to the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement. Minister, we appreciate the Command Agriculture Programme, my question is, we have seen a lot of fertilizer being sold on the streets and in the markets, but it is supposed to be given to farmers.
This is an illicit exercise that has been going on.
What measures have you put in place to make sure that farmers who get fertilizer are the actual farmers and not middlemen who get fertilizer for onward selling? Thank you.
THE MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE, WATER,
CLIMATE AND RURAL RESETTLEMENT (HON. DR.
MASUKA): Mr. Speaker Sir, the Hon. Member asked a very pertinent question and very concerning question that inputs are being misused and abused.
We started this year with the Presidential Input Scheme, ‘Pfumvudza’, and for the first time, we requested every beneficiary to sign a contract form to indicate their acceptance of the inputs and also that the inputs will be committed for the intended purpose. We also widened the supervision to include Provincial Ministers. For the Command Scheme, selection of the beneficiaries is done by the bank, CBZ Bank, Agro-Yield and the contracts are signed by them.
We then activated the National Land Inspectorate comprising of security departments to try and ensure that we minimize the abuse of inputs. We have had 12 cases of input abusers being arrested and brought to book. I urge the Hon. Member that as soon as there is suspicion that there is abuse of input, then it becomes everyone’s responsibility to ensure that reports are made and culprits are brought to book. So I would appreciate receiving from the Hon. Member the names and places of where this is taking place so that we can immediately respond to this. I thank you.
HON. KASHIRI: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir and thank you Hon. Minister for your response. This rampant exercise that is going on is mostly coming from people who have signed affidavits. Meaning that a person approaches a farmer to lease some hectares from the farmer …
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, Order, may you address the
Chair please!
HON. KASHIRI: Then they sign an Affidavit, he does not even have a farm or a field and is not even a farmer. He gets a signed affidavit and goes and applies to CBZ Bank …
THE HON. SPEAKER: What is the question?
HON. KASHIRI: The question is, is it possible or would the ministry be in a position to do an audit to say whoever has received inputs has actually gone to the field and farm?
THE MINISTER OF LANDS AGRICULTURE,
FISHERIES, WATER, CLIMATE AND RURAL
RESETTLEMENT (HON. DR. MASUKA): Thank you Mr. Speaker
Sir. Certainly, we have allowed joint ventures to be entered into for the purpose of increasing and incentivising productivity. So in the case that has been cited where specifically the input abusers went to CBZ, again I would urge the Hon. Member to avail us with details so that we can act as expeditiously as is humanly impossible. Thank you Mr. Speaker.
THE HON. SPEAKER: The question Hon. Minister is
would it not be better to carry out an audit for those people who got inputs under an affidavit when in fact they do not have some land. That is the question.
HON. DR. MASUKA: Mr. Speaker Sir, thank you for the
clarification. If I repeat and say there is an affidavit signed between a would be farmer who wants to farm and they go to CBZ to get input and then they sell those inputs; the suggestion is that we must conduct an audit. We are already undertaking the first crop and livestock assessment which will be complete by the end of the month. It will be able to weed out that. What I am saying is that we need not to wait for that. We need the names now so that we can act. Thank you.
HON. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: On a point of
order. Mr. Speaker, we are putting our hands because we do not want to disturb the process but unfortunately those that are in the House and have microphones are getting all the recognition.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Raise them higher so that they can
attract my attention. – [HON. MEMBERS Inaudible interjections] – I hear you. In terms of our Standing Orders, we can only allow three Supplementary Questions.
HON. T. MLISWA: Hon. Speaker, my supplementary
question is the contract for the Command farmer is between Mliswa and Agro-yield. So, where does Government come in because Government only has land, they do not give the inputs. So can the Minister tell us where Government comes in when my contract is with the bank? If I abuse the inputs it is me who pays the bank not the Government. Government has moved from Command Agriculture where it used to run to now a commercial point where it is the bank which enters into a contract with the farmer, so the abuse of inputs, Government cannot stop it because if I get those inputs and sell them, it is me the person who is contracted with the bank who pays. So I would like to know where Government comes in, in terms of abuse of inputs when I signed the contract with Agro-yield because I will tell Government that I did not sign the contract with you.
HON. DR. MASUKA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I thank
the Hon. Member for the question. Government has everything to do with Command or as it is now called the National Enhanced Productivity Scheme (NEPS). Government provides the guarantee to CBZ that enables CBZ to on lend to farmers. If a farmer fails to pay, Government still must honour the guarantee. So, it is in Government’s interest to ensure that every input taken is utilised for the intended purpose.
In terms of the tripartite agreement, Government has also the responsibility to monitor the utilisation of those inputs. So our Agritex teams and the Command team are out in the field to ensure that the inputs are utilised for the intended purposes. So, why Government gives this guarantee is that we enhance production. So we have the players’ roles and obligations clearly spelt out, so it is in Government’s interest to ensure that any input abuser is brought to book. I thank you.
HON. MARKHAM: Thank you Hon. Speaker. My
supplementary question is I would like to understand from the Minister on the policy on the land. Do they include contract on land preparation and ploughing and does this include fuel, for either Command Agriculture or Pfumvudza?
HON. DR. MASUKA: Mr. Speaker Sir, for Command, yes,
we budgeted for 35 million litres of fuel. So far we have distributed 14 million litres for Pfumvumdza being a conservation approach, the fuel is the person. For preparation of land and ploughing, the farmer has an option to higher those services and they negotiate.
(v)HON. NDUNA: Mr. Speaker Sir, I ask that you pay attention to the chats. The chats will have in them questions from Hon. Members who are on virtual which are police questions. I therefore also ask you to direct those questions to the relevant ministers in the House. That is going to ameliorate and help us who are on line so that we continue to be muted until you call upon us to listen to our questions.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Okay, raise your hands.
HON. NDUNA. My hand has been raised since we started Parliament Mr. Speaker.
*HON. MUDARIKWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. My question to
the Minister of Agriculture is that those farmers who are selling fertilizers are facing many problems in that those who sold cotton last year have not yet been paid and those who delivered wheat have not yet been paid as well. So, the Minister should look at the issue of having farmers paid in good time. Thank you.
THE MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTRUE, FISHERIES,
WATER, CLIMATE AND RURAL RESETTLEMENT: (HON. DR.
MASUKA): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. The Government in the past year endeavoured to pay farmers as expeditiously as they delivered. However, only cotton farmers still have some outstanding amounts but all wheat farmers have been paid and maize farmers all fully paid. So, Government has done extremely well compared to previous season. The last payments for cotton farmers are being prepared now and will be done. However that should not lead to the sale of inputs and as they say, two wrongs do not make a right and I could not say it in a better way.
Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
HON. MADZIMURE: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I want to commend those countries that have come to our rescue as Zimbabwe by providing the COVID-19 Vaccines. My question is that there is a lot of skeptics about the effectiveness of the vaccine. Is the President going to lead by example tomorrow by making sure that they go public and receive the first shot of the dose?
THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you very much. That is an
administrative issue and it will be taken care of by the Hon. Minister of Health and Child Care.
HON. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Thank you Mr. Speaker
Sir. My question is to the Leader of the House. We note that there are the lockdown measures by the President. One needs to know what is going on with the border post particularly the Beitbridge Border Post given that South Africa has opened that border. What is the position of Government around opening of the Beitbridge Border Post?
THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL
HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, I
would like to thank the Hon. Member for the question. Let me start by emphasising one point. As a Government when we make decisions with regards to COVID-19, the decisions are informed by the situation obtaining in the country not necessarily what happens in other countries but I know where the Hon. Member is coming from because obviously the border will affect us if the other side is open. If you look closely at the SI, our borders are not closed as such. Our returning citizens are allowed to come back and that has always been the case. Those who are going out, depending on whether they meet the requirements of the receiving country, they are still allowed to go. Thank you Mr. Speaker.
HON. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: So, what is going to
happen to those citizens of other countries that would want to use Zimbabwe as a transit route? Are those allowed to go through the border or are they denied because that was not clear when the Minister of South Africa was speaking. He seemed to be saying the border is open for those that are coming in on transit.
THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL
HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Those
who are travelling by road have to comply with the regulations in the country and those are supposed to be quarantined accordingly or if they have their certificates which are valid and they is a maximum number of days that they can spend in the country, they come in and within a specific number of days, they are expected to leave the country but they must have a valid PCR Certificate. I thank you.
*HON. MUCHENJE: My question is directed to the Minister of Lands and Agriculture. We had good rains and some of the maize that were put under Pfumvudza is drying up - what measures have they put in place to ensure that the farmers sell their produce well and how good is their silo systems in terms of storage so that we will not starve. I thank you.
*THE MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTRUE,
FISHERIES, WATER, CLIMATE AND RUTRAL
RESETTLEMENT: (HON. DR. MASUKA): Thank you Mr. Speaker
Sir. I would like to thank the Hon. Member for the question that is in relation to the good rains that we have received from God’s mercy and that we are hoping for a bumper harvest in terms of a lot of crops. As Government, we are busy putting up funds to ensure that we buy the maize that we are going to receive in abundance as well as the small grains such as sorghum, millet and rapoko. We are also expecting the Grain Marketing Board and its silos to put 750 000 metric tonnes. We are also going to be opening up collection points where we are going to have 1 700 collection points so that the farmers will travel a minimum distance in order to sell their crops. We are also urging GMB to be in discussion with COTTCO so that where GMB and COTTCO are operating, where either of the two does now have a depot, the farmers could also utilise those facilities for ease of doing business. We believe that this will work out well and we are also trying as much as possible to ensure that we buy 11 driers. At the moment, we have nine because of the rains that we are having, others would want to go into winter wheat farming and because of the bumper harvest, they may not have cleared from the fields.
(v)HON. GONESE: On a point of order Mr. Speaker.
THE HON. SPEAKER: What is the point of order Hon. Gonese?
(v)HON. GONESE: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir. My point of order relates to Hon. Members who are not muting their gadgets. We are having difficulties in following proceedings especially those who are not inside the House. There is so much feed. Mr.
Speaker Sir, can you advise the ICT staff to mute Hon. Members’ gadgets. There is so much interference and feedback from Hon. Members who are not muting. If that could be attended to Mr. Speaker Sir so that we can follow proceedings.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you very much. I will ask ICT to deal with the matter through the Clerk of Parliament, but I am sure the Hon. Members must have heard Hon. Gonese. Please remain muted accordingly.
(v)*HON. CHINOTIMBA: May the Hon. Minister respond to the
Hon. Member’s question. Last season, the maize producer price had been announced by this time. When are they going to announce the producer price for this season?
*THE HON. SPEAKER: Chii kuannouncer? Please speak
correct vernacular.
*HON. DR. MASUKA: Mr. Speaker Sir. I thank the Hon.
Member for the question. In March is when we are expecting to do two things. The announcement of the pre-planting price of wheat and the announcement of the producer price for maize crop. We are expecting GMB to start receiving these crops from the 1st April. We know that the farmers are waiting and the announcements are going to be made. I thank you.
(v)HON. MADZIMURE: The Government’s policy through GMB Mr. Speaker Sir, when we have a bumper harvest like this one, normally they establish collection points instead of using COTTCO depots because there is no expertise. Is the Minister considering a situation where collection depots by the GMB are opened to facilitate the smooth delivery and collection of crops before they are damaged?
HON. DR. MASUKA: Mr. Speaker Sir, I did say so in vernacular. GMB envisaged opening up collection points as many as 1 800 collection points throughout the country in anticipation of the bumper harvest. We have also started negotiations between GMB and COTTCO so that the four regions of cotton growing areas in the country could have the dual purpose of receiving cotton and other harvests including maize and traditional grains. We are prepared for the bumper harvest. Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
HON. T. MLISWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Minister, can you tell us the estimated tonnage of maize since we are expecting a bumper harvest? What are you doing to ensure that the roads are fixed in these rural areas? With the heavy dump we had, the roads damaged, logistically most trucks will not go anywhere. Minister, why can the producer price not be announced before we plant?
HON. DR. MASUKA: Mr. Speaker Sir, let me start with the last aspect of question regarding pricing. We have already announced the pre-planting price for maize and it is out there. The aspect of the estimated volume, I indicated earlier Mr. Speaker Sir that we have the first round of crops and livestock assessment underway and we expect the results by the end of the month. This is the footing and pacing method. We are also getting assistance for the first time to do a satellite aided area assessment. However, using the proxy of 2017 which was a very good year, we estimate that we will get somewhere in the region of
2.3 million to 2.5 million metric tonnes and perhaps more, because of the Pfumvudza approach.
Regarding roads Mr. Speaker Sir, the nation will have been informed that a state of disaster has been declared for the roads, which means that there would be a very rapid mobilisation of resources. We heard that $400 million equivalent of US dollars will be mobilised to ensure that we attend to the roads and we think that this will go a long way in ensuring that the roads are navigable so that we can collect all the grain that needs to be collected. Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
(v)HON. TOFFA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My question is directed to the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. What is Government policy with regards to COVID-19 social grant in particular to the elderly?
HON. KAZEMBE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I am humbly
asking you to clarify the question if you got it. I could not get it clearly.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Social grant to ameliorate the impact of
COVID-19 amongst the vulnerable.
THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL
HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
Government is in the process of working out how best those affected can be assisted. I know the Ministry is busy together with the Ministry of Finance to come up with a package that can assist those who are affected.
(v)HON. TOFFA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My supplementary question is - the elderly were given NetOne swiping cards but they have not used them because they have been waiting for their soft grants.
When will the money be available?
HON. KAZEMBE: Mr Speaker Sir, this sounds more specific t but however, I will seek clarification from the line Ministry to try and give an explanation as to how far this exercise has gone. I thank you.
(v)*HON. MAVENYENGWA: My question is directed to the Minister of Lands and Agriculture. What is Government doing to ensure that farmers are able to fill in forms pertaining to yield from their fields since some of them cannot write?
THE MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTRUE, FISHERIES,
WATER CLIMATE AND RUTRAL RESETTLEMENT: (HON.
- MASUKA): Mr Speaker Sir, my understanding of the question is that there are some farmers who are finding it difficult to fill in forms to enable us to know their yield. We now know that there are quite a number of such farmers but Zimbabwe has many educated people who live amongst them who can assist. However, Agritex officials, starting this week will all have Ipads to enable them to assist farmers fill in their forms. I hope some of the farmers are not intentionally failing to give us the needed information because we said every person allocated A1 and A2 farms is mandated to give us a production return every year starting this year if they want to continue using that land. I thank you.
(v)*HON. MAVENYENGWA: I seek clarification on whether
these Agritex officers will be able to travel to the farms to assist farmers because they are currently asking us to send information via email.
Some of the farmers do not have those emails and others cannot write.
My thinking is that extension officers should visit farmers and teach the farmers how to fill in the information because most of them cannot do it.
*HON. DR. MASUKA: I think the Hon. Member did not clearly hear my explanation. I did say Agritex officials are coming to assist those farmers who cannot fulfil our information requests. Hon. Members can also get assistance from our offices. So, we can help you in your areas to give us all the information that we want. I thank you.
(v) *HON. SEREMWE: My supplementary question is on what the Minister is saying about Agritex officers coming to visit farmers. In each constituency we have about 26 000 people. About 20 000 are farming. Will they be able to assist each and every farmer? The other issue is, farmers are being given these forms to photocopy.
THE HON SPEAKER: The question is that demand for Agritex services overshoots the available manpower from Agritex. How do you contend with that situation?
HON. DR. MASUKA: Mr. Speaker, this has just been brought to my attention and it is something that we will assess. However, what we are doing is commensurate with the resources that had been availed.
Thank you.
HON. T. MLISWA: Mr Speaker Sir, the production history that the Minister seeks, firstly the land audit has not been done and there have been fights on land which affect productivity. Second, Zimbabwe has been faced with sanctions, how does he expect people to produce when the Government knows that we are under sanctions? Do sanctions not affect the farmer too? How will the farmers produce when they have equally been hit by sanctions? The land audits are not out and there are many disputes on these farms. We seem to be going ahead of what is supposed to happen first. There is no report of the land audit or report of the multiple farm ownership but we are rushing to produce when the environment is not conducive for us to produce. Why can you not suspend this issue of production because the war veterans went to the struggle and it is an issue which is sensitive. We are under sanctions, we cannot produce, the Government must march against sanctions until they are removed, then Zimbabwe will be able to produce. Why are you expecting someone to produce when we have sanctions?
THE HON. SPEAKER: Can we desist from – [HON. BITI:
Inaudible interjections.] – order Hon. Biti. Can we desist from making some wild emotional statements? Hon. T. Mliswa is one of the most successful farmers and the most productive under the same conditions that he is querying now, that appears to be a contradiction on the situation on the land.
THE MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, WATER, CLIMATE AND RURAL RESETTLEMENT (HON. DR.
- MASUKA): Mr. Speaker Sir, the member has clearly misunderstood the intention of the production returns. The production returns Mr. Speaker Sir are part of our vision 2030. The national development strategy and the agriculture and food systems transformation strategy to achieve vision 2030 with agriculture at the epicenter of that. To transform agriculture, we need to understand what is happening on farms so therefore the returns have sections that solicit....
THE HON. SPEAKER: Unmute your gadget Hon. Member.
HON. DR. A. MASUKA: The member misunderstood the
purpose of getting the production returns. The returns are part of the agriculture and food systems transformation strategy feeding into the national development strategy and through it to vision 2030 to transform the nation for vision 2030, the 70% of our population, 11 million people predominantly in rural areas, A1, and resettlement. We need to understand the circumstances that they are in through these productions returns. So there is a section where we write what we are producing. There is a section in this form where we ask about constraints production. We envisage that the 18 thousand A2 farmers would be transformed to become business women and businessmen through structured interventions as a result of the feedback that we get from them. We envisage that the 360 000 A1 farmers will be transformed into SMEs through the structured feedback that we get from them so that together they can become business people and be mainstreamed into agriculture as a journey towards 2030. I thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon Minister the aspect of land audit, is it ongoing - is the report going to be submitted soon?
THE MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, WATER, CLIMATE AND RURAL RESETTLEMENT (HON. DR.
- MASUKA): Mr. Speaker Sir, the land audit is being undertaken by the Zimbabwe Lands Commission. Resources permitting, they will be able to complete that audit in various phases. We have done the first phase where we have done 57 000 units and we expect that they will go into the second phase where they will look at 78 000 units and in due course they will be able to complete that. As the results come in, because they are based on sampled districts and provinces, we will be able to utilise that information to improve our farming. I thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Nduna, I received your question on line which talks about Government policy regarding Clerks who do not perform well but instead perform dismally and not according to the performance contract.
HON. NDUNA: It is the Town Clerk Mr. Speaker Sir.
THE HON. SPEAKER: It is the Town Clerks?
HON. NDUNA: Yes Mr. Speaker Sir.
THE HON. SPEAKER: That question is for the Minister of Local Government.
THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL
HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to thank the Hon. Member for the question. Town Clerks work under the supervision of the councils and the councils...
HON. NDUNA: The Hon. Minister is on mute.
THE HON. SPEAKER: You are muted Hon. Minister thank you
for that Hon. Nduna.
HON. KAZEMBE: Thank you Mr. Speaker I was saying I want
to thank the Hon. Member for the question but Town Clerks, their performance is supervised by local councils. Those obviously determine their contract and their expectations in as far as their performance is concerned. I thank you Mr. Speaker.
HON. NDUNA: Can I please ask a supplementary Hon. Speaker?
THE HON. SPEAKER: The supplementary will not make sense
because I think the Hon. Minister is very clear, the councils must ensure that the contracts are performed by the Town Clerks.
HON. BITI: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My question is directed to the esteemed Minister of Sport, Hon. Coventry. Hon. Minister I am concerned by the failure of the Government to open up sport, sport is business, sport is employment, it is recreational and you more than anyone else in this august House knows that because you are our finest ever athlete.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Biti, please ask your question.
HON. BITI: Yes I am asking Hon. Minister that in light of the
COVID-19 protocols provided by the Government and WHO, why you are not opening sport when the rest of Africa and the world have opened up sport?
THE MINISTER OF YOUTH, SPORT, ARTS AND RECREATION (HON. COVENTRY): Thank you Hon. Speaker, I
would like to thank the Hon. Member for the question. As we all know and we heard from out leadership two days ago that the lockdown has been extended, so for sport we will follow all national laws. As of now we are still in level 4 which does not allow us to have gatherings. The majority of our sports will all bring people together and we will have people coming together with gatherings which the national law at this point does not allow.
As we saw last year, as soon as the levels came down sport was then allowed to reopen and as of January when we saw a spike and the rest of the country went into national lockdown and sport stopped. So as and when it is appropriate and as and when our leadership now feels that it is now safe for us to come down levels, sport will resume. There is nothing stopping any citizen to go for a walk to be healthy to be walking between the curfew hours and to be staying healthy in their own residence. I thank you Hon. Speaker.
HON. BITI: Hon Speaker Sir, sport is a job, it is employment and the regulations allow enterprises to function. In every other country they are having bubbles, the athletes go into a bubble then they have their sports without audiences. We are watching in empty stadiums why can we not do that in Zimbabwe for the benefit of these sportsmen who are workers protected by the labour laws of the country and are therefore treated as essential services in terms of the very same regulations that the Hon. Minister is relying on?
HON. COVENTRY: Thank you Hon. Speaker, as I said earlier,
sports does not fall under essential services as of right now in this national law, level 4, where we are. As soon as we start coming forward - and last year we had already spoken to the football federation to resume through a bubble, that process has been put forward to the SRC and to the Ministry, it was actually approved and then it was supposed to start beginning of this year when we saw a spike and we went back into national lockdown. So, as soon as it is safe for our athletes to continue training, there will be a progression of sport coming back under the
terms that the Hon. Member just mentioned with no spectators, with regular testing, with athletes in bubbles.
Hon. Speaker we just sent our paraolympians to Dubai. They were in a bubble, they were training and they were safe. So there are some exceptions that are being made for specific teams. We saw FC Platinum had competed, they were in a bubble. It also comes down to finance. The sports have to be able to show the SRC, the Ministry and the Ministry of Health and Child Care that they can protect their players by testing regularly and if those protocols are not followed by the national associations, they will not be given the opportunity to reopen. Thank you Hon. Speaker.
HON. NDUNA: Mr. Speaker Sir, does Government also have a plan to take over the infrastructure or these sporting facilities from councils because they are in a deplorable, dilapidated and disused state. They might never be usable ever again if they have not been taken over by Government in the manner that the State took over the clinics and health care institutions.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Your question should have been
underlined by a precondition that if the sport goes under a bubble. I am sure Hon. Minister you can respond accordingly. That is my understanding.
HON. COVENTRY: At the moment what the Sport and Recreation Commission are doing is taking inventory of all the sporting infrastructure that we have around the country, but not just that the state in which it is as of right now and the potential cost that it would take to get back up to the level that is expected internationally, not just up to the standard that it was but up to the standard that is now needed for international games and tournaments to be played. Once that is done I will be able to bring a report back to the House to give them an update on that and a way forward. Thank you Hon. Speaker.
HON. T. MLISWA: My supplementary Mr. Speaker Sir is still guided by the WHO regulations. The Minister just alluded to the fact that a team went to Dubai and one went to China. So when they are training where do they train and what are the protocols to be observed when they are training because if you see what is happening world over the crowd is not allowed. Tennis for example is two people playing, an umpire – four. So even in terms of WHO regulations it is 30 people who the number must not exceed. I do not really understand, players are tested equally but we are sending them outside to contest. So how do we expect them to do well when they are not training adequately and effectively because winning medals is about training hard so it is either we ban sports until things are better because it is kind of contradictory at the end of the day. We are sending teams out to compete so how are they training, what are the regulations when they are training? So an understanding needs to be done but the crowd must not be there.
In soccer the most you get are 26 people on the field and the players are equally tested before they go on the field. Just like we are in Parliament today we were tested to be in Parliament so what stops that and we are probably more than all the players in soccer. So there needs to be clarity in terms of that adhering to the WHO regulations.
THE HON. SPEAKER: My understanding was that the previous response by the Hon. Minister was that she is engaging with the authorities to make sure that the sports does take place under bubble. So allow the Hon. Minister to investigate the matter and come up with modalities accordingly – [HON. BITI: Inaudible interjections.] - Hon. Biti there is no voice competition between yourself and myself. Thank you.
(v) HON. MBONDIAH: The question is directed to the Minister of Health and Child Care. Are there any measures being taken to ensure that the vaccine has no side effects and if so what compensatory plans are there? Also is the vaccine effective against the newly discovered covid-19 variant.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE
(HON. DR. MANGWIRO): Any medicine or drug for that matter if it is given to a human being, might have side effects, but from the studies that have been done so far by the people who produce the vaccine, there seems to be very minimal reaction. Like I said at the beginning, people might react. We are ready to manage the side effects which can be just anaphylaxis reactions or localised reactions we can manage that one and it is very possible that it will not be very severe, it is something that we can take control of.
He also asked about the newly discovered South African variant. I want to repeat that viruses mutate or they change their state for their own survival every time but there is no way a vaccine can be manufactured against each variant everyday because if you see the South African variant is only about two or three months old but in a few weeks more it will be changed. So what we normally do is these vaccines are manufactured for the generality of the virus but there is no way we can catch up to say everyday it mutates we make another one so the vaccine should be able to cover generally. However, next time this variant- if people are supposed to make vaccine against it, it will take us another eight months to a year because vaccines are not made overnight. So right now this South African variant is something that is there, we are aware of it and we are sure that people will be covered. I thank you HON. DR. KHUPE: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir. Hon. Minister, there are media reports going around that people with chronic diseases such as HIV and cancer will not be vaccinated. Is it true or false?
HON. DR. MANGWIRO: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir and thank
you Hon. Member. I will say that people who suffer from diabetes, cancer and HIV are people with immunosuppression and by that I mean that their body defence mechanism is weak …
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Minister, I think you are muted.
HON. DR. MANGWIRO: I am going to start again and say that people with cancer, HIV, diabetes mellitus and hypertension have weakened immunities. We have no policy to say that they are not going to be vaccinated – actually, these people need the vaccine much more because they need to be protected. These are the people we are saying, those with underlying conditions and the elderly – we are targeting people who we know have weak immunities. The elderly have weakness in their immunity due to age – their marrow, reaction and production of antibodies is much slower now.
So those people with those underlying conditions must get the vaccine so that they can fight the disease/virus better when they get it because their antibodies will have been enhanced from the vaccine. We cannot discriminate and it is not correct to say that they are not going to be vaccinated. It is clear that it is not correct – those must be just the ordinary rumours that always go round the mill. In short, we are vaccinating them because they need the vaccine much more than those people whose immunities are okay.
(V) HON. NDUNA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Is it possible Mr. Speaker Sir, to have pamphlets and some documentation that state the characteristics of the vaccine and the vaccines that we hope our people to be administered with? So that we, as legislators, can give to our people who have no access to television and radio communication including distributing these pamphlets in remote areas so that people can read for themselves on the characteristics of these vaccines to warde off speculation.
HON. DR. MANGWIRO: Yes, thank you Mr. Speaker Sir and
thank you Hon. Member for the suggestion in terms of awareness. We are lucky, in this era to have many advertising types. Yes, pamphlets are part of advertising but events have now been taken over by electronics, that is Google, WhatsApp and Twitter and the Ministry of Health and Child Care also has a website where these things are well advertise - printed papers will also be part of it, including Members of Parliament.
You are part of the awareness campaign group – we expect you to be part of it for purposes of information dissemination because you have far reaching numbers of people who can hear and listen to you. So, awareness campaigns will continue to say that the Sinopharm, Sinovac or whatever vaccine has to be administered in a certain method – that is what we are doing. There are certain reactions, if they happen to happen; we are ready to manage all those. I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
HON. TOGAREPI: Due to incessant rains, roads have been damaged and becoming impassable. What has Government put in place to repair the roads that have become a danger to the travelling public?
THE HON. SPEAKER: I thought that this was answered adequately by the Hon. Dr. Masuka.
Let me also appeal to Online Hon. Members, you cannot ask two or three questions – you will stick to one primary question.
(v) HON. L. MAYIHLOME: The question is to the Leader of
Government Business. When is Government going to establish a Port Authority to improve coordination at border stations and reduce conflicting instructions issued especially by ZIMRA and Immigration Departments as well as coordination with countries that we share borders with?
THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL
HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I want to thank the Hon. Member for the question – very pertinent and indeed, there is need for a Port Authority that has been long overdue. I am glad to say that this has already been put in place and is chaired by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development. So it is already in place now. I thank you.
(V) *HON. SHAVA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Health and Child Care. What plans does Government have to ensure that there is separation of mortuaries for those who die of COVID-19 and those who die of natural causes?
*THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD
CARE (HON. DR. MANGWIRO): Thank you Hon. Speaker, first and foremost, I thank the Hon. Member and if I understood the question well, I would want to believe that those who succumb to COVID-19 and those who succumb to cancer and various diseases should be housed in different mortuaries.
The infrastructure that we currently have cannot sustain such a scenario - it will be difficult. The Hon. Member wants separation of deceased persons that they should be kept in different mortuaries according to diseases that caused their deaths. My belief is that those who die of COVID, in terms of contamination, we treat everyone as someone who has been positive to COVID-19. So we encourage the frontline workers at these hospitals to receive treatment, ensuring that they are inoculated and they will receive first this vaccine that we are going to use. Even when they are in these mortuaries, they should also understand that anyone who would have died from even road traffic accident could be infected with COVID so they should always protect themselves so that they cannot be contaminated.
Furthermore, the reason why we discourage gatherings is that there will be transmission of the virus amongst the relatives when they mix. I am not talking about the danger emanating from the deceased who would have succumbed to COVID -19 but the mourning relatives. Mortuary attendants should always protect themselves because they handle various bodies; those who would have tested positive to Covid and those who would be negative. Even if a person had not succumbed to COVID, we urge the mortuary attendants to use hygienic manners or to treat corpses in the same manner because they can contract the disease. The reason we do not like large gathering is because when a lot of people gather at a relative’s funeral, they may spread the disease amongst themselves. However, it is difficult for us to have separate mortuaries that cater for different corpses that would have succumbed to different ailments but what we can best do is to protect the frontline workers in the same manner as we used to treat other contagious diseases such as tuberculosis or pneumonia. We want people to treat contagious diseases is a manner that will protect everyone. I thank you.
(v) HON. GONESE: Thank you Hon. Speaker. My supplementary
question to the Minister is, can the Minister clarify whether corpses can infect each other or someone else? Does the virus remain active after someone dies?
*HON. DR. MANGWIRO: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. First
and foremost, the possibility is when people are put in mortuaries, they will be in different shelves but under one roof. It is very rare or unheard of that a corpse can give the other its disease. Usually, those who are alive who may touch this corpse and touch the other corpse might transmit the disease. All people who work in a mortuary are treated as if they all have COVID. Mortuary attendants are very much aware of this possibility and even when people go to bury their loved ones, that is why we are saying treat anyone who has died as if it is COVID. The possibility of corpses spreading the disease to each other is unheard of but the mortuary attendants might spread the disease. This is why I said at our funeral gatherings, that is where we might transmit the virus to each other, not the corpse itself. Even on admission into hospital, we always treat everyone as COVID patients, so that we prevent the spread.
I thank you.
Hon. Muchimwe having wanted to debate on virtual.
HON. T. MLISWA: On a point of order, he is not properly dressed. He does not have a tie.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Muchimwe, you cannot debate, you are not properly dressed. I made an announcement yesterday that you must be in proper attire. Please make sure that you are in proper attire in terms of our Standing Orders.
(v) HON. MUSARURWA: My question to the Minister of
Transport is, I am seeing a huge challenge on the users of public transport like now, during lockdown. Already there is a transport challenge. Are there any plans to assist our people who use public transport to be provided with enough or adequate transport? The ZUPCO buses are not road worthy. A majority of them do not have proper tyres, breaks, no hooters, just to name a few.
THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND
INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MHONA): Thank
you Hon. Speaker. I want to thank Hon. Musarurwa for that very important question. The question is in two parts. She talked about the transportation of people and also the second part, about ZUPCO which then falls under the purview of the Local Government. In terms of the transportation, it becomes a Local Government issue whereby the
Minister has to address issues of ZUPCO, but in general if they are
under transportation outside the ZUPCO element, it is very important that also using other communities outside the jurisdiction of ZUPCO, these issues are of paramount importance. So with your guidance Hon. Speaker Sir, I do not know the other part of the ZUPCO whether you would expect me to address that one.
THE HON. SPEAKER: You may proceed.
HON. MHONA: Hon. Speaker Sir, issues of ZUPCO for now, the arrangement that is there given the lockdown whereby the arrangement is ongoing – I am sure the same could also be extended to the communities where the service is not being provided. I am sure the Hon. has raised a very important position whereby even in local communities especially in the rural communities, people are not having the access of ZUPCO. I am sure Government position now is to extend the same to the communities that are not being covered as of now. Thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Minister. You have all
the approbation Hon. new Minister.
*HON. RAIDZA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My question is
directed to the Minister of Agriculture. We are observing that a lot of cattle are dying from January disease. What measures are being put in place to assist the communal farmers?
THE MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES, WATER, CLIMATE AND RURAL RESETTLEMENT (HON. DR.
MASUKA): I would like to thank the Hon. Member for the question.
The past three years, we lost cattle in excess of 500 000 because of the January disease. Last year in November, Government came up with a programme called Presidential Grease Blitz Programme where we were targeting one million cattle for households owners in Zimbabwe. We targeted that we would give them a kilogramme each of tick grease since dip tanks did not have sufficient water because of the two years that we have experienced droughts and others have not been functioning properly. At present, we managed to give more than 450 000 households in 25 districts that are prone to the January disease. We are looking at Mashonaland East, Mashonaland West and Masvingo Provinces. Cattle die but the rate is much lower by 47% of cattle mortality in the January disease as a result of this Government intervention.
If there are areas where farmers have not accessed tick grease and their cattle are dying, they should quickly get in touch with us so that we quickly go there and intervene. There are certain areas where we are giving for the second time because the disease had become too prominent in that particular area. Furthermore, Government has found funds to reconstruct dip tanks and also to restructure or maintain all the 4 000 dip tanks which are going to be back to normal. I thank you.
HON. TSUNGA: Mr. Speaker Sir, my question is directed to the Minister of National Housing. Lately, we have witnessed a lot of internal displacements of our citizens in Zimbabwe through man-made and also natural phenomenon like demolitions, cyclones and evictions of our citizens. I was just wondering whether there is any policy with regards to safeguarding the rights of internally displaced persons in this country and whether there any maneuvers by Government to ensure that that those internal displaced persons have alternative settlements to which they can be relocated. Otherwise, we see a lot of people out in the open being susceptible to harsh weather conditions and other elements.
Thank you Mr. Speaker.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF NATIONAL HOUSING AND
SOCIAL AMENITIES (HON. SIMBANEGAVI): Thank you Mr.
Speaker Sir. I would like to thank the Hon. Member for the essential question. Definitely, the Government has a policy for those that have been displaced by natural disasters. I must say, recently Cabinet passed a resolution with regards to those that have been affected especially in the human settlements.
As the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities, we also have a new human settlement policy that is going to be launched very soon. This one would also be tackling issues of people who are going to be displaced by natural disasters especially those that have been allocated land in wetlands and other undesignated areas.
It is unfortunate that as a nation we have people who have built on wetlands and other undesirable places. However, we have decided as Government that we will not let these people suffer despite the misdemeanours of people who sell land to people illegally. Government has put in place this human settlement policy to make sure that people who have suffered this misfortune will be relocated to new farms that have been identified by the Government, through the Ministry of Lands and the Ministry of Local Government, working together with the Ministry of National Housing. So far we have identified about six farms and these will be considered for those people who have suffered the recent natural disasters by having their houses flooded. So Government has a policy that is in place to ensure that all those people that are living in wetlands that have had their houses also demolished by recent council activities will be resettled in new places, either temporarily or as we progress we will be accommodating them permanently on some of these places. I thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: The answer is comprehensive. I do not think you can get anything more clearer than that. Thank you.
(v)HON. C. MOYO: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My question is directed to the Minister of Home Affairs. Under the new COVID-19 regulations, letters for employees were a requirement to pass through roadblocks, and the exemption letter. Is it still a requirement to get them from the Ministry of Industry and Commerce?
THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL
HERITGE (HON. KAZEMBE): Yes, those letters are still a requirement because the lockdown was announced and was very clear. The restrictions still remain. Only those who provide essential services are allowed. Therefore, they are supposed to provide proof in the form of letters. For the company to get that letter, they have to be authorised by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce again by way of a letter. So yes, those letters are still a requirement until the level four lockdown is lifted. I thank you Madam Speaker.
(v)HON. MOKONE: My question is directed to the Minister of
Home Affairs. What is Government’s policy on the arrest and detention of children below the age of five years in police custody for violating the COVID-19 regulations?
THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE): Thank you Madam Speaker. I
want to thank the Hon. Member for such a pertinent question. I have a funny feeling that I know where the question is leading to. I will try and respond to it sufficiently. Madam Speaker, the Government policy does not allow children under that age to be in custody for COVID regulation related offences. I have a funny feeling that the Hon. Member is referring to an issue that circulated on social medial. That particular incident is being investigated. Police or Government does not condone such behaviour. Results of the investigations will be made to the citizenry. I thank you.
(v)HON. P. ZHOU: My question is directed to the Minister of
Lands, Water, Fisheries, Climate and Rural Resettlement. It seems like ZINWA has increased water tariffs to above US$9 per milligram (mgl) from an already high USD5 per NGL with zero consultation with stakeholders who had already been invoiced at this rate. What is the rationale of increasing the rates in US dollar terms by 90% when our crops are saturated from the continuous downpours and 2020 inflation rate is a mere 0.62%.
HON. DR. MASUKA: I thank the Hon. Member for the question. I was not aware that ZINWA had hiked the rates. It is something that we will investigate and report the findings to this august House. I thank you.
HON. MAPHOSA: Madam Speaker, I asked a question before those questions and it was skipped. My question was directed to the Minister of Transport. What is the Ministry doing with regards to the state of our roads, especially those that are linking cities because they are in a very bad state. The incessant rains have induced big potholes in the middle of the roads. So I want to know what the Ministry is doing since the roads are now a death trap to the citizens.
HON. T. MLISWA: Madam Speaker, that. question was answered ably by the Minister of Agriculture when I posed the question on the roads when he said there was a $400m facility which has been put together. The Hon Member can be referred to the Hansard.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Thank you very much Hon.
Mliswa. It is true.
HON. MAPHOSA: That was a different question. Hon. Mliswa had asked about the connection of meandering roads in the agricultural sector but I am talking about the main roads.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: True, but like what Hon.
Mliswa said I think it is also prudent for you to be able to relate to it since it is interconnected. If you look at the response it is a national disaster but it is already being adhered to. I am sure that was responded to Madam. Are you answered?
HON. MAPHOSA: It is okay Hon, Speaker but I was listening, it was not responded to.
HON. DR. KHUPE: Madam Speaker, I think this is a very important question because as we speak now roads are damaged and impassable. The Minister did allude to the $400m but what Members would want to know and understand is what government is doing right now to make sure that roads are being repaired. I drove from Bulawayo this morning and there are potholes everywhere, yet no activity anywhere. Nothing is happening. It is a state of emergency so what is government doing to make sure roads are repaired because tyres are bursting, accidents are happening so the question is what government is doing right now as a stop gap measure and not what they intend to do with the $400m.
HON. MHONA: Thank you Hon. Maphosa for such an important question. Truly speaking this is topical and as alluded to by Hon, Dr. Khupe, government is seized with road rehabilitation programme 2 which is running currently and it will run for three years. Prior to that we had Phase 1 where you witnessed government managing roads in town and outside town. This Phase 2 is going to be in four phases. The first phase is something that has to be done now and what we are doing is clearing bushes and patching potholes.
There is an implementation matrix as we speak whereby within 60 days and the Minister standing before you will also be on the ground paving and filling those potholes. Some common materials have been secured which include asphalt and bitumen to manage the current status quo. We need to move with speed. We cannot wait for the rains so I am sure the Hon. Member raised a very important question. I want to thank my fellow Hon. Minister of Lands and Agriculture who then alluded to the issue of the 400 million which is now going to be staggered as it is not going to be disbursed at once. Currently 20% of that amount is going towards the emergency that we are faced with as a nation.
I am glad that I will also be coming to you Hon. Members in terms of prioritisation of the roads whereby the road authorities as you know the Ministry of Transport does have the roads department, DDF, Local Authorities and Rural District Councils. Government has now taken that mandate to man the roads and to address the issues so that we will not leave that mandate to local authorities. The local authorities are now seized with the prioritisation of roads needing urgent attention. This is something that is happening immediately we are on the ground.
(v)HON. SAUKE: My question is directed to the Minister of
Health and Child Care. What is government’s policy regarding patients in hospitals. Are they going to be vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccine and is the vaccine not going to neutralise the drug they will have been receiving.
HON. MASUKA: Thank you Hon. for the question. This vaccination programme is well programmed. It goes from injecting our frontline workers who are doctors, nurses, those working in mortuaries, airlines etcetera. So, if one is admitted and falls in that category they will be vaccinated because we have a well laid out process that is going to happen. The vaccine, if given to someone on other medications – really this is a vaccine which is going to induce anti-bodies production in the person who will have been vaccinated. It is not a drug like gendermicin or diazepam. It is going to produce anti-bodies in the body.
In short, those people who are already on medication for hypertension or diabetes should continue to take their medication without worrying that the vaccine might dilute their medicines because these are not related. The sight of action is quite different and the response of the body is quite different. It is a very good question because people might say if I get my vaccine, should I take my medicines? I want to repeat, people should continue to take their medications or injections if they are on insulin or anything, say heparin or clexane. They must continue to take their medicines because this is part of the treatment. If they stop, this might give negative results like stroke.
(v)HON. H. MGUNI: Due to the heavy rains accompanied by
thunder and lightning that our country is currently facing, a lot of electrical systems and cables have been destroyed around the country and some of them supply clinics and school, especially now during the time of COVID, is there a plan to replace the damaged infrastructure as a matter of urgency? In my constituency there are six transformers that were damaged and those transformers supply power to a number of schools and clinics.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER
DEVELOPMENT (HON. MUDYIWA): I would like to thank the Hon
Member for that question. Yes, of late we have been having a lot of challenges in terms of supplying electricity due to a number of reasons – the heavy rains which resulted in a number of electricity lines being affected. Vandalism is another cause for depleted generation of electricity and again of late, we had the damage at Hwange which happened at the power station.
As a Government, we are working towards improving our
generation of electricity. First of all, we are working on repairing the damaged unit at Hwange. I am sure you are aware that from last year, we were operating with three to four units with the rest having been down because of ageing and numerous other problems, but they are being attended to. Government is trying to repair those units and make sure that we restore generation of electricity.
As for the transformers, Government last year commissioned a number of transformers which we are distributing at the moment. More transformers are expected to be delivered in the country in the next few months. As for the lines, ZETDC is working flat out to repair the affected lines. Basically that is what I can say at the moment but our aim is that we deliver electricity as expected with minimum interruptions. If we have to load-shed it has to be minimum. I think you have observed that after the accident that Hwange our load shedding has been very minimal. That is what we are working on. I thank you.
(v)HON MUDARIKWA: I would appreciate if the Minister would
submit to Parliament a report detailing the total cost of damage on what caused the fire at Hwange Power station.
HON MUDYIWA: We are working towards the production of
that report.
(v)*HON CHINOTIMBA: We have electricity lines that are being vandalised and your people are saying they cannot go and get poles because they do not have manpower to go and replace the damaged poles in rural areas. People are hiring private vehicles to go and carry those poles. People want to know what measures you have put in place to replace the damaged infrastructure. Those in rural areas supply the manpower to set up the poles in order for people to have electricity.
HON. MUDYIWA: I want to thank Hon Chinotimba for his question. ZETDC was working with a few vehicles for quite some time because they had no funds to buy new vehicles. Last year we commissioned new vehicles in the form of lorries to ease the situation but these were not enough and we still have a shortage of vehicles to enable them to attend to breakdowns. However, with the few available vehicles, ZETDC still tries to attend to problems. If you assist them, it is because you want to but ZETDC has to use those few vehicles to do their work.
Secondly, we have a limited manpower to do the work especially pertaining to the issue of poles that they end up employing contract workers particularly during the rainy season where we have a lot of poles falling. However, even with the limited manpower, they still try to do something but if you have such cases, I would appreciate if you can report so that we can know and can assist. Thank you.
Questions Without Notice were interrupted by THE
TEMPORARY SPEAKER in terms of Standing Order No. 64.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE
ALLOCATION OF LAND AT ARDA ESTATE IN KAIREZI
- HON. SARUWAKA asked the Minister of Lands,
Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement to inform the House:
- what Government policy is regarding the allocation of land at the
Agricultural Rural and Development Authority (ARDA) Estate in
Kairezi;
- why some Ministry officials are attempting to dispossess Ms Beauty Nyakurimwa (ID: 75 - 053034 -J-50, DOB: 21/10/58) of Plot
Number 6 on the Estate which was allocated to her under the Land Reform Programme, Reference L/183 dated 17 December 2001, in favour of Mr Luckson Gotosa whose offer letter indicates that he was allocated Plot Number 8 on the same Estate;
- when the Ministry will implement the determination by the
Zimbabwe Land Commission issued on 17 December 2017 in Beauty Nyakurimwa`s favor and to further explain why there were delays in this regard; and
- what guarantee will the Ministry provide to her in respect of her ownership of Plot Number 6 on the Estate considering that she is a widow and to further elaborate how other women experiencing similar challenges should be treated.
It is with a heavy heart that I inform the House and indeed the Minister that today around mid-morning, Ms. Beauty Nyakurimwa, the person who had asked me to pose the question passed on. I would not rule out a stress related case where her plot was going to be taken away. So I wanted the Minister to be aware that the lady passed away today and can he please still assist the family so that they do not lose the plot.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Thank you and may her soul
rest in peace. Let us refer to our notes. I am sure we have been sent today’s proceedings on our emails and that is where we are going to find the Questions With Notice.
THE MINISTER OF LANDS, AGRICULTURE,
FISHERIES, WATER, CLIMATE AND RESETTLEMENT (HON.
- MASUKA): With yourIndulgence Madam Speaker, I have not received the notes and I was trying to check on my gadget.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Okay, Hon. Minister. We
can stand over Questions 1and 2 that are related to you. We are kindly asking if you can then bring the responses next week.
The Hon. Member is asking if you can also take note that this lady who sent Hon. Saruwaka to present this question had some challenges. I feel when we come here in Parliament, I believe that as much as we have some people that we are representing, when we are here, we represent them but for us to then be mentioning their names, I think it is out of order. However, since we are dealing with an issue as you said she is now deceased, I am sure the Hon. Minister has heard and it is in order.
He is going to respond accordingly next week. We really are sorry and may her soul rest in peace.
INSTALLATION OF BASE STATIONS IN THE UMZINGWANE
CONSTITUENCY
- HON. BRIG. GEN. (RTD.) MAYIHLOME asked the
Minister of Information, Technology, Postal and Courier Services to inform the House when Base Stations will be installed in the Umzingwane Constituency.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INFORMATION,
PUBLICITY AND BROADCASTING SERVICES (HON. PHUTI):
Thank you very much Madam Speaker for this opportunity to respond to pertinent question raised by Hon. Brig. Rtd. Gen. Mayihlome on a question that has appeared on the Order Paper. Madam Speaker, I must acknowledge that this question was previously asked in 2018 in this august House and remains as pertinent as it ever was then if not even more. In my previous response, I advised that Umzingwane area was due to benefit from a base station that was then planned under the Build, Operate and Transfer programme (BOT) that was agreed between POTRAZ and the Mobile Network Operators. At that point in time, survey had been done and preliminary works and arrangements were under way. Quite regrettably, the programme stopped due to shortages of foreign currency. I must however point out that the situation has since changed for the better following the introduction of the auction system and the two parties to the BOT has started to remobilise around and for the installed project.
Once those resources become available, my Ministry will ensure that deployment is done equitably and expeditiously; of course subject to the availability of requisite foreign currency resources. For now, my assurance to the Hon. Member is that the network coverage requirements for the people of Umzingwane constituency are within the foresight of our radar and will deliver once the resources become available. I appreciate also that this question gives the required action on this very important matter. I thank you.
PURCHASE OF LOW QUANTITY DATA BUNDLES
- HON. BRIG. GEN. (RTD.) MAYIHLOME asked Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Courier Services to explain to the House why it costs more to purchase low quantity data bundles in comparison to larger quantities considering that it ends up being punitive and discriminatory against the poor.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INFORMATION,
PUBLICITY AND BROADCASTING SERVICES (HON. PHUTI):
Thank you Madam Speaker and I thank the Hon. Member once again who asked the question. To start with, pricing of data services is determined using a cost based pricing principle where only costs incurred to provide data services are taken into account to arrive at the final charge for the services. Using this principle, the telecommunication sector has maximum tariff threshold where operators cannot go beyond but can charge other tariffs below the threshold. In this case of data services, the current maximum price operators have come up with various data bundle initiatives meant amongst others to drive data usages and increase in the customer loyalty and contribute to economic activities like education as well as create more revenue streams. The data bundles are differentiated in terms of bundle size, expiry date as well as price per megabyte. We need to point out that differential in prices of data bundles is not meant to disadvantage the poor but rather to cater for different segments of users who have different needs. Educational bundles, bundles for small and medium enterprises and corporates who are heavy users are generally low as compared to social media bundles. The low bundle cost for the heavy users also fits into the pricing of the product which positively benefits the economy.
Given that much of the business and education during the COVID19 era is being done online, operators tend to provide preferential bundle prices to those businesses and educational institutions and students so that they execute their business and studies well. Heavy users also benefit from economies of scale from recharging one big bundle that reflect commitment to data usage as opposed to small bundle users who do not have much commitment in terms of data usage. The heavy users provide operators with more planning options for importation of bandwidth in bulk which tend to reduce the unit cost of getting the data; whereas small bundle users do not reduce the unit cost of importing the international bundles, I thank you.
HON. CHINYANGANYA: Thank you Madam Speaker, my
supplementary question is what is the Government doing to make sure that operators charge low cost for bundles in Zimbabwe? If we look at the data costs around the SADC region, Zimbabwe I think is the most expensive. So what is the Government doing to make sure that mobile operators reduce their tariffs so that they can be affordable to everyone?
Thank you.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INFORMATION,
COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER
SERVICES (HON. PHUTI): Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to admit that I had not taken the job to benchmark with what other jurisdictions are doing currently but the post and telecommunications regulator which is PORTRAZ has the responsibility to make sure that mobile operators do not push beyond a particular threshold given and I must admit that it is probably a principle of business to then know what you do in-between what you have been allowed to operate within.
I therefore appreciate that you raise and bring forward a contribution that there should be a considerable amount of attention given to the issue of data given the fact that on-line usages have become a new tendency that is inadvertent and therefore this is an issue that we will also try to take note of as important as raised. I thank you.
(v)HON. MUDARIKWA: May the Minister submit to the august House why it is that in Zimbabwe there is no internal roaming within the different networks in Zimbabwe. Thank you Madam Speaker.
HON. PHUTI: I like the question that has been raised by the Hon. Member as it gives pressure that is supposed to be exerted to where this is supposed to be responded from. It lies on the willingness to cooporate on the part of the mobile operators themselves. It is not the responsibility of Government to do that. However, I know very well that some mobile operators are very willing and interested but because of other issues personal to those private entities some players might not be really at liberty to come on board. So I think if this is raised as you have started Honourable, it will raise the necessary attention it should get. I thank you.
(v)HON. MUDARIKWA: I raise a point of clarity.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: What is your point of clarity?
(v)HON. MUDARIKWA: The point of clarity is that the reason why everything is expensive is that at every hill you see there are three structures there. The cost of operation is high because there is repetition. They are not sharing resources and for the Minister to say they are willing, it is the role of PORTRAZ to make them have the will to share so that people enjoy lost costs.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Minister, did you hear
the question? Okay, the Hon. Member is saying there is no willingness when it comes to local network providers. It seems like at any hill you will find that there are three boosters, meaning the three major network providers. So there is need for PORTRAZ to then come in, sanitise and make sure that all these network providers will be able to work together.
So that is what he is saying – I am sure it is because there is no willingness from network providers to be working together. What is your response to that?
HON. PHUTI: I must admit to this august House that there is perfunctory approach to corporations in terms of mobile network operators coming to work together and this is probably a result of the competitive environment that they find themselves in. However, as raised properly, it is pertinent that Government through the regulator PORTRAZ be there to try and bring these parties together so that they do not lay the burden on the receiving end which is the consumer.
This has been implemented successfully in the infrastructure sharing strategy which has seen base stations erected across the country where all the operators are having to share the infrastructure by putting what is necessary for the accessibility of their network. Surely if that has been done successfully, I want to admit that it needs therefore that PORTRAZ and us exert the necessary pressure that these mobile network operators work together as well on issues such as these as raised. I thank you.
NUST ENROLMENT IN COMPARISON TO OTHER
UNIVERSITIES
- HON. BRIG. GEN. RTD. MAYIHLOME asked the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation Science and Technology
Development to inform the House why the National University of
Science and Technology (NUST) enrolment is less than a third of
Midlands State University and less than half of Great Zimbabwe University enrolments respectively yet NUST is the second oldest university in the country.
THE MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. MURWIRA): Thank you Hon.
Speaker. Madam Speaker, I wish to start by explaining the two categories of universities we have in Zimbabwe. We have the specialist universities and the general universities. The National University of
Science and Technology falls under the specialist university category whilst Midlands State University and Great Zimbabwe University fall under the general university category.
Madam Speaker, the mandate of NUST requires the university to focus on science and technology subjects, hence the appropriateness of its name. Specifically, NUST is established to respond to the countriy’s needs in the field of science and technology. Although there are some none science and technology courses offered at NUST, the university has been directed to focus on its mandate of teaching science and technology and become a premier institution in that regard as well as streamline the non-core mandate courses.
The current enrolment at NUST is 11 517 broken down as follows;
7 275 students enrolled for the science and technology subjects and 4 242 students enrolled for business courses. By design, NUST being a specialist university focusing on science and technology has its carrying capacity limited by the corresponding facilities required to facilitate the teaching of science and technology subjects.
Madam Speaker Ma’am, Hon. Members, specifically the enrolment for MSU is 28 172 and GZU is 19 610. It is important to note that, by design, general universities offer science and technology courses as well as non-science and technology courses. Resultantly, enrolments are naturally high because of the high number of students who enroll to study non-science and technology courses.
Madam Speaker Ma’am, Hon. Members, furthermore with regard to Higher and Tertiary Education institutions, it is not a numbers game but the quality of the programmes offered by different institutions. It is not NUST alone with lower enrolment figures, we also have the Harare Institute of Technology, a specialist university focusing on science and technology courses and has a total enrolment of 2 443 students with only 180 students enrolled for non-science and technology courses.
Madam Speaker, Hon. Members, it is the purpose in life of a university which shall determine whether a university shall have a high or low enrolment figures. Generally, the teaching of Science and
Technology subjects requires well equipped laboratories and specialised equipment, the cost which limits enrolment of large numbers of students. NUST is therefore, a good example of such a specialist university focusing on science and technology course. I thank you Madam Speaker
Ma’am and I also wish to thank Hon. Mayihlome for asking this very important question.
Questions with Notice were interrupted by THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER in terms of Standing Order Number 64.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL
HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE): Thank you Madam Speaker, I move
that Orders of the Day, Numbers 1 to 26 be stood over until Order of the Day, Number 27 has been disposed of.
Motion put and agreed to.
SECOND READING
CENTRE FOR EDUCATION, INNOVATION, RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT BILL [H.B. 1, 2020]
Twenty Seventh Order read: Second Reading: Centre for
Education, Innovation, Research and Development Bill [H. B. 1, 2020].
THE MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY
EDUCATION, INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. MURWIRA): Madam Speaker, I
am humbled to present the principles of the Centre for Education, Innovation, Research and Development Bill.
Madam Speaker Ma’am, the level of human development is expressed by the extend and efficiency with which human needs are met by (1) industry and (2) the extent to which this industry is produced and nurtured by the education. Let me clarify from the start that industry only takes any one of the following forms: - (1) You mine it (mining);
(2) You grow it (agriculture) and (3) you make it (manufacturing). Thus, the way education is designed and delivered determines whether industry can happen or not. To this end, we postulate that the extent to which a nation’s education, innovation, research and development are deliberately linked to cause industry for purposes of meeting human needs defines the state of development of that nation.
Madam Speaker Ma’am, our nation has the vision of becoming an
Upper Middle Income Economy by 2030 as expressed by His
Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Dr. E. D.
Mnangagwa. An Upper Middle Income Economy is our National
Strategic Intent (NSI). National Strategic Intentions are fulfilled by the design and configuration of human capital and national assets. Heritage based Education 5.0 is the design we developed and deployed to give national capability through HTE. However, for all this to succeed, this has to be underpinned by sound legal frameworks that have a deliberate intention to cause the same. Games are won or lost at design stage.
Industrialisation is normally produced using a two-pronged approach; (1) ‘Investment-driven’ and (2) ‘Innovation-driven’. Investment-driven industrialisation relies on Foreign Direct Investment and imported technology as drivers for economic growth whilst innovation-driven industrialisation relies on local innovations for industrialisation. Zimbabwe shall combine the investment-driven type of industrialisation and the innovation-driven industrialisation.
Innovation-driven industrialisation has successfully been applied in the industrialised countries. For example, Cooperative Research Centres in Australia since 1990, the Swedish Competence Centre since 1994, the Austrian K1 and K2 Centres of the COMET programme since 2006,
Fraunhofer Institute of Germany since 1973 and the United States of America, Industry/Cooperative Research Centres since 1980. It is important to note that all industries that come to this country as investment type of industries were born as innovation types of industry in their countries of origin.
Advanced nations, for example the United States of America, since 1891 have used their higher and tertiary education institutions as engines for stimulating economic growth through reorganising these institutions to focus on applied research for the production of quality goods and services. For example, the foremost United States University driving United States industrialisation in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century was Massachusetts Institute of Technology – Charles w. Wessner, 2013. Illustrating the impact, a single research university can have in a region. In 2004 alone, MIT produced 133 patents, launched 20 startup companies and spent $1.2 billion in sponsored research – Charles W. Wessner, 2013.
Additionally, data from 1994 showed that at that time MIT graduates had founded over 4 000 companies employing 1.1 million people, generating $232 Billion in sales world-wide – Charles W. Wessner, 2013. The most famous example of University led economic development is Stanford University, which played a central role in the emergence of Silicon Valley.
Madam Speaker, the proposed Centre for Education,
Innovation, Research and Development Bill shall cause development of similar institutions in Zimbabwe to, among other objectives, act as a conduit to cause industry, add value to our natural heritage, innovate products based on our natural heritage, promote import substitution as well as ensure we turn our education into a pillar for industrial growth.
Objectives of CEIRD: The centre for Education, Innovation, Research and Development aims to:
- foster high quality education, innovation, research and development in strategically important sectors that have impact to the economy and society of Zimbabwe;
- produce a strong competitive enterprise base for Zimbabwe through facilitation of technology development and transfer;
-harness renowned pool of talent in the public (Government, universities and research institutes including SIRDC) and private industries to maximise exchange of talent and knowledge;
-complete the upper level of Zimbabwe’s education, innovation, research and development system through coordination in the in creation of better knowledge and applications;
-create an internationally competitive education, innovation, research and development system that attracts talent locally and internationally through prioritised projects and;
-circumvent rigid bureaucracies by creating synergies among public and private institutions that are programme based, thus appointed staff will have dual appointments at the institution.
Position of Centre in the Zimbabwe, Science and Technology
Research Landscape
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Position of the Centre for Education, Innovation, Research and Development in the Zimbabwe Science and Technology Landscape
It is important to note that the Centre occupies the upper level of all coordinating mechanisms and operates above all existing research institutes in Zimbabwe.
The expected outcomes of this institution are Intellectual property
(IP) – based industrialisation opportunities in line with the Zimbabwe
Constitutional dictates of Devolution. This entails that industry in
Zimbabwe’s provinces will be grown based on particular natural advantages. The ultimate aim is to enhance the chances to surpass an upper middle-income economy by 2030 and Human Capital with a culture of innovation which will be the catalysts for development in the nation and will help the country attract significant science and technology-based investment.
PRINCIPLES OF THE CEIRD BILL
Principle 1: Configuration of the Centre
This is a State granted institution. It shall have operational staff that are project based. Projects differ from time to time. Therefore, employment of researchers shall be on part time appointment. Strategically important programmes that have an impact to the economy and society through potential to produce industry shall drive the agenda of the Centre. Education, Innovation, Research and Development shall be grounded in our heritage, specifically on the heritage endowments found in different regions of Zimbabwe, for example, research centre in
Beitbridge may focus its research on the heritage of this district; Marula. Another research centre can be located in Hwange focusing its research on coal et cetera. The centre shall have the following founding institutes that focused on strategically important areas of the economy and society.
Health and Environment: The Centre shall conduct education, innovation, research and development focusing on medical technology, implants, prostheses, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, environmental technology and toxicology. The potential industries are Environmental Technologies, Pharmaceuticals, Agricultural Biotechnology, Medical Biotechnology, Animal Biotechnology and Prosthetic manufacturing industries .
Security and Protection: The objective is to provide people and the environment with the best possible protection from natural disaster threats. Education, Innovation, Research and Development shall focus on early detection, prevention, direct protection and quickly overcoming the consequences of a disastrous event. Furthermore, Education, Innovation, Research and Development shall focus on, for example, sniffer devices technology for detecting hazardous substances, IT security, saving lives disasters and crisis management. The aim is to create a reliable and flexible system for saving human lives in an emergency, using sensors, communication technology elements and robots. The possible industries are Robotics, Security Technology,
Imaging (Scanner) Technologies and Computer Hardware and Software.
Mobility and Transport: The Centre shall conduct Education,
Innovation, Research and Development to make transportation reliable.
Focus areas shall include Automotive Technology, Rail Technology,
Aviation and Transport and Mobility. The possible industries are Automotive, Rail Technology, Vehicle Communications and Drone Technologies.
Production and Supply Services: Education, Innovation, Research and Development shall focus on energy and resource-efficient processes for tomorrow’s manufacturers as well as Industry 4.0. the possible industries are Manufacturing Technologies, Automobile and Plant Engineering, Robotics and Materials Technologies.
Energy Communication Technologies: Education, Innovation, Research and Development shall focus on application-oriented, customised and integrated solution for a specific sector: tailored IT solutions. Furthermore, focus shall be on Big Date, Image Processing,
Cloud Computing, Broadband Communications, Virtual and Augmented
Reality. The possible industries are Manufacturing Technologies, Telecommunications, Data Warehousing, Hardware, Software and
Mobile Technologies.
Energy and Natural Resources: Education, Innovation, Research and Development shall focus on Renewable Energy, Energy Storage and
Management, using raw material more efficiently, recycling construction waste and other building technology research. The possible industries are Appliances manufacturing, Battery Technologies, Wind and Solar
Power Technologies.
Geospatial, Aeronautical and Space Sciences: Education,
Innovation, Research and Development shall focus on developing Geospatial Science and Earth Observation, Space Sciences, Space
Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering and Astronautical Engineering.
The possible industries are Satellite Manufacturing, Satellite Communication Technologies, Drone Technologies and GIS Technologies.
Food Technology: Education, Innovation, Research and Development shall focus on indigenous food systems for Zimbabwe.
The possible industries are Bakery, Milling, Food processing etc.
Electronics and electro-mechanical systems: Education, Innovation, Research and Development shall focus on robotics, mechatronics, wireless electricity, electro-mechanical systems. Possible industries include mobile communication, Nanotechnology, Biomedical electronics etc.
The Centre shall use cooperative research arrangements. This entails that researchers from university, colleges, research institutes and government work together as a team to accomplish a specific research project. The Centre shall span of industries using successfully incubated prototypes from the innovation hubs and industrial parks. This is the method Zimbabwe shall use to industrialise
Funds of the Centre: Funding for the Centre of Education, Innovation, Research and Development shall consist of base funding in the form of moneys appropriated by an Act of Parliament for the purposes of the Centre, any moneys allocated by Treasury for that purpose, any other Projects through its own research and development and innovations.
The Centre, like national universities and State Research Institutions shall operate in the public domain and therefore not be subject to taxation under the laws of Zimbabwe.
Staff of the Centre: The Centre shall have a complement of permanent administrative staff responsible for overall management of the education, innovation, research and development programmes and for the legal, financial, communications as well as networking aspects of the Centre. It shall utilise staff from universities, colleges, research institutes, and government laboratories coordinated by the Chief
Scientist from the Ministry for Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development.
Researchers and Innovators shall come from a university college or research institution. Researchers are project based thus, they shall only come to together to work on a specific project and be rewarded accordingly. The head of a Centre and the research staff of the Centre shall have dual appointments at the research institute and university for the duration of the program. Masters and PhD students shall be part of the staff. For example, the Cooperative Research Centre in Australia are producing the highest number of Masters and PHD graduates who are practically industrilising that country.
Administration of the Centre: There shall be a Scientific Board comprising of heads of institutes and Principal Scientists. This Board shall be headed by a Chief Scientist. The Board shall be responsible for overseeing the activities of the Centre of Education, Innovation, Research and Development. There shall be an Administrative Council headed by a Chairman. This council shall be constituted by eminent scientists, a legal practitioner and an accountant. In addition, there shall be a Registrar responsible for administration. There shall be a corresponding link Director in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development.
Madam Speaker, the Centre for Education, Innovation, Research and Development through the strength of its collaborative research framework, new products from innovation and spin of industries shall be at the core of ensuring that Zimbabwe is industrialised and modernised in order to attain Vision 2030 of an upper middle income economy.
Madam Speaker, I move that the Bill be now read a second time.
THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE): I move that the debate do now
adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Tuesday, 9th March, 2021
On the motion of THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE), the House adjourned
at Sixteen Minutes to Six o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 16th February, 2021
The Senate met at Half-past Two o’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE in the Chair)
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. SEN. MUZENDA: Madam President, I move that Orders of the Day, Numbers 1 to 2 be stood over until the rest of the Orders of the Day have been disposed of.
HON. SEN. MOHADI: 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. CHIRONGOMA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. MATHUTHU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 17th February, 2021.
MOTION
REPORT ON THE 47TH PLENARY ASSEMBLY SESSION OF THE SADC PF WHICH HELD VIRTUALLY IN NAMIBIA
HON. SEN. MOHADI: I move the motion standing in my name that this House takes note of the report on the 47th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC PF which was held virtually in Windhoek, Namibia from the 9th – 11th October, 2020.
HON. SEN. MATHUTHU: I second.
HON. SEN. MOHADI: Thank you Madam President. I rise to move a report on the 47th Plenary Assembly of the SADC PF which held virtually in Windhoek, Namibia from the 9th – 11th October, 2020.
OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY
2.1 The 47th Plenary Assembly was officially opened on Friday, 9th October 2020 by the Vice-President of the Republic of Namibia, His Excellency, Nangolo Mbumba, as Guest of Honour.
2.2 Hon. Vice-President Mbumba, recalled that in August 2018, during the 38th SADC Summit, President Geingob, then Chairperson of SADC, declared that the SADC Parliament would among other things, not only help buttress the governance architecture of the region, but also be a key driver of the regional integration and developmental efforts.
2.3 The Regional Parliament would provide a vital platform for the citizens to directly link up with their elected representatives and give input into SADC’s Regional integration agenda. It is, therefore, imperative that the Transformation of the SADC Parliamentary Forum into a Regional Parliament be expedited.
2.4 In her address, Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax, the Executive Secretary of SADC, indicated that the Transformation of the SADC PF into a Regional Parliament was at an advanced stage in line with the August 2019 decision of the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Governments to allow for a roadmap towards the Transformation agenda. Dr. Tax anticipated that the process would soon be finalised culminating in the submission of proposals to the SADC Summit scheduled for March 2021.
3.0 Submissions by Heads of Delegations on the Role of Parliaments in Strengthening Accountability during a Pandemic: The Case of COVID-19 and Address by the World Health Organisation (WHO) Director
3.1 The Plenary Assembly received submissions by Heads of Delegations on the adopted theme for the 47th Plenary Assembly Virtual Session. The theme received reports of predominant devastation of livelihoods due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Accordingly, Hon. Speakers/ Heads of Delegations shared their country experiences on how their National Parliaments had responded to the COVID-19 pandemic.
3.1.1 In his submission, the Hon Speaker of the National Assembly of Zimbabwe outlined how Zimbabwe had limited the coronavirus casualties primarily through His Excellency, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa’s initiatives to focus on prevention rather than cure. These interventions were spearheaded by the relevant Ministries and Directorates. Government declared COVID -19 as a ‘deadly pandemic’ on 17th March 2020 and concomitant lockdown measures were put in place since the pandemic had been declared a national disaster.
3.1.2 Furthermore, Government promulgated several Statutory Instruments to bolster the legal framework in combating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 32 Statutory Instruments were gazetted with the Parliamentary Legal Committee (PLC) scrutinising them for their constitutionality. All of them were constitutionally compliant.
3.1.3 The Parliament of Zimbabwe drew an important lesson from the COVID -19 pandemic that in cases of emergency arising from force majeure, Parliaments cannot afford to sit back and leave everything to the Executive. Parliaments must exude innovative leadership in actualising their constitutional mandate of representation, oversight and legislation.
3.2 The Director General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus of the World Health Organisation (WHO), implored Members of Parliament in the SADC Region to unite and build resilient health systems as the best defence against any health emergency. Dr. Ghebreyesus stressed that unity among the region’s lawmakers regardless of political affiliation as well as collaboration by Member Parliaments is the best defence against COVID -19.
4.0 Adoption of the Report of the Executive Committee
4.1 The Executive Committee tabled its report for consideration and adoption during the 47th Plenary Assembly meeting.
4.2 Update on Transformation of the Forum into a SADC Regional Parliament
4.2.1 The Speaker of the National Assembly of Zimbabwe presented for adoption the Strategic Lobby Document which guides the strategic lobby initiatives ahead of the SADC Council meetings scheduled for March 2021.
4.2.2 To eliminate discordant voices within the Region on the Transformation Agenda, the Plenary Assembly resolved to resuscitate the lobby initiatives whose mandate is to elicit the requisite support at both the political and administrative level in the SADC Region.
4.2.4 In this regard, the submission by Zimbabwe on its lobbying initiatives, including the unqualified support given by the Executive on the Transformation process, was indeed well received by Plenary Assembly.
4.2.4 In a related matter, Plenary Assembly received an update on the report by the Consultant, Mr. Kevin Deveaux, a Canadian lawyer and former Member of Parliament who facilitated and reviewed the Transformation Agenda and Roadmap. Technically, the Consultant’s report is in sync with the Plenary Assembly’s thrust on Transformation, hence the need to provide a common approach to lobbying up to March 2021.
4.3 Update on the Official Residence of the Secretary General
4.3.1 The Plenary Assembly adopted a recommendation to dispose of the official residence of the Secretary General, situated at Erf 3422 (1), 66 Erosweg, Eros, and resolved that a new property situated at Erf 2052, Klein Windhoek, 89 Joseph Mukwayu Ithana Street, Ludwigsdorf, Windhoek, Namibia be purchased. The Residence will be purchased through a mortgage loan from a reputable bank in Namibia.
4.3.2 This process should see the finalisation of the matter concerning the Secretary – General’s Residence which has hamstrung the organs of the SADC PF, for a long time. Plenary Assembly noted and appreciated Hon. Advocate Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda’s tactful chairing of the ad-Hoc Committee which handled and finalised this matter.
4.4 Secondment of Staff from National Parliaments
4.4.1 The Plenary Assembly noted and appreciated the secondment of staff from the Parliaments of Angola, Malawi, Seychelles, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Nine (9) staff members have been seconded by their respective Parliaments to various organs of the Forum on a cost-sharing basis in line with the revised Secondment Policy. Other countries will share the remaining slots on the Forum’s administrative paradigm.
5.0 Motions Adopted During the 47th Plenary Assembly Meetings
5.1 Motion to Ratify the SADC Parliamentary Forum Special Rules of Procedure for Virtual Meetings, In Case of force majeure
5.1.1 Following the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic in working arrangements for all regional and international organisations such as the SADC Parliamentary Forum, the Plenary Assembly debated and adopted the Special Rules of Procedure aimed at avoiding paralysis of business due to inability to convene physical meetings. The Rules are aimed at being innovative and using Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and teleconferencing software such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Skype as an adaptation strategy to the COVID-19 pandemic.
5.1.2 Motion to Amend Article 8 of the SADC PF Constitution to introduce an Oath or Affirmation of Adherence by SADC PF Representatives
5.1.2.1 Plenary Assembly adopted the provision for an Oath or Affirmation of Adherence by SADC PF Representatives (Members of Parliament). This will be done to enhance accountability to the Forum and promote the SADC identity amongst SADC PF Members of Parliament
5.1.3 Motion to amend The SADC PF Administrative Rules and Regulations to align with Namibian Employment Laws Governing Local Employees other than those holding Managerial Positions
5.1.3.1 The Plenary Assembly adopted a motion which synchronised the Administration’s Rules of Procedure with the Namibian law placing non-managerial Local Staff of the SADC PF to be employed on indefinite contracts whilst holders of Managerial posts can serve two five-year contracts. The motion stated that diplomatic privileges shall apply only to Regional Staff of the Forum in accordance with the SADC Protocol on Immunities and Privileges (1992).
5.1.4 Motion by Consensus to Support Hon. Duarte Pacheco as the next Inter- Parliamentary Union President
- Advocate Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda, Speaker of the National Assembly of Zimbabwe, moved a motion to support the candidature of Hon. Duarte Pacheco of Portugal for the position of President of the IPU. The motion noted the solid professional antecedents that Hon. Pacheco possesses. Subsequent to this support, Hon. Pacheco won resoundingly and will serve as the next President for the next three years.
- Recommendations and Way Forward
6.1 It is recommended that the diplomatic interventions on the Transformation Agenda to SADC Countries be resuscitated. The missions will include the countries that have expressed dissent on the establishment of a Regional Parliament, including those countries that have new Administrative configurations post-elections such as Botswana, Malawi, Mauritius, Seychelles and Tanzania. This Lobby Team comprising the Hon. Speakers from Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe will be led by Hon. Advocate Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda.
- The Lobby Missions to take advantage of Mozambique’s unreserved support for the Transformation of the SADC PF into a Regional Parliament. The team to Lobby the current Minister of Foreign Affairs in Mozambique, Hon. Veronica Macamo Dlhovo, who is the immediate past President of the SADC PF. The missions to begin in November 2020 to March 2021. This whole process will logically culminate in the Lobby Team being on the side-lines of Summit in March 2021 to ensure that they are ready to clarify any matters that might arise during Summit deliberations.
- Parliament of Zimbabwe to arrange Courtesy Calls with both the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs to appraise them on the developments on the Transformation Agenda. Both Ministries are to remain in sync with the Executive’s supportive position on the Transformation of the SADC PF into a Regional Parliament.
- The Plenary Assembly recommended the strengthening of interventions on the challenges brought in by the COVID -19 Pandemic. The Portfolio Committees on Health and Child Welfare and the Portfolio Committee on Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare to ensure that there are safety nets that are put in place towards the welfare of the public during COVID 19 induced exigencies. Members of Parliament to contribute on the need to ensure that resources are channelled towards mitigating the effects of COVID-19 epidemic.
7.0. CONCLUSION
7.1 Hon. Esperanca Laurinda Francisco Nhiuane Bias, Speaker of the National Assembly of Mozambique and President of the SADC Parliamentary Forum, concluded the Plenary Assembly by urging delegations to continue the enhancement of Lobbying strategies for the Transformation of the Forum into Regional Parliament. Credit is also acknowledged to the Secretary-General and her team at the SADC Parliamentary Forum for successfully putting up a well-polished 47th Plenary Assembly Meeting.
7.2 The Hon. Speaker of the National Assembly of Zimbabwe was privileged to move all the motions during the 47th Plenary Assembly Meeting. In earnest, the Lobby Team headed by Hon. Advocate Jacob Francis Nzwidamilimo Mudenda, has to continue its mandated mission to ensure that all countries in the region are symmetrical regarding the Transformation Agenda.
Madam President, you will find that it is still very difficult for us to come to terms with the virtual system. We are still trying to cope with the virtual system and you will find that some of the information might not be very correct but I hope that what I have presented today is very correct. I thank you.
HON. SEN. MATHUTHU: Thank you Madam President of the Senate. I rise to support the motion by Hon. Sen. Mohadi on the 47th Plenary Session of the SADC PF which was held virtually on the 9-11th October 2020. There was no time for the Forum to meet and discuss about the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic. The Plenary Assembly showed great initiative to take the issues of regional concern. Madam President, let me report pursuant to its mandate, the Executive Committee of the SADC PF met virtually on the 28th-29th September 2020. In this regard, the Executive Committee tabled its report for consideration and adoption during the 47th Plenary Assembly meeting. Among many other Hon. Members, there was a consideration on the update of transformation of the forum into a SADC Regional Parliament.
Mr. President, the Plenary Assembly adopted to continue pushing for the transformation of the regional forum into a Parliament. The Plenary Assembly also adopted with profound gratitude the strategic lobby document on the transformation of the forum into a SADC Regional Parliament. The Speaker of the National Assembly of Zimbabwe led the team in drafting the document to the Plenary Assembly.
The Plenary Assembly also noted and appreciated the secondment of staff from the Parliaments of Angola, Malawi, Seychelles, Zambia and Zimbabwe. These countries responded positively to the secondment invitation. Nine staff members have been seconded by their respective parliaments to various organs of the forum on a cost sharing basis in line with the revised secondment policy. Other countries will share the remaining slots on the forum’s administrative paradigms.
In conclusion, the Plenary Assembly appreciated the initiative and efforts made towards the successful hosting of the 47th Plenary Assembly of the SADC PF. The Parliament of Zimbabwe stands to benefit by adopting and implementing the resolutions of the 47th Plenary Assembly as they summarised the collective concerns of citizens in the region including the need to transform the SADC Plenary Forum into a Regional Parliament.
The delegation from Zimbabwe is commended for being able to fly the national flag high as it made pointed and evidence-based contributions on various issues of regional concern. It is important to note that going forward, the lobbying team headed by Hon. Adv. Francis Mudenda begins its mandate mission to ensure that all countries in the region are on the same page regarding the transformation agenda. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHIMBUDZI: Thank you for affording me the opportunity to add my voice on the motion raised by Hon. Mohadi on the 47th Plenary Assembly SADC PF meeting held in Namibia which touched on a number of important issues, but I am going to dwell on the issue of COVID-19. I want to also thank the Zimbabwean delegation that attended the forum which was led by Hon. Adv. Mudenda as they went there to represent us.
COVID-19 is one of the issues that was discussed and this pandemic is something new to us. We want to thank the Zimbabwean delegation and SADC PF on the views that were aired with regard to this virus. We still have people who are denying that COVID-19 is real and there. We are hopeful that this delegation will be able to share ideas on how to educate our citizens on COVID-19 and even in our own constituencies as Members of Parliament. We still have people who are quick to point fingers to say, you are the ones that are bringing the virus from the cities but this should not put us off. We still have a long way to go in educating people on COVID-19 awareness and prevention as a Government.
I also want to thank our Government led by His Excellency, Cde. E. D. Mnangagwa for the stringent COVID-19 preventive measures in the form of the lockdown. People are crying of hunger saying they want to work to be able to sustain their livelihoods but are not looking at the danger that is in their midst. We should be thankful because these policies are meant to protect us. Look at ideas that can help us in future so that we are prepared and we work together as Zimbabweans to curb this pandemic. So I want to thank the delegation for a job well done. Thank you.
HON. SEN. DR. MAVETERA: I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity to add my voice on the report which has been presented to the august House by Hon. Mohadi. Mr. President, the theme of the meeting if I got it correctly was, “The Role of Parliament in Strengthening Accountability during an Epidemic. Mr. President, I think the theme of the meeting was very relevant to what has been happening within the region over the past few months.
As a region, we had become an epicentre of COVID-19 and our neighbour has almost a million people infected with COVID-19. As we share borders and common living, it goes without saying that this meeting was very pertinent for regional governments to share their experience and try to look at the role of Parliament and how Parliament can play its role during situations of national emergencies like the current COVID-19 epidemic.
Allow me Mr. President, to thank our delegation which was ably led by the Speaker of the National Assembly for sharing our experience and highlighting some of our successes in terms of managing the COVID-19 pandemic. I think Mr. President we say in Shona “hauzviuchiriri kana kuzvireverera” but allow me Mr. President to acknowledge and congratulate the leadership of the country for doing a sterling job to minimise the effects of COVID-19 in our country. I know a lot of people may take that for granted but we think the world-over governments have fallen and there has been social unrest as a result of failure to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. I must say we are blessed that we did not experience such things. We urge all the citizenry to rally together in a non-partisan manner to make sure that we increase the gains which we have already achieved so far.
Allow me Mr. President Sir, to acknowledge the policy decisions, some of which were quite nasty and unpopular with the citizenry where the Executive had to put very strict lockdown measures. I am sure we all know of the outcry from the populace but at the end of the day, I think as Zimbabweans we have lived to our legacy of being on the forefront of preventative medicine. We managed to control COVID-19. We are still seeing pockets of COVID-19 in the country. We are not yet out of it but I think if we continue with the same leadership and support, and as a citizenry to acknowledge that these are difficult times we need to continue supporting, we will actually conquer the COVID-19 pandemic.
Having said that, right now Hon. Mohadi among her recommendations, she implored that there was need for governments to put in social support networks during national disasters like this, I think this is what we should do also as Parliament asone of the things that we need to make sure that we really take care of the needs of the citizens and I think we might not have pushed this enough. If you look at the number of people who were breaking the COVID-19 regulations, they were not criminals but they wanted to survive. As such, I hope in future when we come across such situations we will be more prepared than we were so that people will abide by the rules.
One of the recommendations was to say that the Regional Parliamentary Forum constitute a Regional Parliament. The idea is very noble as the world is now operating as regional blocs and that strength is very important for bargaining purposes and also for sharing experiences. I hope Mr. President, if we had such fora or a Regional Parliament, as of now our response as individual countries to the COVID-19 pandemic would have been better because we would have shared common strategies and solutions. Right now, we know there is a scramble for vaccines. We have heard that Europeans have actually bought all the vaccines and other regional organisations have done the same. That is the basis of the strength of regional organisations. If we were in that format, SADC would be able to meet the needs of our citizenry and also bargain for at the world market to influence the welfare of our people.
With these words, I just want to end by acknowledging and appreciating the role which has been played by Zimbabwe, the Public Sector in general who have worked so tirelessly to make sure that we manage to survive the COVID pandemic as a nation. I thank you Mr. President.
HON. SEN. DR. SEKERAMAYI: Mr. President, Hon. Senators, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for giving me this opportunity to say a few words about the report that has just been given to us by Hon. Sen. Mohadi - the report of the recently held meeting, the 47th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC PF.
These meetings are very important and there are times when these meetings are held as a matter of routine but there are times when there are really serious issues that need to be discussed. As the situation stands now and as her report has advised us, one of the issues that was raised was the COVID pandemic. It is a pandemic that we are all facing. It is one of those situations where you are fighting an enemy but you cannot see the enemy. The enemy is invisible.
There are recommendations that have been made by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and as Zimbabweans; we are following these very seriously. There is the aspect of social distancing, face masking and sanitisation – we should take these very seriously. There are diseases that you know that so and so is suffering from this disease and we write a prescription; one goes to the pharmacy and buys the medication. Within 24 hours or so, the person will improve but this particular pandemic is invisible and it is very difficult to treat.
I want to take this opportunity to thank our own Government for communicating with countries like China, India and so forth so that we can get some vaccines. It was a real pleasant experience to see our own leadership at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe airport receiving vaccines from China. It is not enough to receive the vaccines. As Members of Parliament, we should also now undertake the public relations exercise to persuade and encourage our people to accept the vaccination. There are areas where some people are sceptical but I think it is incumbent upon us to do the necessary public relations and persuade our people to say this is necessary. The President has emphasised it vigorously and I think in line with what our President has said, we should also now be the foot soldiers advocating for vaccination.
You hear a colleague or relative has been admitted into hospital, you are not sure whether he or she will come out alive. In terms of our own traditions, when there is a death in family X, we go there kunobata maoko – to be together and to be able to share the pain with our relatives but we now have a situation where you cannot even go and sympathise with them in person. If we did not have cellphones, I do not know what we would do because now it is very difficult to go anywhere.
We are following very diligently the recommendations but emotionally, I think it is quite painful to see your relative being buried and you cannot go there. It is not easy but this is the pandemic that we are facing. That is why I am saying, let us do the necessary public relations to go and persuade our people that these vaccinations are necessary. That way we will reduce the amount of pain and fatalities that we are observing.
Having said that Mr. President, I just want to say that the idea of transforming the SADC PF into a regional Parliament is something that we should accept and welcome. We are all here, we assisted each other in SADC during the armed struggle; I do not see any reason why at this point in time we cannot come together. Unity is strength. Let us be together with all the other countries in SADC, have a SADC Parliament and it will facilitate development in the region. When we say to our grand children when I was young, I used to herd cattle but now you just eat beef, you do not have to herd cattle; they should be able to see the advancement that has occurred since we became independent. If that can be done by us as a region, it is something that is very welcome. Regional unity also removes regional conflicts. That will be a platform – if there are any difference between country X and Y; that will be the platform to resolve the differences.
I just want to end by expressing gratitude at how our leadership, led by President E.D. Mnangagwa has led the country during this pandemic. It is a pandemic we should, to the best of our ability; refer to as part of our history and not as part of our destruction. With these few words, I just want to say to colleagues here, Hon. Senators, let us do our bit individually and collectively to fight against COVID. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: Thank you very much Hon. President. Firstly, I would to thank Hon. Sen. Mohadi who gave us a detailed report on what transpired at the SADC Parliamentary Forum meeting. I would like to say a job well done to the SADC Parliamentary Forum. I looked at the theme, ‘the Role of Parliament in Combating COVID-19 in a Pandemic’, you have lifted the bar very high for Parliament in a difficult time. As parliamentarians, we would like to thank you for uplifting us highlighting the good things that are done by Parliaments during difficult times.
Let us continue to fight hard and be strong. I was reading about a white individual in South Africa who was affected by this disease and she was describing how she felt when she was hit by this pandemic. The individual detailed how she went back home and the dog ran after her with joy that the owner was back but the owner had forgotten the name of the dog. Here in Zimbabwe we have a lot of people who have passed on and we continue to say may their souls rest in peace. I kindly ask everyone to come together to fight this pandemic. No one should take this as an opportunity to pursue their own goals.
Some of you may be surprised that I am here. Some even said the Hon Deputy President of Senate and many of us were declared dead by individuals. Some thought it was true. Some were even afraid to contact us. We should condemn the peddlers of fake news who spread fake news.
I would like to thank the Government for the good work that it has done. If you compare Zimbabwe to other countries, you will see that we are doing a good job. I would like to praise the good work that is being done by His Excellency and the manner in which they are conducting business with regard to this pandemic. I would like to commend the words from Hon. Sen. Dr. Mavetera, those were very good remarks to praise the Government for the good work they have done.
We used to have an opposition that even when someone dies, they would rejoice and continue to hammer over a corpse. I would like to say thank you to Hon. Sen. Mwonzora and this can only be said by a Chief and no one can say this. I speak as a Chief and I read some of the things that you are doing. Just a few days that you have been nominated as President of MDC-T, what I read, I can see you are doing a very good job. What a good opposition you are. There is constructive criticism coming from Hon. Sen. Mwonzora. When you fail, we will inform you and when you have done good, we will also tell you. We want Zimbabwe to be united and become one, whether you are from opposition or not. We want everyone to be given a chance so that they contribute to the development of the nation. Individualism does not benefit the country. Keep it up Hon. Sen. Mwonzora.
This pandemic needs us to be united. Right now we have vaccines that are coming into the country and we should communicate relevant information to the people. I would like to thank China for giving us the vaccines. There are so many vaccines such as Astrazeneca, Sinopharm, Sputnik V, Pfizer Biontech and some other vaccines. I could see Cabinet had a resolution for us to choose which exactly is the best vaccine. We also had the case of South Africa which had to withdraw later on the vaccine that they had administered to the citizens because of its efficiency on the disease. When you look at these vaccines, the truth is that this is real medication.
Sometimes it is lack of knowledge from us individuals on which herb treats which ailment. It is just lack of knowledge. When we accept and receive medication from outside the country, let us come together and find sustainable solutions to problems such as this. We need to come up with a vaccine that will assist others. As Africans, we should come up with sustainable solutions. We should not wait to receive from beyond our borders. We are educated as a nation and let us come up with something. This is a big issue and I would like to support the resolution by Hon. Sen. Dr. Sekeramayi and Hon. Sen. Mohadi, you are the ones who brought this issue.
In conclusion, I would like to say the word Forum should be removed at the end so that it becomes SADC Parliament.
*HON. SEN. CHINAKE: Thank you Mr. President for according me this opportunity to add my voice on this report which has been tabled by Hon. Sen. Mohadi. This COVID is affecting the whole world. It is not only us but the whole world. Many of the things have been talked about but if you look into our country, you will find that we did not have the chance of visiting other countries but we know companies, markets, roads and borders have been closed and this has affected a lot of things in our country. It is all about COVID.
When people are moving around they are not wearing their masks properly. They only do so when they see security agents. We told them that the person who is affected is not the soldier or police but it is you. It is our duty as parliamentarians to engage people and educate them. People should be prosecuted but they should be aware why we have police in the streets.
I am thankful of the meeting that took place at regional level. We should have a repeat of this meeting. Hon. Sen.Chief Charumbira has talked about it but we need another meeting like this as a region so that we come up with our own vaccinations; our doctors and scientists should come together so that we can come up with our own vaccination which will be recorded that SADC came up with a thing like that. Yes, importing from other countries is good but I think we should come together and see ways on how we can come up with our own vaccines. The herbs that were talked about by Hon. Sen. Chief Charumbira come from this region. I thank you.
HON. SEN. MOHADI: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. CHIMBUDZI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 17th February 2021.
MOTION
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE AFRICAN PARLIAMENTARIANS NETWORK ON DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION (APNODE) HELD IN ABIDJAN
Fifth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report of the Zimbabwean Delegation to the 5th Annual General Meeting of the African Parliamentarian Network on Development Evaluation (APNODE)
Question again proposed.
HON SEN. MUZENDA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. CHIMBUDZI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 17th February 2021.
MOTION
REPORT ON THE VIRTUAL EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION (IPU)
Sixth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report of the Extraordinary Session of the Council of the Inter Parliamentary Union.
Question again proposed.
HON SEN. MUZENDA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. CHIMBUDZI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 17th February 2021.
MOTION
PREVALENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Seventh Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on 16 days of activism against gender based violence.
Question again proposed.
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR MASHONALAND CENTRAL PROVINCE (HON. SEN. MAVHUNGA): I move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume, Wednesday, 17th February, 2021.
MOTION
CONDOLENCES ON THE DEATH OF HON. SEN. AIR CHIEF MARSHALL RTD. PERRANCE SHIRI
Eighth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the death of Hon. Sen. Air Chief Marshall Rtd. Perrance Shiri.
Question again proposed.
*HON. SEN. DR. MAVETERA: Thank you Mr. President for giving me this opportunity to say my condolence message on the passing on of our hero, Hon. Sen. Air Chief Marshall Rtd. Perrance Shiri.
Death has always been there but no one can get used to it. When death comes to us, we are greatly pained and we are left with a lot of questions. Two weeks before Hon. Sen. Air Chief Marshall Rtd. Perrance Shiri died, he was fit and we had meetings with him. We never heard that he was sick but we heard that he had succumbed to COVID-19. This is very painful. I will not dwell much on his history but I would like to add one or two things that I observed on him.
His history about liberating the country does not need to be elaborated. He went to war as a teenager – he gave himself and the Lord was with him until independence. He did not become tired because of the war. He went on to work in Government and he showed dedication and commitment. He was very patriotic. As a country, we want to remember the good work that Cde Shiri did. Looking at his character on the Second Republic, he lived the life of a civilian. When he was appointed, people were very much in doubt saying, what will soldiers do now that they have come into power. People had doubts because of his military background. Instead, he proved people wrong. He worked very hard. He was always on top of his job and was one of the best Ministers ever to be appointed here in Zimbabwe. He was a humble person who had the country and people at heart despite his political affiliation. He did not concentrate on his political affiliation but looked at individuals as they are and not because of their political affiliation. God should have given him more years so that our country develops but we cannot decide for God – He does his own will.
Hon. Sen. Air Chief Marshall Rtd. Perrance Shiri was a hands on person and hardworking. He was not just a Minister who focussed on reports but went on the ground to see what was happening. He did not survive for a long time to see the fruits of his labour, for example Pfumvudza. I am not a farmer but I go around seeing what other people are doing. God has blessed us this year, we have a lot of rain. If there was no plan, we would have weeds on the land and we would be swept away by the river. People have done a lot in terms of farming because of Cde Shiri’s Pfumvudza programme. We have never had such a programme before. We had so many years of farming in this country but we never had a programme of that nature. No one had such an approach.
As we remember him, let us thank him saying at least this time around we are not going to beg in other countries, we are going to have a bumper harvest. It is not a joke or game. We should appreciate and accept the good work that he did. Hon. President, our prayer is that may his soul rest in peace. It is now our task or responsibility to develop this country. We are very lazy as a country. We are rich but poor.
Hon. President, there are some Ministers that as soon as they were appointed, they were already in the newspaper over corruption issues. If you are to go through Hon. Sen. Shiri’s footsteps, I do not think you will hear such stories. He was exemplary to us as a country. It is our wish as citizens that we at least develop our nation so that we are a respected nation not to be seen as a begging country all the time. It does not come easy into your hands but we need to work hard just like Hon. Sen. P. Shiri who was a hard worker. With these few words, Hon. President, allow me to sit down but leave these words of condolence to say may his soul rest in peace? Thank you.
THE MINISTER OF MASHONALAND CENTRAL PROVINCE (HON. SEN. MAVHUNGA): Mr. President, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 17th February, 2021.
On the motion of THE MINISTER OF MASHONALAND CENTRAL PROVINCE (HON. SEN. MAVHUNGA), the House adjourned at Five Minutes past Four o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 16th February, 2021
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. SPEAKER in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE HON. SPEAKER
APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRPERSONS OF PORTFOLIO
COMMITTEES
THE HON. SPEAKER: I have to inform the House that the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders has made the following appointments; Hon. Dr. Nyashanu to serve as Chairperson of the
Portfolio Committee on Budget and Finance – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – Hon. W. Shamu to serve as Chairperson of the Portfolio
Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade – [HON.
MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
HON. BITI: I rise on an urgent take note motion on a matter of public importance.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Perhaps before you proceed, let me find out whether there is any notice of motion. Technicians assist me here to see whether there is anyone with a hand that has been raised.
HON. BITI: Hon. Speaker Sir, I rise on a matter of national importance which is in connection with COVID-19 vaccine roll-out plan. As you are aware, our country is ravaged by COVID-19 and as I am talking to you right now, over 1 300 Zimbabweans have perished unfortunately. May their souls rest in peace. Hon. Speaker Sir, the only permanent solution to COVID-19 and the virus apart from the masks we are putting on, the sanitisers we are having, the test which we are having including the ones we had this morning to enable us to come to this august House, is the rolling-out of a programme of COVID-19 vaccination. As Hon. Members, we are concerned about the absence of a national COVID-19 vaccination roll out plan. In particular, there is uncertainty on the following issues;
Which drug is Zimbabwe going to register. The issue of registration is not a question of politics but science determined by one board alone in Zimbabwe, namely the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe. So the registration of these drugs is very important. We are concerned that there is evidence that the country has brought in whether by donation or purchase, a vaccine from China. That vaccine that we have been given which is the China Covax drug which is different from the one brought into this country; the drug that has been brought into this country has not been approved by WHO but is still undergoing tests and more importantly, it has not had a peer review. This drug has been used in other countries and the highest efficacy rate it has had is 75% whereas all the other drugs that are now in wide use - Astrazaneca, Modena,
Pfizer, the Russian Sputnik 5 or Gamalia drug all have an efficacy of 95%. So we appeal that the leadership own Covid-19 vaccines should not be provided by politics but by science and scientists, in particular the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe.
Secondly, the logistics of these drugs; nurses need to be trained,we do not see evidence of that. Nurses and hospital staff need to have PPEs in order to administer these drugs, we do not see evidence of that. Third, these drugs require massive extreme temperatures, some of them need refrigeration facilities of as low as minus 70 degrees, the Modena drug for instance. I know that the current Chinese one requires lower temperatures of around 2 degrees but you need massive logistics and we need evidence of that.
Fourth is the distribution plan of who is going to get these drugs first. Surely, health workers and those living with vulnerabilities and disabilities must be priority and we need to see that. So we ask through you Mr. Speaker Sir, that the esteemed Minister of Health comes and present a report in Parliament on COVID-19 vaccination plans so that
Zimbabweans are saved. More importantly, in view of the fact that the
Minister of Finance did not budget a single cent in the Blue Book for the 2021 Budget for the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines, we would require the Minister of Finance khathesi to lay out a programme on how he intends to finance the purchase of these COVID-19 vaccines.
WHO has got a programme called Covax which is a fund in which many people and many countries have put in funds to assist developing countries such as ours. We need an assurance that the Government of Zimbabwe has actually made an application for financing and provision of free COVID-19 vaccines under the WHO Covax facility. We also need to know what the country has done in terms of working with other countries; the African Union, the World Bank and the WHO itself in acquiring additional drugs to our country. So Hon. Speaker, we pray that you direct that the esteemed Minister of Health and Child Care, the Vice President Hon. C. G Chiwenga does come to this Hon. House to give an address on the Covid-19 roll out plan which at the present moment is as absent as it is needed. I thank you very much Hon.
Speaker Sir.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Biti, your observations are quite pertinent and I have been briefed by the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care, Hon. Dr. Labode who had indicated to me that there has been some conversation between her and the Hon. Vice President who is the Minister of Health that a ministerial statement be tabled in this august House. I am assured by the Clerk that the Hon. Vice President should be able to do so either later today or tomorrow if we can fit him in, otherwise definitely on Thursday. Thank you very much for your observation.
HON. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Thank you Hon.
Speaker Sir. I stand up on a motion on privilege. Mr. Speaker Sir, about a month ago when I was presenting on behalf of the Committee on Primary and Secondary Education Report to this House, I raised an issue of concern and that issue was that ZIMSEC which is a parastatal where we have asked as a Committee to have them make presentations to us, have constantly refused to do so and have come back to us and asked us
to only...
THE HON. SPEAKER: I did not hear that part you said you asked them to do what?
HON. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: When we asked to
engage with ZIMSEC, so that they can come to either make presentations to us as a Committee or where we have written to them to respond to some of the issues that we are raising as a Committee, he has constantly refused to do so. The excuse has been that we can only talk to them through the Ministry of Primary and Second Education. As you know, every other parastatal, we do have a right of oversight over them and the last time I had indicated that I may have to be forced to bring in a motion on contempt by ZIMSEC. As late as yesterday, Mr. Speaker Sir, we had written to ZIMSEC so that they can give us the Grade 7 results so that we can use them to analyse as a Committee and to make representations to you as part of the report that we are bringing to the House. I have just received notification from the director right now and he has done exactly what we have indicated that they do all the time, for example indicate that they are not going to give us anything. We need to go through the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. I think as a Committee, we may and I am now formally bringing contempt of
Parliament charges to ZIMSEC particularly the director. I thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: On a point of clarification Hon. Member, who did you communicate with at ZIMSEC?
HON. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Dr. L. Nimbaware who
is the Director of the Zimbabwe School Examination Council. Like I am saying to you, it is not the first time, I personally called him and explained to him that as a Committee, when we request for information, they are obliged to come back to us directly. I am beginning to just feel that this is a position where they have just decided that they will not deal with us as a Portfolio Committee and that he will continue to refuse to provide information when requested.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Did you communicate with the Chairperson of ZIMSEC?
HON. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: No.
THE HON. SPEAKER: It was his authority, Prof Mwenje from
Bindura University, it is his authority...
HON. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Unfortunately he
himself as Chairperson has not also come back to us when we wrote to him specifically as Chairperson to explain to us what the issue is. So we continuously have these rude responses from this gentleman.
THE HON. SPEAKER: I am trying to bring across the issue of protocol. The key person here is the Chairperson of ZIMSEC; he is the one who must direct you to the director who is the functionary person under the Chairman.
HON. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: I stand guided, Mr.
Speaker Sir.
THE HON. SPEAKER: I think you must write to the Chairperson
Prof. Mwenje and copy that to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education and the Permanent Secretary.
HON. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Thank you I stand
guided.
THE HON. SPEAKER: If they do not comply, then we can charge them with contempt of Parliament.
HON. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Thank you Mr. Speaker
Sir.
HON. T. MLISWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. We went through our test today and I applaud the move by Parliament to ensure that Members of Parliament are safe. It was a test which has been out ruled, the rapid results test is no longer accepted; That is why when we fly out of the country, we use the PCR where there is a laboratory. I was concerned when I got there that it was rapid results. I have about 200 kits at home; they have been proven not to work and are not the basis of detecting COVID-19. No wonder why most companies have been told by Government to use PCR as institutions that represent people. So why would we be subjected to a testing system which has been out ruled because for PCR, the laboratory must be there. So, whilst we are here, we could all be COVID positive because of the testing measures which have been done.
I have an example on how this country should do things and I am a bit worried that it was not done. I can even donate 200 of those kits to Parliament tomorrow but why then use something which has been out ruled. Anybody travelling out of the country coming in, they want PCR test with a certificate from CIMAS and any other body which have carried that. I am a bit concerned that we have been subjected to a testing which has been out ruled whereby you get results there and there and you see the results. I do not know why they chose that direction when it is not the one and that concerns us more even supporting Hon.
Biti’s point, we need to be very careful even on these vaccines. We now do not know the one coming in, is it the right one or not? I am quite disturbed Mr. Speaker Sir, and I think the Government took a position of PCR being the only one acceptable. The PCR itself again some will test positive and negative at the same time, it is not even trusted let alone the rapid results. I therefore, propose that Members of Parliament go to an authorised facility like CIMAS before we come here and the results are done properly. We are safe in that regard unless there is something scientific that I am not aware of, I stand to be guided.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Do you have your sources of veritable
information that the rapid results tests have been outlawed in
Zimbabwe?
HON. T. MLISWA: The source of the information with empirical evidence is that PCR is the accepted result when you are flying out. You use PCR not rapid results Sir that is true. You cannot use rapid results when flying out to show that they are not at all trusted, PCR through a laboratory is the only one which is allowed. It is WHO accepted as well.
THE HON. SPEAKER: I hear the explanation you are giving about those who are travelling; you have not answered my question. My question is, who is the veritable source that the rapid results tests are outlawed in Zimbabwe so that I can follow the matter?
HON. T. MLISWA: Sir, I think you can help and I think it is important for this nation as well to get first hand information. The Ministry of Health itself, in Norton for example, the factory there was doing rapid results and they were told that they had to do PCR results because they were doing rapid results and they stopped. PCR is what was accepted by Government. If Government at all believes rapid results are correct, why then did they come up with PCR as a way to test people flying in and out? It will be interesting to really get the truth of the matter because you can now help us. If rapid results are allowed, then we could equally come here and Government does not need to waste money. We could test ourselves. For example HIV, the only results accepted are the ones done at a lab not the ones you do at home. It is something debatable but we now need to understand the position Government is taking. If it is said rapid results are authentic, then we will be able to also use them and it is also cheaper. PCR is $60 and Rapid is $30. It can even be better for the people on the ground to have a cheaper way of going through the tests. So clarity is sought with your leadership. It is important for that clarity to be done because people would save a lot of money. Most people cannot afford $60 but $30 they can afford.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you for the explanation. I will engage the Ministry of Health to ascertain what you have said. If the Hon. Minister of Health comes this afternoon, I think it would be good to raise that question immediately before him so that clarification can be sought. As far as Parliament is concerned, we did not receive anything to the contrary in terms of the rapid results tests but where you have got symptoms that had been indicated by WHO and our regulations, the rapid results tests may not help. You would rather go to Lancet or CIMAS laboratories to ascertain those symptoms; but if you are feeling fine and so on, the rapid results tests may simply affirm that there is nothing untoward. Let me investigate further with the relevant Ministry so that we give comfort to the Hon. Members. As you rightly said, sometimes you can test negative and depending on your social intercourse within 24 hours you may test positive. So the variant of this disease is very unpredictable in terms of social intercourse.
*HON. MPARIWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I rise to congratulate some of our Hon. Members who were elected by His Excellency to ministerial positions. When someone does something good, we have to appreciate that. Mr. Speaker Sir, I would like to congratulate Hon. Matsikenyere and Hon. Maboyi who were elected to be Ministers and have taken their oaths that they are committed to discharging their duties diligently for the country Zimbabwe. We have been honoured as women of Zimbabwe and I say to His Excellency the President of Zimbabwe, thank you. His Excellency should continue with this spirit of promoting hard working women. The female MPs were Members of the Women’s Parliamentary Caucus. They are hard workers and they will not let us down. There are issues that we were saying need attention for the past two and half years. We hope the Hon.
Ministers are going to attend to those issues.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I am one of the long serving Members of the Public Accounts Committee and I would like to congratulate the following Hon. Members: Hon. Mhona, Hon. Matsikenyere and Hon. Maboyi. They also served the Public Accounts Committee. I have consulted with the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee and we feel honoured as a Committee, that our work is appreciated. We look forward to the elected Members to continue with the good spirit. Hon. Paradza was a Member of the Expanded Budget Committee since last year and we would like to congratulate him also. I thank you Mr.
Speaker Sir.
*THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Mpariwa but you only congratulated female Members – [HON. MPARIWA: I congratulated all the Members.] – Including Hon. Mhona? – [HON. MPARIWA: I congratulated them all.] That was good. Thank you.
I made an administrative slip not intentionally. The last time we met here to adjourn the House, because we wanted a review of the lockdown regulations. After that, we lost Hon. Singo from Matabeleland South. We should have observed a minute of silence inasmuch as we did a minute of silence for the Hon. Members and others outside this House who had passed on and those who had passed on in hospitals and in the privacy of their homes. Can we observe a minute of silence for Hon. Singo.
Hon. Members observed a minute of silence.
May her soul rest in eternal peace and I want to thank Hon.
Misihairabwi for bringing this to my attention.
Hon. Kazembe Kazembe is the Acting Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and also the Acting Leader of Government Business.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL
HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE): Mr. Speaker Sir, I move that Orders of the Day, Nos. 1 to 15 be stood over until Order of the Day, No. 16 has been disposed of.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
REPORT ON THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON WOMEN
AFFAIRS COMMUNITY AND SMES DEVELOPMENT ON THE
CONSOLIDATED BUDGET PERFORMANCE REPORT FOR
MINISTRY
HON. MADIWA: I move the motion in my name that this House take note of the report on the Portfolio Committee on Women Affairs Community and SMEs Development on the Consolidated Budget
Performance Report for Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and
Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Third Session, Ninth Parliament, November 2020.
HON. CHINGOSHO: I second.
HON. MADIWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I am going to present a report on the Portfolio Committee on Women Affairs
Community and SMEs Development on the Consolidated Budget
Performance Report for Ministry of Women Affairs, Community and
Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Third Session, Ninth Parliament, November 2020.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I am going to give a Consolidated Performance
Budget Report for the Ministry of Women Affairs ordered in terms of Standing Order No. 159.
Introduction
The Constitution of Zimbabwe mandates Parliament to have oversight of all State revenues and expenditure in order to ensure financial probity in the utilisation...
THE HON. SPEAKER: Did you say you are presenting the
report in terms of Standing Order No. 169?
HON. MADIWA: 159, I did not go through the provisions.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Did you say Standing Order 159?
HON. MADIWA: Yes, 159 which says, at the commencement of
every session, there shall be as many committees to be designated according to Government portfolios as the Standing Rules and Orders may deem fit and it shall be the function of such committees to examine expenditure administration and policy of Government departments and other matters falling under their jurisdiction as Parliament may, by resolution determine. (3) The Members of such committees shall be appointed by the Standing Rules and Orders Committee from one or both Houses of Parliament and such appointments shall take into account the express interest or expertise of the Members and Senators and the political and gender composition of Parliament.
THE HON. SPEAKER: What I have here is not what the Hon.
Member has referred to. It has to do with Bills returned with amendments. The Clerk of Parliament will help you to correct that Standing Order. You may proceed.
HON. MADIWA: The Constitution of Zimbabwe mandates
Parliament to have oversight of all State revenues and expenditure in order to ensure financial probity in the utilisation of public resources.
Section 119 (3) of the Constitution states that, “all institutions and agencies of the State and government at every level are accountable to
Parliament.”
Section 298 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides inter alia, that there must be transparency and accountability in financial matters. It gives prominence to the fact that public funds must be expended transparently, prudently, economically and effectively. In addition, financial management must be responsible, and fiscal reporting must be
clear.
Section 299 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe obliges Parliament 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. The Act seeks to ensure transparency, accountability and sound management of the revenue, expenditures, assets and liabilities of ministries, constitutional entities, statutory funds and designated corporate bodies and public entities. 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 idea behind these provisions is for Parliament to monitor use of public resources in line with its financial oversight functions.
2.0 REPORTING FRAMEWORK
Having realised that not all ministries were complying with the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act [Chapter 22:19] relating to submission of monthly, quarterly and annual reports to the legislature as provided for in law, Parliament in 2016 came up with a reporting guideline. It had been observed that where ministries complied, the majority of reports were mostly financial in nature with very little information provided on outputs, outcomes and impact arising from the financial resources expended. The reporting guideline spells out the content of performance reports with particular emphasis on performance budgeting, which has been the missing component. The guide borrows heavily from the Public Service Accountability Monitoring (PSAM) rights-based approach on social accountability monitoring framework, which focuses on the entire public resource management system of the State. The PSAM conceptual approach is based on the premise that there are five basic interconnected processes through which States manage public resources to deliver services that realise the socio-economic rights of citizens as illustrated below:
1: Public Resource Management processes
The World Bank (2004) asserts that these five processes, although distinct, are interconnected in such a way that failure on one process can weaken the whole service delivery process in this integrated social accountability system. Each process therefore forms part of 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. Strategic planning informs resource allocation on the amount and area where resources are needed. After this, expenditure management follows where-in there is tracking of expenditure in the context of fiscal discipline, efficiency, effectiveness and value for money.
Performance management focuses on implementation of planned activities in an effective, efficient and responsible manner where-in officials perform their responsibilities and supply products and provide services in conformity with interests of satisfying citizens needs and rights. During processes 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 (Public Integrity management). Oversight 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. It is only after Portfolio Committees receive reports with such detail that they can be able to effectively play their constitutionally mandated oversight function.
The Committee on Women Affairs, Community, Small and
Medium Enterprises Development (Herein after referred to as the Committee) received the first, second and third quarter reports of the
Ministry and analysed them, with technical assistance from the Parliament Budget Office. The analysis checked compliance with the reporting guideline and the PFMA reporting standards.
COMMITTEE OBSERVATIONS FROM THE THREE
REPORTS RECEIVED
The Committee noted that the Ministry of Women Affairs Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development policy priority areas for 2019-2021 augur well with the Ministry’s
purpose in life. These are:
- Finalisation of Community Development Policy;
- Implementation of the Broad-Based Women’s Economic
Empowerment;
- Facilitate financial inclusion and access to markets for women’s products;
- Implementation of the National Gender Policy Implementation
Strategy and Action Plan and National Action Plan on Ending
Child Marriages;
- Implementation of the 4Ps campaign (Prevention, Protection,
Participation and Programmes) on ending GBV and Anti-Domestic
Violence Council Strategies Plan;
- Capacity building of SMEs in Business Management Skills and other technical skills;
- Training and capacity building of cooperative officers and cooperators.
The Committee also noted the Ministry’s policy priority areas for 2020 which are:
- Dissemination of the Implementation Strategy for the National
Gender Policy;
- Finalise strategy on Women in Decision Making;
- Implement the National Action Plan on Ending Child Marriage;
- Hold awareness campaigns on GBV;
- Funding of Women’s groups through the Women Development
Bank;
- Training of women on simplified trade agreements into vernacular languages;
- Commemoration of 16 Days Against Gender Based Violence;
- To finalise the Community Development Policy;
- To refurbish 2 x National Training Centres and renovate
Community Based Centres for Skills and Entrepreneurship
Development;
- Devolution awareness campaigns; and
- To increase income and growth of MSMEs.
The Committee noted with satisfaction that the reports made reference to the strategic plan which is an overview of its planned activities and targets for the year. The Ministry linked its programmes to its strategic plan. The link between planned activities to the ongoing broad macroeconomic policies such as the Transitional Stabilisation Plan,
Sustainable Development Goals and other cross cutting issues such as gender among others is very clear. This helped the Committee to adequately assess the performance of the Ministry in the context of the broader socio-economic goals.
The Committee also noted that the Ministry was allocated ZWL
503 976 000 (Inclusive of retention funds) in the 2020 Appropriation
Act. The resource allocation is for three programme areas namely;
Policy and Administration (10.62%); Women Empowerment, Gender Mainstreaming and Community Development (30.84%) as well as Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development (58.54%).
The Committee also noted that the Ministry staff establishment is 2 290 following the transfer of Incubation Services Unit to the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development with effect from 2 January 2020. The transfer of the Unit left 40,3% of its established posts unfilled. Women constitute 48% of the total employment in the Ministry. At decision making level, the Permanent Secretary, Chief Director and other Directors are males except the Director Gender. The rest of the women at decision making positions are on acting capacities, giving a bad example from the Ministry responsible for gender equality and equity. The Ministry conducted interviews for the Community Development Coordinators for
Matabeleland North and South Provinces to fill 56 Community Development Coordinators.
The Committee noted with concern erratic releases of the allocated funds especially for programme 3 which impedes the ability of the Ministry to deliver its mandate as indicated below:
FIRST QUARTER % RELEASE | SECOND
QUARTER % RELEASE |
THIRD QUARTER % RELEASE | |
Programme 1: Policy and Administration | 54 | 72 | 79
|
Programme 2: Women
Empowerment, Gender Mainstreaming and Community Development |
10 | 49.9 | 97 |
Programme 3: Small and Medium Enterprises and
Cooperative Development. |
6 | 17.6 | 21 |
The Committee also noted that despite assertions by the Hon.
Minister of Finance and Economic Development when he presented the Mid Term Fiscal Policy Review Statement on 16 August 2020, that overall average utilisation of Votes was 46% as at June 2020 which did not warrant the need for a supplementary budget. This was caused by the miniscule releases by Treasury and not in the absorptive capacity of ministries. The Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development is reported to have utilised 25% by June 2020 yet the Ministry’s second quarter report indicates 33.8%.
The Committee is concerned with the imbalanced releases by programme and sub-programme.
Programme 3 had a cumulative release of 21% by 30 September while sub-programme 1.1 (Ministers and Permanent Secretary) had exceeded the budget of ZWL$6.5m by 4.96% and 41.38% by the end of the first and second quarter respectively. This constrains the ability of certain departments to achieve their mandate while others flourish. The net effect of channelling little resources to these sub programmes on the socio-economic landscape of the citizens of the country is immense. It is also worrisome to note that releases towards ministries programmes are erratic while releases towards employments costs are guaranteed. One therefore wonders why employees are being remunerated if they are not given the resources to do what they were employed to do.
The expenditure report is not compliant with Section 36 of PFMA which stipulates that, “the actual expenditure should separate capital and recurrent expenditure for that period.” The Ministry is reminded to report in line with provisions of the PFMA.
The Committee noted with appreciation that the approved budgets of $20m, $100m and $15m for the Women’s Development Fund, Women’s Micro-Finance Bank and Community Development Fund had been released in full by 30 September 2020. However, for SMEDCO only $40m of the $90m was disbursed.
The Committee acknowledges that most of the targets the Ministry had set itself to achieve were not achieved due to the combined effects of erratic releases and the COVID 19 pandemic associated lockdowns.
The Committee noted that the Ministry is constrained by lack of vehicles. The Ministry had planned to purchase a total of 14 vehicles from the 2020 annual Budget. Currently, the Ministry managed to procure seven vehicles and is awaiting funding from Treasury for the purchase of the remaining seven vehicles.
The Committee wishes to comment SMEDCO for observing compliance with regards to reporting. The Committee received the entity’s strategic plan, submitted in line with provisions of Section 22
(4) (a) (i) of the Public Entities Corporate Governance Act.
The Committee also received the 2018 SMEDCO Annual Report and awaits the 2019 Report. In 2018, the corporation recorded a total income of $2 138 068 in comparison to $1 285 653 in 2017. However, it incurred a total comprehensive loss of $415 811 for the year ended 31 December 2018. The corporation however managed to grow its loan book to $4,685,529. Interest income increased from $327,608 in 2017 to $991,346 in 2018. Other related fees, charges and operating income grew from $265,092 in the previous reporting period to $483,162 in 2018. The capacity to lend was supported by the disbursement of funding from the Treasury as well as local lines of credit that were secured by Treasury Bills released to recapitalise SMEDCO of
$15million at the end of 2016.
The Committee noted that SMEDCO’s costs were pushed up by filling some of the posts that had remained vacant during a period of limited activity, the adoption of International Financial Reporting
Standard 9 (IFRS9) reflective of the higher risk of the sector that the institution serves and other operating costs. Four million nine hundred and ninety one thousand eight hundred and fifty three dollars was disbursed to 409 MSME clients in 2018. This helped to sustain 1,910 jobs and create 521 jobs. This was an increase from 2017 where 1,774 jobs were sustained and 148 jobs were created. The corporation’s disbursement to women-owned enterprises was $1,697,894 representing 38 % of the total disbursements in 2018 in comparison to 28% in 2017.
The Committee observed that the Gender Commission adhered to
Section 323 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe which requires every Commission to submit to Parliament, through the responsible Minister, an Annual Report describing fully its operations and activities. The
Zimbabwe Gender Commission accordingly submitted its Fourth Annual
Report to Parliament and the report was duly tabled in this august House.
The Committee invites this Honourable House to note that, according to the Gender Commission Annual Report, “Gender insensitive socio-cultural, economic and political practices continue to thrive in the Zimbabwean society, which has remained predominantly patriarchal. Attitudes, norms, practices and expectations propagating violence and discrimination against women and girls prevail. Sexual harassment in the workplace, educational institutions, churches, homes and public spaces continues unabated. Most communities are still trapped in primitive and often barbaric socio-cultural and religious practices such as forced marriage of which child marriages tops the list. Cyber bullying and stereotyping are too common. In most cases, the society turns a blind eye to women and girls suffering under gender oppression. Even though the challenges are many, real commitment to meaningful gender equality largely remains insufficient”.
The Committee observed that gender imbalances in political participation and representation of women in leadership and decisionmaking accounts in part to lack of transformation. The steadily deteriorating economy of the country laid bare the complex gender dimensions obtaining in a heavily compromised macro-economic environment.
The Committee noted and appreciates the progress the Ministry has made in addressing the 2018 Auditor General recommendations. The issue of two of the existing four classroom blocks at Rodger Howman Training Centre being used for storing ballot boxes on behalf of ZEC since July 2013, with no storage fees paid for the warehousing facility however, has not been satisfactorily addressed. The Ministry has engaged ZEC which is still to pay or remove the material.
RECOMMENDATIONS
- Treasury should improve on the releases and predictability of resources to the Ministry. Erratic releases impede on the ability of the Ministry to achieve what it set out to achieve. The releases should be balanced by programme and economic classification, or else concentration of activity will be in one department while other departments suffer.
- For the 2021 financial year, Treasury should adopt a system of quarterly releases of the operational budget after a Ministry has satisfied all reporting and acquittal requirements. Where possible, capital releases should be once off so as to enjoy economies of scale.
- Beginning January 2021, the Ministry of Women Affairs should use the National Training Centre for Rural Women (Jamaica Inn) and Rodger Howman Training Centre to hire out conference and accommodation facilities to NGOs, government departments, development partners and the general public and generate additional revenue to finance development programmes. The current scenario where these centres are used as warehouses for ZEC election material will not in any way benefit women empowerment.
- With effect from January 2021, the Ministry’s budget, through
the Women’s Development Bank and SMEDCO should support innovative community-based savings and lending schemes to accelerate women’s economic empowerment activities. Financing should be through revolving funds. Requirements for one to access the funds should be scaled down without compromising the check systems to ensure repayments. In that regard, a rural women biased system should be adopted instead of a one size fits all system.
- The Public Service Commission should urgently accede to the request by the Ministry to engage 28 x Community Development
Coordinators for Matabeleland South Province. The process of engaging
28 x Community Development Coordinators for Matabeleland North Province where interviews have already been conducted should be fast tracked and posts filled by end of January 2021.
- There is need for Parliament to give effect to the constitutional intentions, particularly Sections 3 (1) and 17 (1) (b) of the Constitution by formulating legislation that unequivocally makes gender equality provisions of the Constitution justiciable. In that regard, the Ministry should by 30 June 2021 draft the Gender Equality Act, which would ensure gender balance in politics and decision making at all levels especially in respect of local authorities, parliamentary and senatorial seats, the Executive and the Judiciary. The Act should also criminalise disregard of the constitutional provisions on gender equality outlining the attendant penalties;
- The Committee also recommends for amendment of section 124 of the Constitution and the Electoral Act by the Ministry of Justice,
Legal and Parliamentary Affairs to adapt to the Zebra system for the House of Assembly, Local Government and for all institutions by 30
September 2021.
CONCLUSION
Mr. Speaker Sir, in light of what I have presented, it is clear that with regular, consistent oversight of the Executive, sustainable resource utilisation 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 invests in capacity building of its Members on budget oversight to ensure effective and efficient budget execution.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Madiwa. Right at the
beginning of your introduction, the correct Standing Order should be 17 and not 159.
HON. CHINGOSHO: Thank you Hon. Speaker.
THE HON. SPEAKER: I crave your indulgence Hon. Chingosho.
Please switch off your microphone. Thank you. The Hon. Biti raised a point of national importance concerning our Government’s national strategy vis-a-vis the role out of the COVID-19 vaccine and because of that importance, I crave the indulgence of Hon. Chingosho that he may move the motion to tomorrow and ask the Hon. Leader of Government business to accordingly adjourn the debate.
THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL
HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE): Mr. Speaker Sir, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday 17th February, 2021.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Before I call upon the Hon. Vice President, may I remind all Hon. Members who are attending virtually that you are attending official sittings of the House and accordingly, you must be properly dressed. If not, we are going to mute you out of the system accordingly. I hope this explanation will be adhered to. Please go by our dress code at all times, including when you are attending your Committee meetings.
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
COVID VACCINE DEPLOYMENT AND ROLL OUT PLAN
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF HEALTH
AND CHILD CARE (HON. RTD. GENERAL DR. CHIWENGA):
Mr. Speaker Sir, let me brief the House on the COVID Vaccine Deployment and Roll out Plan as we have planned it and implementing it. Mr. Speaker Sir, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the country resulting in 34 949 positive cases and 1 382 deaths as of 11 February 2021. The high numbers of both positive cases and deaths has prompted the country to plan for the introduction of a vaccine. The country has already secured 200 000 doses of the vaccine from Sinopham from the
People’s Republic of China which it has graciously donated to Zimbabwe. This is our first of the vaccines to come into the country which will be administered to priority groups in the country. I want to hasten to add that from now we will be getting the vaccines regularly, maybe every two to three weeks so that the programme of vaccinating our people does not stop. In addition, an operational budget to fund the implementation of planned activities is in place and has been shared with Treasury. The country’s COVID-19 vaccination and deployment plan identifies key areas for successful roll out of the vaccine.
OBJECTIVE OF COVID VACCINATION PLAN
The National Roll-Out, Deployment And Vaccination Plan (DVP) is a guiding document that provides framework for designing strategies for the deployment, implementation and monitoring of the COVID-19 vaccines in the country and ensuring the planned and related financing is well aligned to the Zimbabwe COVID-19 recovery and responses and support plans. That implementation is fully integrated into national governance mechanisms.
Broad Objective
To enable high quality vaccination services and reduce morbidity and mortality due to COVID-19 disease.
Specific Objectives
- To vaccinate eligible population on a voluntary basis for free.
- Vaccinate a minimum of 60% of the total population to achieve head immunity.
- To initiate vaccination through eligible high risk target populations.
- To provide adequate vaccines and supplies for the activity.
- To ensure availability of functional cold chain equipment at all levels.
- To monitor progress, adverse events following immunisation (AEFIs) and provide corrective action.
- Create demand for immunisation.
Regulatory Framework
The COVID-19 vaccine is an emergency vaccine registered by MCAZ under Emergency Use Authority. This is in terms of section 75 of Medicines and Allied Substances Control Act. We have registered the vaccines now. As you may be aware Hon. Members, we are watching the print and electronic media and they are now about 15 vaccines. When we get a vaccine which we think is or can be used in this country, it is registered under this section.
The Pharmacovigilance and Clinical Trials Committee will implement vaccine vigilance plans to monitor the safety and electiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine in use.
The vaccine consignment shall be physically verified and cleared by the Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe upon arrival. The consignment shall be cleared on the basis of the standard vaccine lot release documentation.
The Ministry will set up and implement the safety monitoring plan to enable swift detection of any Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI). Lastly, the Ministry is to consider a study to confirm immunogenicity of the product in the local population
Planning and coordination
Establish or engage an existing committee, a National
Coordinating Committee (NCC) for COVID-19 vaccine introduction with terms of reference, roles and responsibilities and regular meetings.
This we must make sure is done by this Committee.
Secondly, the Interagency Coordinating Committee (ICC) was tasked to spearhead planning and preparations for COVID-19 vaccination.
Thirdly, the National COVID-19 Response Coordinator was coopted into the ICC with the Permanent Secretary being the chair of the committee.
Fourthly, Public Partnership initiatives will be coordinated by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.
Lastly, the Ministry of Health and Child Care will implement effective deployment of the COVID-19 vaccines through the National EPI programme.
Let us now move to the resources and funding: The total estimated operational budget for COVID-19 vaccination over all phases is US$6 778 777.00. Here we are talking of the operational budget. The total cost for Phase 1, Stage 1 is US$1.3 million.
Budget Summary for Phase 1, Stage 1 and for all stages is indicated in the tables below; Mr. Speaker Sir, we are duplicating the copies so that Hon. Members can have a copy and be able to see some of the figures which I am talking about here as they are tabulated.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Vice President, you may through
your officials, send soft copies to the...
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE (HON. RTD. GENERAL DR. CHIWENGA): It
has already been done.
Overall Budget | Cost USD |
Planning and Training | 909,165.00 |
DSA and lunch for vaccinators | 1,442,600.00 |
Fuel for outreach teams | 21,000.00 |
Preparedness assessments | 118,700.00 |
Support supervision | 234,850.00 |
Coverage survey | 200,822.00 |
Post Implementation evaluation | 19,460.00 |
Advocacy and communication | 1,268,450.00 |
Vaccine distribution | 30,750.00 |
AEFI Surveillance | 46,620.00 |
Data collection and tools | 1,216,360.00 |
PPE | 1,200,000.00 |
Waste Management | 70,000.00 |
Total Cost | 6,778,777.00 |
So the USD6 million and what it is going to do has been broken down so that Hon. Members can look at it and be able to see what it is all about. This is because it will start from training and planning right up to the waste management. Remember we are dealing with a vaccine and from the training to disposal, we have to incinerate all these things after use because we also do not want to be spreaders of the virus. That breakdown is there. So Hon. Members will be able to go through it.
The breakdown for Phase 1, Stage 1 which I talked about, USD1.3 million will start at the National Planning and Training has got its figure.
Budget Breakdown for Phase 1 Stage 1
Overall Budget | Cost USD |
National Planning and Training | 2,640.00 |
Provincial Planning and Training | 45,480.00 |
Vaccination | 741,577.00 |
Supportive Supervision | 136,364.00 |
Advocacy and Communication | 262,240.00 |
Logistics Vaccine Supply and cold Chain | 14,530.00 |
Data Management | 27,678.00 |
Total | 1,202,831.00 |
Public Private |
Target population for vaccinations
Population | % of population | |
Phase 1 ( stage 1 and 2) | 3 662 279 | 22% |
Phase 2 | 3 050 855 | 18.4% |
Phase 3 | 3 050 855 | 18.4% |
Subtotal | 9 763 988 | 58.8% |
Total population under 16 yrs | 6 795 000 | 41.2% |
Total Populations | 16 558 987 | 100% |
The total population will be confirmed when the census is done in a year’s time but this is just an estimate.
Target population for Phase 1, Stage 1 which we are talking about; who are these departments and ministries? We have got the total number and the health workers for vaccination.
Target Population for Phase 1 Stage 1
Department/ Ministry | Total |
Ministry of Health and Child Care | 49000 |
Ministry of Heath Private Sector | |
Zimbabwe Defence Forces | 30000 |
Zimbabwe Prison Service | 50000 |
Zimbabwe Prisons Service and Correctional Centre | 13000 |
ZIMRA |
We have got the health workers for vaccination; Ministry of Health and
Child Care, 49 000 and all these we will vaccinate them. Defence and Security starting with ZDF 4000 and they have 3000 plus of their health workers who are the ones who will be vaccinated. The Police have got plus 500 health workers who will be vaccinated. The Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services will be vaccinating over 700 health workers. Besides, these we will be vaccinating all members of ZIMRA and our immigration workers who we term the frontline workers. There are others who have not been put in this report, the agritex officers under Agriculture and there can be a few who might have been left out but I have just highlighted the major areas which will constitute Phase 1.
Target groups for vaccination – Phase 1 populations at high risk stage one –frontline workers which are health workers, port of entry personnel like ZIMRA, immigration, customs, security and others which I have talked about. Stage 2 will be those in the vulnerable groups such as those with chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, TB etcetera because you do not want to get this virus while having underlying conditions as it will be very difficult to treat such patients. The Elderly population people who are 60 years and above. Prison population and others as well as confined settlements like refugee camps are considered to be in stage 2 as they are likely to get this disease because of staying together in big numbers. Even some of our urban settlements are not the best settlements we can talk about. So, we will look at that and make sure that those people are saved.
Going to Phase 2, we are looking at lecturers. All school staff populations and other staff at medium risk depending with the epidemiological picture of the disease at that time. We will also be looking at how the disease will be playing havoc in our population.
Phase 3 will be the population at low risk which will be the last group. We have divided our people into three phases but Phase 1 has got two stages which are frontline workers and those with underlying conditions that is stage 1 and stage 2.
Training – development and adoption of training materials for
all activities
The Ministry has arranged trainings of trainers (ToTs) for provincial and district trainers.
Provincial and District trainers will in turn train health workers at service delivery centres.
Exapanded programme on immunisation or EPI will support planning and conduct of the (ToTs).
Online in person and blended learning that is the combination of online and in person which are the most common method which will be used to train staff.
Areas of training to include vaccine storage, communication, surveillance, vaccination and monitoring and evaluation and the AEFI and waste management.
Vaccination Service Delivery
The actual administration of the vaccine will be done at fixed and outreach points.
One to two outreach teams will be allocated per rural district depending on the size of the district with five people per team. For example, City of Harare will be allocated 11 teams, Bulawayo 4 teams, Chitungwiza 2 teams to deal with the vaccination. So vaccination teams will require fuel, lunch and daily subsistence allowances. The assumption is vaccination will be conducted over 10 days in the first round and five days in the second round. You might be asking why 10 days first – it is because our staff is still learning and obviously when you are starting something you have not yet learnt the tricks and by the second round we think they will be more experienced and they will do it faster because we want to deal with this thing as fast as we can because the faster we go means our people will be given the necessary antibodies and that their bodies will be able to fight the virus. Supervisors drawn from head offices, provinces and districts will monitor planning, implementation and outcomes.
Let me go to the supply chain management, the immunisation supply chain of Zimbabwe consists of 4 levels which are central, provincial, district and service delivery. Vaccine distribution follows this channel from central vaccine to 10 provincial, 63 districts vaccine stores and then to more than 1800 service delivery facilities. The central vaccine stores distributes vaccines to provincial vaccine stores, provinces distribute vaccines to district vaccine stores and district to service delivery as well. Distribution of COVID 19 vaccine will follow the existing distribution structure of routine vaccine and supplies.
The vaccine will be received at the airport and distributed to provinces and districts under police escort. The vaccine distribution flow chart is there. When the documents are out, Hon. Members will be able to follow and we have also put it in a diagrammatic format so that Hon. Members will be able to follow wherever they will be in their constituencies, whether everything is going according to plan. We also put our delivery vehicles which will be refrigerated so that they are easily identified if they move in the area.
On the supply chain, distribution planning is based on targeted population per province. We will ensure adequate supply of potent vaccine to all illegible population. We shall ensure functional cold chain equipment at all levels. The cold chain we are talking about is from where the vaccine is manufactured, if it has to maintain a temperature of between 2 to 8 degrees Celsius right up until it has been given to the recipients. It must maintain that temperature, that is the cold chain we are talking about. Any variance to that will cause us problems and we want to make sure this does not happen, and this is why the first consignment which came, my Deputy had to go in there together with the head of the Medicine Control Authority of Zimbabwe and Ministry of Finance to see and to be with the vaccine until they got to Harare. The vaccine had to be taken to NATPHARM to make sure it is within that same range of temperature. So that is what we are talking about when we say the cold chain.
There will be police escorts accompanying Zimbabwe extended programme on immunisation distribution vans, wherever that van travels it will have police escort. Distributed to provincial cold rooms with capacity of nine square meters under police escort and distributed to districts with cold chain capacity of an average of 200 litres or two to 3 refrigerators; logistical support for vaccine distribution and cold chain management throughout the period from planning to implementation.
Lastly, supply fuel for central level and provincial standby generators.
So, during this period, we want also to make sure and we are working with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to make sure that all our generators in all our areas are working in the event that there is power cut because we are also in the rain season. In the event that there is a power cut, the generators must kick off to make sure that we do not spoil and end up losing a lot of vaccines. The cold chain capacity description is also included, you will be seeing it in your papers Hon. Members which you are going to receive and we have also put pictures of the cold rooms so that you can see where we are going to be keeping that vaccine and the type of equipment which we will use to keep those vaccines.
Information dissemination and advocacy communication and social mobilisation, advocacy meetings and activities to be conducted at all levels. Whilst we do this, we also ask Hon. Members to help in this matter that it is the duty of everyone to make sure that our people are educated. There will be national vaccination launch to be conducted virtually to rally all stakeholders for COVID-19, social mobilisation done at all levels in order to create demand for the vaccine. Finally, community mobilisation for vaccination will be conducted via radio, television programmes and announcements; interpersonal communication with target groups, newspaper article and advertisement and social media campaigns, Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter and bulky SMEs and lastly billboards, banners, posters and board media and crisis communication addressing serious AEFIs.
Let me now come to vaccine safety monitoring and management of
AEFIs and injection safety; in partnership with MoHCC-ZEPI, the
National Pharmacovigilance & Clinical Trials Committee and MCAZ are the main drivers of vaccine safety surveillance. Covid-19 vaccine safety surveillance will be guided by already existing MoHCC’s
Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI) surveillance guidelines and the WHO COVID-19 vaccines safety surveillance manual. Safety surveillance for COVID-19 vaccine will be further strengthened through additional:
- Training of national stakeholders and investigation teams.
- Training of national AEFI committee on causality assessment of adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination.
- Training and preparation of health care workers on identification, management and reporting of potential cases of anaphylaxis and ensuring availability of comprehensive emergency tray at all vaccination points. A lot of people might react, just like any other drug. Some people are given simple stop pain and they react. Therefore, we have to be prepared to deal with such situations. That is what is being explained here.
- The trainings will be provided as part of comprehensive COVID19 vaccine introduction trainings.
- Instituting active surveillance of Adverse Events of Special Interest following COVID-19 vaccination.
ZIMBABWE AEFI REPORTING
Biohazard and immunization waste management
Management of waste related to COVID-19 vaccination requires special attention due to the infectious nature of the virus. Waste generated from COVID-19 vaccination will be according to the country’s existing waste management guidelines for treatment of health waste. There will be waste segregation at point of generation following existing protocols. All medical waste will be incinerated either at point of generation if there is a functional incinerator or at some central incineration point in which case transport will be provided to move the waste to the incineration point.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Development of Monitoring and Evaluation Framework to guide planning and implementation – There will be pre vaccination demographic data collection. Conduct Preparedness Assessment to assess readiness at all levels. Development of data collection tools that is tally sheets, summary sheets and vaccination cards, all these will be required to be there. Consolidation and reporting of the number reached will be done on a daily basis using existing platforms and structures. Disease surveillance will include AEFI monitoring. There will be blood collection to determine antibodies before and after vaccination. Conduct of a Post Campaign Coverage Survey to validate administrative data and conduct a post introduction evaluation to assess the quality of the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccine and help inform future introductions.
Tentative Timeline of Activities
We started training today and was supposed to have ended today but we will continue to monitor as from today whether other all the other stations have completed their training. On procurement, the first batch of donations has arrived and the next procurements have already started. We are making sure that before the end of this month we should have received the other batch of the vaccines. Vaccine distribution started yesterday and we should go up to the 26th February. Cold chain inventory is ongoing. Advocacy, communication and mobilisation have already started and if you watch our electronic media, social media and in our newspapers, this programme is ongoing. Monitoring and evaluation started and is ongoing programme. We hope our first job of vaccination will start in two days Mr. Speaker Sir. I want to thank you Mr. Speaker. This is what I wanted to inform the House. I thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Vice President and
Minister of Health.
HON. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Thank you very much
Mr. Speaker Sir. I am sure you will allow me to thank the Minister for the presentation. My first question to the Minister and Vice President is to do with the figures that you have given us in terms of the targets, particularly for the first phase. If you are looking at your frontline workers, you are only looking at the workers not necessarily their partners. When we look at partners those figures substantially change. May you explain how it is feasible to just do one person and not necessarily their partner?
The second question is - if the vaccination is really to create head immunity, one does not get a sense that we are hearing of the role of the private sector; that is the majority of your people Hon. Vice President go to private doctors and there is a lot of money in that area. We are paying medical aid and one does not understand why if one is paying medical aid, CIMAS and all the monies that we are paying and a vaccine is at a cost of $5. Why are we then asking the Government of Zimbabwe to cover that particular cost instead of creating the head immunity by ensuring that the private sector comes in? In that line, one is also wondering why as Government we are saying every citizen has to get vaccinated for free. What is the logic of having somebody who lives in the low density suburb and drives Merc competing for the same vaccine with somebody who is at Mbare or Tsholotsho? Why are we not clearly demarcating ourselves because our system is very clear, we have the public sector health and the private sector health? Why are we not creating a situation where those that are in the private sector also go into that vaccination so that we can create a large number of people and deal with the issue of head immunity? In the presentation, I did not hear anything that speaks to how the private sector is going to be involved.
The third one, the Hon. Vice President indicated that we have 15 vaccines currently. What is going to happen when the vaccination is taking place? Are we going to have a situation where we have just a few of those vaccines because you have to do one dose and have a second dose or are we going to have a situation where today we have a Russian vaccine, the Chinese vaccine? Are there choices to the vaccine that you are having because you cannot have a mixture of the Russian vaccine and have the Indian vaccine tomorrow, particularly in circumstances where you are dealing with pregnant women? Are pregnant women going to be vaccinated also? Are there serious problems associated with getting vaccines for pregnant women?
HON. SACCO: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Firstly, I would like to applaud the Hon. Vice President and Minister of Health for the timely intervention for bringing in the vaccines to Zimbabwe. My question is around the use of alternative treatments for COVID-19. There is talk about the use of ivermectin drug which I know has been authorised for investigations to be done around the use of ivermectin for treatment as well as prophylaxis. Could the Hon. Vice President comment on ivermectin. Can it be used as a drug for human beings and how effective is it? Thank you.
HON. BITI: I want to thank the esteemed Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care. I have got four questions for the esteemed Minister. Hon. Minister Sir, why are you pursuing head count instead of a target of just immunising every Zimbabwean? Head counting did not work in the United Kingdom and other countries. So, why is your strategy on head-count instead of just immunising everyone because everyone can fall sick and die? We have lost so many people.
My suggestion is that you must go for a target of immunising every
Zimbabwean.
Secondly, why have you registered Sinopharm? The Sinopharm drug itself has not yet been peer-reviewed and has not been approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO). In China itself, Sinopharm is not the dominant drug, the dominant drug is actually Sinovac. So why are you accepting from China a drug that Chinese themselves are not using?
Thirdly Hon. Minister Sir, I did not hear you utter a single word on
Covax. Has the Zimbabwean Government made an application for Covax and if so, what is the stage with regards to Zimbabwe acquiring drugs under the Covax scheme.
The fourth question; in view of the fact that the Minister of
Finance and Economic Development did not allocate any budget for COVID-19 vaccinations in the 2021 Budget, what has the Government budgeted for? In your Statement Hon. Minister, you were referring to a budget of USD6 million, even to buy a herd of cattle in Matebeleland South, USD6 million is not enough. What is the budget for COVID-19 vaccines that will be sufficient to vaccinate the people of Zimbabwe? I will stop here for now Sir even though I have many questions. Thank you very much Hon. Vice President.
HON. MATARANYIKA: Thank you very much Hon. Speaker
Sir. I would want to take this opportunity to thank the Hon. Vice President and Minister of Health for such a comprehensive and instructive report. I had so many questions but they got answered along the way. So, I am just left with two questions. The first one Hon. Minister is, I did not hear in your report where you are placing Members of Parliament. Are they part of the frontline workers or what?
The second one is; if we are considering opening schools, certainly teachers have to be considered in terms of a strategy on how they can also be placed as frontline workers. I thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order, Hon Mliswa, if you have
got a point of order, you rise and you are recognised accordingly so that you can correct whatever you want to correct.
HON. CHINYANGANYA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I also
want to thank the Hon. Vice President for the comprehensive report. My question is how effective are the vaccines against the new variant especially the South African one. I thank you.
HON. RTD. GEN. DR. CHIWENGA: Mr Speaker Sir, as I
respond to Hon. Members’ questions, I have got a team of scientists and expects who I will ask when it comes to a particular area where they are required to respond if you may allow me.
If I might start with the first questions asked by Hon. MisihairabwiMushonga. The frontline workers have got partners, yes. Everyone who would have come to majority age will have a partner. That issue we are dealing with people who are going in to handle patients who are affected by this deadly virus. In the hospital, we have the red and green zone. Even at the reception, when one comes trying to get the assistance of the doctor the individual does not know whether he or she has been affected by the disease. It is only after diagnosis that they will recognise that they have been affected by the disease.
So, it is during that time that we need to protect our workers.
Everybody is going to be protected. Let us get that one clear. But who
is our first priority? These wake up everyday but the partner might be working somewhere else. So the partner has to wash up, mask up, sanitise and social distance to ensure they are safe. This however does not happen to the frontline worker who is dealing with the people affected.
Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga, we are aware of that and everybody will be vaccinated. It will not take too long but with what we have at the present moment, let us pay attention to those in great danger. You went further to ask the role of the private sector. A lot has happened and if I was going to advise the Hon. House what has taken place to date, we would go until midnight. It was on the 26th that we had a meeting with the corporate sector. They are involved in this whole programme.
Hon. Biti asked what Government has done. Government has come up with a budget of $100 million and the private sector has also come up with their budget to contribute towards vaccines. An account has been opened where the corporate are putting their money and all this is under the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. The corporate sector is cooperating. However, when it comes to life, life does not know whether you are rich or poor. You die and unfortunately whether you are rich or poor you do not get up, you are gone. As I said earlier on that life cannot be bought, we want to make sure that every life in Zimbabwe is saved, no matter the person is rich or poor. We want that life to be saved. That is why the President has asked and he chaired the meeting of the corporate sector to find what they were going to do and they came and volunteered their assistance. They have pledged quite a lot, for instance, some have pledged up to 10000 doses which means they can treat a few of their workers and the rest will be to assist other Zimbabweans. That is how they are contributing.
Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga, every citizen at the end will be vaccinated. Here what we are saying is we cannot vaccinate everybody even if we had all the vaccines, we cannot vaccinate everybody in one day. We are saying what is our priority, we have lined up the priority area to say the health or frontline workers, those with chronic illnesses for example if we take two Hon. Members here one is diabetic and one is healthy, we will take the one with diabetes and give him first priority because the healthy one stands a better chance to survive when attacked by the virus.
The 15 vaccines I was talking about are the vaccines that have been manufactured or researched on by various companies or countries. You will find in one country they might have come up with 3 or 4 vaccines. The example that has been given of the People’s Republic of China, they have got more than five, America has got more than four, they have got Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson, - [HON. BITI: Astrazeneca] – no, Astrazeneca is for the British – We look at how those vaccines have been made. I will ask my deputy to explain with the permission from the Speaker. We have got what we call the MRNA, those you have gone into the laboratory but when you go to the attenuated, you actually kill the virus and then make a vaccine out of it. This is the one we would want because that is the genuine one. The other one can give you wrong signals in your body.
I will ask my scientist to come on that one so that Hon. Members understand. The Medicine Control Authority of Zimbabwe is where we have our experts. They will look at all the vaccines and say choose the best vaccine for our country not what those people are saying out there, each one saying their vaccine is the best. If 3 people are saying shirts, you cannot say but Hon. Biti’s shirt is the better one and mine is the best you will say mine is the best. It is upon us to choose what we want –
[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
So, this will now answer the issue, there are vaccines which we have already been told cannot be taken by pregnant women, so what are they going to do, there are some that cannot be taken by breast feeding women and some that cannot be taken by a person who is under 16. So, we will try to find a vaccine that will suite our own condition and no one will say my child has died because they have not been vaccinated. I think I have tried to answer Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga.
Hon. Sacco, eva pharma, we have two drugs in there, the other one is for animals and the other one for human beings. This will also be dealt with by my deputy who has more knowledge on it. The eva pharma we have already authorised it one and a half months ago; the one for human beings because we have two-one for the human beings and the other one for animals. The one to be used by human beings, we gave it what we call emergency use one and a half months ago and it is being used – [HON. BITI: Zumbani] – zumbani we have asked our university to study it but there is nothing wrong because we grew up taking zumbani when we were kids to treat colds and fl. This disease is in the flu family and if you take zumbani there is no problem. We have developed interest because we have found something in zumbani which can help and the University of Zimbabwe is looking at that – [AN HON. MEMBER: Inaudible interjection.] – zumbani you can use it but we have found a component which is useful in there. My deputy will come and explain – [HON. BITI: Ko kunatira!] – keep on doing that it will help you.
Now coming on to Hon. Biti, head count did not start now, it started many, many years ago. The virus is killed under certain temperatures and we have to maintain the desired temperature for the vaccine to be effective. The vaccine mutates when in the body or when it is passed from one person to the other, that is how it survives, it cannot survive outside the body for long. If we are all vaccinated in this House, this will help our immune system to fight the virus. The 60% is not a number which was stamp sacked, it is scientifically proved.
The sinopharm was approved by WHO and it was attenuated and that is why we chose it. My deputy is the one who went to get the delivery and we are also taking sinovac because it was approved by WHO. The Covax, we signed for it they required me and the Minister of Finance to sign and we did that, we also signed the Covax for the AU. On all the things which can help Zimbabwe, we have done. What we are now waiting for is to see the delivery. What we have said to everyone is, you do not determine the vaccine for Zimbabweans. It is Zimbabweans who will determine their own vaccine. That way we will not be given what is not required by Zimbabweans.
Hon. Mataranyika, I can see there are some Hon. Members here who are above 60, so they will get vaccinated. They will get vaccinated, no problem. We are aware that Hon. Members would need to be protected. We will not turn a blind eye on that issue.
Hon. Chinyanganya asked about the RSA variant. We have got three variants which have caused a lot of problems. There is the RSA which is B11256, the B1.1.1.7 which is the UK one. We have also the variant for Brazil. These are the ones which are very virulent and infectious. It does not mean that the South African one kills more than what we had. The difference is that it spreads very fast and it is a matter that we are looking at – [HON. BITI: Is it here in Zimbabwe?] – The South African one, of course it is here but we have dealt with it effectively. We are very happy that you are supporting us with the measures that we have taken and we are also dealing with that matter. These are the questions that had been asked but Mr. Speaker Sir, I was going to ask the Deputy Minister to respond to two areas; that of Sinopharm and Ivermectin, with your permission.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Vice President. We have received some questions online and I have indicated to the Deputy Minister while you were speaking that some of them have been covered in your Statement but some people were not listening. There are few grey areas left. Hon. Deputy Minister, can you address those areas which have been indicated by the Hon. Vice President.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE
(HON. DR. MANGWIRO): Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Thank you all Hon. Members for the good questions. I will address the vaccines issue and I will make it simple. Vaccines for now are the sure way that we can curb or retard the spread of the SARS-CoV 2, the coronavirus which causes the Covid-19 disease. Vaccines are made in different ways and people take the virus. The virus itself has got portions that can be targeted by manufacturers. It has got its cell wall, the nucleus and all those things. One can take something that goes into the ribosomal area of the virus like the Modena virus. Some take the particles on the cell wall and all that. The idea is that the particle when injected into a person will alert the body that the virus is in you. The body will produce antibodies which are the soldiers of the body to fight infections and in this time in particular, the SARS-CoV 2 virus which causes the Covid19 disease. These vaccines are made in a manner that some need to be stored in temperatures less than minus 75ºC. We do not have the capacity, maybe we can go the lowest of 30ºC. We will say no to those ones for ourselves.
Secondly, other viruses will be kept in the ranges of 2 to 8ºC. Our infrastructure has been in existence. We are vaccinating our children for time immemorial. So the infrastructure for us to use certain vaccines is already there because we have been vaccinating our children for polio and other diseases. A vaccine that has such characteristics and behaviour will be one of our choices. What we will also look at any vaccine that we are likely to take should go through phases of studying.
Phase 1, they have looked at 100 people to be given the vaccine and they see the result that it produces the antibody; it does not harm people. They go to phase 2 where they give a thousand people; they look at it again and do phase 3. This is what happens before we accept any vaccine in our country. They have to give us the phase 1, clinical records and studies and we see if it is genuine. Then phases 2 and 3, we do the same. We also check to see if they are registered with World Health Organisation and other organisations for peer review to make sure we are dealing with a genuine product.
If you see a vaccine that is here, that has happened. Our Medicines Control Authority gets dossiers of the vaccine as we require. Sinopharm has gone through that. Sinovac and Sinopharm are two Chinese manufacturers. Sinopharm is one of the companies and is now being used in China. Sinovac produces larger quantities and it is also registered. We are in the process of registering Sinovac right now. They have given us phase 1, phase 2 and we are waiting for documents for the next phase and they will be registered shortly. When it comes to vaccines, those people who will have gotten Sinopharm vaccine requires two vaccination times. If you get vaccinated on the 8th February with the Sinopharm vaccine, we will keep your second dose for the next 28 days of the sinopharm vaccine. If we give you Sinovac vaccine we will also keep the dose for you for the next phase. There is also the Sputnik victory from Russia, we will also go through the phases and everything. Covax is a group of vaccines including Sinopharm, Sinovac, Sputnik, Modena, Astrazaneca, Johnson and Johnson, Pfizer and others. So as a country, we will choose from those and say can we look after it, is our infrastructure compatible with what this vaccine is all about, how long are we going to do it? When we negotiate prices, all those things we look at them but we will not negotiate prices for anything that is less. We will take the best for our people. Vaccines are there and we will choose what is best for our country and we will look at literature and make sure things are okay. For the vaccines, I have tried my best and if there is anyone with a question I will still answer.
HON BITI: What is the efficacy rate of the Sinopharm?
HON. DR. MANGWIRO: The efficacy of the Sinopharm is 76 to
86%. If you go to Astrazaneca, at times it is 10%; it can range up to 92%. You go to Johnson and Johnson, you go to Chile or Argentina; they range from 51% to everything. What we do is to look at the average performance of each vaccine before we take it. We look at those performances very rigorously. We do not take a thing just because it is this. If a vaccine is performing below 50% through and through, the manufacturers will not bring it into the market. When we take a vaccine we would have looked at the performance as well as safety, that is what we do.
I will also answer on how effective it is against the South African variant. I want to say something about these viruses. These viruses mutate on a daily or weekly basis. There is no country that will say everyday they make a vaccine against each mutant. The vaccines we are getting now - for a vaccine to be on the market, it would have been looked at for at least not less than six to eight months. The vaccines we are getting now, the studies started last year using a particular virus that they saw that time. People will start making vaccines according to the variants and we will be following the virus from behind. There is no way we can say UK has this variant, now make the vaccine. It is impossible. You need a year. By the time you finish making the variant that is there now, next year you will have 100 more variants. All what the virus is doing just like human beings, we are all here to pass on our genes – survival. That is your job here on earth. It is to pass on genes. The virus also is trying to survive. As we go along, we will also be saying this variant that we have now, by the next three months maybe it is no longer there. What are you going to do if you had made the vaccine for this one today? It is something that we are scientifically following correctly and working on.
One cannot say that there is a variant in Tsholotsho; is this vaccine going to work - we cannot work like. Every other time there is a mutation. We use what we are doing scientifically during that time. By the time we get to next year, people will be making a variant that they will have found next month in June or so.
Ivermectin is the genuine thing that we have now that can change the course of this disease. Ivermectin is just like what people said about chloroquine, remdesivir, retnovia, alluvia – all antiretroviral. People have said those on antiretroviral will not get this disease. A lot of things are said. Zumbani has been mentioned, kunatira, kufandichimuka - all those things. On ivermectin, what has happened with scientists is that there have been several scientific arguments so that whatever we do we follow science. The argument for ivermectin and its reasons have not been enough to defeat those who say no. Their arguments have not been enough to say this one can be used. It is going to be used on compassionate basis. People who feel that this person deserves the ivermectin, the doctor is given the choice to use it.
What we do when we use medicine is that I read about medicine. For this ivermectin to kill the virus you need toxic levels. It is also anti inflammatory. You can use it for that. Personally, I would say if a doctor has read and says the little information for the use of ivermectin is present in my patient, one can use it on compassionate basis. What we do as professionals is, if you use that medicine which is not allowed or registered, we will take you to task if the patient dies. What happens with the NIH and other big organisations that sit and determine directions the drugs should take, agreed that there is not much evidence for and there is not much evidence against. People said yes it can be
used but the decision is left to a particular doctor. When an untoward event happens then we can also understand to say the patient had massive inflammatory reactions in the lungs, so I used it and people will understand. Right now, I will not go out and say ivermectin is the silver bullet. This is why as a nation we are rushing out to use vaccine because when you get anti bodies to fight the virus, we are going to be in the right direction scientifically. Even zumbani, mufandichimuka, kunatira – I have seen people vachiisa dombo rakatsvuka mumvura inotonhora roputika rokuvadza vanhu kumeso. We need to be careful with some of these inventions. Our inventions and adventure, we need to be careful. I am repeating that the vaccine for now is our proven something that we can be using.
I will look at some of the questions which came online. Is it practical to test the vaccine by our scientists in just 48 hours? Is this not dangerous trial and error with people’s lives? This one I want to correct the question. What I am understanding is that he thinks that the vaccine has to be tested there and there. This thing when it comes here, it is already tested like I said in those phases and then it has already been proved to be effective and safe. Our Medicine Control Authority people have already looked at the vaccine and its results. There is no new testing of the vaccine. We are not here to experiment on the vaccine afresh. This is not our vaccine, it is something that has already been tested elsewhere and it has proved that it is working. It has been peer reviewed by others and it has been seen to be effective. There is no testing of Zimbabweans that is going on with this sino-vaccine.
What is 60% of our population in terms of actual figures? This is about 10 million if we are 16 million.
Minister, is the Inter-agency Committee chaired by the Permanent Secretary already in place? If so, who heads it and is it devolved? Yes it is there and it is devolved. Our Permanent Secretary of Health is Dr.
Jasper Chimedza.
Are the reports that people with immune suppression disease like HIV and those on chemotherapy correct that they should not take the vaccine? I am not sure where the writer got that message from because immunosuppression does not mean HIV only. Diabetes is a chronic inflammatory disease and it is an immunosuppressive disease. That is not a correct supposition that people with HIV cannot take the vaccine.
People with diabetes or hypertension and cancer can take the vaccine. People with cancer have massive immunosuppression because of the cancer – it is an immunosuppresive disease, they can take the vaccine.
Clarification from the Minister of Health that 60% will leave over 5.5 million people vulnerable – why not over 100% say over the next year; I am sure the Minister has already answered that this is a target and that we going to continue vaccinations as we go along even if we can vaccinate everyone, the better. We need to work with figures and
targets.
What are the timelines of this – I am sure the Hon. Minister said the next batch will come every two to three weeks. Definitely, the timetable is there. Wherever you are, if you watch the print media, you will see that every two weeks – for instance at the end of this month, we are going to get about 600 000 doses of the vaccines and we will continue to get this. It is a continuous stage by stage process that is going on. We will try to make sure that every Zimbabwean is protected.
The last one is that Hon. Minister, while we appreciate the distribution channel, there is no Government hospital in Mt. Pleasant Constituency while the only council clinic which we had is currently closed as all workers there have resigned. How do you propose to deal with a Constituency which has no functional health facility? I am sure this one is being handled. We have many places without clinics and everyone is covered. What people must know is that most of these council facilities are now under Government. We have taken over and we will take care of every Zimbabwean whether there is a clinic or not, everyone will be covered. Remember we have fixed places where people will get their vaccine and we have mobile units that will come to your places to have your vaccine given to you. There is no need to worry too much.
Has there been any pre-trials on this vaccine? I said that we have had phase 1, 2, 3 – we are not doing any trials, we are actually using the vaccine. The trials were done by the manufacturers in different areas in their different countries. We are now treating our people using the vaccine to achieve the targets that have been set.
I think I have gone through all the questions that had been asked.
(V)HON. TOFFA: On a point of order. I am not sure if the questions have all been answered. I asked some questions on the chart book and have not been answered.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Yes they have been answered in the statement by the Hon. Vice President and also by the Hon. Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care.
Hon. Mliswa you are the last one because I have seen that most of the questions on line are repetitions. May you be brief?
HON. T. MLISWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Chakanaka chakanaka mukaka haurungwe as Mr. Speaker says. I am very impressed with this elaborate delivery. It was a good lecture for us as
Members of Parliament. Like the Hon. Vice President and the Minister of Health and Child Care said that with such ammunition, we need to go to the ground now. What is Government doing to ensure that as legislators, we go and talk to our people? It is resources that hinder us. How are you going to coordinate that with the teams going on the ground for us to give confidence to the people that what is coming your way is good? I would like to know how we fit into the teams that you have as Members of Parliament, Councillors and so forth so that we represent the people effectively.
The other issue which is really close to my heart is, what are we doing to put money into our research and development for our own people? The University of Zimbabwe which you know Hon. Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care and Deputy Minister
Mangwiro has a Medical Faculty which is one of the best in the world. What have we done to give them money so that they also come with their own vaccines for our people? It is quite critical because one of the experts who work for Pfizer is Zimbabwean. We have seen many
Zimbabweans in all this. What are we doing to ensure that our medicine faculty is given resources to come with our own vaccine because the climatic condition and diet differ? In China, it is different from Zimbabwe and a lot of what we have gone through .....
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Mliswa, you have made a point – research and development. What is the next point?
HON. T. MLISWA: We have got the PCR testing and the rapid results. Today as Members of Parliament, we went through the rapid results which I said is certainly not recommended. Which one is recommended because the rapid results that we went through as Members of Parliament is US$30, the PCR is US$60. Which one do you recommend as the Ministry of Health so that people can then take the necessary test that is required.
Other than that, let me thank you for your swift movement in taking over Norton clinic to become a Government hospital. I am pretty impressed by the way you work. It is militant, it is organised and excellent. Keep up the good work. I thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: I thought Hon. Mliswa was going to ask
a question which he raised under a matter of national interest that is the rapid result test has been outlawed in Zimbabwe. I said can you confirm that with the Ministry of Health – whether that test has been outlawed.
HON. T. MLISWA: Mr. Speaker Sir, thank you very much. My question for national interest emanates from the rapid result testing we got today and the PCR. As far as I hear, PCR is no more recommended.
What is your response to this?
(v) HON. DR. LABODE: Mr. Speaker Sir. I am sorry I am not well, that is why I am at the hotel. I just want to thank the Hon Vice President for the brilliant report. I just have a few issues; I would want to suggest, for a public health reason, to galvanise Zimbabweans to move; to vaccinate, you start with legislators. There are only 300 of them and it is not really a big expense and also 100 of those 300 choose to be vaccinated anyway which is fine. While our logistic system is perfect and better than none but it may face challenges now because of the rain. Our roads are not in good order and you will need 4x4s to be able to deliver these vaccines to the most remote areas. We should also anticipate a challenge with our solar system and ZESA. Because of the rains, there are a lot of trees falling and so there is a lot of blackouts happening and we cannot afford to lose the vaccine which is expensive.
I noted that you have included private clinics and hospitals as well as people that are going to vaccinate. We all know that the private sector has not been reporting their statistics for the testing of Covid-19. So, how do you expect the private clinic to be able to report to you how many vaccines they will have given out? What is the assurance that they will not charge probably $10 for the vaccine. If they do charge, then you should sell to them. I agree with Hon Misihairabwi-Mushonga that there is a part of some citizens in this country who should pay. The medical aid should contribute towards this vaccine. Private companies like Delta surely can afford to pay $2 per worker. They should just contribute towards the vaccine because the vaccines are expensive. We need every cent we can get. I am not sure whether SADC has started galvanising global fund so that we are assisted. We will not cope on our own. Even these donations are minimum 200 000 is nothing compared to what we really need. So we should start now lobbying and galvanising more funds from the global cake. I thank you.
(v) HON. MARKHAM: Hon. Speaker, my questions may have been covered because I have got poor network. However, I just want to quickly raise three or four issues. Is there any category of people should that not take the vaccine for example people who have had Covid before, with pregnancies maybe age minus? Is there any category that cannot be covered by the vaccine?
The second one, is acceptance will be given approval for the moment through the medicine control authority. My concern is in social media there has not been any adverts. I get those on the background of two pharmacies and two doctors and I have three different dosages. I think that should be cleared up as soon as possible considering the circumstances.
Then on the case of Hon. Banda and the Mt. Pleasant Hospital which is not the only one. There are three here in the northern suburbs that are closed as we speak and the issue is nurses resigning of which I believe up to 100 have resigned in the Harare province. The reason maybe none payment and I am certainly not blaming anyone because it could be council or Government. The none payment of the $75 of the COVID allowance, could that be looked into as a matter of urgency. My last question is on the tracking of this certain vaccine, do people have to go back to the same clinic as they received the first vaccine?
RTD. GEN. DR. CHIWENGA: Thank you Mr Speaker Sir. I
shall ask your indulgence because the voices on virtual were not audible enough. Hon Mliswa asked what Government is doing for Hon.
Members to go and explain to their constituencies. We would like Hon. Members to go and explain to their constituencies but the Level 4 regulations will be followed. You can gather up to 30 and not more than that. It can be done in a very systematic manner that you gather your councillors and your business people and all those that matter so they can also pass on the message as they go. What we would not expect you to do is to have large gatherings because that is where we will have
super spreaders and instead of passing the message, you will be annihilating your next voters. We would request that Hon. Members follow the current instructions which are there. You have asked about R & D. Hon. Mliswa you are quite right but you will be advised in due course. We are way ahead. We will not sit and wait for other people to do things for us. We are also doing our on things and when the time comes, you will be advised.
You also asked about the three tests that are being done that is the PCR test, Rapid and the antigent. The rapid will give the result immediately but the result does not, in normal cases tell you whether you are positive for COVID-19. If you have got diabetes you may test positive. In the case of women, if you are pregnant you can test positive also but it will be detecting pregnancy hormones not COVID-19. When one tests positive we then go on to investigate further whether the person tested positive to COVID-19 or to something else. The antigen is much better than the rapid test but the best is PCR. PCR results take about 2 ½ hours and some take about 5 hours but you are assured that the results which you are going to get are the correct ones. The antigen is much better; if you were tested three days ago and you are required to come here the antigen test will do.
We are aware that it is a matter of life and death and so other people are making good business out of this pandemic. Truly speaking, we should not be paying all those amounts but we do not have a choice, so we end up paying, but sooner or later it will be a thing of the past because they will have no one to test.
I want also to combine questions asked on clinics. We are aware that some clinics have closed because they were badly run but the
Permanent Secretary has been directed to open all clinics and hospitals. We have started with Norton Council Hospital and Government is now running that hospital. We are doing that for all the clinics that have been closed. What is important is the health of people living in a particular area.
Wherever you are as Hon. Members, talk to your provincial medical directors and know the state of clinics in your area, whether there are closed or poorly run. They might be open but without offering proper services. So you then alert the Ministry of Health and Child Care who will come to your assistance because we want those clinics to be functioning so that people get the services they require.
Hon. Labode, asked about Members of Parliament. I have answered that question. Let me say but I did not want to explicitly say this Mr. Speaker, we take you as our frontline workers because you talk to people everywhere you are. We are very aware and we will take care of you so that you are looked after. If this august House collapses then we have the country in trouble. This also includes quite a number of other frontline workers who are not mentioned here.
In terms of the vaccines whether there will not be abused, they will be counted even if they are given to private practitioners; there has to be accountability. This is not something to experiment on and see how the wrath of the law will visit you. It is better for people not to abuse these vaccines. We are trying to make sure that everyone survives. Yes, death is there but we must die when it is God’s time and not die because of COVID-19. For one to play around with the vaccines, the long arm of the law will become very short and we will get the individual. Corporates are paying and an account has been opened. In future with the indulgence of the Hon. Speaker, we might have to ask the Minister of Finance and Economic Development to come and explain to this august House because he is leading in that area of resource mobilization, so he will be able to explain better. Most of these people either come to my office and I refer them to Ministry of Finance. They are paying, they are contributing quite immensely and as Government alone, we would not have managed if the corporate world was not on our side.
Hon. Markham; again the issue of health staff which is no longer at clinics, I have already answered it. If one gets transferred, I explained when I was giving my presentation that at the end of the three documents which will be done, the individual will have a card. If the person does not get vaccinated there will be vigorous follow up to see what has happened to that individual. Information will be computerised and the individual will have the card to show that he/she was given a jab.
The person should know the date of the next jab and the individual must go and get that jab. It will be in the interest of that individual and it is also in our interest to make follow ups on the individual.
I did not get the first question. There is something which I tried to scribble but I ended in between. I do not know Mr. Speaker Sir, if I have not answered him all the questions he has asked.
THE HON. SPEAKER: I think you have wrapped it up Hon.
Vice President.
HON. RTD. GENERAL DR. CHIWENGA: Thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Thank you very much. I think it goes
without saying that the roll-out National Strategy has been quite intensive and extensive as explained by the Hon. Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care. The rest of the information, please check your e-mails, you will still be able to see the tables that the Hon. Vice President referred to. We thank you Hon. Vice President for this elaborate National Strategy in terms of what the Government intends to do.
As I said, there may be one or two questions tomorrow. If the Vice President is engaged somewhere, the Deputy Minister could be around and answer any further questions tomorrow during Question Time.
On the motion of THE MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE (HON. KAZEMBE), the House adjourned
at Twenty-One Minutes to Six o’clock p. m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Wednesday 10th February, 2016
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
VISITORS IN THE SPEAKER’S GALLERY THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I wish to recognise, the presence, in the Speaker’s Gallery of young men and women from the Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust. You are most welcome.
HON. P. D. SIBANDA: On a point of order Madam Speaker.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: What is your point of order?
HON. P. D. SIBANDA: Madam Speaker, I am raising a point of order in terms of Standing Order Number 69 of the amended Standing Orders for the National Assembly. I want to seek your guidance on how the right of Members to debate on issues and the powers of Parliament to oversee the running of Government is being balanced with the right and power and the need to protect the integrity and the name of the
President.
I am raising that point of order Madam Speaker because I have observed a scenario in this House in which if Members debate anything to do with the Office of the President, they are told that they should not debate. What I want to understand is whether this House is not allowed oversight over the office of the President as provided by the Constitution on the powers of Parliament. I believe that when we are debating on anything to do with the Office of the President, we are playing our Constitutional role of oversight over the Executive. However, I have seen the Chair interfering so much, to an extent that if anyone debates on anything to do with the Office of the President, they are told that they cannot debate. So, I want a ruling on that Madam Speaker. I want to know whether, in terms of our Constitution, we are able, as Members of Parliament, to bring the Office of the President to account on certain issues pertaining to the governance of this country. Thank you Madam Speaker.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, while I do
understand and hear your point of order, at the moment, I can say it is not the Office of the President which is being talked about, it is the name of the President. However, we will go and study and give you a comprehensive response so that you will understand how we can proceed.
HON. P. D. SIBANDA: I will be eagerly awaiting that comprehensive response Madam Speaker. Thank you.
HON. MUTSEYAMI: On a point of order Madam Speaker.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: What is your point of order?
HON. MUTSEYAMI: My point of order Madam Speaker is to do with the business that we have today, whereby we are obliged to ask questions of importance for this country to benefit. You would see that on the front bench we only have one Cabinet Minister. I think it is of paramount importance to look into that seriously because last week, we were assured outright left, right and centre by the Speaker that on today’s programme, all the Ministers will be available but alas, today we only have two Hon. Ministers, Hon. Joseph Made and the other. I think it is best for us to have a response to the nation which is in sincerity to the cause of Parliament.
Madam Speaker, please if you can respond, then we move on for the good of this country, the Republic of Zimbabwe; bearing in mind that we are doing a national business at the expense of a ruling Party which is holding a political party politburo at the expense of
Government business – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
HON. MATUKE: Thank you Madam Speaker. I wanted to raise the issue that Deputy Ministers are also commissioned Ministers–
[HON. MEMBERS: Garai pasi Mudhara.] –
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Order! Hon.
Members, there is no need to complain if I recognise anyone to stand up and speak. Can we give him a chance to talk?
HON. MUNENGAMI: On a point of order Madam Speaker.
Surely, the Hon. Chief Whip firstly, he is not a Cabinet Minister.
Secondly, the Speaker was very clear, even our rules are very clear that Deputy Ministers do not sit in cabinet. For Deputy Ministers to come here and tell us that they are the same as Cabinet Ministers - that is not correct
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order behind there.
Hon. Member, are you a Cabinet Minister? I gave you a chance to stand up and speak out your mind. That is the same with this hon. member, he also has a chance to stand up and speak out his mind. From there, you will hear my ruling. He is not going to speak on my behalf, but he will have a chance to say what he wants to say –[HON. MEMBERS: Hear,
hear.]-
HON. MATUKE: I want to raise an important issue that our Deputy Ministers here present can answer on behalf of the Ministers because they also get Cabinet minutes and all reports from Cabinet. If there is any question which can be asked to the Deputy Ministers and they fail to answer….
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you. Hon. members,
before we came into this House, I think we discussed this issue and it was also well discussed last week. I was assured that a number of Members of the Cabinet are coming into this House. Meanwhile, we can proceed and question those who are here because I am assured they are coming–[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]-
HON. MUNENGAMI: With all due respect Hon. Speaker…–
[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! Someone is speaking and we want to hear because we would like to answer questions.
HON. MUNENGAMI: Thank you Madam Speaker. Surely, with all due respect….
Hon. Musundire having sat on ZANU PF Members of Parliament’s side - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Members, what is the
problem? Order, order! Hon. Members, I think you are senior hon.
members. If I call for order, what does that mean Hon. Munengami?
HON. MUNENGAMI: Thank you…..
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, when I call
for order, what does that mean?
HON. MUNENGAMI: Sorry, sorry, sorry.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: So you have to do that. I am appealing to hon. members, when the Chair is speaking, no one is supposed to stand up. Do not be surprised if I take action on you. I am warning you.
The noise is still there. Everyone should go back to his original seat so that we avoid confusion - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-
Order, order. Chief Whips, Chief Whips please.
Chief Whips approach Hon. Musundire.
Hon. Musundire goes back to his seat.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! Can we have order now and proceed?
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
HON. CHIVAMBA: My question is directed to the Minister of Health and Child Care. There is this Zika virus disease caused by mosquitoes and its being talked of in Brazil. Are we safe in Zimbabwe?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE
(HON. DR. MUSIIWA): I would like to thank the hon. member for asking this pertinent question at this point in time. Zika virus disease is a new infection that is spreading in South America. However, it is not completely new. It was discovered a long time ago here in Africa in
Uganda in 1947. That is when it was first isolated.
The current outbreak is mostly centered in South America – Brazil and Colombia to be particular. It is a viral disease that is spread by mosquitoes. It is pertinent because we also have mosquitoes in this country but the type of mosquito that spreads this type of infection is different from the mosquito that causes malaria. The one that causes malaria is the female anopheles mosquito. The one that causes the Zika virus is known as Aedes. It is also found locally in Zimbabwe.
The major difference is on their feeding habits. The one that causes Zika feeds during the day whereas the female anopheles is normally a nocturnal feeder.
The question the member asked is whether we are safe. It has been declared by the WHO that it is now a pandemic and it can spread all over the world. At the moment, we have not had Zika in Zimbabwe but we are taking precautions. Our monitoring and surveillance systems are already in place to detect any such effects. Thank you Madam Speaker.
HON. MACHINGURA: Hon. Minister, when they said there is
no treatment of this Zika virus, how did they eradicate it in 1947?
HON. DR. MUSIIWA: I want to thank the Hon. Member for
asking this question. Actually what happened is that the disease was not eradicated in 1947. What happens with viral infections is that they flare up during certain periods then sometimes they just go down and this is what has happened even with other flues. At the moment the symptoms are quite mild but the danger with this one is that it affects unborn babies. So, mostly pregnant mothers are affected by this virus and they end up giving birth to children with defects.
HON. P. D. SIBANDA: My supplementary question is based on the desire to have the nation correctly informed. The Hon. Deputy Minister indicated that Zika virus is caused by mosquitoes yet information that we get from International News Stations seems to indicate that causal nexus has not really been determined. Has it been determined scientifically that indeed mosquitoes are the ones that are causing the spread of Zika?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD CARE
(HON. DR. MUSIIWA): I think I need to clarify further. The Hon. Member has asked a very important question. He wants to know whether Zika is caused by mosquitoes. No, it is not caused by mosquitoes but caused by a virus. The mosquitoes only transmit and this is irrefutable scientific evidence which we can actually isolate. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] - I knew this was going to be a very important question because it concerns the welfare of the whole nation.
So, I have taken my time to prepare this document from the Centre for
Disease Control in America and you will read it in the Hansard.
Key Facts
- Zika virus disease is caused by a virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes.
- People with Zika virus usually have a mild fever, skin rash (exanthema) and conjunctivitis. These symptoms normally last for 2 to 7 days.
- There is no specific treatment or vaccine currently available.
- The best form of prevention is protection against mosquito bites.
- The virus is known to circulate in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the Pacific.
Introduction
Zika virus is an emerging mosquito-borne virus that was first identified in Uganda in 1947, in rhesus monkeys through a monitoring network of sylvatic yellow fever. It was subsequently identified in humans in 1952 in Uganda and Tanzania. Outbreaks of Zika virus disease have been recorded in Africa, the Americas, Asia and the
Pacific.
- Genre: Flavivirus
- Vector: Aedes mosquitoes (which usually bite during the morning and late afternoon/evening hours) Reservoir:
Signs and Symptoms
The incubation period (the time from exposure to symptoms) of Zika virus disease is not clear, but it is likely to be a few days. The symptoms are similar to other arbovirus infections such as dengue, and also includes fever, skin rashes, conjunctivitis, muscle and joint pain, malaise and headaches. These symptoms are usually mild and last for 2 to7 days.
During large outbreaks in French Polynesia and Brazil in 2013 and 2015 respectively, National Health Authorities reported potential neurological and auto-immune complications of Zika virus disease. Recently, in Brazil, Local Health Authorities have observed an increase in Zika virus infections in the general public as well as an increase in babies born with microcephaly in North East Brazil. Agencies investigating Zika outbreaks are finding an increasing body of evidence about the link between Zika virus and microcephaly. However, more investigation is needed before we understand the relationship between microcephaly in babies and the Zika virus. Other potential causes are also being investigated.
Transmission
Zika virus is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito from the Aedes genus, mainly Aedes aegypti in Tropical Regions. This is the same mosquito that transmits dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever.
Zika virus disease outbreaks were reported for the first time from the pacific in 2007 and 2013, (Yap and French Polynesia, respectively) and in 2015, from the Americas (Brazil and Colombia) and Africa (Cape Verde). In addition, more than 13 countries in the Americas have reported sporadic Zika virus infections indicating rapid geographic expansion of Zika virus.
Diagnosis
Zika virus is diagnosed though PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and virus isolation from blood samples. Diagnosis by serology can be difficult as the virus can cross-react with other flaviviruses such as dengue, West Nile and yellow fever.
Prevention
Mosquitoes and their breeding sites pose a significant risk factor for Zika virus infection. Prevention and control relies on reducing mosquitoes through source reduction (removal and modification of breeding sites) and reducing contact between mosquitoes and people.
This can be done by using insect repellent, wearing clothes (preferably light-coloured) that cover as much of the body as possible, using physical barriers such as screens, closed doors and windows and sleeping under mosquito nets. It is also important to empty, clean or cover containers that can hold water such as buckets, flower pots and tyres, so that places where mosquitoes can breed are removed.
Special attention and help should be given to those who may not be able to protect themselves adequately, such as young children, the sick and the elderly.
During outbreaks, Health Authorities may advise that spraying of insecticides be carried out. Insecticides recommended by the WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme may also be used as larvicides to treat relatively large water containers.
Travellers should take the basic precautions described above to protect themselves from mosquito bites.
Treatment
Zika virus disease is usually relatively mild and requires no specific treatment. People sick with Zika virus should get plenty of rest, drink enough fluids and treat pain and fever with common medicines. If symptoms worsen, they should seek medical care and advice. There is currently no vaccine available.
WHO Response
WHO is supporting countries to control Zika virus disease through:
- Defining and prioritizing research into Zika virus disease by convening experts and partners.
- Enhancing surveillance of Zika virus and potential complications.
- Strengthening capacity in risk communication to help countries meet their commitments under the International
Health Regulations.
- Providing training on clinical management, diagnosis and vector control including.
- Strengthening the capacity of laboratories to detect the virus.
- Supporting Health Authorities to implement vector control strategies aimed at reducing Aedes mosquito populations such as providing larvicide to treat standing water sites that cannot be treated in other ways, such as cleaning, emptying and covering them.
- Preparing recommendations for clinical care and follow-up of people with Zika virus, in collaboration with experts and other health agencies.
*HON. MAHIYA: My question is directed to the Deputy
Minister of Home Affairs. Can you please enlighten this House on what would have happened when you send the Support Unit or Black Boot to the artisanal miners? I also want to know who pays the allowances of those police officers when they are on such duty.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (HON.
MGUNI): That is a very important question but it is actually dubious because it always pities the police against artisanal miners. But the procedure goes like this; a person will apply for a mining prospective licence which he/she will be given and then apply for a mining licence. When given the mining licence they then call the surveyors who will peg the claim. What happens thereafter is -
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order Hon, Minister. Order
Hon. Members, Order, let us have order in the House. Why is it that whenever I open my mouth you also start talking? Hon. Minister, the way I understood the question is that the Hon. Member wants to know about the deployment of police to Makorokoza and the allowances that they are paid, not the allocation of stands.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (HON.
MGUNI): Thank you Madam Speaker. We cannot send police to an area where there is no mining permit. That is why I was giving you the procedure. Firstly, if there is a complainant who reports that there are people who will have intruded into his/her mine or claim, we advise that person to go to court and be given the messengers of court to go and evict the intruders. When it is like that, that is when the police can be released to accompany the owner of the claim to bring order. If there is no court order, police are not allowed to go there. That should be reported to us. Secondly, Government has a duty to give police allowances whenever they are deployed outside their work stations.
Thank you Madam Speaker.
HON. NDUNA: I heard from the Minister that police are not allowed to go without a court order. In what instances do police go in without a court order, force and cause the closure of artisanal mining activities, in particular, an incident that happened at Pick-Stone mine in Chegutu West.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, I think you
can write down your question and bring it in as an outstanding question.
HON. MAJAYA: My question is directed to the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs. I would like to know Government policy on security of tickets, which police issue at road blocks with regards to their authenticity? Thank you.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (HON.
MGUNI): Thank you Madam Speaker. I think the invoice books that are used for issuing tickets are serial numbered and the stock is taken from the headquarters when they issue them. Secondly, they have got four pages which can be cabornised to show that if you issue a ticket the record remains on the book, the other one is taken to the administration and the third one is sent to the headquarters. I think that is a very good security measure that the book has. Thank you.
HON. D. SIBANDA: My supplementary question is that; has the Government policy changed? The system has been that if you are driving without a licence, you are issued seven days grace period to produce that licence. Then all of a sudden the Deputy Commissioner says you are supposed to pay the fine immediately.
HON. MGUNI: Thank you Madam Speaker. She is 100% correct
that without a licence you can be given seven days to produce it.
However, the police have had challenges where bogus addresses have been given to them. People are renting some houses and they transfer immediately after committing an offence. So, we have found that it costs the police to track the $20.00 ticket. It is not cost effective to go around looking for a person who has got an offence of $20 against $100.00 fuel that will be used. So, the law can be changed but in the interim there is an operation memorandum that has been issued to say people can pay a certain amount. Thank you Madam Chair.
HON. D. SIBANDA: Hon. Deputy Minister, so when are we
going to have the policy changed or are you going to bring it to Parliament to change this. Are you changing the Act or are you changing the policy in regards to that?
HON. MGUNI: Thank you Madam Speaker. Those are some of
the challenges that the Ministry has come across and we have to bring them to Parliament so that everybody in this House – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order Hon. Members it
is not you who call the Hon. Minister to sit down – it is my duty as the Chair.
HON. MUNENGAMI: Thank you Madam Speaker. In my view
it is actually scandalous for the Deputy Minister to come here and say that there is an operational memo which they are using to defy the law. Hence the reason why we have been saying Deputy Ministers do not sit in Cabinet.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Order Hon. Members!
Everyone knows that Deputy Ministers do not sit in Cabinet but we already have had satisfactory answers from them and you have been clapping hands to those answers. So, I think the issue that they do not sit in Cabinet is out. If you are complaining about what the Deputy Minister has said, then let us dwell on that one rather than going back on the issue of Deputy Ministers’ position in Cabinet.
HON. MGUNI: Thank you Madam Speaker, there is nothing that
is against the law which I have mentioned. The police will have the
right to demand the payment using their own discretional powers – [HON. MEMBERS: In audible interjection]-constitutionally,they have
that right.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER; Order! Order! Can we have
order please? Hon. Members! I am going to give a ruling on this one that the Hon. Member should bring the question in written form so that they go and research in order to give us a detailed answer – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] - I have given a ruling on this question. No one is going to answer and no point of order on this question!
HON. P. D. SIBANDA: On a point of order! It is on the issue of the capacity of Deputy Ministers to answer questions not specifically on this one – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: You are out of order, please
take your sit.
HON. B. TSHUMA: Thank you very much for your honour –
[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order, regai
kundibatsira, I do not need your help, I can control the House. There is no original Tshuma, they are all equal. I have recognized Hon. D.
Tshuma.
HON. D. TSHUMA: Thank you very much Madam Speaker. My
question is directed to the Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. I know there is a policy of feeding the people in the rural areas whenever there is drought. In our urban constituencies, there is the same drought effect, so what is your policy towards feeding us the urbanites as well because we are facing the same drought?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (HON.
MGUNI): Thank you Madam Speaker. The policy we have for feeding people in the urban areas is under the Public Assistance Programme. Initially, we were giving cash payments to that group of people, but we have since reverted, from this month onwards to giving them maize as well. So, yes, with effect from the beginning of next month, you will see us giving maize to people in the urban areas.
HON. DR. LABODE: We tend to get a lot of reports of what is happening or is not happening at any given place. I think it is now important for us to come to a position where the Minister, on regular basis come and brief this House that yesterday you were in Magwegwe, tomorrow you are in another place because no urban area has had food distributed.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (HON.
MGUNI): Thank you Madam Speaker. Certainly, as a Ministry we do not have a problem with availing that information. For the record, week in- week out – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Members behind there, you are
making a lot of noise.
HON. MGUNI: For the record, week in-week out, we actually supply these figures to Cabinet. So, I do not see any problem with availing those figures here. That can be done.
HON. MUTSEYAMI: My supplementary question to the Hon.
Deputy Minister is, is it possible to put the information on record from the time they began to allocate assistance to urban vulnerable groups? I have not heard it anywhere in Zimbabwe.
HON. MGUNI: Thank you Madam Speaker. I have insisted from the outset that we have a programme on eight rural districts, which is different from the urban product, which we call Public Assistance
Programme. On that programme, for the two urban centres namely Harare Metropolitan and Bulawayo, we have been giving cash payments to identified individuals and households – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – Yes and we will avail the information. We are now saying, yes we sympathise with the urban settlements right now and with immediate effect, from next month, we will be issuing out grain to the vulnerable households in the urban areas.
HON. B. TSHUMA: Thank you very much Hon. Speaker. In the absence of Minister Chidhakwa, I will direct my question to the Deputy Minister, Hon. Moyo. For the record, is the shareholding ministry responsible for managing the Government stake at Hwange? I read in the papers that you will be paying your institutional creditors through Treasury Bills from the Ministry of Finance. I also want to know, seeing that you are now prioritising institutional creditors, what policy measures do you have in place to extinguish the long overdue Compensation Bill? Employees have not been paid for over 15 to 20 months. I would like you to come clean on policy measures that are in place to extinguish that bill. Thank you very much.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MINES AND MINING DEVELOPMENT (HON. F. MOYO): Thank you Madam Speaker. I
think the key point is ‘institutional creditors.’ I think that is a word that was put up by the press. What we are trying to do is to avoid the company from going into judicial management or liquidation. We want to bring all creditors together, discuss with them, agree on how shareholders can protect them, allow them to have payment plans put in place and then give the company the chance to raise capital, which will not be intercepted by creditors and therefore try and resuscitate the company. So, all creditors will be looked at. In any case, the law expects workers to be at the top of the creditor priority list. Thank you.
HON. MUNENGAMI: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question
is directed to the Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, whom I understand is around. Hon. Deputy Minister, can you explain the inconsistency in policy pronouncements between your Ministry and that of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education regarding the STEM Programme, which was recently launched by the President. This is in reference to current issues as Ordinary Level results have been released since yesterday –
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Member. Is this
question originating from the first one?
HON. MUNENGAMI: No.
THE DEPUTY SPEAKER: Someone had called for a supplementary question. Can you please sit down Hon. Munengami.
HON. B. TSHUMA: Thank you so much. I would want the Deputy Speaker to come out very clear on this issue. Realising right now that we have in place, something very concrete with institutional creditors, what is there with regards to employees as far as extinguishing that long overdue payment bill. Can you be very clear and concise in a few words. Thank you very much.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MINES AND MINING DEVELOPMENT (HON. F. MOYO): Thank you Madam Speaker. I
commended on the actions that are being taken to protect all creditors, specifically regarding employees as asked by the Hon. Member. Management has been instructed to put a specific arrangement that will give some level of comfort to employees on an ongoing basis whilst we are managing the larger part of the employee risk. That is the position that is in place.
HON. P. D. SIBANDA: Thank you Hon. Speaker for giving me the opportunity to ask the last supplementary question. Hon. Minister you said that you have made plans to extinguish the debt that the Hwange Colliery Company has. However, Hon. Minister, we understand that recently, you approved the increase of the debt by Hwange Colliery Company through allowing the importation of equipment from India through a loan from the Export and Import Bank of India of which the equipment was found to be unsuitable for use at the colliery company. How do you align? Is that not an inconsistency that you are trying to extinguish a debt and at the same time creating another which might have been done in some kind of another debt which might have been done in some kind of a corrupt manner.
HON. MOYO: Thank you Madam Speaker. I guess I will avoid going into the history of which equipment was imported and how. The importation of the equipment which was capital investment was done by the company, board of directors and management without the shareholders necessarily being directly involved. We are now discussing the intervention of shareholders now because the company is being threatened with judicial management and liquidation. So, I am discussing issues past the point where the company’s going concern is now threatened. Yes, the issues that happened upstream of that have been raised, concerns from this House have been taken and we are going to be looking into that issue as well. But, I am talking of preempting potential company exposure in its going concern aspect. Thank you.
HON. CHIWETU: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question is
directed to the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development. What is Government policy on mechanising institutions such as Prisons and Police? These institutions have farms which are not productive because they are not mechanised. Thank you.
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, MECHANISATION AND IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. MADE): Thank
you Madam Speaker. I want to thank the Hon. Member for raising the question. Government policy on institutional capacity building, in terms of all the institutions that have got agricultural land, be they Prisons, Police, the Army as well as other institutions will be supported under the mechanisation programme to include both tractors and irrigation equipment because they play a vital role in the production system.
HON. KWARAMBA: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question
is directed to the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development. Hon. Minister, there has been confusion on the introduction of STEM that is Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Would you please shed more light on STEM and also advise on how this can be accessed since O level results are out. Thank you.
THE MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY
EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
(HON. DR. GANDAWA) Thank you very much Madam Speaker. I
want to thank the Hon. Member for asking the question. I think we all agree that STEM, Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics are important to the country and this initiative is the best thing that has happened to this country. To answer on the inconsistencies that have happened, it is irresponsible for anyone to think that STEM is a bad thing in the country. Every development that happens in the country must be hinged on STEM. If you want to industrialise any economy, you need to have your education system hinging on STEM.
This programme came after the realisation that we have few students that get into our universities because we do not have enough students that have done …
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Members. We
asked the Minister a question. Now he is giving a response and we are busy talking, how do we hear what he is saying?
HON. DR. GANDAWA: So we have a few students that are
taking sciences at universities. The Ministry found it fit to make sure that we increase the number of students from our primary and secondary education sister Ministry that will then take sciences to the universities. We had to come up with a fund to make sure that we incentivise them because after a study that we carried out, we realised that most of the students could have passed Science at O level, but because of other reasons, they just chose not to take sciences at A level. So, this incentive was to encourage them to say even after you have got a C in these sciences, then you proceed and take on A level and you will later proceed to universities.
I personally engaged the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education Dr. Dokora to get access for us to get the drawback in their schools as our sister Ministry. We got the approval from him through the Acting Permanent Secretary then. The current Acting Secretary was on leave. After having been armed by that, we then went ahead and launched STEM as per directive. My Ministry and the Ministry of
Primary and Secondary Education are agents of the principal who is His Excellency, the President Cde. R. G. Mugabe. So, there should not be any inconsistencies between us. But, the member is quoting what came in one paper and not quoting what came out into the other paper.
The Minister himself, Hon. Dr. Dokora, did not deny that we got access. At policy level, we are in agreement that STEM is the way to go and the country is geared for it. I will take advantage of this opportunity that I have been given to then explain further. Many people have asked where the fund is coming from because they are very sure that the country is in difficult times. We have always had a fund called ZIMDEF and I am on record on many occasions trying to correct the misgivings that were happening in this fund.
So, we have been channeling funds to the polytechnics, universities and teachers’ colleges and we have just decided to take $4 million from that fund that we have been channeling in these institutions to close the gap that we have realised we need scientists to industrialise our economy. That is where the funds are coming from. The funds are there and we are seriously implementing the policy of His Excellency, President. We are saying if you get into the secondary schools or high school, the students will apply in those schools that they intend to go to and register for Mathematics, Science, Physics, Chemistry and Biology, a combination of these subjects. Once they register in the schools, when we get the statistics, we will cause the release of the funds from the ZIMDEF fund to the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to administer the funds in our secondary schools to pay for the tuition fees of these STEM students. Thank you Madam Speaker.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Can we have order in the
House. You cannot keep on shouting point of order, point of order. I hear you. You cannot give me that phone.
*HON. M. NDLOVU: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question
is what does the Standing Order say when a Minister gets into this House and he sits at back as a back bencher, when people who are occupying the bench are not Ministers. A male Minister entered last, and he was given a seat?
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, at times he
does not need to waste time, just consult the Chief Whips. That is their duty. It is not the Speaker. I think you will have to consult our Chief Whips. Order Hon. Members! Let us have order please. Hon. Chief
Whips, can we go and organise this.
HON. MUNENGAMI: Thank you Madam Speaker. My
question to the Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education,
Science and Technology Development is that now that ‘O’ Level results are out – already this is a concern for my Constituency, whereby secondary schools that are accepting those students are not accepting them on the basis of STEM. If you apply to study those three subjects, you have to pay. If you do not pay, they will not accept you. As a
Ministry, are you allowing students to pay first… –[HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear] – Are you allowing students to pay first, then you refund them later or the STEM has to pay for those students as soon as they are enrolled?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER FOR HIGHER AND TERTIARY
EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
(HON. DR. GANDAWA): Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to thank the Hon. Member… – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections] –
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! Hon. Members.
HON. DR. GANDAWA: I want to thank the Hon. Member for
asking that pertinent question. It has never arisen to us as a Ministry that they are required to pay before we can pay for them. Now that we know that there is a situation like that arising – because we were going to pay for them all the costs including their science kits and everything after they have registered; I would put it on record that for as long as they register for a combination of the STEM subjects, we should be able to refund them the money they would have paid and still pay for their fees and the boarding fees. I thank you.
HON. ENG. MUDZURI: Thank you Madam Speaker. The
Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development has managed to bring in a policy where they want to encourage students to do Science and Engineering. Does the Ministry have a record of students who have graduated with Engineering, Mathematics and Physics who are unemployed and where are the incubators where you are helping to ensure that they use those science subjects and engineering to enhance the economy and themselves? –
[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] –
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Members, you are
making a lot of noise. The Minister is trying to listen to what the Hon.
Member is saying. What is wrong with us?
HON. DR. GANDAWA: Thank you Madam Speaker. We have a
database of the graduates that did STEM because we know they are important, we are trying to increase the number. We have a fund in the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology
Development called the Innovation and Commercialisation Fund in which we fund students who want start-ups. Those who have a product that they need to put on the market, we assist them to develop that idea, using the fund which is administered by our department called Research, Development and Innovation in the Ministry, so if you have any graduate…– [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] –
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, Hon. Minister. Hon.
Members on that corner, I am so much surprised, it is a Minister from your side, I think you have to support by listening, not making noise.
HON. DR. GANDAWA: I was saying we are available to assist
all the graduates that need to have start-ups in the Ministry. They approach our Department of Research Innovation and Development. They should be assisted with a fund that is available to them. This question is very pertinent because may be we have not publicized. We have advertised in the press but we might have not publicized this fund. So, this question comes handy so that the Hon. Members will know and assist the graduates in their constituencies. My office is always available, should you not get assistance from our department, but there should be assistance.
HON. MATANGIRA: Thank you Madam Speaker Maám. My
question is directed to the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development. What is Government policy on the maize that is going to be imported for the starving people of Zimbabwe especially when the same maize would be coming from either Brazil, Agentina or the United States of America when our country does not accept Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) to be consumed by the people of this country? What is the timeframe to have maize from Agentina, Brazil or America to reach Zimbabwe and at what cost are we importing that maize. What is it going to cost our people in the constituencies who do not have money to buy the same maize?
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, MECHANISATION AND IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. MADE): I want
to thank the Hon. Member for raising that question. Madam Speaker, certainly the Hon. Member has asked some technical questions that need considered response. Part of that question, you may put it in writing. However, on the general question that relates to any maize that would possibly be GMO, the country is very clear on that. We do not accept GMO maize. Wherever, and as and when it is accepted, it has got to be brought in under escort, direct for milling if we give the permits for such maize to ever come into the country. Thank you.
HON. MATANGIRA: My supplementary is do we have our own
people at the port of country of origin to test non-GMO maize because we do not accept GMO?
HON. DR. MADE: I want to thank the Hon. Member for asking
that question in terms of clarity. As I have said, I said as and when we approve GMO to come into the country, it will come under escort for direct milling. That is in the case that we give that authority. Secondly, yes, all maize that comes into the country, the consignments are tested before they come into the country. I thank you.
HON. MUTSEYAMI: My supplementary question to the Hon.
Minister is, I would like to know from him how do you stamp management of authority to authenticate this GMO product bearing in mind that in this country, we get things like tinned foods from South Africa, China, et cetera. Are we really clear that all these tinned products have nothing to do with GMO? How do you make sure that they are clear of GMO?
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, MECHANISATION AND IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. MADE): I think
the question is relating to grain and any material that is live in terms of the possibility of that material contaminating our environment. The Hon. Member certainly is asking a different question. I referred specifically to grain, that has a possibility of germinating on our land. That is why I made it clear that as and when we approve that material to come in, it has to go direct under security escort for milling. I think I made that point very clear. Thank you.
HON. ZINDI: Thank you Madam Speaker. My supplementary
question is directed to the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development in relation to GMO and giving people the freedom to choose to eat or buy GMO and non-GMO foods. What would it take for the Government, through his Ministry, to enforce a law through all retailers to clearly indicate shelves which contain GMO food and shelves which do not contain GMO food and the choice remains with the consumer to be able to choose to buy the GMO or non-GMO? HON. DR. MADE: Like I said Madam Speaker, the questions are very clear and I have answered very clearly. I am concerned about …
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: When you start making
noise, how do you hear the answer?
HON. DR. MADE: I am concerned about materials that have the possibility of germinating. I talked about grain and processed food is a different subject. That is why I said if we give the authority for GMO grain to come in, it has to go directly for milling. The question of whether food on the shelf is labeled and placed according to its material base does not arise from the original question that I was asked.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Minister, if the question
arises on its own, does it come into your Ministry or into a different
Ministry?
HON. DR. MADE: It comes into a different Ministry because we are not …
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: If it is a different Ministry, yes we can take that. However, when I allow a Member to ask you when it is in your Ministry, I think you have got to answer.
HON. DR. MADE: I have answered and I have said I am
concerned about grain. If it is GMO grain that comes in, it has to go for milling under escort so that it is processed into food.
HON. ZINDI: On a point of order Madam Speaker.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yes, what is your point of
order?
HON. ZINDI: My point of order is to clarify my question if the
Minister did not hear me properly or maybe did not understand my question. My question is, it is the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development which has got the responsibility of ensuring that Zimbabweans are eating non-GMO food, which is being imported. I have said, through his Ministry, what would it take to enforce a law to clearly mark GMO food and non-GMO food in the retail sector so that consumers have got a choice. That is my question Madam Speaker.
HON. DR. MADE: I have answered that question clearly. If it is food and labelling, that does not fall under agriculture. It is an industrial product and the questions of labeling are totally different matters in relationship to the Ministry of Agriculture – [HON. MEMBERS:
Inaudible interjections.] –
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Members! I
think you have to hear what the Minister is saying. He said he is concerned about the grain. If it is the question of those tinned foods and so forth, it is the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
HON. SARUWAKA: Thank you Madam Speaker. In the
absence of the Leader of the House, I might have to direct my question to the self-appointed Chief Whip, Hon. Matuke who was acting as the Leader of the House.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, you are out of
order.
HON. SARUWAKA: In that case, can you please appoint someone who can act as the Leader of the House.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I do not appoint Ministers.
Can you please sit down and re-craft your question so that you know where to direct it.
*HON. MAKONYA: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question
is directed to the Deputy Minister of War Veterans, Hon. Dube. My question is as follows; we heard there is a fund for war collaborators so that their children can attend school. The majority of us no longer have children who are still at school, what benefit is going to be derived by those war collaborators whose children are no longer in school? I thank you.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF WELFARE SERVICES FOR
WAR VETERANS, WAR COLLABORATORS, FORMER
POLITICAL DETAINEES AND RESTRICTEES (HON. T.
DUBE): Madam Speaker, if I understood the Hon. Member well, she is asking whether those who no longer have children in school can be compensated in retrospect. I do not think this is correct. Once you have no children, it means you do not have children. It only applies to those who have children. All I can say is that I might as well explain to you that at present, we have only 34 thousand war veterans but collaborators, chimbwidos and their children and the restrictees all add up to about 700 000. Over and above, we have not yet vetted many others so it may mean we will end up having over a million of them, just for interest sake for you to understand. I thank you.
*HON. MUCHENJE: Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to
seek clarity from the Minister. At times we do not understand the figures that you gave for children of our war collaborators. What age limit does the Minister define as children because some of these children are as old as myself?
HON. ZINDI: On a point of order Madam President.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: What is your point of order?
HON. ZINDI: I am interjecting to that supplementary question, which is questioning the ages of the children born by the war collaborators. My interjection is on the basis that medically, do people know that even if you are 90 years old you can have a baby through in vitro fertilization – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] –
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Order Hon. Members!
*HON. MUCHENJE: Thank you Madam Speaker. I believe the
hon. member did not appreciate the gist of my question. I said I would want to seek clarity on the age limit of these war collaborators that should receive assistance. In terms of the children how old should they be? If my child is 40 years and decides to go to school, will I get any assistance? I thank you.
HON. T. DUBE: It is very difficult to determine the age of children or when you cease having children. Maybe you may have them in vitro or something. The fact is that the acceptable age is up to 24. It is assumed that at 24 everyone would have completed his university studies but as I said someone might have kids at 90 years. So, we do not entertain that.
*HON. MAONDERA: On a point of order Madam Speaker.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: What is your point of order?
*HON. MAONDERA: I am hate that every time we mention war
veteran issues members on the right side become more patriotic than others. Some of them were sell outs and very unpatriotic.
*HON. MURUNGA: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question
is directed to the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation
Development; we hear that in Masvingo a lot of livestock has been lost. What measures have you put in place to alleviate the plight of cattle that are dying in Masvingo. We hear that maize is now going to be put in place for the people that are starving. What are you going to do for the livestock?
*THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, MECHANISATION AND IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. MADE): I would
want to thank the Hon. Member for his question. First and foremost this is directed towards all livestock farmers. We envisage that farmers that are in the arid lands that do not have sufficient rainfall and enough pastures, should de-stock before the livestock die of famine or lack of grazing. I am saying so because in some areas there has not been any rainfall as a result we do not have grazing pastures. We will not be able to give them supplementary feeding for their cattle as Government. Government on its programme to alleviate the suffering of the people due to famine or drought is that we have in place measures to reduce the effects of the loss of farmers that are into livestock farming. There are areas where we are moving cattle from one area to the other to ensure that there is enough grazing. The key point is livestock farmers should de-stock and sell most of their cattle before they die.
+HON. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: My question is
directed to the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development. If you are saying that you have set aside funds for assisting people who are starving; is there money that has been put aside for cattle because we need to go back to the people and inform them that Government has put aside so much for those people who are into cattle rearing?
+HON. DR. MADE: I want to thank the hon. member for the
question. Yes, there are funds that are going to be availed for assisting those who are into cattle rearing…
*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Members, if you do
not feel like being in this House please go out and talk then you can come back.
*THE MINISTER AGRICULTURE, MECHANISATION AND IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. MADE): We
have made an appeal both domestic and international. Yesterday we made an appeal for food assistance as well as other programmes. On cattle as well, we will assist using a support programme we are going to spend about 138/9 million on the live stock programme. On the livestock destocking programme we will assist with 54 million and on wild life support we will assist with 16 million. So it means it is 139 plus 54 plus 15 all related to livestock. This programme will also go into borehole drilling and water support as well. Thank you.
HON. MUTSEYAMI: I thought you said Hon. Mutseyami. It is
alright Hon. Speaker.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Misihairabwi!
+HON. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Minister I wanted to
ask about food. We know how people get food but when we talk about cattle and here we are talking about people who are in the rural areas.
How are they going to get the funds?
+HON. DR. MADE: Thank you Madam Speaker and thank you
Hon. for the question. With the cattle programme, we are going to have Committees at the national level then provincial and district levels. This programme will be under a special task force Committee. There will be NGOs involved, private investors as well and our development partners and the national committee. There will also be institutions and we will appoint institutions and local communities as well in the local programme. It will be comprehensive and we want everyone to participate.
Questions Without Notice were interrupted by THE HON.
DEPUTY SPEAKER in terms of Standing Order Number 64.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE
HON. MARIDADI: Madam Speaker question number one was responded to last week by the acting Minister of Finance. But there were aspects to that question which were not responded to that is why the question had to go back to Order Paper.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: So, what do you think?
HON. MARIDADI: What I am saying is that the Minister may respond to that question. There is a supplementary that we raised that necessitated us putting it back on Order Paper.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: You still need the Minister to
respond to the question.
HON. MARIDADI: Yes.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: We defer the question again.
PAYMENT OF PENSIONS TO RETIRED COUNCIL WORKERS
- HON. MANGAMI asked the Minister of Local Government,
Public Works and National Housing to explain:
- The process for the payment of pensions of people who retire from councils under the Local Authorities Pension Fund (LAPF);
- Why Sibanda Killion, pensioner 56110000’s pension was
terminated in January 2015, despite completing forms indicating he is still alive and entitled to it.
*THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC WORKS AND NATIONAL HOUSING (HON.
CHINGOSHO): Hon. Speaker, the first question from the Hon.
Member asking the Minister on the process for the payment of pensions of people who retire from councils under the local authorities pension fund. Hon. Speaker, I am glad that the Hon.
Member has asked the question. However, I would like to inform the Hon. Member that upon receipt of the relevant termination papers and supporting documentation of a retired member from a local authority. The local authority pension fund calculates the retirement pension payable based on the fund’s rules.
In general, the initial retirement benefits is made up of one third lump sum plus monthly pensions arrears from retirement date to calculation date. Currently, the fund’s cash flows are extremely constrained resulting in incapacity to meet benefit obligations on time. -[AN HON. MEMBER: Hanzi gara pasi]- thus, a result of subscribing member to local authorities failing to terminate contributions to the fund. In view of the foregoing depending on the quantum of the member’s retirement benefit payments may be staggered.
Part two of the question, Hon Speaker Sir,
HON. ZWIZWAI: On a point of order.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MUTOMBA): What is
your point of order?
*HON. ZWIZWAI: My point of order is that I was looking at Hon. Chinotimba when he entered he did not bow to the Speaker and yet the rules say that he is supposed to bow to the Speaker. He might see the factions in his party but here in Parliament in this august House there are no factions and my request is that he bows to the
Speaker. Thank you.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Member. Mr.
Speaker did not see that, so your point of order is over ruled. No, I did not call you and I have not recognised you. No, no do not worry about that and resume your sit. Order!
HON. CHINGOSHO: Hon. Speaker, it may please this House that Mr. Killion Sibanda’s pension payments have not been terminated as his record is alive. The reason why he has not been receiving regular pension payments is due to the Fund’s liquidity as already outlined above. In an effort to address the pensioner’s plight, the Fund engaged all member local authorities in October 2014 including Mr. Sibanda’s former employer, requesting them to provide funding for monthly pensions in respect of Mr. Sibanda’s pension, that is, Redcliff Municipality has not provided feedback on the matter.
HON. PHIRI: Supplementary. My supplementary question is on the council’s pension. Most local councils in Zimbabwe are failing to submit monies that are being paid by workers to the Pension Fund. What is the Ministry doing to assist the workers so that councils submit the money to the Pension Fund?
HON. CHINGOSHO: The Ministry has ordered all local
authorities to honour pensioners and to make sure that this is done. All local authorities have been requested and they have done so to make a provision in their current budgets.
HON. NDUNA: Supplementary. Minister, we have it on good authority that Chegutu Town Council has made an application to get $900 000 in order to pay off the executives to go on retrenchment. What is Government’s policy regarding monies that are requested through your office for payment of retrenchment packages for top executives in the council?
HON. CHINGOSHO: I am not sure whether that question applies because here we are not talking about supplementary budgets but we are talking about the pensions.
VIABILITY OF ZIMBABWE UNITED COMPANY (ZUPCO)
- HON. MASUKU asked the Minister of Local Government,
Public Works and National Housing to explain the viability of
Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO) and also state whether the Ministry is considering the privatisation of the entity. To ask the
Minister to further explain the benefits accruing to the nation from
ZUPCO?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC WORKS AND NATIONAL HOUSING (HON.
CHINGOSHO): I want to thank the Hon. Member for asking such an important question. The Ministry is currently evaluating the viability of ZUPCO through the analysis of the recently submitted 2013 audited accounts to establish the actual trends. However, the fact that Government has not injected capital into the company for the past 15 years and that ZUPCO has survived the current challenging economic environment to date tells a story about the company’s viability status. In terms of the original mandate ZUPCO has decided to operate rural, inter-city and regional routes due to stiff competition in urban areas.
However, the ZIM ASSET strategy to introduce a mass bus transit system has seen the company repositioning itself for urban operations. The company is now being encouraged to rebuild its fleet to ensure the leading role in the urban sector where it will continue to operate on commercial lines but as a state enterprise 100% owned by Government. On the benefits accruing to the nation, the company is servicing rural and inter-city routes where on most rural routes, the company is the sole supplier, which means ZUPCO is filling a gap where the communities would otherwise be deprived of public transport. I thank you.
*HON. MUNENGAMI: Supplementary. ZUPCO recently
acquired 50 buses and these were impounded by ZIMRA because they had not paid tax. What are you doing as a Ministry to ensure that
ZUPCO is able to get back the buses that were impounded by ZIMRA?
*HON CHINGOSHO: I want to thank the Hon. Member for the
question. First and foremost, ZUPCO is a parastatal which should be able to stand on its own. At the moment of the 50 buses ZIMRA requires $50 000 for each bus to be released. So far they have paid for 17 buses that are already on the road and the rest have not been paid for. So, now ZUPCO has submitted a request to the Ministry for assistance but at the moment the Ministry is also facing financial constraints and cannot assist ZUPCO. ZUPCO is still trying to source for required amounts so that the buses can be released. I thank you.
*HON MUFUNGA: Mr. Speaker, still on the issue of councils, my issue is that my council in Muzarabani was given $82 000 and that money was garnished by the Pensions Departrment. What is the Ministry doing about it because an acquittal for that money will be required that was taken for pensions?
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, the question
you are posing is not related to the original question of ZUPCO
*HON. MARIDADI: Hon. Minister, as we are facing this issue of ZUPCO, why is it that the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing still firmly holds onto ZUPCO? What necessitated ZUPCO to fall under the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, can you explain to us why your ministry still holds onto ZUPCO yet it is a transport company that should fall under the purview of the Ministry of Transport and
Infrastructural Development because what made ZUPCO fall under your ministry is no longer there?
Do you know why ZUPCO was placed under the Ministry of Local
Government, Public Works and National Housing?
*HON. CHINGOSHO: I want to thank the Hon. Member for
asking this question. I am aware of the fact that there is no Act that states the company should be under the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, that was just an arrangement that was agreed upon that it should fall under the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing since it is a ministry that looks into local authorities. – [SOME HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – I am not aware of the reason as to why it remains under the purview of the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing as I have already stated.
UPDATE ON THE OUTCOME OF THE PENSION
VERIFICATION EXERCISE
- HON. KANHANGA asked the Minister of Public Service,
Labour and Social Services to provide an update on the outcome of the pension verification exercise that the Ministry recently carried out and to state whether or not it covered the whole country and state the anomalies that were noted as regards the ghost pensioners.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR
AND SOCIAL SERVICES (HON. ENG. MATANGAIDZE): The
Public Service Commission has a mandate under its Performance Audit and Inspectorate Agency to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of existing service delivery and human resources management practices and systems in the Public Service.
In line with this mandate, the Public Service Commission, embarked on a pension verification exercise which ran from the 7th September to 30th October, 2015. Government pensioners were requested to appear before the Public Service Commission for positive identification in person. They were required to fill in Life Certificates as proof that they are alive and indeed entitled to pension. In the case of bed-ridden pensioners, close relatives were requested to liaise with the
Public Service Commission officers for authentication. The findings of this verification exercise are yet to be tabled in Cabinet before official release.
MEASURES TO SUPPLY POLICE STATIONS WITH RAPE
INVESTIGATION KITS
- HON. MAJOME asked the Minister of Home Affairs to explain the following to the House: (a) what measures are in place to ensure that police stations are adequately and continually supplied with rape investigation kits; (b) measures the ministry is taking to ensure that the Victim Friendly Unit remains open during weekends and after hours to cater for cases reported by victims of Gender Based Violence at all hours in order to meet the 72 hours recommendation.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (HON.
MGUNI): Thank you Mr. Speaker, responding to the questions by Hon. Majome, I know that there are three questions following each other.
- At any given time, a Police Station should have at least four
rape case investigation kits and these are only used when both the victim and the accused are available. It is important to note that not all cases require the use of these kits.
However, Police Stations submit monthly returns to the Police
General Headquarters stating their current stock levels of rape kits. This monitoring mechanism ensures that stations remain with adequate stock at all times. Furthermore, when a rape kit is used and submitted for forensic examination, a replacement is ordered.
- The Zimbabwe Republic Police has put measures to ensure that during weekends and public holidays, members from the Victim Friendly Unit will be on standby in the Charge Offices ready to attend to cases that are reported during such periods. If that is not happening, there is a Hotline where members of the public can report that there are no officers within the Charge Office during weekends and public holidays.
HON. MAJOME: Firstly, I thank the Hon. Minister for his response, particularly about the rape kits. He explained what should be ideal but I have looked at police stations in my constituency, that is Marlborough, Mabelreign and Avondale Police Stations and it does not give much information. There are no rape kits at all. He says that the procedure is that there must be four at any given time. My supplementary question is yes, that is the theory but in terms of the practice, I am hoping that the Hon. Minister can be forthright and explain why there are shortages.
Secondly, can he please give the hotline for the Victim Friendly Units so that Hon. Members can know and benefit their constituencies and when did the 24 hour manning of Victim Friendly Police Units start because I am not aware of it in my constituency.
HON. MGUNI: We have a lot of Hotline numbers in ZRP. I
would want to be very accurate by bringing the correct one for that specific case. Secondly, I am 100% sure that the kits are always available and when they are used, they are being ordered. We can even come back to this House and bring the number from the headquarters for that issue and know what is there. Otherwise, we have enough for the moment. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hakuna makits mudhara.] – There are
kits!
UPDATE ON CASE CR28/11/14 BY THE SERIOUS FRAUD SQUAD
- HON. MAJOME asked the Minister of Home Affairs to give
an update relating to the status of investigation of case number CR28/11/14 by the Serious Fraud Squad on the allegations of misappropriation of funds at Ellis Robins School.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (HON.
MGUNI): The Zimbabwe Republic Police investigated the case under ZRP Mabelreign CR28/11/14, CID Serious Frauds DR30/11/14. The matter has been handed over to the Prosecutor General to take it further.
OPENING OF THE AVONLEA POLICE POST 22. HON. MAJOME asked the Minister of Home Affairs to state when Avonlea police post which was built by the community four (4) years ago and is currently collapsing due to non-use will be opened by the Zimbabwe Republic Police who are currently insensitive of the community’s need, as well as defying instructions from Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (HON.
MGUNI): The Zimbabwe Republic Police does not have adequate human resources to permanently deploy police officers to the post at the moment. The area falls under ZRP Avondale’s area of policing which already has four bases, namely Emerald Hill, Monavale, Avondale Shops and Belgravia. These bases are manned 24 hours. A police cycle patrol unit is dispatched on a daily basis to patrol Avonlea area owing to the shortage of the manpower as stated above.
HON. MAJOME: I want to ask the Hon. Minister to explain why there is a shortage of police officers to mann Avonlea Police Station only when it appears that the Zimbabwe Republic Police appears to be the only public office in terms of the Government that is recruiting? Can he explain that? Also, why is there a shortage to mann that station when there is a lot of crime which is rife at Greencroft Shopping Centre around the Plaza D’Castilla area where there is rampant crime, for example, now there is drug dealing and a lot of abuse of children who are engaging in sex work. Does the Ministry of Home Affairs not care at all? Surely, are these sporadic patrols sufficient because they are never seen and the community is reeling from crime and recently, there were gunshots at that particular place? Does his Ministry not care to do something better about this and find police officers, not to stay there permanently but even periodically when the community made these efforts in collaboration with the police and went to the extent of building this police post that has not been opened.
HON. MGUNI: The police is mobilising a community policing as they have not been recruiting for too long. The 2012 census showed that the ratio of a police officer to the population is 1:550, of which the international standard requirement is 1:300 people. Already by 2012, the police were overwhelmed by the population that they must mann. By now it is exuberant. Now, what the police have taken action on is to mobilise community and do what we call community policing. However, in her area, there are police that are sent to patrol using bicycles. That is what we are trying to do although we do not have enough support from Treasury, we have managed to have a factory where we fix the bicycles so that the police can give service to the community in a proper way.
HON. MANDIPAKA: My supplementary with regard to the response that has been given by Hon. Mguni is, we are alive to the fact that the police and members of the public work hand-in-hand. That is also in line with the Police Service Charter. You have not furnished this august House with a convincing answer why the police fail to take up and occupy an establishment that has been worked out by members of the public. Is it not negating their responsibility in line with the Police Service Charter?
HON. MGUNI: Thank you for that pertinent question. May the House allow me to physically go to the place, gather correct information and bring an accurate answer to this House?
POLICY REGARDING ORPHANS AGED 18 IN CHILDREN’S
HOMES
- HON. MAJOME asked the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Services to state the policy regarding orphans who attain the age of 18 while still in children's homes, and to further explain how the Ministry supports such orphans given that they would still not be in a position to support themselves?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL SERVICES (HON. ENG. MATANGAIDZE): Thank
you Mr. Speaker. The placement of children in residential child care institutions by the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social
Services is provided for under the Children’s Act (Chapter 5.05). Section 3 of the Act defines a child who is in need of care who may end up being placed in a registered children’s home for their safety and rehabilitation support. Orphans without guardian support fall in this category.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe defines a child as a person below the age of 18. As such, children’s homes are administratively limited to taking care of children below the age of 18. However, this does not translate in throwing children out into the streets upon their attaining the age of majority. The National Residential Child Care Standards (2010) provide policy guidelines for the care and protection of children in children’s homes. Standard 6.1 of these National Residential Child Care Standards requires the development of individualised discharge plans that outline arrangements for:
- i) Continuing education and training; ii) Support and follow up for children living with disabilities, including medical, educational, occupational and psychosocial; iii) Support to enable the child to set up and maintain an independent home, in instances where living with family, extended family or friends is not an option; iv) Providing information on available social services benefits for future use which may include public assistance, health care and other specialist services as may be required by the child;
- v) Creating and maintaining networks of advice and information in order to support the child in decision making during the discharge process; and vi) Ensuring an effective and realistic plan is in place for family and community care and that follow up arrangements are in place.
Standard 6.2 is clear that children should be prepared to:
- Develop and maintain relationships with others.
- Understand their sexuality and establish positive and caring relationships.
- Overcome trauma and establish self esteem and resilience.
- Prepare for the world of work and/or for further education.
- Develop practical and independent life skills.
The above are skills that will help the young adult to make responsible decisions and build their self confidence.
After leaving the institution, the young adult is provided with continuous support, follow up and an open door in case they need help. All this is to make sure they have adjusted and are integrating well in their new lives. Each case is handled individually but the best practice is that before the child turns 18, their case is continuously reviewed for considering available options. Most of the institutions have built other shelters for the older children, a reasonable distance away from the children. These shelters are called youth centres or half way homes depending on the management of the home.
Support systems for children after they leave the children’s homes
If children reach 18 years of age before completing schooling, it is mandatory that they be supported to complete their education from the half-way homes that some institutions run. They are also supported with life skills and sometimes are helped to start careers depending on their strengths and abilities. Social protection programmes from Government such as Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) and public assistance are available to meet education and accommodation needs.
I hope the above response is to Hon. Majome’s satisfaction.
HON. MAJOME: I thank the Hon. Minister for demonstrating some care towards children who come out of children’s homes when they are 18 but are not yet looking after themselves. Is the Government supporting financially, by granting cash transfers to these youth shelters that children who are orphans and have no one to live with but cannot live in children’s homes that he indeed mentioned?
HON. ENG. MATANGAIDZE: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I
thank the Hon. Member for that pertinent question. If you realise in my last remarks, in the last paragraph, I made reference to the BEAM programme and also to the public assistance programme which in fact I have alluded to earlier on in my presentation when I started talking today. We identify those vulnerable children and we will continue with follow up programmes.
MONEY COLLECTED FOR RURAL ELECTRIFICATION FUND
PURPOSES
- HON. MAJOME asked the Minister of Energy and Power
Development:
- To state how much money was collected for rural electrification fund purposes during the period 2002 to 2015;
- To state which communities that have benefited from the programme, the criteria that was used in selecting beneficiary communities;
- To state how Government came up with the 6% rural
electrification levy on electricity bills.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS (HON. MBWEMBWE) on behalf of THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND
POWER DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. UNDENGE): Thank you
Mr. Speaker Sir. With your permission, I am representing the Minister of Energy and Power Development. During the period 2002 to 2015, the REF got funding from the following sources, in line with the provisions of the Rural Electrification Fund Act (2002):
- Six percent levy on electricity sales.
- Fiscus allocations.
- Loans/Supplementary credit facilities.
- Customer contributions.
- Income generating activities and other incomes.
Between 2002 and 2008, a total of ZW$11 981 492 178 900
000.00 was collected from the sources mentioned above. In addition
ZW$318 614 556 102.00 was received from the Parastatal And Local Authorities Reorientation Programme (PLARP) Funding availed through the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe. A supply credit facility worth US$27 015 002.00 was received from China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC) of China. The supply credit facility provided electricity distribution materials and project vehicles. The loan will be liquidated by end of February 2016.
Between 2009 and 2015, a total us US$243 337 679.00 was
received from 6% levy, fiscus funding and other income. The detailed breakdown of funds received by category and by year is given in the
Table below.
Table 1: REF INCOME 2002 – 2015
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AGENCY
INCOME TREND ANALYSIS – ZIM DOLAR PERIOD
YEAR |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
6% Levy |
Z$1,206,765,000 |
Z$8,249,015,000 |
Z$56,175,404,000 |
Z$113,308,926 |
Z$1,250,645,253 |
Z$316,006,841,727 |
Z$388,773,735,000,000 |
Grant Income |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Z$563,636,000,000 |
- |
Customer Contributions |
- |
Z$ 665,372,000 |
- |
Z$ 9,266,682 |
Z$ 45,441,551
|
Z$ 72,683,536,917 |
Z$5,780,836,261,694,0 00,000 |
Donations |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Income Generating Activities |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Other income |
- |
Z$ 983,812,000 |
Z$ 1,551,230,000 |
Z$ 23,979,217 |
Z$ 279,588,924 |
Z$433,869,697,624 |
Z$6,200,000,000,000,0 00,000 |
Total Z$ Income |
Z$1,206,765,000 |
Z$9,898,199,000 |
Z$57,726,634,000 |
Z$146,554,825 |
Z$1,575,675,728 |
Z$1,386,196,058,2 68 |
Z$11,981,225,035,429, 000,000 |
CATIC (US$) US$27,015,002
PLARP FUNDS (Z$) Z$318,614,4556,102
The Rural Electrification Programme is meant to benefit the following:
- Rural primary and secondary schools.
- Rural health centres.
- Rural Government extension centres.
- Rural business centres.
- Chiefs homesteads.
- A1 and A2 farms.
- Other communal institutions such as churches, co-operatives and clubs.
The first Rural Electrification Master Plan (REMP) which had been developed by Water and Power Consultancy Services (WAPCOS) of India Limited in 1995-97 and whose main focus was on rural business centres was reviewed by the same consultant in 2001 – 2002, giving birth to the Expanded rural Electrification Programme (EREP). The EREP entailed extending the grid infrastructure to all the beneficiaries listed above, starting with those centres within 5km radius of the existing grid, in all the eight rural provinces of Zimbabwe.
Since January 2002 to 31 December 2015, 6 158 rural nodes including public institutions, villages, farms, chiefs’ homesteads and other communal centres were electrified using electricity grid. Four hundred and twenty-four (424)solar mini-grid systems and 437 mobile solar systems were installed at remove rural institutions. In addition, 36 institutional biogas digesters were installed at rural institutions such as schools, hospitals and prisons.
Table 2 showing the status of rural electrification using electricity grid and solar technologies countrywide between January 2002 and 31 December 2015 is attached below.
Table 2: RURAL ENERGY PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED 2002 –
2015
YEAR |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
Total |
Grid Extensions
|
970 |
512 |
346 |
1096 |
258
|
242
|
115 |
154 |
357 |
332 |
572 |
490 |
287 |
427 |
6158
|
Solar Micro Grids
|
14 |
47 |
70 |
106 |
136 |
10 |
5 |
22 |
14 |
424 |
|||||
Mobile Solar Units
|
392 |
45 |
437 |
||||||||||||
Biogas
|
6 |
12 |
18 |
36 |
The EREP which runs in all the eight rural provinces concurrently is much broader in terms of coverage than the first master plan programme (1997 – 2007), which targeted only 415 rural service centres countrywide. In view of the magnitude of the EREP, it became necessary to increase the levy from the original 1%. In this regard, recommendations to increase the RE levy from 1% to 6% were made to Cabinet through the then Ministry of Mines and Energy. Pursuant to this, in 2002 Cabinet approved an increase in the RE levy from 1% to 6% with effect from 1st July 2002.
Mr. Speaker Sir, it is not clear why this question is being posed in respect of a decision which was made some 14 years ago by Cabinet. Much as we would want more financial resources for this worthy rural development programme, we have had to make do with the rural electrification levy at 6%.
HON. MAJOME: This was fourteen years ago when the Rural Electrification Levy was raised to 6%. Why is Government not reviewing this 6% downwards considering the heavy burden on consumers particularly urban consumers of electricity when there are all sorts of power cuts? Fourteen years is a long time to realise the objectives of this programme without a review.
HON. MBWEMBWE: I thank the hon. member for that question. with your permission Mr. Speaker Sir, may I ask the hon. member to put the supplementary question in writing for the relevant Ministry to be able to respond.
TARGETS SET FOR THE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION
PROGRAMME
- HON. MAJOME asked the Minister of Energy and Power
Development to state the targets set for the Rural Electrification Programme and to further state how long would consumers continue to charged the rural electrification levy.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ( HON.
MBWEMBWE) on behalf of THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. UNDENGE): About 3700
rural public institutions remain un-electrified to date. It is estimated that between US$250 – 300 million is required to provide some form of energy source to these outstanding rural public institutions. Of the 3 700 institutions, about 3 000 are within 20 km of the existing grid network while the remainder are beyond 20 km from the existing grip network. In an effort to meet our ZIM ASSET targets, the REF plans to extend the grid to all institutions within 20 km of the existing grid network, while providing those beyond 20 km with renewable energy sources by 2018. Achievement of this target is subject to availability of resources. In the outlook, in line with Government vision, it is envisaged that all rural communities will have access to modern energy services by 2030. The
Rural Electrification Fund is expected to play a pivotal role in this Government effort.
If Government, through the REF, is to attain this vision of universal access to modern energy services by all by 2030, it will be necessary to continue charging consumers the Rural Electrification Levy, until such time when other alternative sources of funding have been identified.
Mr. Speaker Sir, one hopes that the hon. member who has asked this question is not suggesting that the Rural Electrification Programme should be stopped.
PROVISION OF ELECTRICITY METERS
- HON. MAJOME asked the Minister of Energy and Power Development to state what the Ministry has been doing to ensure provision of electricity meters because electrification has been put on halt due to the electricity meters which are out of stock.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ( HON.
MBWEMBWE) on behalf of THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND
POWER DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. UNDENGE): Mr. Speaker
Sir, my Ministry is aware that ZETDC has not yet installed prepaid meters in Westlea Suburb. Prepaid meter installations had stalled due to a shortage of prepayment meters.
ZETDC went out to tender for 130 000 prepaid meters to cover both new connections and replacement of the remaining post-paid meters. Tenders for the procurement of the meters were finalised with contracts being awarded and signed off in November 2015 for meter deliveries to commence end of March 2016.
Installations in Westlea and other suburbs are expected to be carried from the month of March 2016 when the deliveries are received.
PETROLEUM PRICES VIS-À-VIS CRUDE OIL PRICES
- HON. MAJOME asked the Minister of Energy Power and Development:
a)To explain why Zimbabweans continue paying retail petroleum prices of about US$1.40 per litre which is consistent with crude oil prices of US$120.00 per barrel, despite the fact that crude oil prices have reduced to US$30.00 per barrel and SADC one ranging from 59 cents per litre in Namibia to 89 cents per litre in Mozambique.
b)To state when Zimbabwean petroleum consumers can expect to enjoy the slump in world crude oil prices.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS (HON.
MBWEMBWE) on behalf of THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND
POWER DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. UNDENGE): Mr. Speaker Sir, Hon Cross asked a similar question in February 2015 for which a response was given in this august House. I hope that the explanation that I will give today will put to rest the same question being asked over and over again.
Fuel prices in Zimbabwe are set through a fuel pricing model agreed to between the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority and oil companies.
The model sets the maximum pump price permissible, after taking into account all the costs of doing business in the fuel sub-sector. The costs include taxes and levies that go to Government.
The first cost element in the fuel pricing model is the price at which oil companies procure their fuel. As this price changes, the model captures the movements and adjusts the maximum pump price accordingly. The same applies when the other cost elements in the model change.
It is important to note, hon. members, that the fuel pricing model that we use is unique to Zimbabwe. The cost elements in the model are not the same as those used by other regional countries. The model therefore produces prices that cannot be compared with prices obtaining in countries that use different models and have different cost structures.
Comparing fuel prices in Zimbabwe with those obtaining in other countries will produce different results because we do not use the same fuel pricing models. Comparison would only be really useful if our pricing model was similar to the pricing models of other regional countries.
Some countries like Namibia and Mozambique have ports of their own while Zimbabwe is landlocked and has to transport its fuel for long distances. Angola, for example, actually subsidies its fuel while Zimbabwe imposes taxes on its fuel. Some countries impose taxes on their fuel but at lower rates than Zimbabwe does.
Some countries like South Africa and Zambia own refineries and refine their own fuel. Countries that use own currencies can benefit or lose when their currency gains or loses against the United States Dollar.
The same cannot be said for Zimbabwe because the country uses the
United States Dollar.
If one is to compare fuel prices in the region, one therefore necessarily has to also take into account the different cost structures, otherwise the public may be misled.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I have also noted one other error that some people make. Such people think that if crude oil prices fall by 50%, it means that local pump prices should necessarily also fall by the same percentage. The relationship between crude oil prices and pump prices of refined fuel is not necessarily like that.
Crude oil is a raw material that has to be refined. The refined fuel needs to be shipped to Beira where Zimbabwe can access it. There are therefore costs associated with refining, shipping and storage which have to be incorporated into the Zimbabwe fuel price.
Zimbabwe does not buy fuel direct from refineries. We buy our fuel from international traders, ex-Beira. So for us, the ex-Beira price is what we really consider. Yes, if crude prices fall, the ex-Beira prices will also fall but not necessarily by the same percentage or magnitude.
Mr. Speaker Sir, on 1 June 2015, the ex-Beira prices for diesel and petrol per litre in Beira were 63.22 and 60.53 cents per litre respectively.
After factoring in the cost of pumping the product into the country, local duties and taxes, internal storage and handling, internal distribution and the margins for oil companies and dealers, the pump prices for diesel and petrol per litre then were US$1.41 and US$1.54 respectively
On 1st February 2016, the ex- Beira prices per litre for diesel and petrol were 34, 53 cents and 40.75 cents respectively. The ex-Beira prices had therefore fallen by 45.4%. In tandem with the fall in the exBeira prices, the pump prices of diesel and petrol fell to US$1.05 and $1.27 per litre respectively. The price of diesel therefore fell by 25.5% and that of petrol fell by 17, 8%.
Mr. Speaker Sir, these facts are a testimony that prices of fuel on the local market respond to the movements of crude oil prices on the international market. I also would like to inform the Hon. Members of Parliament that the majority of the cost elements in our pricing model are fixed. In other words, they are not affected by changes in the movements of crude oil prices. In fact, only the ex-Beira prices are affected by movements in the international crude oil prices. The rest of the costs are affected by our local economic situation prevailing at the time.
I will however, highlight just two cost items in our pricing model, that is Government charges (duty, taxes/levies) and pipelines charges. You are aware Hon. Members that the pipeline that we use to transport fuel from Beira is Mozambican owned. We pay not less than US$3 million per month at the current level of pumping for the pipeline services. So, every litre pumped into the country attracts a pumping fee of 6.55 cents. Government charges (duty, taxes/levies) amount to 46.1 cents per litre for diesel and 63.2 cents per litre for petrol.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the current maximum pump price for diesel is US$105.00 per litre. If we take out the Government charges and pumping fees per litre, we remain with 58.8 cents. This 58.8 cents covers the ex-Beira purchase price, storage and handling, internal distribution and the margins for the oil companies and the dealers. Taking out the Government charges and pumping fees from the current price of petrol leaves 63.7 cents for the remainder of the cost elements on the pricing model.
Mr. Speaker Sir, may the House note that even if we were to be given fuel for free, given the costs of pumping it into the country, the duties and taxes, storage fees, distribution costs, the pump price of petrol would be 86 cents per litre and that of diesel would be 71 cents per litre. This helps to demonstrate that although local fuel prices respond to movements in the crude oil prices, there is a limit to the extent to such response.
Mr. Speaker Sir, my response to part B of Hon. Majome’s question is that the consumers are already enjoying the benefits. I have just given you the maximum fuel prices as at 1st June, 2015 and compared them to the current prices. While Hon. Majome says the price of fuel is around
US$1.40 per litre, as we speak the maximum prices are actually
US$1.05 and US$1.27 for diesel and petrol respectively. Because of competition, some fuel retailers are actually selling the fuel at lower prices. This goes to show that local prices are falling in line with the movements in the prices of crude oil globally.
Take note too, Hon. Members that the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) reviews fuel prices weekly hence quickly captures any changes in international crude oil prices. Other countries do so once a month. ZERA’s price adjustments may appear small but this is only because they are implemented more frequently than obtains in other countries in the region. ZERA has also engaged a consultant to review the pricing model to see if the cost elements therein are still applicable.
With this submission, Mr. Speaker Sir, I believe the Hon. Members now fully appreciate the nature of fuel prices in Zimbabwe. In conclusion, I request Hon. Members to assist with educating the people in their constituencies on this matter so that the general motoring public is informed of how local fuel prices are arrived at.
WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE
CRITERION FOR SELECTING AND INVITING BIDDERS
- HON. CHIRISA asked the Minister of Mines and Mining
Development to: (a) explain the criterion used in the invitation and selection of bidders; (b) explain whether the mineral licensing regime is done transparently; and (c) state whether there is a provision for parliamentary revocation or veto of an exclusive exploration award.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MINES AND MINING
DEVELOPMENT (HON. F. MOYO):
- a) My assumption here is that the invitation and selection of bidders in this question relates to the diamond sales.
Diamonds produced in the country are marketed through a standard tender system, organised by the Minerals Marketing
Corporation of Zimbabwe (MMCZ) in consultation with an international facilitator, who currently, is First Element Services.
For one to participate in the international diamond tenders and be registered on the database for future invitations, they have to submit the following documents to MMCZ for consideration: (i) Company profile; (ii) Company Incorporation documents; (iii) Police Security Clearance of Directors and Attendees; (iv) Letter of intention; (v) Passport copies (Directors and possible attendees); (vi) Name of responsible payee and proof of funds available; (vii) Diamond organisation memberships and proof thereof; (viii) Whether the applicant is a trader, dealer, beneficiator, manufacturer or a broker.
MMCZ assess applicants on the basis of financial capacity and technical expertise. MMCZ may then recommend the applicant and include them on their database of customers.
- The country’s mineral licensing system is transparent. All mining titles are issues in terms of the Mines and Minerals Act [Chapter 21:05] which also provides for requirement to maintain title. Procedures for acquiring mining titles are clearly outlined in the Act and should be adhered to by applicants and title holders.
However, the current system is manual and this comes with challenges to do with efficiency of the system given the huge number of applications.
In that regard, the Minister is establishing a computerized Mining Cadastre for the management of the entire mining industry throughout the value chain; that is from licensing, actual projects implementation and marketing including accounting of production by all mining and mineral entities.
Such a system will result in the modernisation of the mining title management system in line with regional and international best practices to provide for a faster and more efficient system.
- The Mines and Minerals Act, does not have a provision for Parliamentary revocation or veto of an Exclusive Prospecting Order (EPO) award. The mandate is left with the issuing authority and in this case His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
Parliament, however, oversees compliance with the Act per procedure.
All EPOs are applied for through the Mining Affairs Board (MAB), which recommends to the Minister, who in turn recommends to His Excellency the President for approval.
However, during the processing of an EPO application, the MAB publishes a general notice of application in the Government Gazette inviting members of the public to raise objections, if any, within a period of 21 days.
ADVICE TO SMALL SCALE AND ARTISANAL MINERS
- HON. CHIRISA asked the Minister of Mines and Mining
Development to: (a) explain how the Ministry advises the small scale and artisanal miners of their rights and responsibilities; (b) state where there is an integrated network of mutual accountability among various operational agencies in the mining sector.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MINES AND MINING
DEVELOPMENT (HON. F. MOYO): (a) Artisanal miners are either registered or none registered. Where they are registered, upon being issued with a prospecting license, small scale and artisanal miners are informed of their rights and obligations for the maintenance of their title by the Provincial Mining Director.
Furthermore, during the Ministry’s routine technical inspections, the small scale and artisanal miners are given advice on their rights, proper and sustainable mining methods and responsibilities in terms of the law. The Ministry seeks to intensify its presence at mining locations given that the ministry is now represented at provincial level. It must be mentioned however, that the Ministry is currently weak on logistics and does not adequately reach out to miners.
Representatives of small scale miners are always invited to the
Ministry’s strategic planning workshops where they are reminded on the expected responsibilities of the miners. There is need to compile a database of miners working with Rural Councils so that communications and support is done more effectively.
(b) The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development works together with various stakeholders in the mining sector such as the Environmental Management Agency (EMA), Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ), Fidelity Printers and Refiners (FPR) and the Zimbabwe Republic Police – Mineral and Border Control Unit (ZRP-
MBCU).
Examples include the following: (a) Applications for
Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) at mining sites are forwarded by EMA to the ministry for consideration; (b) The ministry conducts joint gold monitoring and surveillance exercises together with the RBZ, FPR and ZRP-MBCU.
However, there is need for harmonization of fees that are charged to miners by various agencies in the mining sector. Also, like in any process, stakeholders are urged to stick to their mandates in order to provide for accountability. Equally, stakeholders must ensure awareness and competency on the part of miners to help them achieve compliance.
RELOCATION OF MEMBERS IN MINING COMMUNITIES
- HON. CHIRISA asked the Minister of Mines and Mining
Development to: (a) state whether the law provides for the relocation of communities including upholding of rights of members in mining communities; (b) state whether the law provides for environmental protection and (c) state key mechanisms that are in place to solve disputes.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MINES AND MINING
DEVELOPMENT (HON. F. MOYO): Government policy provides
for anyone who is negatively affected by mining activities to be compensated. Miners and respective ministries are required to ensure that fairness is realised through compensation, education and support is necessary.
Currently, the Mines and Minerals Act provides for compensation or buyout of the land hosting minerals from their private owners. The proposed Amendment Bill seeks to expand this protection to general land occupiers as issued by the Ministry of Lands and Rural
Resettlement.
- The Mines and Minerals Act [Chapter 21:05] provides for various mechanisms for environmental protection at the mining sites.
This includes maintenance of slime dams, land reclamation,
management of effluent disposal et cetera. It also prohibits mining in certain areas and within certain jurisdictions in a bid to protect the environment.
The Act is further complimented by the EMA Act. It must be noted that in the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, it is proposed that the Ministry continues with environmental protection and monitoring within mining sites since technical expertise is required for this role, whilst EMA becomes responsible for environmental protection issues outside mining sites.
- In terms of the Mines and Minerals Act, disputes can be resolved at any of the following levels: (i) Provincial Mining Director
(PMD); (ii) Minister; and (iii) courts.
The aggrieved parties may approach the Provincial Mining
Director in their respective province for resolving of their disputes. If the parties do not agree, they may appeal to the Minister and finally to the Courts for determination.
In that regard, the Minister has set up a dispute committee at Head Office which deals with appeals from the provinces. The Committee was set up as a check and balance for decisions made by the PMDs and recommendations to the Minister for his/her decision process.
Once a matter is referred to Court, all ministry proceedings are automatically suspended.
DECENTRALISATION OF EXECUTIVE AUTHORITY ON
EXTRACTION OF MINERAL ORE
(9) HON. CHIRISA asked the Minister of Mines and Mining
Development to inform the House whether or not the ministry has decentralized Executive Authority on the extraction of mineral ore.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MINES AND MINING
DEVELOPMENT (HON. F. MOYO): Previously, the Ministry had been decentralized to five mining districts namely Harare, Bulawayo, Masvingo, Gweru and Kadoma with two satellite offices in Mutare and
Gwanda.
In 2014, the ministry restructured to align itself to Government
Administration Provinces i.e. Mutare, Gweru, Masvingo, Chinhoyi, Marondera, Bindura, Gwanda and Lupane. This was done to ensure that the Ministry gets closer to the miners as well as liaise better with other ministries at provincial level.
Oral Answers to Questions with Notice were interrupted by THE
TEMPORARY SPEAKER in terms of Standing Order Number 64.
On the motion of HON. RUNGANI seconded by HON.
MUTSEYAMI, the House adjourned at Eight Minutes to Five o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 2nd February, 2021
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. SPEAKER in the Chair)
THE HON. SPEAKER: I thank you Hon. Members who have come to this short sitting under the circumstances that are prevailing in our country and throughout the world, in terms of the deadly pandemic that is causing loss of lives each day throughout the world. On that score, I would like to thank Members of Parliament who decided that we have a Special Prayer the whole of yesterday and we should continue beyond yesterday so that the Almighty can give us the necessary scientific knowledge and abundance of resources to be able to conquer this deadly virus.
I am happy that in general, Hon. Members have tried to stick to the World Health Organisation Protocols and Regulations that have been promulgated by the Head of State and Government, Hon. Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa. I am also happy that Members of Parliament have been interfacing with members of the community, to spread the message of adhering to these regulations. I am aware quite a number have been affected, but fortunately they are now over the hump recuperating. We pray that the Almighty God will continue to protect us, the nation and the Planet as a whole to ensure that the number of those that succumb is reduced dramatically.
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE HON. SPEAKER
DEATHS OF HON. DR. ARCH. MATIZA, HON. SEN. DR. GWARADZIMBA AND HON. RETIRED LT. GEN. SEN. SIBUSISO B. MOYO
THE HON. SPEAKER: It is with profound sorrow that I have to inform the House officially, of the death on Friday 22nd January, 2021 of the Member of Parliament for Murehwa South Constituency and Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Hon. Dr. Joel Biggie Matiza and the colleagues in the Senate, Hon. Sen. Dr. Gwaradzimba, Hon. Sen. Dr. Sibusiso Moyo who also succumbed to the disease more or less at the same time.
I now invite Hon. Members here present to rise and observe a minute of silence in respect of the late Hon. Minister and the departed colleagues.
All Hon. Members observed a minute of silence.
RESIGNATION OF HON. I. GONESE FROM THE COMMITTEE ON STANDING RULES AND ORDERS
HON. SPEAKER: I have to inform the House of the resignation of Hon. I. Gonese from the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders. Section 151 (7) of the Constitution provides that, “Whenever a vacancy occurs in the Committee on Standing Rules and Orders, a Member must be elected or appointed, as the case may be, as soon as possible to fill the vacancy”.
Accordingly, the MDC-T has nominated Hon. Sen. D. T. Mwonzora to fill the vacancy. The nomination complies with Section 151 (1) of the Constitution and Hon. Sen. Mwonzora is duly a Member of the Standing Rules and Orders.
On the motion of HON. TOGAREPI, seconded by HON. MPARIWA the House adjourned at Twenty Six Minutes past Two o’clock p.m. to Tuesday, 16th February, 2021.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 26th January, 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
DEATHS OF HON. SEN. CHRISTINE RAMBANEPASI, HON. SEN. DR. GWARADZIMBA AND HON. RETIRED LT. GEN. SEN. SIBUSISO B. MOYO
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE: It is with profound sorrow that I have to inform the Senate of the deaths of the following Hon. Senators: Hon. Sen. Christine Rambanepasi, Senator for Manicaland Province on Sunday, 3rd January, 2021; Hon. Sen. Dr. Gwaradzimba, Minister of Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Manicaland Province on Friday, 15th January 2021; and Hon. Retired Lt. Gen. Sen. Sibusiso B. Moyo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade on Wednesday, 20th January 2021. I therefore invite Hon. Senators to rise and observe a minute of silence in respect of the late Hon. Senators.
All Hon. Senators observed a minute of silence.
On the motion of HON. SEN. O. HUNGWE, seconded by HON. SEN. CHIRONGOMA, the Senate adjourned at Twenty Five Minutes to Three o’clock p.m. to Tuesday, 16th February, 2021.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Thursday, 17th December, 2020
The Senate met at Half-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE in the Chair)
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE: With me I only have the Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation who had sent her apology, Hon. K. Coventry. However, to my surprise, I see the whole front bench with only two Ministers. I see the Leader of the House and Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services and the Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities. Let us work with what we have. We also have the Minister of State for Mashonaland Central Province.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
*HON. SEN. CHIEF CHIKWAKA: Thank you Madam President. My question is directed to the Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities. At what stage is the Ministry in terms of constructing houses for traditional chiefs so that they can have a decent status in society?
*THE MINISTER OF NATIONAL HOUSING AND SOCIAL AMENITIES (HON. GARWE): The Government has noted that construction of houses for the chiefs is not a sustainable programme. It is not sustainable due to the fact that today we have Chief Chikwaka Ephraim, we build a house for him and he passes on and another chief takes over who will also want a house constructed for him. In the long run that chief also passes on and the next one would want a house constructed by the Government, it is not sustainable. Instead, the Government decided to build the chiefs’ courts where issues of that particular area are discussed and disputes settled. This is what we are going to do in 2021 going forward.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF CHIKWAKA: Thank you Hon. Minister
As per our tradition Madam President, it is our duty to take care of our parents. You cannot give an excuse that your are burdened for taking care of your father giving the reason that if my father dies I have to take care of another parent again. Madam President, the Minister must give us a satisfactory response.
*THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Thank you Hon. Sen. Chief Chikwaka. It is important and crucial that if we ask a question, we listen to the response from the Hon. Minister because we would have asked the questions without knowledge of the subject matter. It helps us on the follow up questions. I am not denying the Minister the opportunity to respond.
*HON. GARWE: Thank you Madam President. Let me repeat my response and then answer the follow up question. The Government has limited resources. Chiefs, like every Zimbabwean, look upon the Government for their welfare and upkeep but the Government does not have enough resources. So it is very difficult to select a chief today and build a house for him. For example, we select Chief Daniel Garwe today and build him a house and tomorrow Chief Garwe is no more and his predecessor, say Chief Esau Garwe is installed as the next chief and he looks forward to have a house built for him again. This will be going on countrywide within the chieftainship. It is not sustainable as the Government does not have such huge resources to sustain that ongoing programme.
The Government made a decision to construct traditional courts, which must be modern structures constructed within each chief’s jurisdiction. This court will be used by chiefs for generation after generation and is a sustainable project which is the Government’s position and intends to undertake. We must understand that Government does not have resources for individuals and it will help us a lot to move forward in terms of development. I thank you
HON. SEN. B. MPOFU: Thank you Madam President. My question is directed to the Leader of the House since I do not see the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development. I had the misfortune of using the Beitbridge to Mvuma Road this week and witnessed potholes graduating to craters. With the festive season upon us, what is the Government policy to arresting this migration of potholes into craters, which if left unattended has the propensity of reducing Government to a festive murderer figuratively and actually?
THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION, PUBLICITY AND BROADCASTING SERVICES (HON. SEN. MUTSVANGWA): Thank you Madam President. Thank you very much Hon. Sen. Mpofu for your question. I am privileged to have listened to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development giving his report in Cabinet this last Tuesday. He actually talked about the issue of detours. We know that the Beitbridge – Harare – Chirundu Road is under construction and because of the heavy rains which have been pouring, that has actually made the detours very difficult for flow of traffic. He is much aware and they are seized as a Ministry to make sure that at least those detours will be put in a condition in which there will be flow of traffic, especially as we face more and more traffic during the festive season. I thank you.
HON. SEN. B. MPOFU: Unfortunately, I did not actually mention that I am grateful for the work that is being done in terms of reconstructing that road; Beitbridge to Harare Road which is quite remarkable. I think there is quite some progress this time around when I used it after about two or so months. My question is not on the detours but on the actual main road, the highway itself. Like I said, I had the misfortune of driving through from Beitbridge this week. Two of my tyres burst because the potholes are so deep on the main road itself, not on the detours. I feel if Government is going to wait until the reconstruction, a lot of people are going to have a terrible festive season if the potholes are not closed. Thank you.
HON. SEN. MUTSVANGWA: Thank you Madam President. Hon. Sen. Mpofu is talking to something which will pose problems during this festive season if it is not looked into. As I reported, I thought you were talking about the detours which are muddy and have made it very impossible for traffic to flow. About the potholes again, he spoke to this issue. He is very much aware of these problems and they are looking into that. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF MAKUMBE: Thank you Madam President. My question is directed to the Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities. I think it is a brilliant idea to build courts for us. For us to be looking at the fact that so and so will die, it happens, yes but we are all going to die. What we are saying is, let us acknowledge our traditional leaders. Why can we not go a step further in building us beautiful homes equivalent to a palace for chiefs? Why can we not do that so that we also become people of status?
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: That question was raised and it was responded to twice. You can raise a motion whereby the Minister will then respond to or invite the Minister to the Chiefs’ caucus.
*HON. SEN. FEMAI: Thank you Madam President. My question is directed to the Leader of the House who is also the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services. I would want to find out if she is aware of the fact that in Goromonzi there is a Government complex that is said to be complete in terms of construction but it is only at window level. This building is now 15 years old.
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE: This is a particular question that requires research as to why it has not yet been completed, so I urge you to put your question in writing so that the Minister can bring a response as to why the building is incomplete.
Maybe we can be assisted when Sen. Khumalo’s question is responded to. There is another Minister who has walked in; the Minister of State for Mashonaland East Province.
+HON. SEN. KHUMALO: Thank you Madam President. My question is directed to the Leader of Government Business. In most schools particularly boarding schools, students have been affected by COVID-19. Even though they have been affected, those schools did not close. Why did the Government do that? I thank you.
HON. SEN. MUTSVANGWA: I would like to thank Hon. Sen. Khumalo for that very important question, issues which concern us and issues of our own children. I just want to say first of all, let me say Zimbabwe is on level three which is placed in the world under the global pandemic of COVID-19. Under that level 3, we are one country which had been given conditions that schools can open as our children continue to go to school.
However, they go to schools where there are standard operating procedures and our headmasters, teachers, children and parents had been trained. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has been going round the districts, training them to understand those standard operating procedures. It is important to adhere to those COVID-19 preventive and precautionary measures so that we contain the spread of this disease.
We know that we have had a number of schools where this COVID-19 positive cases have been identified and once that has been done, the Ministry of Health and Child Care, together with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education and also in some instances the Ministry of Higher Education, have gone to those schools to make sure that there are PCR tests done. In schools where there are no PCR tests done, they have made sure that they close the school. Where there are PCR machines, they have tested the children and those found positive have been quarantined and those found negative have been allowed to continue with classes.
Yes, we know these are very difficult times and the question is if we keep kids in our communities running around in the streets, are they also not exposed to the COVID-19? So what we are concentrating on is to make sure that each and every school adheres to those standard operating procedures that are making sure that there is the testing as the kids walk in, they clean their hands, and temperature is checked. So we continue to monitor schools where COVID-19 cases have been found.
You also have to be careful if they are not quarantined and they are left to go into the communities, that can also cause spread of the disease. So, in those particular schools where COVID-19 cases have been high, they have quarantined those who are positive. The results have been very positive, the numbers of COVID-19 cases in our in our schools is actually coming down.
HON. SEN. CHIEF MATUPULA: I wanted to ask on the issue of COVID-19 testing in schools. Is there support for students who would have tested positive in the schools as in counseling - because these are children and this disease is still new? I can imagine a form one child who has been quarantined for all those 14 days.
HON. SEN. MUTSVANGWA: Thank you Madam President, I would like to thank Hon. Sen. Chief Matupula. There is a lot of work which is being done, that is why I spoke to the issue of the Ministry of Health and Child Care. They have people who speak to those who are COVID-19 positive and to those who are negative so that they can adhere to all the preventative and precautionary measures.
HON. SEN. CHIEF MAKUMBE: Thank you very much Madam President, we are faced with the festive season. We would want to find out how prepared the Government is in terms of those coming from outside the country, our children in the diaspora in order to ensure that there is no spike in COVID-19 especially when it comes to the border areas.
I just want to know that in terms of security measures how safe are we when the diasporans, for example a person can come through Plumtree Border Post and end up in Mutare or Mt. Darwin. How can we ensure that we are protected since now we do not have quarantine centres and to ensure that we are not infected by the COVID-19 pandemic which will result in us facing challenges as a nation.
HON. SEN. MUTSVANGWA: Thank you very much Madam President. I also want to thank Hon. Sen. Chief Makumbe for his question which is very pertinent. I want to start by saying that when Government instituted the lockdown in March, they set up an inter-ministerial task force which is chaired by Hon. Muchinguri Kashiri who is the Minister of Defence and War Veterans. This task force’s mandate is to look at all that is happening in the country and engaging experts to investigate on the pandemic and where there are loopholes in terms of COVID-19.
The experts and the members of the task force went on tours, investigated and realised that on the 1st of December 2020, borders were safe for people to come in because we were looking at the issue that all the Zimbabweans who are in the Diaspora were closed for other nationalities and not Zimbabwe. Since the beginning of December, 2020, those who use private vehicles in different countries - it might be Mozambique, Zambia, and Botswana were allowed to come through but there are conditions that they have to meet before they do so. When we opened the boarder, a number of airlines are now coming through, Ethiopian Airways, Emirates is also coming through three times a week. Rwanda Airlines is also coming in and other airlines are coming through to Zimbabwe. The condition that is there is that all those who come through the port of entry, it might be Beitbridge Border Post, R. G Mugabe International Airport or J. M. Nkomo Airport in Bulawayo, Victoria Falls or different borders, a person coming into Zimbabwe is expected to produce a COVID-19 negative certificate. This certificate mandates one to have been tested 48 hours prior to departure.
If the immigration officers realise that it has expired, you have to be tested at the port of entry. We have PCR machines and you can be tested upon arrival. Some machines are now taking 55 minutes. For example, at R.G. Mugabe Airport, there are laboratories. So when a person comes through without a COVID-19 negative certificate they can test. It should come from a laboratory that is known and you are required to undergo testing again and you have to wait until the results are out. At Beitbridge Border Post our families need to come with COVID-19 negative certificates and without those certificates, they are not allowed access into the country. I want to remind you that the Government is aware of this and wants us to curb COVID-19 cases.
The majority of COVID-19 cases in Zimbabwe are local transmissions, that is why we need to ensure there is security. Government is very strict when you travel. I want to give you an example. I was given an official assignment to go to Zambia to attend a Davos Communication Seminar. I left on a Monday after being tested on a Sunday. I attended the conference for 3 days in Zambia and when I was coming back, the 48 hours had elapsed but I knew I could not come back to Zimbabwe without a COVID-19 certificate. In Zambia, I had to be tested and another PCR test was done for me to be able to get into my country. That certificate is very important and it has to come from a laboratory that is well recognised. Government is after protecting its population.
I want to urge citizens to continue protecting themselves by putting on their masks, washing their hands, maintaining social distancing and that when we start coughing, it is important to take zumbani tea. Now, because of the rainy season, there are a number of flus and we need to protect ourselves. Zimbabwe is a good country and people have listened. We are saying the pandemic is there but we have relaxed the conditions. You find the media will start telling you not to relax because the disease is still with us although it is local transmission. We need to be cognisant of that and protect where possible.
HON. SEN. CHIEF NGUNGUMBANE: Why do we have inconsistency in the validity of the COVID tests that are done in Zimbabwe whereas WHO says those tests are valid for 72 hours.
HON. SEN. MUTSVANGWA: I want to thank Hon. Sen. Chief Ngungumbane for that question where there is that disparity that there are certain countries which are accepting 72 hours as opposed to 48 hours. It is not WHO, WHO are actually talking about 48 hours but I know what you are talking about that there are certain countries who have actually said 72 hours. I am sure they have thought through, we are still considering it also as a country.
For those countries, they have considered the issues that one may visit one country do business in three days and need to come back and the inconvenience of having that person tested again. I have just given you my personal example when I went to Zambia. This is an issue which the taskforce is actually looking at. We are seized with this and we are looking into possibilities of whether the hours can be moved from 48 hours to 72 hours. As it stands right now, in our country, for anybody who is coming into this country, that COVID negative certificate just has to be 48 hours. I thank you.
HON SEN. MAVETERA: There are allegations that there is booming business for manufacturing COVID certificates. As a country, what measures are in place to ensure that we do not fall victim to those manufactured certificates especially in South Africa. Do we have any specific laboratories or safety features where our staff manning the border will actually be able to identify those manufactured COVID certificates? I thank you.
HON SEN. MUTSVANGWA: I would like to thank Senator Mavetera for that question. Yes, we have all been reading about these fake COVID -19 certificates and the Ministry of Health and Child Care are very much seized with the issue and they have sent delegations to those borders. It was reported in Plumtree and to some extent Beitbridge. Their staff have been sent to make sure that all the COVID-19 certificates which are presented at our ports of entry are genuine and are also coming from certified laboratories. This is something which they are working closely on. I thank you.
+HON SEN. MOYO: My question is directed to Minister Mutsvangwa. She said that we should comply with COVID regulations in accordance with hygienic standards that are required. We do not have enough water where we stay. We sometimes get water once a week or after a fortnight. We do not have water to wash our hands. Our children have no water to wash their hands after visiting the toilet.
THE HON PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Order Hon Member. Your supplementary question does not arise from what the Hon Minister has just explained to the House. May you put up a question of what you want to understand?
*HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: Thank you Hon. President. My question is to the Minister of Housing. We always hear of land barons. Are they still there because at one time you said that there are no land barons but every day in the media, we hear a lot about land barons? Are they still in the policy?
THE MINISTER OF NATIONAL HOUSING AND SOCIAL AMENITIES (HON. GARWE): Thank you Hon. Sen. Chief Charumbira for such an important question. The land barons are still there. The Government put in place a policy to arrest them and bring them to book. Even if we have land and the people want to buy land, the land baron is always there. So, the land barons will always be there and they end up selling state land. They sell this land to desperate home seekers. Currently, we do not have new cases of new land barons but the land barons we have are those who were there already and they had created a land bank, taking state land to be theirs and some of them are within the councils. I am sure you know that in Harare we do not have a mayor, councillors or town clerk because of the issue of land. These people have acquired land and are selling state land. After the President’s visit to Harare South where he announced that Government now wants order and wherever there are illegal settlements, Government, through the Ministry of National Housing, Local Government and Local Authorities in those areas, will bring onsite/offsite services. As a Ministry, on 29th December, 2019, we said that those on illegal land in such places as Caledonia in Harare South, Pumula and Gimboki in Mutare, we are going to build structures.
We have found investors to come and put up structures on a public/private partnership. The people residing in those areas should know that where they are settled is state land and for them to get title deeds from the department of physical planning to regularise the settlement, they have to pay $4 per square meter to Government because they initially paid to land barons who do not own land. Most people understood that. We went to Solomio in Ruwa where an area was taken by a land baron though the area had been acquired by ZB bank. We agreed with the bank that because people had already built houses, we were not going to destroy them but to raise awareness and educate people to pay for the land and services such as roads and sewer. The department of physical planning can produce the paper work that will enable people to get title deeds. Both the bank and settlers agreed but the land baron came and told people not to listen to Government. One of the land barons is one called Gwanzura at Solomio who was in remand for two months. Right now he is out on bail. People know that the land belongs to the State. The land barons have not paid a single cent to Government, so each time you hear us warning people not to listen to the land barons, listen to us.
I also urge traditional leaders to raise awareness in their communities that they should not buy land. Chief Chikwaka in Goromonzi West, you do have such land barons where the place known as showground has been turned into a squatter camp as the village heads in that area are selling land. My request is for us to work together with traditional leaders to address this matter. So, the issue of land barons will never be completely eradicated. Government and the population of Zimbabwe, the traditional leaders and local authorities need to work together to address this scourge which is more like cholera or COVID. We can call it COVID land so we need to address this as a united force.
Those who have land are those who banked land and now they are selling that land. If you buy land from land barons you will end up blaming Government. Let us be clear that land is State land and it belongs to Government. The first authority for land is the Central Government and the land that belongs to Central Government is called State land which is managed by the President. The second authority is the Local Government. They have land which they supervise. The third authority pertains to private individuals who bought their land legally and they are not land barons. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF. CHARUMBIRA: I want to thank the Minister for such a good response. However, on the categories of people who own land, he forgot the chiefs. Councils are involved temporarily but let me say that the Minister spoke well. It is Government policy that every Government property should be auctioned. The public is invited to compete but why is it that individuals are just given State land and benefit from it without taking it to tender. Is it possible that an individual is just allocated state land by a Minister and that person at whatever level can parcel out State property and enrich themselves? Those land barons who are being arrested for committing crimes in 2015/2016. They were corruptly given State land. Why is it that those who allocated that land are not being arrested? I thank you.
*THE MINISTER NATIONAL HOUSING AND SOCIAL AMENITIES (HON. GARWE): Thank you Mr. President. I would like to thank Hon. Sen. Chief Charumbira for such a pertinent question. Let me outline how land barons emerged. In 2002, Government through the desire to empower its people by allocating housing stands and eradicating the housing waiting list backlog, invited cooperatives in good faith and committed that it does not have enough funds to fund housing projects. Cooperatives were given land and they signed offer letters having promised that they would develop since they had indicated that they had money.
Government gave that task to cooperatives so that cooperatives would work with the department of Physical Planning and other professionals. They were given a task to demarcate stands to service roads, work on water reticulation, sewer services, sell and develop stands to home seekers. That was the agreement between Government and cooperatives. This was long back in 2002. However, because of corruption and because the Government was not supervising cooperatives on a daily basis, some decided to take advantage of that.
They started parceling out pieces of land. This is an example that is similar to a small child who steals sugar day by day. The developers were given land and development permits but some of them acquired land corruptly. Corruption that was being perpetuated by municipal authorities and the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works and National Housing then, individual workers were found wanting on that regard.
There was no proper paper trail and some individuals working from municipal authorities and the Local Government were doing that but we are now rectifying the situation. The President enacted the Human Settlement Policy which I presented to this House, that there is a pillar of regularisation, which means that wherever people settled in unserviced land Government is now regularising and it is not going to destroy people’s houses but only those houses that were built on roads and other undesignated places.
People who still reside in such places, the law is clear on that. They should be relocated and this is what we are doing in Central Government. This is the policy and the relationship between Government and cooperatives was a relationship based on goodwill. Unfortunately, they took advantage of that. We have a task and a responsibility to identify land barons. If we identify them, we should report such unscrupulous people to the police, the Anti-Corruption Unit and other departments. This is not unique to the Lands and Housing Department. The Housing Department has seen such behaviour being perpetuated by people, but it is unfortunate that most land barons do this in a subtle way. All things that are done may eventually come to naught. Thank you.
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Thank you Hon. Minister for that comprehensive answer but I will allow only one last supplementary. We need to move on and discuss other issues.
HON. SEN. FEMAI: Thank you Mr. President. Government distributed land and gave people 99 year leases. These farms are referred to as State land and those who occupy those farms are only given leases. However, we have seen people constructing houses and some converting these farms into housing units. Is it allowed by Government?
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: It is not a supplementary, is it? That is an entirely different question which is supposed to go to the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement on the utilisation of farms. The Hon. Minister here is the Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities. In this instance, the Leader of the House is going to answer that question.
*THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION, PUBLICITY AND BROADCASTING SERVICES (HON. SEN. MUTSVANGWA): Thank you Mr. President for the question that came as a supplementary. However, let me say that Minister Garwe is responsible for the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities. The President, through his wisdom noted that human settlements are important and identifying loopholes that are in the system, so he decided to appoint a Minister who specialises in National Housing and Amenities. That is why he was explaining with passion. So, for me to respond to the question that was asked by Hon. Sen. Femai, let me say that all farms are State land.
That is the true position and what it means is that no one who is a beneficiary of the land reform in Zimbabwe is allowed to do any other activities that are different from farming and production. This is not land that can be resold. You cannot do extra curricula activities that are different from agriculture unless if you go and declare your activities to the Minister of Agriculture. Let me respond again by saying that all land belongs to the State. If the President has not changed that position, then farms should only be for farming activities. I thank you.
Questions Without Notice were interrupted by THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE in terms of Standing Order No. 62.
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Today is the last sitting of the Senate in the year 2020, and some Hon. Senators have to travel. We have come a long way and I am sure you will agree with me that we have worked very hard. Last night we worked quite late and I want to commend those who remained. Some of us absconded and left the rest to do what was supposed to be done. So, in the interest of what I have just explained, I will ask the Hon. Leader of the House to move for the adjournment of the Senate.
THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION, PUBLICITY AND BROADCASTING SERVICES (HON. SEN. MUTSVANGWA): Thank you very much Mr. President. I want to take this opportunity before I move for the adjournment to thank the Members of this august House for the support which I really enjoyed. It has been wonderful and I look forward to every Thursday to be in Senate with its mature Members of Parliament. I think a lot of work has been done and I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] -
On the motion of THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION, PUBLICITY AND BROADCASTING SERVICES (HON. SEN. MUTSVANGWA), the Senate adjourned at Twenty Eight Minutes to Four o’clock p.m. until Tuesday, 26th of January, 2021.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 16th December, 2020
The Senate met at Half-past Two o’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE
NON-ADVERSE REPORTS RECEIVED FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY LEGAL COMMITTEE
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: I have to inform the Senate that I have received Non-Adverse Reports from the Parliamentary Legal Committee on all the Statutory Instruments gazetted during the months of October and November, 2020.
UPDATING OF MOBILE CONTACT NUMBERS
THE HON. DEPUTY PPRESIDENT OF SENATE: Let me remind Hon. Senators to update their mobile contact numbers so that they can receive urgent messages from Parliament. The ICT Department is stationed at the Members Dining Room to assist Hon. Senators.
COLLECTION OF MiFi DEVICES
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: I also have to inform the Senate that Hon. Senators who have not yet collected their MiFi devices which are for internet connectivity to do so at the same desk stationed at the Members Dining Room.
SWITCHING OFF OF CELLPHONES
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Let me also remind Hon. Senators to put your cellphones on silence or better still to switch them off. Those who will be contributing are reminded once again to activate your devices so that Hon. Senators who are in hotels and within the precincts of Parliament can follow your debates and proceedings of the Senate.
SECOND READING
MANPOWER PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT BILL [H. B. 2, 2020]
THE MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. MURWIRA): Thank you Mr. President. I am humbled to present the background rationale and principles of the Manpower Planning and Development Amendment Bill.
It has become apparent to us that the colonial design of education which we have somewhat religiously followed and somewhat defended for more than a century has not gotten us out of hunger and poverty because it was never designed to get us out of hunger and poverty. The main weapon used by colonial designs of education is diversion or distraction, distraction or diversion, that made us avoid doing the real things that cause national development through teaching our people approaches and methods for the eradication of hunger and poverty. Lions teach their cubs how to hunt, we believe therefore, that our education must teach our people how to produce knowledge that leads to the eradication of hunger and poverty and not just knowledge that leads to nowhere.
Mr. President, it is therefore, important for us to reflect on the real function of colonially designed education which is basically to serve as a distraction or diversion from the deeper purpose and benefit of education. Colonially designed education is simply not fit for an independent nation. It trains you for an industry that you did not design, it does not train you to design and implement industry. To this end Mr. President, as a nation, we made a deliberate decision to reconfigure our education from the colonially designed Education 3.0 that involves teaching, research and community outreach or workshops which produces mainly literate graduates. Our literacy is 97% but our skills levels are at 38%. We have transformed it to a poverty and hunger bursting heritage based Education 5.0 which is designed to give knowledge that results in the production of goods and services or simply that results in industrialisation and mordernisation via the innovation route for the development of our motherland.
Mr. President, I am therefore pleased to state that the rationale for the proposed Manpower Planning and Development Bill is to create an enabling legislation for the implementation of a higher and tertiary education, innovation, science and technology development system that leads to a national capability for the deliberate and rapid industrialisation and mordernisation of Zimbabwe. This is made possible through developing and adopting a higher and tertiary education system that deliberately facilitates knowledge acquisition for the purpose of the production of goods and services. For instance, through Education 5.0 that embraces teaching or learning, research, innovation, industrialisation and community outreach.
Mr. President, we are convinced that the higher and tertiary education system and its curricula must read from our national or human needs by imparting knowledge that leads to the production of goods and services to meet the same national human needs. Work to meet human needs is what we call industry; industry is all about meeting human needs. In this regard, causing industry capability to meet human needs is the purpose of education and improved quality of life of a people is the benefit that we get from education. However, all this is on condition that the education system and the legislative framework that govern it is well designed to enable it to cause industry that meet national or human needs. We are basically saying education must cause industry; industry cannot fall from the sky.
Mr. President, all in all, causing an industry for the satisfaction of national or human needs is the ultimate aim of any organised learning or education system. To this end, we assert that Zimbabwe’s education system must be of the same philosophy, which philosophy is; we learn to burst hunger and poverty just like a lion teaches its cub how to hunt and survive.
Mr. President, please allow me therefore to assert that it is a fact that if we want to predict the future prosperity or lack of it of any country, we just look at what is taught in the country’s lecture rooms, workshops and laboratories. If we teach each other to play, we will definitely be a playful nation. If we teach each other to produce, we will produce. So, it also logically follows that no country can develop faster than the development of its education.
Mr. President, in 2018 and in response to the need to modernise and industrialise our nation through a correctly designed education systems, Government came up with Education 5.0 policy framework. The framework entails that education has to have five interdependent pillars: teaching, learning, research, community outreach, innovation and industrialisation.
Mr. President, innovation and industrialisation are the additional two pillars to the traditional three which were teaching, learning, research and community outreach, which is Education 3.0. This policy needs a strong and supportive legal framework. Mr. President, the above need made us to scrutinise our national principal Act on education and training, which is the Manpower, Planning and Development Act, Chapter 28:02. I will refer to it as the Act from now on with the aim of strengthening it so that it can adequately support the Education 5.0 or simply the Education for Industrialisation and Modernisation Policy Framework or the Education for Production and Modernisation Framework. The amendment is important to achieve our national strategic intention of being an upper middle income economy and beyond.
Mr. President, nations are directed by their national strategic intentions but to achieve a national strategic intention, we must be capable of doing it. So we have to develop a capability to do that but that capability can only come from an education system. Just like a lion trains its cubs, the nation should train its people. The configuration of our manpower to achieve industrialisation and modernisation as a deliberate ploy is important.
Furthermore, the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 20), Act 2013 ushered in the promotion of good corporate governance and other progressive principles which help to improve service delivery in institutions of higher and tertiary education and all the parastatals that are in there. As such, the Ministry is aligning the Manpower Planning and Development Act to the Constitution. Mr. President, you may also be aware of the problems that were being faced by ZIMDEF a few years ago, which included abuse of funds. Malpractices had driven the fund to near bankruptcy where staff salaries were now being paid by a commercial bank against the title deeds of ZIMDEF properties. This basically means the ZIMDEF was no longer doing its purpose. It was failing to pay employees to the extent that it was now using its title deeds to pay the workers. It is our view that these are attributed to the non-implementation of the provisions of the Constitution on good governance and we want to rectify this mischief.
Mr. President, our national strategic intent is to modernise and industrialise Zimbabwe by having an aligned, skilled and productive manpower that efficiently delivers the capability to produce goods and services using the heritage based philosophy. The heritage based philosophy says Zimbabwe can only develop from the resources that it has. It has to be able to develop using resources that it has. It is only those resources that it can use to trade with others. We are sad that our heritage shall determine the principal direction of our manpower planning and development. Just like countries with oil train their people in oil extraction, a country like ours should be able to train our people to be able to utilise our God given resources with all the latest scientific as well as technological advancements. Nations can only develop on resources that they have by applying knowledge and skills on them.
Mr. President, our manpower planning design must therefore ensure that investment in human capital results in the timely and relevant capability to effectively put this national strategic intention of becoming a developed and prosperous nation starting with the level of an upper middle income economy or better by 2030. We once again assert that the level of development of any nation is a reflection of the level of development of its people’s skills, basically its manpower.
Mr. President, allow me to assert that when given two nations which we can call A and B with exactly the same amount of natural endowments but different levels of development, the differences in the levels of development can only be explained by different levels of knowledge and skills of the manpower of the two countries. A nation with high levels of knowledge and skill is always going to have higher levels of development.
Mr. President, the national skills audit which we carried out between December 2017 and April 2018 showed that although our national literacy is around 94% and now it is 97%, our skills levels are at 38%. However, considering that the production of goods and services can only happen when there is both knowledge and skill, balanced knowledge and skills development has therefore become one of our main focus as a nation. The design of our manpower planning and development system naturally becomes our prime target for us to get us out of poverty and move to prosperity. On the purpose of the Bill, on the result of the foregoing, there is therefore an urgent need to amend the Manpower Planning and Development Act for the modernisation and industrialisation of Zimbabwe.
Mr. President, the purpose of the Bill is to provide for the following:
- To transfer employees of tertiary institutions from the Public Service Commission to State employees in a similar category to the State university employees as this conforms to the international best practice and this is in our interest as a nation;
- Provide strengthening of the Act with regard to the quality control of all science and technology institutions, professional bodies as well as manpower training institutions so that training and registration of professionals are quality controlled under the Act. It is already there but just to strengthen it;
- To align the Act to the Constitution;
- To provide for high levels of quality control so that all tertiary training institutions, science and technology institutions and professional bodies are quality administered for purposes of development of this country;
- To ensure that all qualifications of training in higher and tertiary education institutions lead to the ability to produce industry, quality goods and services and to entrench the Act with all manpower development issues to strengthen the application of science, technology for modernization and industrialization of Zimbabwe.
On the objectives, the proposed Bill seeks to:- promote the development and implementation of the knowledge, skills, planning and development strategy for the nation; promote university, technical, teacher, vocation training that leads to ability to produce goods and services; promote operational independence of technical and vocational institutions in teachers colleges; to foster innovation and creativity; promote science, technology, engineering and innovation on industrialization and modernization through research institution and institutions of higher and tertiary education.
Mr. President, please allow me to give a brief outline of the principles underlined in this Bill. The first principle is to transfer tertiary education employees from Public Service Commission to State institutions employees. In order to follow and comply with international best practice in relation to academic freedom and academic integrity that deliberately lead to industrialization, modernization and the attainment of vision 2030, it requires that all tertiary education institutions employees be transferred from being Public Service Commission employees to state granted institution employees so that they are just like State university employees.
This guarantees academic independence for creativity and objectivity for modernization and industrialization. The move is also intended to ensure that we retain or attract the best brains in the tertiary institutions to facilitate the industrialization and modernization agenda of Zimbabwe through innovation. Consequently, all promotion procedures for tertiary institutions are to be regulated under the Act in order to ensure compliance to the National Qualification Framework.
On the second principle, academic, and professional training to be done under the Act, the provisions of the Act which deals with professional skills and academic training will be amended to ensure that both academic skills and professional as well as registration and control of professional bodies is done under the Act. It is already done but just to strengthen it.
In addition, the Act will be amended to give it more quality control powers on academic and training since this is the principle Act as well as on professional bodies involved in training in order to achieve quality training and professional standards aimed at industrialization, modernization of Zimbabwe through ability to produce knowledge that gives goods and services.
On good governance, in terms of Section 9 of the Constitution, the Stare must adopt and implement policies and legislation to develop efficiency, competence, accountability and transparency and financial probity in all institutions and agencies of Government at every level and in every public institution. This includes appointment to public offices, that the appointment to public offices must be made primarily based on merit and that measures must be taken to export, combat and eradicate all forms of corruption and abuse of power by those holding offices which had almost bankrupted ZIMDEF. However, I am happy to tell you that ZIMDEF is now up and running but it is better we put a legal safeguard on it. This will further strengthen and emphasize the law as provided for in the public entities Corporate Governance Act.
We intend to reform the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund to align it with good, corporate governance practice by putting it in place of a board. In the meantime there is no board; it is the Chief Executive and the Minister. We want to curtail the powers of the Minister and make sure that we put a board. The Minister responsible for administration of the Act will only give policy direction in relation to good corporate governance rules.
This principle seeks to entrench the principle of good governance enshrined in Section of the Constitution. We also proposed that the National manpower Advisory Council (NAMACO) be given additional powers and be strengthened to have quality influence over all professional bodies, all manpower related activities in order for it to fully deliver its mandate for the industrialization and modernization of this nation.
Therefore, it entails amending part 3 and part as well other provisions of the Act that speak to ZIMDEF and NAMACO and to incorporate the envisage changes in a way that ensures good corporate governance. On the management of statutory bodies, Section 316 of the Constitution governs the management of statutory bodies including ZIMDEF, these include their competence and effective operation and that the chief executive officer serves for a limited period, whose renewal is dependent on efficient performance of their duties.
The Act is to be aligned to the Constitution to incorporate the management of statutory bodies, to give effect to the constitutional position and the position as provided for in the Public Finance Management Act. In addition, all sections that provide for contracts of employment will amended to specify that the contracts of employment should be performed best and with a specific time limit.
On the duties of custodian of public funds and property, in terms of Section 308 (2) of the Constitution, it is the duty of every person who is responsible for the expenditure of public funds to safe guard the funds and ensures that they are spent only on legally authorized purposes and legally authorized amounts.
Section 308 (4) of the Constitution, in this case the Act must provide for the speed detection of breeches of the law and the disciplining and punishment of person responsible for the breaches. It is proposed that there be an amendment to the act to ensure that all ZIMDEF are used only for manpower development related activities as a safeguard against the abuse of funds.
On the 6th principle, quality control for all tertiary, scientific and technological institutions and professional bodies; in order to achieve vision 2030 and beyond, there is need to emphasize on issues of quality control for all tertiary, scientific and technological institutions and professional bodies. In this regard, we insert provisions in the Act that deal with strengthening of quality control for all tertiary, scientific and technological training institutions and professional bodies. This entails that all tertiary, scientific and technological training, registration and quality control of the professional bodies shall be administered under the Act.
In addition, it must be provided in the Act that all qualifications obtained in all higher and tertiary education institution in Zimbabwe must lead to an ability to produce either goods or services for the purpose of meeting national human needs through industrialization and modernization. In this we are basically saying education is not for nothing, education is for the development of a nation. This shall enable Zimbabwe to lip-frog in its development using education and training as the facilitator just like the lion trained its cubs.
On gender balance and inclusivity, Section 17 of the Constitution stipulates that the State must promote full gender balance and that the State must take all legislative measures to ensure that both gender is equally represented in all institutions and agencies of government. Both genders must be equally represented in all institutions and agencies of Government. This principle seeks to bring into effect the right to gender balance in all boards and councils under this Act. The principle also gives effect to the incorporation of inclusive education by incorporating people with disability in the governance of institution of manpower planning and development.
On the 8th principle, on the importance of the Act on matters of manpower development and planning, the Act will be amended by making the Act stronger on issues of training and educational qualifications and quality. The Act is strengthened when it comes to regulating the establishment or conduct of quality by any higher and tertiary education in learning or professional body involved with manpower planning.
In strengthening science, innovation and technology for industrialization, modernization, Mr. President, science technology and innovation are the bedrock for any nation’s capability to leap-frog - including Zimbabwe and to become an industrialized and modernized economy. We will strengthen the Act so that it is explicit in the promotion of science, technology and innovation for industrialization of Zimbabwe. The Act is therefore amended to explicitly give effect to the formation of the Zimbabwe academy of sciences as an advisory board to the State on innovation, science and technology issues, along the lines of academies such as the Chinese, Indian, American, French academy of sciences and so forth.
Allow me to conclude by highlighting that it is envisaged that once the amendment go through, the Act will fully be aligned to the Constitution and there will be improvements on service deliveries and create a legal ground for the effective management of the institutions of higher and tertiary education, science and technology and the parastatals that fall within the purview of the Act and professional bodies.
We believe that Zimbabwe will then be training its people to industrialize and modernize and realise that the future of this country is in our hands not elsewhere. I therefore, move that the Bill read a second time. I thank you.
*HON SEN. KOMICHI: I want to thank the Minister for bringing this Bill into this House. I took quite a lot of time in my life thinking about what you have just presented before us, that the education system that we had in Zimbabwe was very bad. We had a Minister of black education called Smith and he is the one who drafted the syllabus that was meant for us Africans. The syllabus for group A schools was different from the syllabus that was done in group B schools. We learnt most of the things when we were getting into A level, so that was insufficient.
I was greatly pained during those years and I would ask myself until when are we going to have this education system that does not allow us to be inventive. Why is that western countries are the ones who invent things. Does it mean that God created us with poor brains for us to invent things but it is because of the fact that our education was designed in that manner.
Our education system had grade 1 to 7 and we were not happy about it and a child is more effective and grasps concept at an early stage. There is nothing as difficult as acquiring a second language. If you go to Matabeleland, you can spend 10 years without being able to speak a Ndebele word but if a child goes there and they grow up in that community, they are able to acquire the education because they have a high level of concentration and learning. I disputed the school going age. I also want to suggest that science should be done for children in grade 1 at an earlier stage if you want to groom an engineer. For us to learn sciences when we are old as we are, we have too many stresses probably they can be social or financial, so I cannot make it. When a child is young, he has that potential to grasp a lot of concepts and that mind to invent things.
I want to thank you Minister. It is a good education system. I got to a level of training apprentices. I could also train graduate engineers at ZESA. My challenge was that a graduate from University of Zimbabwe after four years would know the theoretical aspect but when it came to practice, it was a challenge. After post graduate training, a trainee would go to management and yet in terms of work, he is not competent. I realise that if a person trains as an apprentice, then goes to university, then returns, that merging of the apprenticeship and the theoretical work made that person productive because the challenges that are meet in the engineering field require concentration and intelligence. What you have brought Minister is very good. We are not going to be teaching our children so many irrelevant things but we are going to come up with inventions.
There is no gift that has been given to Zimbabwe beyond that. Even the sanctions that we are talking about, we can override those sanctions through inventing certain things. We are on the right track to developing this country. The Bill that you have brought needs to be supported and funded. I hope that you are smiling because of the budget allocation that you were given. That is the only way we can develop. I do not know how India did it but I believe we are following their footsteps. India designs different things. Even the western countries are benefiting from India through globalisation. They design in Britain and send their things to India and this is where it is quality controlled.
When I was working I worked with a number of people who were technicians and you could tell that they were intelligent and had been educated because they were hands on people. There comes a time when competence is more superior than a person who has gone to university to do the theory. The current universities seem to be giving inadequate time to current engineering. Is this not affecting our output? I know that there are one year attachments that are being done at university level, those should be strengthened to ensure that when a person is being deployed into industry, he is competent.
There is a point that you talked about on ZIMDEF. Everything must come to an end. We once heard that Jonathan Moyo bought bicycles for Tsholotsho using ZIMDEF funds. That is very embarrassing because Government money is then used in Tsholotsho. Let us utilise funds in a way that will develop our nation. Do you know that Zimbabwe is a blessed country? If it had not been blessed, there would be chaos out there but there is residue that sustains the economy.
I was pained when one Minister was saying that during the corona period, South Africa was given $4 billion and Mozambique also got some billions but Zimbabwe did not get any billions but we are managing our issues. So, if we are able to deal with corruption and be organized, we can have a nation that will become the envy of many. Otherwise from what we have gone through, dogs would be feeding on us today but because we are blessed, when we move around town, you find good expensive cars. You even see women well dressed and you ask yourself is this Zimbabwe. I see our children using different modern gadgets, so Minister we have good residue, for the development of our nation. If we are able to tap that residue we can develop this nation better than any African country. What I am saying is that we have the potential. With what you said concerning the manpower, we can utilise our resources and we will be able to succeed. We want to thank you Minister. We implore you to continue with the good work. I think all Ministers need to take a leaf from what you are doing. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF. MAKUMBE: Thank you Mr. President. Firstly, I want to thank this programme that the Government has brought through the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education. I want to start by saying that as I stand here, I am a product of typical training in our colleges. Ever since I finished training, the country has met a lot of challenges and there was economic downfall. However, our families did not suffer. We were able to survive using the intelligence that we had. There was ignorance in the sense that those people who had gone to university, there were no intakes for apprenticeship training as companies were closing down. When people go for apprenticeship, they become smarter. A person from university is not trained and will face challenges. I was one of the first people who was congratulated through oil being poured on me along first street. That was a good moment.
We need to ensure that we are able to invent certain things. People look at what is happening at Magaba, Siyaso and Mbare but Magaba is sustaining a number of families especially those in the farms. A lot of things are being produced there that help in farming. So, Education 5.2 is sharpening what is already there. We urge the Minister to have children trained. We need to revamp our technical institution trainings. Why do we want our children to have degrees? We need more diplomas. For 20 years, Zimbabwe has been under sanctions. Most people with degrees went outside the country and that brain drain affected the economy. Those who had gone through apprenticeships are still here in Zimbabwe and they held the fort and today the country is still running. You need to come up with a higher national diploma, then a degree and that will assist you to become more relevant. I think it is a good programme for Zimbabwe. When we trained at ZISCO Steel, we had 28 to 30 training. ZISCO trained the whole of Southern Africa. If you talk of what is happening in South Africa, all the skills are from Zimbabwe. What is happening in Zambia, the economies that you are all looking at and admiring, they are Zimbabweans who are working there. So, when people train, our minds have to be flexible to work in Zimbabwe so that people can develop their country and there is need to ensure that they also get a living out of it. Government should assist in funding empowerment programmes and starting up companies. I like the Beitbridge –Harare- Chirundu highway because it is being done by our children in Zimbabwe. That is what this legislation seeks to address.
We are pained that the large dams that we have, the money is being taken to China and yet we can train our own children here just like we did with the road construction work so that money is then circulated in Zimbabwe. So, when water flows, you know that there will be plenty of irrigation schemes so if money is used here in Zimbabwe, it will benefit the nation. Even in different households, you can see a difference in terms of the standard of living when children are engaging in such projects. What is not there is the knowledge. We started in the early 60s and can we really take 60 years without inventing anything. No-one will come and build our nation for us. If you are the father, you need to look for school fees for everyone. Every work that one is given comes with responsibilities. As Zimbabwe, we need to build our own economy and start from somewhere. Where we should start is in terms of knowledge and how to build our country. The same commitment that was made by the liberation fighters when they went to war is the same commitment that we need from Zimbabweans.
Currently, we are experiencing COVID-19. It is not lucky that we do not have so many COVID cases but because of the different concoctions and advice that we give each other to take different things, it has assisted us. We can actually work on that and come up with medication for COVID. So, the education that is being advocated for by the Minister is what will assist us. At 65 years, one had to retire and was given a bicycle and after two years of going to the rural areas, that person would die. What we are saying is at the age of 26 or 27, we should have children who want to start companies and say Minister, I finished school and I want to rehabilitate roads or dams. That is possible in Zimbabwe because we do have the expertise to impart knowledge. So, what we need is the foundation as to how that can be brought into effect. That is what this Bill is addressing. I want to thank the Minister and urge him not to give up on this education system. Zimbabwe has the potential to succeed. If we are not educated, we cannot do much. Look at other developed countries; I will give an example of China and India because for you to be able to do something, you need to take a leaf from others. We should know how others did it and we need to learn best practices and contextualise that. We have everything in this country.
Two weeks ago, I heard there is a young man who wants to partner with our Company Willowvale to assemble vehicles he is supposed to be here in Zimbabwe. Those are the things that are being addressed by the Minister but we are saying, why does he have to go outside to start something in here? He should be here. Look at Econet, it is a Zimbabwean company for a Zimbabwean guy. Everyone has 0772 or 0774 and that was created by a child of Zimbabwe. That is where we need to really think and say how are we going to address our country. Why do we always have to get expertise from elsewhere? I cannot say to my neighbour, my wife has winned her child, can you come and impregnate her again? If I have a problem, I should go and see a witch doctor so that I am able to have a family. That is what the Minister is doing for our country to develop. I thank you Mr. President Sir.
HON. SEN. CHIEF MATHUPULA: Thank you Hon. President of the Senate and thank you Hon. Minister. First of all, I would like to thank the Minister for such a presentation of the Education 5.0 that he seems to be very passionate about. When we listen to what he is saying about it, I think the whole House and all the Hon. Senators have got that passion because it is what we need as a country. It is something that is practical and tangible. I am very happy when we speak about this Education 5.0. He speaks about a nation addressing its needs like its education system.
When the Minister of Finance was speaking about the Budget, he spoke a lot about things which are being imported, things which are agricultural based being imported. You wonder why when we have got so much land and many students – do we have to import things which can be grown in our country? This is where Education 5.0 comes in. We need to have a link between Finance and Education and look at how we can bridge that import bill using our students. I am happy that you addressed a month ago and in this House, how students are taking a lead in this innovation especially in agriculture – how they are having land and livestock and that they can actually be the ones who are first hand in agricultural production and livestock production.
I am happy that he is looking at that, he is looking at the import bill of the country and how students and education can help close that. Coming from a rural area, I am very touched when we look at Education 5.0. The whites had a bottleneck system that marginalised those in rural Zimbabwe. Some of its colonial tenents are still there now, but I am happy that through people like the Minister who is before us, many of those things have been removed. We need more technical colleges in rural Zimbabwe because the students there are hands on. They are not science based, physics and whatever because there are not even any science laboratories for them to do what they need to do.
If you go to places where there is livestock science, crop science and you find out who are the people or who are the top students there or the people who are training there, you find that it is people from the urban areas. The children from rural Zimbabwe grew up with livestock. That child knows livestock from the very day he was born and he grew up herding cattle and knows everything that you can talk about.
He grew up with crops even from an early age but what happens is that as we grow older and he gets to a learning situation, we do not have those science laboratories, Form 5 and Form 6 and our children drop out because there are no technical colleges. It is said that they do not know anything about livestock and cropping. That becomes a very big problem which needs to be solved. We need more technical colleges and we also need more of what he has spoken about, where they drop this thing of saying you want to go into a college, you want to go and study about livestock – you need to have Physics, Mathematics and English but you are going to learn about cattle.
What do we need Physics and Mathematics for? I am happy that the Minister has also spoken about that a lot of times, that this thing of saying entry level into colleges especially polytechnics which are hands on, we drop this thing of saying Physics, Chemistry, etc. Those things were put by whites to make sure that learner coming from rural background do not have access to learning because they do not have Form 5s and Form 6; all they had access to was technical capability. So I am very happy that he has spoken to that as well. We cannot have our polytechnics keep asking for Physics, English and so many things when they are more hands on.
We also need to add to the fact that our colleges have to make sure that they apportion more time to industrial attachment, both for degrees and diplomas because that is where most of our students have a problem. They do not have a chance to learn and jobs are hard to come by. So, many of our students out there have got gowns but they do not have experience. I do not know how they can work it out but the time for industrial attachment is lengthened. There is also post-graduate attachment or post-diploma attachment. They speak to companies that can accommodate our children that they can have more time to even go and work after completing their degrees and diplomas. This is because most of our children are failing to get a simple job and they are sitting there and after he attaining 30 years, the companies cannot hire him because he is 30.
On that same note, I think the main issue is that people need to be self productive. This thing of saying we need a job means that we are still in 3.0. If we are in 5.0, we do not even need that because our children should be able to come together and produce for themselves. They need to come together, not to make sure that they get jobs but to make sure that they start their own business to engage other children seeking for jobs. We are very happy about the education...
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Order Hon. Sen. Chief Mathupula, you address the Chair and not the Minister.
HON. SEN. CHIEF MATHUPULA: Thank you very much Mr. President. I was saying we are very happy about the Ministers Education 5.0. We pray that he strengthens it and keeps improving on it because we think it is the solution for most of the problems that we are facing as a country. Thank you Hon. President.
HON. SEN. GUMPO: Thank you Mr. President. A few weeks ago, I made some remarks on standards and specifications. I am a member of the Builders Association with the Master Builders Association of Zimbabwe. I went through some training as what the Bill is actually talking about. I emphasised on standards, that if we do not produce the required standards, we are going to be draining the fiscus because the goods that we are going to be producing will be substandard.
We appreciate that the SMES are doing a wonderful job. They have got billions of dollars that goes into their hands and they brought it as their assets, but if those assets are substandard, it is going to be a problem because you cannot sell some of the goods. I will give you just one example of what I experienced recently. I live in Kariba and I went into a hardware shop where I wanted to buy a doorframe. The doorframe was totally substandard, they were demanding about $25.00 for the doorframe. I openly told the shop owner that this doorframe is totally a substandard doorframe and I cannot even entertain that. I had to travel all the way to Harare from Kariba to buy a doorframe from Harare. A perfect doorframe that I bought from Harare cost about $23.00 – look at the comparison between the two doorframes, the one that is locally based and the one that is produced in the industry.
This is what we have to teach our young people. The syndrome of kiya kiya that has invaded the whole country is a disaster in this country because everybody just feels that if they do something very quickly, they are going to benefit – that is not long term but temporary. We need to really build an industry that is going to support this country. They are a force to reckon with because they are now the key players in the whole industry as a means. I thank you Mr. President.
HON. SEN. MOHADI: Thank you Mr. President. I just want to thank the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development for bringing this Bill to this august House.
Mr. President, it is long overdue for this Bill to be brought here because most people are crying saying that there is no employment in Zimbabwe. They still look forward to be employed of which those days are gone now because our President always talks about development, production, production and produce. We have to produce if ever we want to stand on our own. There is nothing wrong in this country if ever we can produce in order to get to the upper middle economy in 2023 because we are aiming at that and if we are aiming at that, we have to produce.
Mr. President, let us live by example. I recall our former Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement, the late Hon. Perence Shiri was leading his Ministry by example. We can bear witness that every time when he was at work, we would see him in his green overalls saying that, I am at work. We should also desist from thinking that white collar jobs are the best jobs in the country. Mr. President, it is very wise to catch them when they are still young because as they grow up, they will know how to do technical jobs. Some of us are products of these colleges because today I am very proud as a woman in agriculture, who attained a Diploma in Agriculture. I do not have many challenges in agriculture because I can even inseminate my own cattle. – [HON. SENATORS: Hear, hear.] – I can even grow every crop that can make my cattle survive without buying anything and I can do anything that is supposed to be done in agriculture.
Remember Mr. President that if you educate a woman, you educate the nation and as a result, even those who are following behind me in my constituency, I do not even have challenges in campaigning because I have already campaigned by doing practical work within the constituency. When elections come, they will just say, vote for Senator Mohadi whilst I am seated.
Mr. President, our youth are just lazing around and have to be trained whilst it is still early as he has indicated that a lion teaches its cub how to fend for itself when it is still young. Mr. President, if you are also looking at the SDG on Poverty Alleviation, really we can cry and cry but we have to be hands on in order to alleviate poverty. Mr. President, we cannot reach the upper middle income economy if we do not work. We have to work in order to feed. Time is over for us as Zimbabweans to import food; we have to produce our own food within the country. We used to be the food basket for the whole of the SADC region. What can fail us today to do so if we send our children to school?
We also encourage the Hon. Minister that there should be vocational training schools in all districts so that those who cannot manage to proceed with their education can engage into practical skills so that they can help themselves. If you can recall, we were talking about SMEs, it is very good for them to engage in SMEs but they ought to have skills in order to do whatever they want to do. With these few words Mr. President, I support this Bill. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. DR. MAVETERA: Thank you Mr. President. I rise to add a few words and to thank the Hon. Minister for bringing this Bill. Mr. President, before I thank the Hon. Minister, allow me to thank those who appointed this man to be the Minister because this Ministry needed someone to change what was there. We are always crying of sanctions but some of the sanctions that were left by the colonialists was the type of education that we had.
Mr. President, I can say certain things that can be painful but this is true. If you look at the number of universities that we have, they are now quite many. We have graduates who are selling airtime on the streets. Is that how a graduate is supposed to be employed? It is because of the type of education that we have and it is a sorry sight fellow Senators because those who are selling airtime are graduates. If you take them to a factory, they cannot make a bolt or use a screwdriver. So I think the education system of 5.0 education system that was brought by the Minister is the right track to the 2030 agenda of a middle income economy. A middle income economy can be achieved through supporting SMEs. No graduate will want to work under SMEs, so it requires the setting up of vocational training centres which the Minister has brought in this House.
Mr. President, if you are employed and you are not called a fool, you have not done anything. This Minister is said to be a fool because he has disrupted the education system that we had. Through you Mr. President, I want to say to the Minister that he will find a lot of challenges from those who are in support of him and those who were criticizing him. He should not give up because this is the only way Zimbabwe can develop.
I would want to give an illustration. There are only three courses at university level whereby a student would graduate and go and work. First, it was medicine and law to some extent. If you look at all other degrees, no one else was able to go and work. Now this is the intravenous medicine that he has brought that will address this issue. He is coming up with new innovations. I think the Minister would also want to address the missing link that was there. There is a Minister who was appointed before the Second Republic and that was Hon. Dokora. He disrupted and changed what was in the education sector. I have a child who is in Grade six. What they are learning in grade six, I learnt that at form four. When she showed me, I actually said are you crazy; who is giving you this. At that stage, if we teach them at that age, that will address the current education system.
Thank you Mr. President. This is a very important Bill and we look forward to the fact that as a nation, the national cake is small but we need to prioritise what is important. In the coming years, we need to find results and we need to know this was invented in Gweru, Bulawayo or Mutare. We are always saying products from China are sub-standard because they are produced by the kids in China but when you see a nation whereby children can make products that can be sold, then it means we have a long way to go.
With these few words Mr. President, I thought I would support the Bill that the Minister has come with. Even if this dream might be a scary dream, you need to soldier on. I see that in the Bill, there will be a committee that will be set up. We want to urge the Minister that he is the one who is going to appoint the board. You are aware of what is happening in our nation. We want a person who is practical and not those with papers that is theory. We want those professors to come in and ensure that your dream comes to fruition. Mr. President, I want to thank the Minister. It is a good initiative and he must soldier on. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF NECHOMBO: Thank you Mr. President for giving me this opportunity. The main reason why I stood up Mr. President is to thank the Minister for the Bill that brings out Education 5.0 that is earmarked on production and development. This is a project that I support in full force because our nation needs production and it needs to develop.
As we progress, I want to suggest that when an opportunity arises, the Minister should assist us to get knowledge because the Bible says; my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. So we need wisdom, especially in terms of our tradition and culture which is also looking at the various languages. So, with 5.0 as we proceed, what magnitude do we have in order to look into our vernacular languages because our traditional laws and values are set by our languages?
Still on 5.0, we also need to consider that in order to ensure that our arts industry, as portrayed by Solomon Mutsvairo, Tsitsi Dangarebgwa, T. K. Tsodzo and different writers, as we proceed with the languages that they used in their writing. With Education 5.0, how are we going to ensure that we uphold and maintain such industries, especially the arts industry? We have musicians such as Jah Prayzah and the late Oliver Mutukudzi. Being a good singer is also premised on being eloquent in our vernacular languages. So, we want to know what will happen.
Still on Education 5.0, we used to say people would develop because of the language. Language is not static, it is dynamic and requires specialists. If we stop the people who are able to do language development such as Shona, that needs to be considered. As custodians of our culture, we want to challenge the Minister that the wisdom and knowledge should be considered. We do not want to lose our cultural values and norms. I thank you Mr. President.
HON. SEN. CHINAKE: Thank you Mr. President for giving me this opportunity to debate on this Bill. I thank the Minister for this important Bill which is the foundation for the development of this country. When you look at agriculture and industry it would have come from school. The Ministry is very important - although there are some people who do not value this, but in my opinion, this is a Ministry that can develop the nation.
The reason I have stood up is that in this country we have a number of trained teachers, my request to the Minister is that when people are being trained as teachers they should also be given an opportunity to do other courses so that if they do not get a teaching place, they can still look after themselves. Currently we have thousands of teachers who are seated in rural areas or at home and all they tell you is that the vacancies are not available - as if that is the only form of employment that is there.
If you go to other countries, they will tell you about the training but they will not tell you about the language. In Zimbabwe if a child does not have the English language, we think that the child is not educated but we have got so many Chinese nationals who are very knowledgeable and are experts making tiles and so many other things. What can we do Minister so that the child has the skills and not focus more on language? I was trained by the Germans in Engineering but they did not know how to speak English but when an English speaking person came, they were given a book to go and translate on their own which was a Chinese book. They taught me a lot using their language.
After these Germans assisted me, I trained people in South Africa and Botswana to do that work, yet I was trained with a non-speaking English person. I think we need to address issues of language to say if a child does not have ordinary level English, they cannot go and do any courses. We have Shona, Karanga, Ndebele, Chewa that is the language of different people in Zimbabwe. So, language should not tie me down in terms of being an expert in my field. Therefore, if possible we request that you address that issue. I thank you.
HON. SEN. DUBE: Thank you Mr. President for giving me an opportunity to talk about Education 5.0. At one time when the Minister came with this issue, we were complaining that our children after finishing university do not get jobs and the Minister said that we are teaching our children theory and there is no practical. The Minister promised that he was going to action to ensure that he addresses these issues at university level. I am not going to take a lot of time; I will just speak a few words.
The Minister said that we are going to take action to ensure that our children are able to invent and to also to produce. Now we have the COVID-19 requirements, masks and sanitizers, they are being produced by the local universities. However, children worked hard and the virus is now under control, we did not suffer like other countries. We applaud you Hon. Minister for your commitment and action through this innovation thing. The Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation Science and Technology Development, Hon. Prof. Murwira is a very good person who is a result oriented person.
He has made sure that as Senators we work hard, no one is playful but we are now after developing our nation. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHIRONGOMA: Thank you for awarding me this opportunity. I want to thank the Minister for bringing in a crucial Bill like this one. It is crucial in terms of development of the country, most of the time when we spoke about the issues of development; we say that we were being suppressed by the white colonial regime. They prevented us to air our views in terms of development.
However, the Minister once came in this august House and said he was disturbed by the issue of graduates who had finished their studies and had nothing to do. By that time the Minister was very serious about that issue and promised that he was going to support the degree programmes which brings development in the country.
When I finished my degree programme some 50 years ago, I got into construction industry; I learned a lot of things in the construction industry. The white person whom I was working with was elderly but spoke a lot of things, as we moved on he said, I have aged therefore, I have decided to call my son from South Africa who was working at a gold mine. He said I want you teach my child who is coming from South Africa, he said he was not happy about the job he is doing. When his son came, I was respected very well and we worked together very well but it reached a time when he understood all the systems.
The way I learned in the construction industry made me to have enough knowledge more than my previous boss’s son but he continued to learn about construction industry from me. I could not understand the white people whether they were born talented more than us but I then realised that training is very crucial like what the Minister alluded to. Learning at the polytechnics doing other courses is very crucial. I did all these jobs and so it very fit, I even managed to form my company. Today, I can give a testimony that I have got more than 50 years doing the same profession of construction industry.
However, my kids decided to take otherwise and did other degree programmes but when it comes to construction they understand that I am more professional and more knowledgeable in that area more than them. We learned at Zimbabwe Institute of Management and other organisations when we went there teaching people about the manufacturing of cement and other products. When I began to apply the education which I learned, I found it very easy. Right now as a black person, I am now able to employ other people. I have more than 150 workers at my company. The operations are being carried out very well. I do not have a degree but I went to different institutes learning more about the issue of education. Therefore in Mashonaland West, I am one of the people who were selected in terms of being able to employ other people.
At Chinhoyi University, we have an A1 farm. As the Lands Committee we managed to sit down and have a proper planning so that we can look for resources which are enough so that the university can be capacitated. My thinking was that if we capacitate the university, students and other people will come to the farm and learn different things. As time went on, we saw that there are no students who were coming to the farm. We discovered that there were no students who were coming at the farm but right now, we managed to do a good thing as Mashonaland West. Now, they have decided to venture into cattle rearing and the students are now learning under the programme which was introduced by the Minister. Right now, they have laboratories which are catering for their farming equipment.
We now have an industrial hub in Mashonaland West. At the industrial hub, they manufacture sanitizers and other chemicals. Now I understand what the Minister was saying if the kids have learnt, they must graduate from the university and get another trade which is helpful. Today our industries are going to be resuscitated. Our kids are learning very well. I do not doubt Vision 2030 that we will be at the top in terms of development. This has come through the Minister and his educational policies which are very good for development. Many people are going to graduate from the university and open their own companies instead of waiting to be employed.
I also studied about livestock and issues of tourism. I managed to register a safari company on how the wild animals must be kept. Even at universities, they are learning about tourism. As an elderly person, I have been running a tourism company since 1995 and it is still functioning very well. The Minister spoke very well that a lion teaches its cubs how to hunt. Even you Minister, you are teaching the whole of Zimbabwe to do a very good job. During the era of 2008, many students were not properly learning. Many teachers were evading teaching school children during 2008 and those teachers are now suffering becaue their contracts were terminated since they were not performing their duties. Those people had only trained for one type of job which is teaching. Right now they are not able to go and look for another job because they were only qualified in teaching and it is something which is painful. Your policies which we have at all our universities, our country is going to develop more than the rate we were expecting. Every person will be a business person in the country. I encourage Hon Senators to learn something and master it very well.
In the construction of roads, I can be able to identify the errors which have been done and give advice. In our province, there were two dams which were washed away by rainfall and I sat down as a building contractor and told the engineer that these dams need to be reconstructed. I advised on how we must build these dams again. Right now, the dams were properly reconstructed and they are full with water. Therefore, we want to thank you very much for the good job. I thank you.
*HON. SEN FEMAI: Thank you Mr. President for affording me this opportunity to debate. I want to thank the Minister for the Bill which he has brought in this Senate. This is not the first time to thank the Minister. I have thanked him on several times although I did not say it openly. Most of the time when he came here for question and answer session, he is the only Minister who takes time to answer the questions and explain fully giving satisfactory answers.
Some Ministers whom we ask questions respond along political lines but we will be asking questions which concern the development of the country. I want to thank the Minister that he answers the questions very well. There is never any day he answers the questions on political lines but he gives an explanation and satisfactory answers. Even if you want to leave the House, when I see him responding, you are able to enjoy the questions because he answers them very well. I want to thank you Minister for the job you were given. You accepted the job and you dedicated your time to it. Drawing from what the other Senator has said, I want to thank those who nominated you to be the Minister. I want to thank that the new dispensation that has got a good vision compared to the old dispensation. The new dispensation gave ministerial and other posts to young people who are educated and qualified and understand their respective areas. I want to thank the President of the new dispensation Hon. E. D. Mnangagwa’s vision towards the development of the country. If you are in this House as the opposition, you can see that this person was given a post because he works well. As if having war credentials was the only way to be given a job but right now, His Excellency, Hon. E.D Mnangagwa is now giving people posts in terms of their capacity to contribute towards the development of the country.
The young people have been put on the forefront in terms of developing the country. Even us the elderly, we are happy and we support that. As knowledgeable elders, we are able to follow the young and give them advice. That is why we are here so that we can guide them whilst they are performing their duties.
I also want to give you a brief background of my life to date. I never once in my life worked for anyone. In 1967, I was in Chirenda and trained as a carpentry teacher for three years. During that time, I was qualified even to teach at secondary schools. When I finished my studies, I came to Harare to live with my brothers. They are now pensioners. One of my brother was working at Coca Cola and he assisted me to secure a job there. He forced me to apply for a job and I was called for an interview. I passed the interview but I refused to go and work there and my brother kicked me out of his house and I had to go and live with another brother who was a novice carpenter.
I could see a chance of using my training and I started working with my brother in his shop. I worked with him for six months and in the seventh month I took over his shop and registered it as Machipisa Carpentry Training Shop. During that time, there was also Mbare Vocational Training Centre which is near Mai Musodzi where people were taught welding, carpentry et cetera.
However most of the trainees were not competent enough after the training, so I began to train people who were then hired by companies like Bowline Furnitures and Springmaster. They were so good and fitted in well to the extent that we made an agreement with the companies that I would train people that they would employ. That was possible through the training which I did for three years. I think I trained about 10000 people.
Some say a lot about white people but they put a landmark that you cannot pass Form 4 and go ahead with your education. So I also trained those Form 4 students so that they could also be employed. I therefore want to thank the Minister for bringing a crucial Bill which is going to help in the development of the country. If this Bill had been brought in during our time as youths, I think this country would have moved forward in terms of development.
There was a time when many people lost their jobs and companies closed but I did not lose my job. I retired because of old age and also new technology. I want to send you to thank the person who appointed you and say Hon. Femai is thanking you for appointing you as a Minister. The President must continue to appoint young people to be leaders in the different sectors of the economy. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: Thank you Mr. President. I also rise to add my voice to the debate. I want to support this Bill with very good words if it passes and is implemented. Mr. President, I am happy with this development because of the issue that we were all worried about. Looking at the issue of tertiary institutions versus universities, that you leave university be it at Masters, BA Honours level and you become lecturers, some will go and lecture at a teacher’s college and the salary that they get compared to their counterparts at a university - the gap is too wide. If you lecture at tertiary institutions, I am sure you know of the strikes that happened before. The only difference is that these ones are producing students with graduate degrees but the salary difference was not reasonable. I see you now want to narrow the gap and address that matter.
On the issue of professional skills and academic training, you are the one holding the Higher and Tertiary Education Ministry but some say you are not the leadership of the Higher and Tertiary Education. We have technical colleges. Let us take a journalist for example, does this apply to journalism? This is because there are some professional journalists. I think that word does not qualify because for you to say professional it does not apply. They are not professional – are you going to be monitoring to see what is happening there?
I want to talk about management of statutory bodies. The issues that you have noted here of good corporate governance, I will not say a lot. Under ZIMDEF there was a lot of corruption. I think you said that you are going to address those matters. You have also said that the Minister will give the policy direction – that is a challenge Hon. Minister. If you can address that, then I implore you to expedite it.
Parastals are statutory bodies and where they lose it, is what you have said that performance based is probably giving a term limit and a contract and you say someone is head of ZIMDEF for five years. If you perform well and show competence, we can renew it but what normally affects this measure is that when you give someone leadership, before a person assumes on each and every day, the Minister is interfering, he is phoning and issues of nepotism and dictatorship are rampant. So, that will not apply when you talk of performance based.
You are the CEO and when I have failed, it is you who should be evaluated and not me. The parastatals that we have are ZTA and others. That is a challenge that has not been addressed. From other best practices, we have been told that it is eyes on, hands off, but in Zimbabwe that is not yet applicable and it has not been addressed. If you are able to adopt such a system, then people will start working because if you do not do that, you have not given the person the mandate to run the organisation with his expertise.
You talked of custodian of public funds to do with issues of fraud and corruption – we thank you for that. You want to promote innovation; intelligence that results in inventions, that is a toll order Minister but judging from your expertise, may you be the first Minister to surpass that. The issue of innovation is talked about but for results to be realised there is a challenge. It is not only Zimbabwe but Africa as a whole. Why can we not have vehicles that are manufactured in Malawi yet we say Africa has the largest population. What has come out of Africa in terms of innovation? There is nothing at all but people who are watching and those who have spoken before have said that you cannot develop if you do not have a culture of doing things,
You cannot develop by abandoning your own culture and so, what you are saying is good but if it is not embedded in our traditional norms and values, it is going to be lip service. We can look at other countries Mr. President. All countries that are innovative, for example Japan, the cars that we drive like Toyotas and other cars are coming from there. The Mercedes Benz, you get them from Germany and you look at China – how many things have we copied from China? Now they are currently constructing the new Parliament Building, then you ask yourself how they are doing it. What is of importance is that they use their language.
There is no country that can talk about innovation using other people’s languages but you innovate using your own language. If an educated person comes and proves to me that those countries that have managed in terms of innovation have used foreign languages, come and challenge me. In Europe, they have very small countries such as Finland, Norway and others and each of those countries have maintained their language. We can have the European Union but they have maintained their languages no matter how small they are.
So, where we fail in terms of innovation, is because we do not recognise our language. Education 5.0 is possible if we address the issues. You talked about performance based management and you talked about not defrauding public funds. In this country we have legislation to address fraud – do we have the values and dignity to understand that these are public funds? We need another programme or page to strengthen that issue. For the Chinese to develop, they went through a cultural revolution and it is in the history book. We also need a revolution of culture.
Some will say that has nothing to do with it because we are going to school. All the people who are defrauding public funds have been to school but what lacks in people is Ubuntu. As we develop an individual in terms of manpower development, we need to ensure that we build the individuals. When you put up nice buildings, people will come and write obscenities on the walls even when you rehabilitate a road and because a person does not have Ubuntu, they will destroy those things. I want to thank you Mr. President.
HON. TONGOGARA: Thank you Mr. President. I just stood to applaud the Minister and to thank him for the Bill that was presented in this House by the Minister. We are aware that we were experiencing hardships because the curriculum that we had was designed for us to be employees and not inventors but because of the Bill that has been brought into this House, we foresee a change in our lives because we will be able to invent and produce our own things in Zimbabwe. In hotels where we stay, you will find tables set and there are toothpicks there that are written ‘Made in South Africa’, but here we have so many gum trees and even other trees in the forest yet we are unable to even make toothpicks that we can use to clean our teeth after eating delicious food. I think that will assist us.
The SMEs that we mentioned, if we look at Budiriro Mr. President, there are Zimbabweans who make beautiful furniture. In the past, they used to supply the furniture to Pelhams and the prices would be very exorbitant but that furniture would be manufactured by our Zimbabwean nationals, born and bred individuals. My request is that if possible, it would be good for you to go on a tour and work together with the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development to ensure that these are the products that we are producing, see how we can market them and develop our nation.
An Hon. Member mentioned that if we catch them young, they will be able to learn a lot. My opinion Mr. President, is that there was the National Service Programme; the programme was good in shaping students who will have completed school before proceeding to university. I think that is a programme that needs to be reconsidered to ensure that our children go to university as individuals who know what they are doing.
Mr. President, a lot of good things have been said but I just wanted to find out or to say; are there any measures that have been put in place to ensure that production that is taking place at Innovation Hubs are being monitored and evaluated? Without monitoring and evaluation, we will not see results. Most times we have written documents but in terms of implementation and monitoring, there is need for that to be addressed. I once spoke in this House when the Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities came through, that now houses are being built and some are falling apart because building inspection visits are not being done. In the past, they would start monitoring at foundation level and pass each and every stage.
What we are requesting is that all the brilliant ideas that have come from here should be followed by monitoring and evaluation. We need a department that is going to deal with that. Our new President, Hon. E. D. Mnangagwa had set up a target of 100 Days where he would monitor and evaluate to ensure that when we were not in line with objectives we would re-strategise. So it is important that we have people to monitor and ensure that we are on track. If we are not on track then they can give ideas on how we can get back on track and re-strategise. I think that way we can develop.
Mr. President, I want to say that our country is premised on agriculture. Currently, there is a challenge in agriculture. The herbicides that are used to deal with weeds on the farms are beyond the reach of many. Now we are talking of agro-business, go to Command Agriculture and get some funds but those herbicides are expensive and it is impossible for you to use archaic means of farming. So Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, may you assist us to ensure that you address the issue of agriculture. Can you put it on your priority list to ensure that every farmer, whether they are coming from rural areas or wherever, when they come to buy herbicides for weeds; it should be available and affordable because we need it to be produced locally since that is what is affecting us as farmers.
We want to farm but we need those. The late Hon. Minister Shiri left behind the Pfumvudza Programme but we need those herbicides to deal with the weeds. If that is addressed it will assist us. With these few words Mr. President, I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF NTABENI: Thank you Mr. President for giving me this opportunity. I will just say a few words that were not emphasised by my predecessors.
Hon. Minister, you have done a good job. You have come on the right track. We want technical people and we want vocational trainings to come to rural areas. People may look down upon rural areas but the rural areas can turn around this country. No one spoke about cattle, Hon. Minister, you mentioned that you want to come up with a breed probably coming from Canada. We are still waiting. Most Zimbabweans do not care about livestock production. They speak good English but that is not even important. We need to be objective, when we speak good English, what is going to come out of that?
I was born as a herder and saw my parents looking after livestock. I changed after my parents died and brought my own technology. We cannot burden the Government about sanctions. If you have chickens and livestock, you can afford to buy salt and paraffin. I am saying that people in the rural areas are not educated. because livestock production does not need you to be education. There are no cows in the rural areas. You will realise that there are hard maShona types but they cannot look after the livestock. What can we do since we are not educated? If we are given an office to run, we cannot write but what I am saying is; let there be people who can assist those in the rural areas that if we need to turn the economy, we can do it through livestock production.
I took about 25 of my cattle, hired a truck and trailer but they failed to transport all the cattle. They only managed to get 17 because the cattle were too big. Minister, I did not have people with the technology that you are talking about. I looked after livestock and they became extra big. I needed to keep more cows so that they could give me more calves. When I went to the abattoir, people were impressed by the cattle but one of the white guys said no, do not keep these bulls. Look after the cows and not the bulls because if you look after the bulls they will not bring in much. So, I want you to have this in mind because the sanctions that we talk about affect those in urban areas mostly.
THE MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. MURWIRA): Thank you Mr. President. I am extremely humbled by the inputs and comments of the Hon. Senators. What I can assure you Mr. President is that we will develop this country with our minds and our hands, to make sure that our education has a meaning. We cannot as a country say we are educated and yet we are importing medicines and we cannot even drill our own boreholes. Mr. President, the dignity of a nation comes from what the nation can do and not what they can say. Whether we can mine our minerals, smelt them, till our land, grow our crops, value add our goods, it will have an effect. Mr. President, what I can just say is that I am very humbled by the support on this Bill and I want to move that the Manpower Planning Amendment Bill [H.B.2A, 2020] be now read a second time.
Motion put and agreed to.
Bill read a second time.
Committee Stage: With leave, forthwith.
COMMITTEE STAGE
MANPOWER PLANNING AMENDMENT BILL [H. B. 2A, 2020]
First Order read: Committee Stage: Manpower Planning Amendment Bill [H. B. 2A, 2020].
House in Committee.
Clause 1 to 5 put and agreed to.
On Clause 6:
HON. SEN. B. MPOFU: Thank you Hon. Chair. I need some clarification from the Minister. On Clause 6 (b), Student Representative Council, we have items 1 and 2. Item 3, I think is out of place. It should have been before Clause 6 (b). It should be part of the Student Representative Council.
THE MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. MURWIRA): The Hon. Senator is right. It was a misplacement.
Clauses 7 to 12 put and agreed to.
On Clause 13:
HON. SEN. B. MPOFU: Again, I need a bit of clarification on Section 13 on part 6. Members of the board shall, subject to good performance hold office for five years renewable for only one further term. Now, there is an operational problem there because in normal cases when you are having a new board, it is usually good to stagger boards. So I think for purposes of the operation of the Act, as well as for the Minister’s own sanity for continuity in a board, there is a need to not to have all board members either being renewed their performance at the same time but renewed in a staggered manner such that the whole board is not resigned.
What we have in most of the Public Service Boards which is very unfortunate is that when a new Minister comes in, they then come in and do a performance appraisal, remove the whole board and start all over again and that creates a vacuum and as well as lack of continuity and making Public Service subject to a lot of turmoil. I think that has to be addressed by a section that allows for staggering of tenure for Public Service boards. I therefore, recommend that the Minister considers that point.
THE MINISTER OF HIGEHR AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, INNOVATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. MURWIRA): Thank you Mr. President. I think that is an operational issue and the movement of the board from one time which is time one to time two. Even if you change two, it is a new board but I think the point that is being made from an operational point of view and from a statutory instrument point of view, it is a very good one. However, I think as it stands it is just according to the corporate governance. I thank you.
HON. SEN. B. MPOFU: In that case I will ask a different question on the same section, on item 48 b2, the appointment of the Chief Executive, I want to understand the Minister’s motivation for having the chief executive appointed by the Minister rather than the board. If he is not appointed by the board, what is the use of the board, is this board just an advisory board or it is a board that is supposed to monitor the performance of the Chief Executive and have more powers to regulate the Chief Executive’s operational activities or is it the Minister? So if there can be clarification between the board extent of policing the Chief Executive vis a vis the Minister, I will greatly appreciate. Maybe it might as well clear some of my concerns. I thank you.
HON. PROF. MURWIRA: I wish to thank the Hon. Member for seeking clarification. Mr. President, the board recommends for the appointment for the appointment of a chief executive officer and the Minister is just part of the approval process. In actual fact according to the Corporate Governance Act, the President signs off, but the board starts the process.
HON. SEN. B. MPOFU: I think the Minister has already touched on what my concern was and the impression that is given by the Act itself as it stands. I think we have gone through some of the Acts here and it is clear that the board recommends and the Minister them appoints. Here, it is as if the Minister will appoint and therefore, it creates the impression that the Chief Executive is answerable only to the Minister rather than the board.
HON. PROF. MURWIRA: Thank you Mr. President. The appointment of a C.E.O is a standard procedure that is governed by the Corporate Governance Act.
HON. SEN. CHIEF NTABENI: I wanted the Minister to clarify what starts because what starts should be the board but he has clarified that it is first the Chief Executive and then the board is appointed.
HON. PROF. MURWIRA: It is the board that starts.
HON. CHIEF NTABENI: Mr. President, suppose we are starting a new company which is a parastatal, is the board going to sit when there is nothing then appoints a Chief Executive Officer or it is the Chief Executive that is appointed by the Minister then a board is chosen, that is a situation we have at ZISCO Steel. How do I become a chairperson when there is nothing?
Clauses 13 to 22 put and agreed to.
House resumed.
Bill reported without amendments.
Third Reading: With leave forthwith.
THIRD READING
MANPOWER PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT BILL [H. B. 2A, 2020]
THE MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF MURWIRA): I move that the Bill be now read the third time.
Motion put and agreed to.
Bill read for the third time.
MOTION
RATIFICATION OF THE KIGALI AMENDMENT TO THE MONTREAL PROTOCOL ON SUBSTANCES THAT DEPLETE THE OZONE LAYER
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE, TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY (HON. N. M. NDLOVU): I move the motion standing in my name that;
WHEREAS section 327 (2) (a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides that an international treaty which has been concluded or executed by or under the authority of the President does not bind Zimbabwe until it has been approved by Parliament;
WHEREAS the 28th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol, held on 15th October, 2016, in Kigali, Rwanda, adopted an amendment to the Protocol, now termed the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the Ozone Layer, which Amendment has not yet entered into force on 1st January, 2019;
WHEREAS Zimbabwe is a party to the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the Ozone Layer and is desirous of becoming a party to the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the Ozone Layer:
NOW, THEREFORE, in terms of section 327 (2) (a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, this House resolves that the afore-said amendment be and is hereby approved for ratification.
I wish to give an explanation on the Kigali Amendment. The Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer is a well established multilateral environmental agreement that is successfully preventing massive damage to human health and environment from excessive ultra violet radiation from the sun by phasing out the production and consumption of substances that deplete the ozone layer. The Montreal Protocol has been amended several times and most recently by the Kigali Amendment which is the fifth in a series of amendments to the protocol and was adopted to phase down hydrofluoric carbons (HFC) which are mostly used as substitutes for ozone depleting substances. Although HFCs are not ozone depleting substances, they are powerful greenhouse gases that have significantly high global warming potential.
Committed to addressing the stratospheric ozone layer depletion and climate change which continue to be threats to development, Zimbabwe participated in the historic 20th and 28th Meeting of the Parties to the Montreal Protocol which took place from the 10th to 15th October 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda. The 28th Meeting of Parties resulted in the adoption of the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. The Government of Zimbabwe ratified the Vienna Convention and its Montreal Protocol way back in June 1992, binding the country to reduce and eventually eliminate the use of ozone depleting substances. The Montreal Protocol has put the ozone layer on the road to recovery by phasing out nearly 99% of the ozone depleting substances that were in use prior to 1989. In the process has also mitigated climate change. Under the Kigali Amendment, parties will phase down production and consumption of hydrofluoric carbons creating the potential to avoid up to 0.3 degrees celcius of global warming by the end of the century. The main aim of the Kigali Amendment is to phase down the production and use of HFCs.
The overview of the Kigali Amendment Mr. President Sir; will require parties to the Montreal Protocol to gradually reduce the use of HFCs by between 80% to 85% by late 2040 for developing countries and 2036 for developed countries. The Kigali Amendment entered into force on 1st January 2019.
I now turn to the justification of the ratification. Besides the major
objectives of addressing the adverse impact of global warming, there are particular incentives for Article 5 Parties which are the developing countries that ratify the Kigali Amendment. On the financial mechanism; Article 10 of the Montreal Protocol established a financial mechanism to provide financial and technical cooperation including the transfer of technology to support Article 5 compliance with the protocol. Part of this package is the multi-lateral fund (MLF) which amongst other things meets the agreed incremental cost of Article 5 Parties. The 28th Meeting of the Parties made a number of key decisions about multi-lateral funds support to Article 5 countries that ratify the amendment.
On flexibility; Article 5 Parties will have the flexibility to prioritise HFCs to define the sectors, select technologies and alternatives and elaborate and implement their strategies to meet agreed HFC obligations based on their specific needs and national circumstances following a country driven approach. On the support for enabling activities, there will be support for enabling activities for institutional strengthening which is the national ozone units for import and export licencing and quotas. Article 7; Data reporting demonstration projects and the development of national strategies for phasing down HFCs. I also add on the extra financial support for fast starters. Extra financial support will be available to provide support for Article 5 parties that make a fast start to phasing down HFCs. Zimbabwe has already benefitted from this facility as Capri, a refrigeration appliance manufacturing plant in Harare has already received financial assistance to convert to ozone and climate friendly technology.
I turn to the legal requirements. Section 327 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe empowers the President or his representative acting under his authority to conclude or execute international treaties in terms of subsection 1 of Section 327. The definition of international treaty includes protocols and agreements. Instruments of this nature will only have a binding effect on Zimbabwe if approved by Parliament. Mr. President Sir, I therefore move that the Kigali Amendment be ratified. I thank you.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
RATIFICATION OF THE MINAMATA CONVENTION ON MERCURY
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE, TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY (HON. N. M. NDLOVU): I move the motion standing in my name;
THAT WHEREAS section 327(2) (a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides that any international treaty which has been concluded or executed by or under the authority of the President does not bind Zimbabwe until it has been approved by Parliament;
WHEREAS the Minamata Convention on Mercury, adopted at the Fifth Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee held in Geneva, Switzerland on 19 January 2013, is a global treaty whose objective is to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury;
Mr. President, I wish to bring the background of the Minamata Convention on Mercury. It is a global treaty whose objective is to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury. Mercury is a toxic pollutant that can circulate globally through the oceans and atmosphere for years or even decades and can cause significant harm to human health and the environment. Sometimes very far from its point of origin.
MOTION
RATIFICATION OF THE MINAMATA CONVENTION ON MERCURY
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, CLIMATE CHANGE, TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY (HON. M. NDLOVU): Thank you Mr. President Sir. In this House, I gave notice to move a motion to Parliament on the Ratification of the Minamata Convention that;
WHEREAS Section 327, (2) (a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides that any international treaty which has been concluded or executed by or under the authority of the President does not bind Zimbabwe until it has been approved by Parliament;
AND WHEREAS the Minamata Convention on Mercury adopted at the Fifth Session of the Inter-Governmental Committee in Geneva, Switzerland on 19 January, 2013 is a global treaty whose objective is to protect human health and environment from the adverse effects of mercury;
Mr. President, I will bring the background of the Minamata Convention. The Minamata Convention on Mercury is a global treaty whose objective is to protect human health and the environment from the adverse effects of mercury. Mercury is a toxic pollutant that can circulate globally through the oceans and the atmosphere for years or even decades, and can cause significant harm to human health and the environment, sometimes very far from its point of origin. Acute or chronic exposure can be fatal; the World Health Organisation (WHO) lists it as one of the top ten chemicals of major public health concern.
A meeting of the Governing Council of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) held in Kenya in February 2009, agreed to develop a legally binding instrument on mercury. Negotiations on mercury resulted in the adoption and subsequent signing of the Convention at the Fifth Session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee held in Geneva, Switzerland on 19 February 2013, Zimbabwe participated in the negotiations and signed on this date.
To date, 128 countries have signed the Convention while 115 have ratified. Out of the 115 that have ratified, there are 50 African countries and this leaves Zimbabwe among the four. Humans are mainly exposed to mercury through emissions in the air and from eating certain foods mostly marine fish. The United Nations Environment Programme Estimates that anthropogenic releases have increased mercury in arctic marine animals by 1 to 12 times compared to pre-industrial times.
I now turn to the overview of the Convention;
- A ban on new mercury mines and the phasing out of existing mines;
- The regulation of mercury releases from industrial equipment such as boilers, incinerators and power stations;
- A ban on the manufacture, import and export of products that use mercury;
- The need for parties to exchange information on relevant new technological developments, economically and technically feasible mercury and mercury compounds in manufacturing;
- The ability by States to register for exemptions;
- The management of mercury waste in an environmentally sound manner and the ability to cooperate with other States, relevant inter-govenmental organisations and other entities in order to develop and maintain global, regional and national capacity of the management of such wastes;
- The promotion and facilitation of public information dissemination, awareness and education on the health and environmental effects of mercury as well as alternatives; and
The conduct of research and monitoring.
- There are obligations by State parties to provide within their capabilities resources for national activities that are intended to implement the Convention in accordance with national policies, priorities, plans and programmes;
- The State Parties have the responsibility of multilateral, regional and bilateral sources of financial and technical assistance as well as capacity building and technology transfer to, on an urgent basis, enhance and increase their activities on mercury in support of developing country parties in the implementation of the Convention.
Mercury in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe’s most significant (anthropogenic) mercury sources are from artisanal small scale gold mining (ASGM) production, dental amalgam and waste water treatment. Zimbabwe’s mercury use is already strictly controlled under a number of regimes, including the Environmental Management Act [CAP 20:27], Control of Hazardous Substances (S.I. 268 of 2018), Public Health Act [CAP 15:09], and Control of Goods (Open General Import Licence) SI 132 of 2015. This Convention is strongly aligned with the way Zimbabwe deals with anthropogenic mercury. It aligns with other international obligations and takes account of Zimbabwe’s existing strong controls of mercury use and release. It could therefore be implemented into Zimbabwe law simply and without needing to create extensive new regimes or specialised agencies.
Reasons for Zimbabwe becoming a party to the treaty:
There are several significant reasons in favour of Zimbabwe becoming a party to the Convention. Primarily Zimbabwe will be contributing to global efforts to protect human health and environment. As the Convention is reviewed and international rules around mercury are developed, the best way for Zimbabwe to protect its interest will be for it to participate in the negotiations as a party because as a signatory, Zimbabwe attains but only as an observer and our contributions to the discussions are extremely limited. Significantly, we are not allowed to vote on any decision should the need arise. This rise will only be available once we ratify the Convention.
Secondly, the Convention complements Zimbabwe’s obligations under the Basel Convention (Trans-boundary Movement of Hazardous Waste), Rotterdam Convention (Hazardous chemical and pesticides), Stockholm Convention (chemicals that are persistent organic pollutants), and the Montreal Protocol (ozone-depleting substances) that controls emissions which may also provide co-benefits for climate change mitigation.
Thirdly, global phase out dates ensure that Zimbabwe does not end up as dumping ground for out of date mercury products after the rest of the world phases it out. During the Third Conference of Parties to the Minamata Convention, it was agreed that a dental amalgam total phase out and ban will be complete by the year 2024. Therefore, for Zimbabwe to participate in the phase out plans, it has to become party to the Minamata Convention.
Fourthly, supporting the Convention will help avoid further risk to the fishery industry where mercury levels have been seen increasing. Mercury circulates in rivers, dams and takes a much longer than in the air, so immediate action to reduce anthropogenic emissions is needed to avert further potential harm to the dams in the future.
A fifth reason, domestically, Zimbabwe largely uses mercury in the artisanal small scale gold mining (ASGM) sector. However, with the rate at which mercury is being phased out, we foresee the world buying mercury free gold which will even fetch more money and as such, countries that use mercury for their gold production will suffer the consequences. Zimbabwe therefore needs to be prepared before these consequences.
Recommendations:
Taking note that Zimbabwe signed this protocol in October 2013 and considering the need for Zimbabwe to influence the direction and pace of the Convention and also the challenges and dangers posed by uncontrolled mercury use, it is highly recommended that Zimbabwe ratifies the Minamata Convention.
Motion put and agreed to.
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; The Finance (No. 2) Bill [H. B. 9: 2020] and the Appropriation (2021) Bill [H. B. 6: 2020].
SECOND READING
FINANCE (NO. 2) BILL [H. B. 9:2020]
Fourth Order read: Second Reading: Finance (No. 2) Bill [H. B. 9:2020].
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): Mr. President Sir, the Bill seeks to give effect to the revenue and tax measures that I announced through the 2021 National Budget Statement delivered on 26th November, 2020. These measures seek to avail relief to taxpayers through the adjustments of tax rates as well as enhance revenue generation capacity, taking into account the recent economic developments. In summary, the Bill tries to capture the following:
Corporate income tax
Mr. President Sir, operators that trade in local and foreign currency are currently obligated to pay corporate tax in proportion to the gross income earned in either currency without regard to the prevailing Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) retention or liquidation thresholds.
The Bill seeks to amend legislation such that operators will pay corporate income tax in foreign currency on the basis of gross foreign currency received remaining after deduction of the prescribed retention or liquidation thresholds.
Unredeemed Capital Allowances
Whereas assessed losses and capital allowances are deductible against gross revenue in the denomination of taxable income, the promulgation of Statutory 33:2019 resulted in foreign currency denominated unredeemed allowances and assessed losses being converted and carried forward as RTGs dollars on a one – one basis. A number of companies are thus recording artificially high profits on the basis of inflation since the conversion to local currency, thereby increasing their tax liability.
The Bill, thus seeks to minimise the tax burden on such companies through rebasing such unredeemed capital allowance as at 1 January, 2021 to the local currency equivalent of the outstanding foreign currency invoice value at the beginning of each financial year.
Youth Employment Credit
The Bill proposes to review the Youth Employment Tax Credit from ZWL$500 to ZWL$1 500 per month for each employee hired and adjust the limit on the maximum credit from ZWL$60 000 to ZWL$180 000 in the year of assessment.
Personal Income Tax
In order to minimise the tax burden and also enhance income, the Bill seeks to review the tax-free threshold from ZWL$5 000 per month to ZWL$10 000 per month as well as adjust the tax bands to begin at ZWL$10 001 and end at ZWL$250 000 per month, above which the highest marginal tax rate of 40% will apply.
In addition, the Bill seeks to review upwards bonus tax-free threshold from ZWL$5 000 to ZWL$25 000 with effect from 1 November, 2020.
In order to enhance the contribution of informal sector to the fiscus, the Bill seeks to review upwards amounts payable in terms of Section 22 ( c ) of the Finance Act, which imposes a general tax on the basis of the presumed income (presumptive tax). Such specified amounts on operators of taxi-cabs, omnibuses, goods vehicles, driving schools and hairdressers among others.
In addition, the Bill proposes to introduce a presumptive tax structure in self employed professionals who do not furnish a return under Section 37 of the Income Tax Act in any year of assessment. These professionals include architects, engineers or technicians, legal practitioners, health professionals and real estate agents among others.
Intermediated Money Transfer Tax
Mr. President Sir, the Bill seeks to review tax-free threshold for intermediated money transfer tax from ZWL$300 to ZWL$500 and adjust the maximum tax payable per transaction by corporates from ZWL$25 000 to ZWL$800 000 on transactions with values exceeding ZWL$40 million with effect from 1 January, 2021. The tax-free threshold for transactions in foreign currency still remains at US$5.
In addition, the Bill seeks to exempt from IMTT, transactions conducted on the foreign currency auction system operated by the RBZ, the transfer of money from a Nostro foreign currency account in the name of a person exempted in terms of the Privileges and Immunities Act [Chapter 3:03] and this is basically our development partners and transfer of levy chargeable in terms of Section 53 of the Manpower Planning and Development Act [Chapter 28:02].
Tax Incentives for Real Estate Investment Trusts
The Bill seeks to exempt, under specified conditions, income accruing to Real Estate Investment Trust (REITs) from corporate income tax. This should enhance the attractiveness of the financial instrument and improve the liquidity of pension funds.
Cannabis Levy
Mr. President Sir, Government has already promulgated legislation to govern production, procurement, distribution, possession, sale, provision and transportation of cannabis. The Bill, thus seeks to introduce a cannabis levy chargeable on the value of exports at varied rates of tax corresponding to the level of processing. Mr. President, I now move that the Bill be read a second time.
Bill read a second time.
Committee Stage: With leave, forthwith.
COMMITTEE STAGE
FINANCE (NO.2) BILL [H. B. 9, 2020]
Committee Stage: Finance (No.2) Bill [H. B. 9, 2020].
House in Committee.
Clauses 1 to 11 put and agreed to.
On Clause 12:
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): On Clause 12, in the lower House – the National Assembly, we agreed that this Clause be removed. The reason being that in the end, I also felt that this Clause could cause confusion in the market. It tries to prescribe the formula for how Government rates and charges ought to be adjusted over time, relying on the level of inflation. I thought that this was going to give the market and economy the formula to use and this will cause us problems.
There is a second reason, which is that if we look at the effective inflation rate in the economy, it is a more blended inflation rate because citizens are able to use hard currency and domestic currency so the effective inflation rate is blended and this formula was seeking to clarify things but may cause more confusion. Therefore we decided to expunge this Clause.
Clauses 12 to 37 put and agreed to.
House resumed.
Bill reported without amendments
Third Reading: With leave, forthwith.
THIRD READING
FINANCE (NO.2) BILL [H.B. 9A, 2020].
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE AND LEGAL AFFAIRS (HON. CHINAMASA): Mr. Speaker Sir, I now move that the Bill be read the third time.
Motion put and agreed to.
Bill read the third time.
SECOND READING
APPROPRIATION BILL [H. B. 6, 2020]
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE):Mr. President, the National Development Strategy (NDS) seeks to take us to our Vision 2030 of being an upper middle income economy by year 2030. This requires us to deploy our national resources or public sector purse in a manner that supports the key pillars of the NDS. In this Appropriation Bill, we are seeking to do that. We are seeking this House to endorse our strategy of supporting infrastructure development, social sector which includes the education sector which received the highest vote allocation, the health sector which received the second highest vote allocation and then our infrastructure sector as well as the direct social protection of our vulnerable citizens through the BEAM programme and the girl-child through the provision of free sanitary wear and also to support our re-engagement and engagement programme so that we live in harmony with other nations. They support us and we support them, and we will eventually clear our arrears.
We have not forgotten the need to allocate enough revenue to those ministries that seek to domesticate our value chain or drive import substitution such as industry and commerce, including an allocation for the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair company within that Ministry which saw no revenue coming this year at all because of Covid-19. In there is enough resources to support the activities for attracting foreign direct investors into ZISCO Steel programmes to make sure that we resuscitate our motor car industry. Not that the Ministry will invest directly but to make sure that it is capacitated enough to make sure that those who seek to invest in these sectors are brought in.
We have actually not forgotten the mining sector which is trying to build a $12 billion industry in the next two years, again making sure that there is enough capacity to move around and inspect to make sure that there is order in the mining sector. Also, to make sure that the cadastral system is well supported and developed. Finally, in terms of our security cluster again, we think that we have allocated an adequate budget. Already in the 2020 Budget, this week in fact, we have procured 58 vehicles for the police to enable them to move around and by end of January they will have received a full complement of 85 vehicles. This is the beginning of a programme to make sure that our police can respond to cases or issues with the right levels of mobility that they need to be supported with.
Of course, we include other departments like defence and so forth. In doing so, we have not forgotten our war veterans and you will see in the Budget Statement itself beyond what we have allocated through the Ministry, Government has been able to allocate other resources to the tune of $37,5 million towards the support of war veterans, but we will fully operationalise in 2021 the War Veterans Fund. I therefore, Mr. President, stand before you and this august House to support this Appropriation Bill which stands at about Z$431 billion, which is about 17% of our gross domestic product. I thank you
I therefore move, Mr. President, that the Bill be read a second time.
*HON. SEN. CHIMBUDZI: Thank you Mr. President for giving me this opportunity to debate on the Appropriation Bill. I want to thank the Minister of Finance and Economic Development especially considering the plight of war veterans.
We want to thank you for remembering war veterans. They did a great job in bringing about the liberation of Zimbabwe, for us to be in this House is because of the commitment made by war veterans. We thank you Hon. Minister for the budget that you availed to the war veterans that will earn them respect from the people. We thank you Hon. Minister for that support. They had become a laughing stock as if they had not done anything for the country yet they gave their lives for the liberation. As I represent the liberation heroes, I also want to thank you for supporting the girl child. The Rwandese Government also took a leaf from us in the provision of sanitary wear to girls. I thank you that if we have such initiatives, other countries can follow suit because it is a good policy. So we thank you Hon. Minister for bringing respect to the war veterans. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: Thank you Mr. President. I want to thank the Minister of Finance and Economic Development for the money that he availed to the health sector which is 13%, although it falls slightly lower than the Abuja Declaration of 15% but that is commendable.
Mr. President, there is an issue that the Budget did not address, the issue of cancer treatment. We have people who are suffering from cancer and this was mentioned during the Pre-Budget Seminar that cancer treatment is needed because cancer is claiming the lives of many people. Mr. President, the Budget provides for re-equipping of equipment in our hospitals and also to ensure that the health personnel have adequate resources in order to allow them to execute their work but that is a bit of a challenge because cancer patients travel all the way from rural areas with some coming to Parirenyatwa, one of the referral hospitals and others to Mpilo Hospital. They face challenges as they travel in terms of transport and because of that, people are dying in their homes. They say that early detection of cancer can lead to treatment and prolonged life.
I also want to thank the First Lady for the programme she rolled out through her ‘Angel of Hope Foundation’, raising awareness on cervical cancer. So our request is that in terms of finance, the Hon. Minister should avail funds earmarked towards cancer treatment. When women go to clinics that are not Government hospitals, they are charged about USD$50.00 and this is too exorbitant for people. We were once delighted when the Hon. Minister said that Ekusileni Hospital would become a cancer treatment center but due to COVID-19 pandemic, this became a COVID-19 quarantine centre. So the request is that COVID-19 was an unplanned calamity but the issue of the cancer hospital should remain on the cards to ensure that cancer patients are screened and treated on time because cancer is claiming so many lives.
Donors were once doing that but as a nation, we cannot depend on donor funding. We have our country that has a lot of resources which if utilised responsibly, especially the resources that we have, can address the challenges and also lead to the building of hospitals especially in rural areas. Rural areas have the poorest of the poor and they are the one who face challenges when coming to referral hospitals. Mostly, it is a challenge for a person who suffers from cancer to travel to Parirenyatwa or Mpilo Hospital and that is why most people end up dying in their homes. Due to lack of knowledge, in rural areas, they believe that a person was bewitched and yet it is because they are not knowledgeable about cancer and do not know where to access treatment. That awareness is also needed so that people know where to go for timely treatment.
So Mr. President, my request is that COVID-19 is with us and most resources are going towards COVID-19 but let us not forget that cancer was mentioned before. We need to ensure that we do not ignore this. I want to conclude by thanking the Hon. Minister for the money that he availed towards the health sector because that money will assist the nation and those who are not well. I thank you Mr. President for giving me this opportunity.
+HON. SEN. A. DUBE: Thank you Mr. President. I am very grateful to the Minister for allocating the Health Ministry more money. As a mother, I would want to speak on issues affecting the girl child. Many girls start menstruating at an early age, and in most cases, whilst they are still at school. Some of them absent themselves from school during this period because they cannot afford sanitary wear. At times, these girls end up using tree leaves and cow dung, which might have an effect on their health. I would want to believe that some of the cancers that women experience are due to unclean material that girls and women use as sanitary wear. I would therefore want to thank the Minister for prioritising the Health Ministry.
+HON. SEN. NDLOVU: Thank you Mr. President. I would want to thank the Minister for assisting the Police. The Police have no duty vehicles and have become a laughing stock in communities. If the Police do not have vehicles, they cannot fully perform their duty, that of enforcing the law. I would want to give an example of a girl in my constituency who was raped. The police failed to attend to the case because they had no transport. In such cases, people would start to complain about the Police.
I would also want to thank the Minister on behalf of the war veterans. War veterans were now a laughing stock. People were saying where did these old people think they were going when they went to war. We are now in this august Senate because of the war veterans. They suffered and some of them even died. They have nothing and their families are suffering. Some of them died without having been vetted. We really appreciate what the Minister did for the war veterans. May God bless him. Thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF MAKUMBE: Thank you Mr. President. I want to debate a few issues on the 2021 budget. We want to thank you for the Health budget. We are happy that you availed $13.5 billion and I hope that hospitals will be built to ensure that women travel short distances to medical centres. I am sure with the COVID-19 pandemic that has befallen us, this health Vote will make it easy for people get treatment.
On the issue of the Zimbabwe Republic Police, we are happy that you have availed funds for transport but there is also need to increase their salaries to guard against bribes that they take from people. NDS 1 has a programme known as wellness. When we talk of investment, it is done in the rural areas that we stay in but the rural areas fall under the traditional leaders. The status of the chiefs and their welfare need to be looked into. The chiefs have raised alarm that you need to look into their wellness issues. Besides the 16 or 18 chiefs in the Senate, most of the chiefs in the rural areas are facing challenges. We are the ones who spearhead development. Whenever anything is done, the traditional leader has to be there. We thank you for the funds that you have increased. However, for the chief to travel in a district, sometimes it is 60 to 70 kilometres. They have the vehicles but do not have fuel to access those areas and that is a challenge.
When looking at the issue of traditional chiefs, the Chiefs Council is a bi-product of this Parliament and it should be independent. The funds that we availed to the Chiefs Council are not adequate to ensure that we get offices in provinces or even in districts. There are some people whom we work with in rural areas. They say that the traditional leader is a well respected adult in the society so they want to travel to areas where they can get assistance. There are no provincial offices and there are no chieftainship councils. Our request is that may you look into the issue to ensure that the chiefs are recognised because we are the window where investors come through. If investors come and see me shabbily dressed, they will not invest in the area. So, we need to ensure that the welfare of chiefs is looked into.
We also want to thank the Minister for having the education sector as a priority. We heard the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development talking about Education 5.0. So the challenges that we have in this country can be addressed through education where we can now invent and produce our own things. I thought I would say these few words and thank the Minister for the Zimbabwean home grown budget. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHIRONGOMA: Thank you Mr. President for affording me this opportunity to add my voice. I want to thank the Minister of Finance and Economic Development who has brought the Finance Bill into this august House.
Mr. President, there has been a serious challenge in the rural areas. We drafted our Constitution and recognised the war veterans but it has been long before they were recognised and remunerated. So we want to thank the Hon. Minister for remembering the war veterans.
Hon. Minister, we also want to thank you as the representatives of the rural constituencies because our police had challenges in terms of transport. A policeman travels a very long distance after a child has been raped, so assist them with vehicles. It is very difficult to find a vehicle in the rural areas for the police to do their work. We urge your portfolio to keep progressing and continuing sourcing for funds to ensure that the Police Department is upgraded and well funded.
Moving on to the Health Vote – in rural areas most of the elderly people suffer from either diabetes or hypertension. For them to travel to hospitals or health care centres and get medication, it is a challenge. Therefore, the money that you have availed towards the health sector will assist them solve that problem.
Mr. President, I want to thank the Minister for bringing this Bill. People’s lives are premised on health, so our request is for the Minister to continue to increase the budget allocation on the health sector. As has been alluded to, most people are suffering from cancer. Cancer patients are experiencing challenges, so our request is that funds should be set aside for cancer patients. As a responsible Minister, we know you are going to consider this matter in order to assist cancer patients especially in the rural areas. The Minister should avail funds to build a cancer hospital only in order to address this challenge. I thank you.
+HON. SEN. SIANSALI: I would like to thank the Hon. Minister for the good work he has done. I would like to thank him for the attention that he has given to the war veterans. I would like to thank him for acknowledging that they are also human beings just like others. They have played a very important role towards this country.
I would like to remind the Hon. Minister that there is a lot of cry from the chiefs. Year in year out, the budget does not put duties into consideration. As chiefs, we appraised the Finance Ministry on our functions, what exactly that we do. It was our anticipation that when the Ministry looks at what we are doing they will put into consideration the nature of our role.
On top of the three programmes that we had come up with, attention was only given to one programme and that is leadership and governance. It is as if attention is given to things that are of no importance. We are doing a lot of work and we are looking forward to embark on a lot of programmes but because there are a few resources to enable us to do our work, it becomes very difficult for us to execute those programmes.
We would want to maintain shrines of our forefathers but there is nothing within our means to enable us to maintain them. We are worried about the attention that is given to other programmes yet the least of attention is being given to our programmes as chiefs.
Chiefs do not become chiefs because of academics but they are culturally chosen. Teachers went for teachers’ training but it seems that as chiefs we are being forgotten. If you are to make a survey, a lot of people stay in the rural areas and the chiefs are the custodians of peace in this country. They have a lot of work and people to take care of in the rural areas.
Hon. Minister, if you are to focus your attention on the Judicial Service Commission, you will see that a lot of training is given to their officers yet not much attention is given to us as chiefs though we are carrying our job very well. As chiefs, we are expecting a lot of support from the Ministry. It is now as if the Budget is only concentrating on the academia, those who have gone to school and studied a particular programme but neglecting people in the rural areas. It is our plea to the Ministry that the Minister understands and considers the plight of chiefs. Looking at the issue of agriculture, other government departments in the rural areas are not focused on building of schools, it is the chiefs who are playing a leading role. In the eyes of those who are learned and in the eyes of those who have gone to school, it is as if we are worth nothing. We kindly ask the Hon Minister to reconsider our position. We expect our institution to be on the same level as that of other institutions. Little attention and financial resources are given to us. It is our anticipation and we look forward to this institution being taken into consideration as much as others are. I thank you.
HON. SEN. DR. MAVETERA: Thank you Mr. President for giving me this opportunity to debate on this Bill. Allow me to thank the Minister for trying to come up with a balanced budget under very difficult circumstances. All the efforts are appreciated.
I have got a few things I would want to put forward to the Ministry which I did not see coming prominently but which I consider to be important. Before I do that, I would want to thank the Minister for trying very hard to reach the 15% but I do not know why he collapsed before he hit the rope. He was almost there. It is almost $1bn for him to break the record and that would have put Zimbabwe on the map. With the unallocated $8bn, I think he can find it necessary to just put a few more cents to health and that money will be worthwhile.
When we look at the budget on the Social Service, we want to applaud the Minister for trying but I got the impression that he forgot a very important constituency. We are standing here today because our fathers, the elderly managed to keep the country running until today. We can sit and say we are presiding over Zimbabwe but I did not hear much which was given to the elderly. Our Constitution actually requires us to put aside money to support the elderly from 70 years going upwards. I have the feeling that during these very hard times which everyone including the able - bodied are experiencing, we would put much more just as an appreciation, that we understand the elderly are suffering.
In terms of social support, I would wish the Minister could reconsider and allocate more funds to the Ministry of Social Services and money be set specifically for supporting the elderly. These are the very same elderly who are finding it very difficult even in our public institutions when it comes to the hospital. They are the ones who have a the high burden of these non communicable diseases which we were talking about; that is cancer, diabetes and hypertension. When they get to hospital they are supposed to pay but how do they pay under these very difficult circumstances? I would want the Hon Minister to look and try to address either from the health direction, to say we allocate this money specifically so that our elderly from 70 years upwards when they visit our health institutions, they are not asked to pay like what is happening now. They are dying Mr. President. Those to me are very key. As a Government, we need to consider them seriously. Tave kuita sevana varikukanganwa vabereki vavo. That is basically what this budget may end up giving that impression. With those few words, I want to thank you.
HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: Let me start by saying the Minister of Finance is also a great Minister who is doing very good work. He is already turning around the economy. Just yesterday when I was reading the press that the Zimbabwe dollar firmed against the US$, it was a long time since I heard that the Zimbabwe dollar was firming against the US$. It has always been depreciating. So, good work to the Minister. The Budget is a very good budget. We read it and it is the most progressive and developmental Budget.
I am a bit frustrated that the Budget came into this House very late in the evening when we are all tired. Most of us are saying, let us just pass it because we are tired. It is not good for Senate but we have to pass it. We have been short-changed. I think next time let us arrange these things fairly so that the Senate will also be able to give some input. Do not put Senate in that difficult position when you plan your work. I have said it is a good Budget, so we will pass it but in future when you want to come to Senate, try to plan so that we also make a contribution as an Upper House.
All good things have been said and I do not want to repeat but only to say let us implement Section 305 in the Constitution which is a very serious section that which appropriates revenue to certain institutions that are listed there including the National Council of Chief. Some of them are independent commissions like ZEC but I think with respect to the National Council of Chiefs, since 2013 when this Constitution was passed, that provision is not being respected and we believe we will sit down after this to see how we can improve the manner we have been performing with respect to that provision. I thank you.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON PROF. M. NCUBE): I want to thank the Hon Senators for their contributions, comments, input and also questions. Let me begin with a contribution from Hon. Sen. Chimbudzi who delved into the issue of support for war veterans, which she appreciated and also the support for the girl child especially through the issue of sanitary wear provision which again was well received. We will continue in this regard to make sure that our war veterans, the girl child and others continue to be supported in this way.
Hon. Sen. Tongogara, the issue of the health budget, that she appreciated and really we are moving closer to that 15% Abuja target. We are currently at 13% but there should be more on that. The cancer treatment issue was not adequately targeted and I agree with her. We thought last year we will begin this issue in earnest and we said that Ekusileni Medical Centre should be earmarked as one of our first cancer hospitals but we were overtaken by COVID-19. It is true that it became almost a COVID hospital and the future does not seem to be clearer after that in terms of being a cancer hospital, so we need to get back on the horse we fell off from.
Hon. Senators, we have done very well on the Aids levy. We are a role model for the rest of the world. I know this myself because I spend a lot of time consulting for the Global Fund in Geneva. I know the state of all the funding for HIV around the world. Zimbabwe is a role model. So, when I begin to reflect further on how cancer should be supported, I am thinking in that direction, that perhaps what is needed - and these are just thoughts and not an answer or a pronouncement, that maybe we have some kind of cancer focused fund with some specific source of funding. We said 2% tax but we will not go there but some specific source just targeting the capitalisation of this kind of fund. I think maybe it is the way to go.
The other idea we have entertained in my discussions with colleagues at the Global Fund is that perhaps the Aids Levy itself - because Aids goes along with other co-morbidities, especially these cardiovascular challenges including cancer itself, TB and so forth. Perhaps there is room to build around it so that it becomes a broader HIV and cancer levy. All these are ideas that I think between myself and the Minister of Health and Child Care, we need to sit down seriously and look into this.
I am also happy to report that the President has appointed a Cabinet Committee to look into the feasibility of introducing a National Health Insurance Scheme and I am the Chair of that Committee. All that goes a long way if we make progress on it to raise additional funding for health, especially to do with cancer related issues. So you can see we are seized with this matter and we are thinking through it. I agree with Hon. Sen. Tongogara and others that we should specifically pursue this cancer treatment targeting. In this Health Bill let us be honest, we had not applied our minds because I think it is something that needs careful thought both in terms of cancer institutions as well as direct funding for it which is clear and ring fenced. We just need time to think through that.
Hon. Sen. Dube again mentioned the issue of sanitary wear which is assisting the girl child with their schooling and now they are able to go to school without the kind of challenge associated with the absence of proper sanitary wear. Then Hon. Sen. Ndlovu mentioned the issue of police vehicles. Our target is buying upwards of 300 vehicles. For ease of travel in urban areas, they do not need 4x4s and land cruisers but just the small cars which we see in neighbouring countries. In South Africa the police do not use fancy cars to move around and that is what we have bought. So the first 85 are those small cars and for what it is worth – by the way, ZBC is also really under pressure.
In fact in 2020 we have also allocated about 10 vehicles for them through this vehicle acquisition programme so they can move around and also the $10 million to refurbish studios as well as half a million US$ to buy cameras and so forth so that they become a competitive media house and compete with the emerging competitive private media. The issue was about the policy so we will do everything to support them and make sure that we get all the vehicle support.
Support for war veterans is welcome. Next year we will be seized with building that war veterans fund into a proper institution. I have said in other quarters that the various mines that will be allocated to war veterans have been identified gold mines and so forth that will need to be transferred to the fund. The farms - we have said at least one farm per province must be for war veterans so we want to make sure that we walk the talk and then other assets in the hospitality sector and finally some kind of financial institution for war veterans. We have committed resources in this budget towards that. So we really want to make progress on this issue in addition to the US$37.5 million that I referred to.
Hon. Sen. Chief Makumbe applauded the Health budget, particularly the source that has been targeting the isolation centres. We will continue to do more. We know there is still much to be done in supporting our health sector and again support for the police is applauded. Then NDS 1 the issue of wellness and the support for the Chief’s Council that needs more resources. This issue was raised quite forcefully by Hon. Sen. Chief Charumbira and by Hon. Sen. Chief Sansiali. They articulated the issue very well and I think as chiefs you have the right to influence and access devolution funds. It is not just for the Rural District Council CEOs. I urge you to assert yourselves in the choice of projects in your area that will improve the livelihood of your citizens in your area. Please do not leave this issue of choosing projects to RDCs and then they choose themselves because they have resources and not even interacting with the real leader of the people. I have shared the same information with Hon Members Parliament. There are districts and other areas that have shown that this can be done offline. I will be very happy to speak with the various chiefs here to see how we can assist you to insert yourself there and be part of the decision making, in fact lead the decision making. Politically it cannot be left to the RDCC or just left with the State Minister who is overall for a whole province. It is about the local leaders who ought to be involved. So, in all thinking about the budget for the National Council of Chiefs we had that in mind that in terms of developmental resources. The devolution resources have given all of us an opportunity to tap into. This year the resources have been underutilised. What we have allocated for 2021 is $19.5 billion and it is a lot of money. Sometimes I wonder whether there is enough absortion capacity to absorb all those resources at the local authority levels, but I think that is where our opportunity lies. We then look into the future if there are any issues that pertain to the wellbeing of the chiefs. That is where we need to try harder to make sure that your wellbeing is taken care of.
In terms of development projects, we think that the devolution funds are a very good start. I am also aware that the programme of Dura raMambo Isiphala Senkosi has also been restarted because there was a danger that that programme was going to be drowned by Pfumvudza and presidential input scheme and the chief loses status,. I think it was launched in Zvishavane Dura raMambo and so forth.
Those are some of the things that we can see there is some insensitivity towards the restoring of the dignity and position of the chief, but devolution funds are the key. Even offices, devolution funds can also cover the offices for the chiefs. Let us work together to make sure that you are able to access those resources.
Hon. Sen. Chief Makumbe mentioned Education 5.0 that you are happy with our support. We have really tried. If you add the budget for the Primary and Secondary and Higher Education, they come to almost 17% of the entire budget around education and skills and that is a large allocation.
Hon. Sen. Chirongoma talked about the war veterans and support for the police and then Health. He also mentioned the cancer issue which we have tried to address.Your comments are really welcome. Hon. Sen. Chief Siansali, you mentioned the issue of support for the chiefs in terms of the Chiefs Council and my plea is that let us find a way to graft you into this strategic usage of the devolution funds for development of your area, but there is a specific areas around the training of chiefs and so forth which you highlighted. Even from a judicial point of view that you preside over cases, that training is needed. We need to look into this issue which is the capacity of the chiefs and their other issues.
Hon. Sen. Mavetera, again the 13% of health perhaps you could have moved it to 15% in terms of the Abuja target. I was working out quickly. We have a budget of $421 billion, 2% of that is actually about $8.4 billion. So, if we just try to move from 13% to 12%, we would have to allocate the entire unallocated reserve to one Ministry and that will be untenable. We need the back pocket to respond to emergencies in all the other Ministries. I think we have tried to get to the 13%. COVID really pushed us but we have to say to get to the 15% it is a multi-year target – who knows next year we may just be there. We will nail it.
If we can adopt that multi-year target, we will get there but if we do 2% extra and now we will be getting 15%. We will just wipe out and the reserve we are in really trouble. You cannot run and come to public finances without the back pocket allocated reserves. Support for the elderly - that we needed to do more. Again, we have consulted a bit on this with the relevant Ministry and in our conversation we really felt that the $7 billion or so that we have allocated to the Ministry is a very good start from where it was the previous year. We feel it is a good start. In any case again, the room for maneuver is not clear in terms of reallocations if we think of allocating more to this Ministry.
In the lower House we went through a lot of debate about where to move money and do this and we have done that already and now there is just zero room for maneuver. I would not even see where to begin even if there is a strong case to do it, we are up to here in terms of resource allocation. Hon. Sen. Chief Charumbira. Thank you for your comments that the economy is turning around - stable, the currency is stable and it is even firm today. The budget is developmental, which is what it ought to be and you are right about that. I do not want to stand in front of you and then just give you figures on how much I have collected for each VAT et cetera.
It has to be about what these resources are being used for, and where they are being applied – are they being applied strategically in a way that addresses our challenges that addresses the imperative to develop our country and improve a lot of our people and get to vision 2020. That is what we have tried to achieve hence, the anchor of the budget on NDS I which is our National Development Strategy. It is right that we would have needed more time to debate in this august House but alas, we did it and two things happened.
I think COVID created challenges for us. It forced me to present the budget rather late on the 26th November, 2020 which we had because everything was just held back. Planning purposes, people doing retreats, Parliament retreating and all of that. So, if you are in this kind of car crash situation, certainly we had also completed and launched the NDS 1. That process had to happen first because the budget is anchored on it.
I think that we have done very well to have concluded both the NDS 1 and here we are debating the budget and it is not yet Christmas. We are almost at Christmas and finally, it is always a good idea to make sure the budget is concluded before year end. That way, we do not have to do some legal gymnastics in the first week of January to allow Government to function, we will have a budget legally on the 1st of January. That then has compressed everything. All those three factors have compressed everything and forced us to have less time than anticipated in this House to debate our very important budget.
Hon. Sen. Charumbira came back again with the issues of the Council of Chiefs. He is right, there may be even room for maneuver and we should find room for maneuver and an opportunity to do more to assist the National Council of Chiefs to improve the working conditions like salaries and other emoluments. I think that I agree with him on that and we will certainly look into that.
I want to say that in the last week we have improved the wellbeing of Senators and Chiefs and that is all I can say. Some of you may have heard a rumour and it is not just a rumour but it is true and I can confirm it and thanks to His Excellency who approved an improvement in the working conditions. I move that the Bill be now read a second time. Motion put and agreed to.
Bill read a second time.
Committee Stage: With leave, forthwith.
COMMITTEE STAGE
APPROPRIATION (2021) BILL
House in Committee.
Clauses 1 to 5 put and agreed to.
House resumed.
Bill reported without amendments.
Third Reading: With leave, forthwith.
THIRD READING
APPROPRIATION (2021) BILL [H. B. 6, 2020]
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE): Mr. President, I move that the Bill be read the third time.
Motion put and agreed to.
Bill read the third time.
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Before we adjourn, I want to thank the Hon. Senators for a job well done. You have risen to be counted when the need comes. You are going to be served with dinner in the Members’ Dining Room.
On the motion of THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE), the Senate adjourned at Five Minutes past Seven o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 15th December, 2020
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
INVITATION TO A ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH SERVICE
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE: I have to inform the Senate that there will be a Roman Catholic Church Service tomorrow Wednesday, 16th December, 2020 at 1230 hrs in the Senate Chamber. All Catholic and non-Catholic members are invited.
UPDATING OF MOBILE CONTACTS
THE HON. PPRESIDENT OF SENATE: I also have to inform the Senate that Hon. Senators are advised to update their mobile contact numbers so that they can receive urgent messages via SMS from Parliament. The ICT Department is stationed at the Members Dining to immediately assist Hon. Senators.
COLLECTION OF BRANDED MASKS
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Additionally, I have to advise Hon. Senators to collect their branded masks from the clinic.
MOTION
LEAVE TO MOVE FOR SUSPENSION OF PROVISIONS OF STANDING ORDERS NO. 51; 64; 66 AND 135
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Madam President Ma’am, I seek leave of the Senate to move that the provisions of Standing Orders, Number 51; 64; 66 and 135 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 a Friday, private Senators motions taking precedence on Thursdays after Question Time, Question Time being taken on Thursdays and stages of Bills respectively be suspended with effect from today and for the following series of sittings in respect of the following:- business relating to the Budget debate; the Finance Bill; the Appropriation Bill and all other Government business. I thank you Madam President.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS NO 51; 64; 66 AND 135
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Madam President Ma’am, I now move that the provisions of Standing Orders, Number 51; 64; 66 and 135 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 a Friday, private Senators motions taking precedence on Thursdays after Question Time, Question Time being taken on Thursdays 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; the Finance Bill; the Appropriation Bill and all other Government business. I so submit Madam President.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): I move that Orders of the Day, Nos. 1 to 3 be stood of until Order of the Day, No. 4 has been disposed of.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH: DEBATE ON ADDRESS
Fourth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion in reply to the Presidential Speech.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. KHUPE: Thank you Madam President for giving me this opportunity to say words on the motion that was moved by Hon. Sen. Chirongoma and seconded by Hon. Sen. A. Dube. As is always the case with me, I carefully listened to His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde. E. D. Mnangagwa when he was delivering his State of the Nation Address. The State of the Nation Address by His Excellency the President of the Republic was candid, honest and deliberately in content. It was a master piece.
His Excellency started his speech by thanking all Zimbabweans in their diversity for the cooperation, discipline and reliance as the nation was and is still facing COVID-19. I believe every citizen of our country do appreciate the manner in which our President mobilised all forms of resources to support the fight against COVID-19 and because of the decisive actions by our Government under the leadership of His Excellency the President, many lives of Zimbabweans were saved from COVID-19.
On corruption which has permeated the entire social strata, His Excellency expressed his displeasure. He was right because corruption is not gender, disability or age sensitive. The young and the adult are not immune to corruption nowadays. I was happy to hear the President say “The fight against corruption continues to be a central goal for my Government. This vice cannot co-exist with sustainable economic development and growth. Therefore, let us all strengthen our determination to rid Zimbabwe of corruption. Nobody is above the law – Justice shall be pursued.”
Madam President of the Senate, many of us here in this House and others out there will agree with me that corruption in Zimbabwe has reached a dangerous level. For some sections of our society, corruption is slowly becoming an addictive crime. In fact, it looks like corruption has become one of the lucrative and fast growing industries in Zimbabwe. In addition, it looks like in the long run corruption will morph into a religion once it turns trans-generational. It is therefore better for all Zimbabweans to collectively fight corruption in all its forms.
Above all, therefore, Madam President of the Senate let us take the words of the President very seriously. Surely, it is important to take action now so that we prevent the spread of corruption. We must take the advice from our President very seriously, forewarned is forearmed says the English speakers.
The President also spoke about the issue of illegal economic sanctions imposed on our country. The illegal economic sanctions are adversely affecting all spheres of life in our country. The ultimate net result of these genocidal economic sanctions is loss of livelihoods to the harmless, poor and persons with disabilities.
However, it is important to note that despite the economic challenges, our Government did not forget to assist the persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups during this challenging period caused by COVID-19, and all the challenges caused by the genocidal economic sanctions imposed by enemies of Zimbabwe. Therefore, it was pleasing to see the Government under our visionary President His Excellency, E.D Mnangagwa launching the First-Five Year National Development Strategy: 2021-2025 (NDSI) which builds on the success of the Transitional Stabilisation Programme.
These are the few words I wanted to say as my contribution to the speech by His Excellency, the President. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. HUNGWE: Thank you Madam President. I just want to say a few words about the Presidential Speech. I want to thank Hon. Sen. Chirongoma who moved this motion, seconded by Hon. Sen. Dube. I want to apprciate the unity of purpose among the Zimbabweans. When the President came and delivered the State of Nation Address, and all of us Members of Parliament sat down and listened to the President’s speech as he delivered his State of the Nation address, according to the Constitution.
I also want to thank even the Opposition party that this time around they were in support of all the Government business and the Presidential Speech.
The President, His Excellency E.D Mnangagwa spoke about the issue of COVID-19 pandemic; we all do not know where it came from. The pandemic spread around many countries in this whole world, including Zimbabwe. As Zimbabweans, we listened and obeyed to what the President said on the issue of lock down restrictions and all the measures which were taken in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. It was difficult to follow the measures which were put forward and right now we are all witnessing the fruits of obeying the lockdown restrictions and it really saved us a nation.
Right now, we hear of the second wave of COVID-19, during the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were protected and even for the second wave, we are going to continue to obey the measures which are going to be addressed by the Head of State and Commander in Chief of the Zimbabwe Defense Forces, E. D. Mnangagwa.
The President also spoke about the issue of electricity; I can agree with all of you Hon. Members that the issue of electricity is now improving, even the construction of infrastructure at Hwange is going to take us a long way as a nation to an extent of even selling electricity to other countries.
I also want to thank the President on the revival of the economy; when the 2% tax was introduced, it was something which was difficult to accept, however, the 2% tax is bearing fruits in the development of our economy.
He also spoke about the issue of the economy on the side of inflation, it was very rife but through the measures which were being implemented by the Government through our President, the rate of inflation has now reduced.
The introduction of Pfumbvudza/Intwasa also helped in the agricultural sector so that people can have enough food security in the country. People are being given the inputs for farming, it does not matter if you have a tractor, and you can also dig the holes under the Pfumvudza programme. His Excellency, the President encouraged everyone even those with small scale or large scale farmers are incorporated into this programme and the inputs are being distributed freely.
The President also spoke about the issue of social welfare, even those in the rural areas and urban areas are given a token of money. It is not enough but it helped them a lot in solving some of the programmes. This means that the President is trying by all means to touch all the sectors of the economy; therefore, I am saying as Senators in this House, we must go forward as leaders and inform people that they must go and receive their maize.
The Minister of Public Service and Social Welfare has the duty to see to it that everyone has managed to get the food. The President also spoke about the issue passing the Bills; therefore it is very crucial for the President to deliver the State of the Nation Address giving us duties to do. He also encouraged both Houses to finish all the outstanding Bills so that there is progress in the country.
The President also encouraged people to farm our cultural small grains which are very healthy for example, finger millet, sorghum and others. These helps us in terms of our nutrition and also that they are draught tolerant therefore, even if we do not receive enough rainfall, the small grains yield a bumper harvest.
Right now, we are eating foods which are genetically modified and there are a lot of fertilizers being used. At my age, my mother was running and fit so we must revert back to our cultural produce. I would like to thank the President for encouraging us to go back to our roots in terms of farming.
I also want to say Zimbabwe is our country the ruling party and opposition, let us work together. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. MOEKETSI: Thank you Madam President for giving me this opportunity. I would like to start by thanking Senator Chirongoma for moving this motion and Senator Dube for seconding the good motion which was brought to this House by His Excellency, the President Cde E. D. Mnangagwa. I do not have much to say but a lot has been said by my fellow Senators.
The President mentioned a lot of issues and I would like to talk about education which is one aspect which was raised by the President. He also spoke about our children’s education. Most children in our schools are not learning. Teachers are still not satisfied because they are not getting any substantial payment. Children are just going to school to while up time. They come back home without learning. Teachers are just going to school so that they will not be removed from the payroll but they are not teaching because they are not satisfied with what they are earning. My desire is that the President should fulfill the teachers’ aspirations so that the standard of education does not deteriorate.
At a school where my grand children learn, even in their class you cannot tell that it is a class which is supposed to house children. You are just told that you should leave your children and collect them at a certain time. So, as this august House we need to work together with our President so that he intervenes on the issue of teachers salaries. For sure our money is now valueless. It has been affected by inflation although the economy has stabilised but it is still a challenge. The President said a lot of things especially concerning health.
An Hon Senator having passed between the Chair and the Hon Senator speaking.
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Order, Hon. Senator. You are not supposed to pass between the Chair and the Member speaking.
HON. MOEKETSI: He also spoke about challenges in the health sectors, especially COVID-19. He urged Zimbabweans to stay at home when COVID-19 was at its peak but now even when the sick go to hospital, they are not treated. It is my plea that let us come together so that our nurses are capacitated for them to be able to treat people because people are dying. Some just pass away seated by the benches without getting any medical attention. We want the President to be aware of that.
The President said a lot of things that are good for this country but the situation on the ground right now in different places, just in case the President is not aware, is that there are no medicines in hospitals. After being attended to, you are told that go and buy medication. At times this patient might not be having any cash to buy medication. When you go to pharmacies to buy medication, they only want US$. This patient might not be able to buy medication because they do not have the US$. As an august House, I would like to urge my fellow Senators that let us come together and restore our health care so that our hospitals will have medication and nurses will also be capacitated.
Let me cite a song by Baba Manyeruke who sang that it is difficult to please everyone because some people just complain but there are others who do not complain. It is important that such places that I am mentioning which are key sectors and crucial to Zimbabwe are looked at. With these few words, I would like to thank you.
THE HON DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: I would like to advise Hon. Sen. Chief Ndlovu and all other fairly new Senators that in Parliament – both the lower house and the upper house, when somebody is debating, you may not cross the line of sight of that Hon Member debating and the Chair. It is called a line of sight which must not be crossed because I need to keep constant touch with the Hon member who is debating. In this case Hon Senator, you should sit where you are, do not cross the line. It is sacrosanct in Parliament.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF CHINAKE: Mr. President, I would like to thank you for giving me this opportunity to contribute to this debate. Let me also thank Hon. Sen. Chirongoma for bringing this motion to this august House. The President’s words are good especially the issue to do with the resuscitation of the economy which really touched me because we have a lot of unemployed educated young people. Some were affected by COVID-19 when companies closed but the President’s initiative, which is a five year plan, I believe is a good plan which will benefit the nation. It does not matter that we are from the opposition but the reason why we came to this august House is to serve our people who we represent in this august House. We know people say a lot of things concerning Zimbabwe but let us work together so that our President’s vision is fulfilled. Our responsibility is to be the eyes and to identify the different challenges around the country and his duty is to lead the country and to address different challenges. We were sent to this august House to make sure that we serve the country in different capacities. We did not come to fight but we came to make sure that we understand how things work. By saying this it implies that we need to be organised. If we come here and converge in this place but leave this place without addressing any issues, you will discover that there will be a lot of complaints. Some people might be saying the President has failed to do this and that but when we say that he has not failed but maybe it is you who has failed to contribute and to give recommendations and advice.
The President says that as Senators in this House, we need to come up with different suggestions and different view points from the different places that we come from. So, I am saying when issues are raised, it is important that they be addressed. We are not despising or insulting each other but we want the nation to be progressive. No one came to this august House to be desperate but we came here to ensure our country works. I thank you.
HON. SEN. CHIRONGOMA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. CHIMBUDZI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday 16th December, 2020.
MOTION
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE AFRICAN PARLIAMENTARIANS NETWORK ON DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION (APNODE) HELD IN ABIDJAN
Fifth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the report of the Zimbabwe delegation to the Fifth Annual General Meeting of the African Parliamentarians Network on Development Evaluation (APNODE)
HON. SEN. CHIEF. NECHOMBO: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. MOHADI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday 16th December, 2020.
MOTION
REPORT ON THE VIRTUAL EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION (IPU)
Sixth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report of Extraordinary Session of the Governing Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
HON. SEN. MATHUHTU: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. CHIMBUDZI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday 16th December, 2020.
MOTION
PREVALENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Seventh Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on Sixteen Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence.
+HON. SEN. G. MOYO: Thank you Mr President for giving me this opportunity to debate on this motion brought by Hon. Senator Mpofu, which seeks to discuss gender based violence. Women are often harassed because they are said to have been brought from outside and money was used to bring them. If you go to your relatives and ask them to assist you when you are being harassed, they will tell you to go back because they would have accepted lobola from the in-laws. So, I am calling upon Government to take note of such comments so that such money maybe returned as well as the children.
Women are also being raped. If you are a woman and you have a child from outside that marriage, that girl child is often harassed and will always be in trouble and will not perform well at school. As a woman, you will always be harassed. You have no one else to tell because you cannot even tell your neighbour that you are in serious trouble. Sometimes your neighbours will only see you losing weight but they will not know what is taking place. What will be better will be for women, when harassed in marriages, not to stick to violent relationships for the sake of maintaining their marriage vows. You need to move on in good time because such violence may lead to your death and you will leave behind those children that you purport to protect or stay for in an abusive marriage. Leaving such an abusive marriage is better because at least you will be able to look after those children when you are alive.
If you are a woman and you give birth to a handicapped child, that child is said to be your child alone and there will be allegations that it is because of promiscuity that you have such a child. If a child performs dismally at school, the child is said to belong to the mother but when a child does something, good then the child is said to belong to the father. So, I call for Government to intervene and help us because we are being harassed. I thank you.
HON. SEN. MATHUTHU: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. CHIRONGOMA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday 16th December, 2020.
MOTION
CONDOLENCES ON THE DEATH OF HON. SEN. AIR CHIEF MARSHALL RTD. PERRANCE SHIRI
Eighth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the death of Hon. Sen. Air Chief Marshall Rtd. Perrance Shiri.
Question again proposed.
*HON. SEN. SIPANI-HUNGWE: Thank you Mr. President. Let me start by thanking Hon. Sen. Tongogara for moving such a crucial motion regarding a gallant son of this nation who served the nation from his young age. I would like to pass my condolences to the nation for the loss of Hon. Sen. Shiri. Hon. Sen. Shiri was a true patriot. He was passionate about the job that he was doing at a particular time. He was a person who was mobile and could move around the country.
I would like to say my eulogy to the late Hon. Senator. The first Minister who could work putting on his work suit was Hon. Sen. Shiri who was the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement. You would find him putting on his overalls or his work suit. This is the first Minister that I have noted knew what he was doing. He was not a Minister who only sat in his office, sending people but he was a hands-on Minister. He went to all provinces trying to urge people to work hard so that there is food security in the country. This Pfumvudza /Intwasa initiative was his. He wanted to ensure that every household had food security. Before even selling produce, you need to have enough food for the household. So I would like to say may God watch over his soul, if he sinned in any way. We know that at times you might be accused falsely.
What pained me most is the way he passed on. If this disease is used as a biological weapon or if it was created by someone, then it is a matter of concern. Of course, death is divine but the way he passed away was not a good one. Being taken by COVID-19, even his burial was so touching. You know that death by COVID-19 results in a unique burial way. This did not go well with us.
Let me just tell you a certain story on things that were done by the late Hon. Sen. Air Chief Marshall Rtd. Perrance Shiri. When he retired from his job, he joined the new dispensation. He said that when he fought during the liberation struggle, he was in Mashonaland Central for a long time, so he identified the peripheral areas that were left behind and started building schools in such areas. This was a way of appreciating the love that was shown by villagers in those areas during the liberation struggle. However, had villagers betrayed him during the liberation struggle then he was not going to appreciate. I would like to commend the Hon. late Senator and let me just say this so that it goes on record.
I tilled my land and after farming, I earned a lot of money that I used to buy one hundred cows, after which the Hon. late Senator Shiri got wind from the grapevine that I had purchased one hundred cows. He approached me and said, ‘Sen. Hungwe, please come over; you bought one hundred cows, what are your intentions with them?’ I said Hon. Minister, I also bought four bulls in addition to the hundred cows. Then he said, your cows need five or six bulls. He then asked me where I had bought the cows to which I informed him that I bought them from Chinhoyi University and was even preparing to collect the bulls. So he said that because of what you have done, let me give you a bull – this was a good hearted person right? I said, Hon. Minister, when I get this bull, how am I going to repay you? Should I repay you with a smaller cow but he said no, it is yours. I just appreciate the job that I am doing is appreciated by some people and it has inspired you to buy cows. So after he passed on, I appreciate the bull that he gave me and I still have it. The bull is even reproducing. I would like to appreciate him and thank his family for what he did for me because if it were someone then he would have said that since you have money to buy a hundred cows then you have money, but he did not do that. On top of four bulls, he gave me an additional bull to make it five.
I would like to say that wherever he is, may God watch over him. He did a good job by serving this nation. The late Shiri was a war veteran and not just an ordinary person. He suffered for this country, bitten by ants and doing a lot of things. I remember that at one time, he was shot in the arm and his fingers were deformed. Let us stand together with the Shiri family.
I noticed His Excellency the President’s pain during the funeral when the COVID-19 guidelines were observed during the burial. I noted the President’s face, he was very worried because when you pass on, our culture dictates that people should converge and mourn their relative. Normally during burials, the President accompanies the coffin until the person is buried but we need to pray as a nation so that COVID-19 is curbed. Today it may be someone else and in future it will be a different person.
Cde. Shiri, we salute you and thank you so much for what you did. Currently, we are Senators all because of Cde. Shiri. I am saying wherever you are Cde. Shiri with your colleagues at the Heroes Acre where our national heroes lie, may you rest in peace. Thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHIFAMBA: Thank you Mr. President for according me this opportunity to speak about the late Cde. Perrance Shiri. I do not know much about the late Cde. Shiri but he was someone I normally saw on different programmes from the television.
What made me rise and say these words is because I am pained by the issue of his tremendous dedication to fight for the emancipation of the Zimbabwe when he went to Mozambique. When the country was liberated, it did not liberate the political parties but everyone was liberated. Previously, we were not allowed to walk along First Street and other shops because African people were not allowed in some shops and schools. As children of Zimbabwe, we went to war to fight for the liberation of the country including the late Hon. Perrance Shiri. Although we fight and engage in squabbles today, have different political views and disputes, we are doing so in a liberated and free Zimbabwe through the efforts of those who dedicated their lives to free this country.
On another occasion, I wanted to ask for a farm and I followed him after learning that he was the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement. He requested me to bring my Minister of State, Hon. Munzverengwi and since he was a loving person, he accommodated my request even in the absence of Minister Munzverengwi. It was an honourable act for him to do that.
When I learnt that he had succumbed to COVID-19, I was disheartened because he was a hardworking and dedicated man. Although it is God’s decision to pick from his garden of flowers, he is someone who had successfully undertaken a lot of farming programmes including the Pfumvudza Programme. I even queried on the benefits of Pfumvudza Programme and people explained to me that it was a process of digging holes, receive free inputs from Government and that it is a very good programme.
He left behind a very resourceful history through the introduction of the Pfumvudza Programme. As Zimbabweans, we expect a bumper harvest and have enough food security. It is painful for those who are digging holes but I believe that you cannot reap without working. Therefore, we are going to remember him through his numerous farming programmes. I understand that we had zero tillage in the past but it did not gather enough momentum and support like the Pfumvudza Programme because the late Minister Shiri was a hands-on person. Even those in urban areas benefited from the inputs programme. There was no segregation during disbursement of inputs for people living in both rural and urban areas, but it was a programme which included everyone. Therefore, we respect him for this programme. The current Minister of Agriculture must carry forward this Pfumvudza programme. Thank you Mr. President.
*HON. SEN. CHIRONGOMA: Thank you Mr. President for giving me this opportunity to say a few words on the motion raised by Hon. Tongogara concerning the death of the late Hon. P. Shiri who was the Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement. The 29th of July was a dark day for us as Zimbabweans when we lost our Minister Hon. P. Shiri when he succumbed to COVID-19. Everyone was devastated by his death and he is one of the sons of soil and one of the children of Zimbabwe who dedicated his life and went to war to liberate Zimbabwe. Going to war was not child’s play, but it really needed dedication. The oppression which was in this country was for white people who had well planned how they were going to make a black person suffer so that he/she must not learn or do anything.
At school, if you reached Standard Six, you were regarded as a very qualified person. I was looking at Mashonaland Province only. All the administrative districts did not have secondary school qualifications. The first one was Kutama College and then Moleli Secondary. This signifies or clearly shows how the whites really oppressed us. Young girls and boys were educationally oppressed. The girl child was oppressed the most, compared to the boy child. A girl child was not allowed to take the National Identity Card but they were just told to sit as human beings.
Right now, we have professionals and highly qualified women who are heading different departments and Ministries. For example, our Senate is being led by a woman, this shows that women are very clever and can do amazing things. Therefore, Hon. Senators, Hon. Shiri went via Botswana and got into Zambia and went to Tanzania. He was trained at Mugagawu Camp. To show that this person was dedicated, he followed the path of the liberators who were already there - the ZIPRA and ZANLA forces. Those people had already begun to gather and discuss how they were going to fight the white colonial regime and how to liberate themselves.
He went and gathered with others, trained and he was successful and he came back in the country to fight hard so that they could liberate this country. I remember when I was growing up, he was at the Northern or North East of Zimbabwe. The war was intense in that area and everyday they would fight. All the events which were happening during the war, they claimed that they had done it, which shows that they dedicated their life in liberating the country and fighting the colonial regime.
In Zambia, he was under ZIPRA but he was fighting very hard for the liberation of this country and they were dedicated to liberate this country. We are happy Hon. Minister that he was one of the people whom we count in those groups in liberating the country. Hon. Senators, we have lost a great deal because Hon. Shiri was promoted to be the Air Commander of the Airforce and the guys under him were not selfish because they left the position to one another. He also managed to be the Commander of Airforce to be the one who was on the forefront on issues to do with the movement of the Airforce. He did his job very well and had other generals under him whom we must respect and whom we worked with. Those who are still there and those who have already passed on, it was a very difficult job and a great job to liberate the country. We also want to thank the New Dispensation, the 2nd Republic.
Hon. Shiri worked very hard. Our former VP who is now the Head of State and Commander in Chief of Zimbabwe Defence Forces His Excellency E. D. Mnangagwa also went out and came back. When he came back, people were saying he is coming from South Africa and there were many people at Manyame Air Base. The people really wanted to see His Excellency President E. D. Mnangagwa coming in but through his intelligence and knowing his job very well, Hon. Shiri cleared the whole airforce and ordered the people to go away so that the President could come in so that they would protect him. After the army, the President took him and gave him the post of Minister of Lands, Agriculture and Rural Resettlement and he did that job very well under the 2nd Republic. Under the 2nd Republic, President E. D. Mnangagwa explained that we are going to work. Everyone whom I have given the ministerial post must start work at 0700hrs, well prepared and be someone who is dedicated towards his work”. He went on to say, “Even myself as a President I must be at work on time”. Therefore, all the Ministers worked following the footsteps of the President, even the late Hon. Sen. Shiri; at 0700hrs you could see him at his office.
He was a very dedicated man towards his job under his Ministry, there is no administrative office that he did not visit to see how work was being done. Most of the times you could see him in his green work suit and overalls and we are going to remember him for that.
I would like to thank the late Hon. Sen. Shiri for the job well done under the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture. He also came about with a very brilliant plan to alleviate the issue of importing maize from other countries. They understood that we already had Command Agriculture when we were given seeds and other inputs for farming. The Ministry then recommended people to go to Agritex so that they could get inputs on an individual basis.
When Hon. Sen. Shiri passed on, he left behind programmes which really need to be implemented and be carried forward in order to alleviate hunger and spearhead the development of the our nation.
Hon. Sen. Shiri also introduced the programme of Pfumvudza under chiefs and headmen in order to know the number of people under each household so that they can do the Pfumvudza Programme and at the end of the day, the country at large would have enough food stores. People received and are still receiving inputs like fertilizers and seed.
In the rural areas, every household engaged on the Pfumvudza Programme dug holes in preparation of the programme and right now, people have begun planting since the onset of the rains.
I want to thank the late Hon. Minister Shiri for the job well done, when he was the Commander of the Army, he was given the Charity Fund for the Commander. He took that money and developed the education sector and the health sector as well by building schools and bought medicines at the hospitals. I would like to thank him for that vision.
At the time of his death, he was the Leader of the House in this Senate; he succumbed to COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 has robbed us a hero who was dedicated for the development of the country. Even right now our leaders in this House are always encouraging us to put on our masks properly, covering the nose and the mouth. Our country was expected to go deteriorate in terms of development but through the nomination of Ministers by His Excellency Cde E. D. Mnangagwa, the likes of the late Hon. Minister Shiri, the country is on the roadmap to development.
We say Mashonaland Central has lost a hero, however, all of us as a country even us as the Mashonaland West Province, were working together in harmony with him. Therefore, we say to the late Hon. Shiri, ‘you have fought a good fight, may you rest in eternal peace, you have done a very good job.’ I thank you.
HON. SEN. MATIIRIRA: Thank you Madam President for giving me this opportunity to contribute towards this motion regarding the death of Hon. Sen. Shiri. Let me start by appreciating Hon. Sen. Tongogara for raising this important motion which is important to us all as Zimbabweans.
Madam President, I would like to thank the Mashonaland Central family, the Shiri family and the nation. We know it is painful but we mourn together as a nation. Hon. Sen. Perrance Shiri is a man we have all known for contributing towards the liberation struggle for his days in Mozambique. We know his history, since this motion was brought to this House we have heard much about him, he did a good job in working towards the liberation of Zimbabwe from his days in Mozambique then he came to Zimbabwe. After independence, he was given a responsibility by the President of Zimbabwe and served his nation until he passed on. He worked in an exemplary manner.
Madam President, yes, it is painful but I would like to thank our President, E. D. Mngangagwa for giving the late Senator the National Heroes status. I would also like to say that the day we got the message that Hon. P. Shiri had passed on, he had given a date to Mashonaland East where he was supposed to launch the Pfumvudza Programme. So we were expecting him on a Friday and we prepared for his arrival, a lot of women were so excited about Pfumvudza, but because his time had come, he failed to make it.
Let me say that as this August House, good things need to be appreciated. Of course we are pained, we are mourning but when one’s time comes, no one can stop that. However, we appreciate that he left a good example in this House and to the nation – love, work and compassion. This is the responsibility that was left to us by the late Senator who worked since his days during the liberation struggle and even after independence. Right now as we go around the country, everyone is talking about the Pfumvudza Programme which came through him after he was given that task by His Excellency, the President of Zimbabwe.
I concur with other Hon. Senators that he was a humble man and would put on his overalls and work suit in all environments. He was so committed to his job. May God help us to emulate and imitate him so that we take over from where he left. Even wherever he is, I believe that he will be happy seeing us working hard for the prosperity of the nation just like the way he did his job because he had that passion to develop Zimbabwe. We appreciate that Madam President.
Let me end by saying that a good thing needs to be appreciated. We are leaders as Senators but we were given a good example which was being done by the Retired Air Chief Marshal Perrence Shiri. He demonstrated this even when he was the Leader of the House in this Senate. Hon. Molly Mpofu was called so that she would come and debate in this House. He proved that he was a man who was dedicated to development in the country. We can continue talking a lot of things but let me end by saying, Mashonaland Central and the Shiri family should know that we are together. We were told about all the good things that he did even where he was deployed during the liberation struggle. We thank him for developing schools, irrigation projects and dams in Mashonaland Central. This means that he was a passionate man who was patriotic and who loved his country and people.
Hon Retired Air Chief Marshal Perrence Shiri, may you rest in peace. We would continue to work hard so that we emulate you. I thank you.
HON SEN. TONGOGARA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. CHIMBUDZI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 16th December 2020.
On the motion of HON SEN MUZENDA seconded by HON SEN MKHWEBU, the Senate adjourned at Five minutes past Four o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Thursday, 10th December, 2020
The Senate met at Half-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE in the Chair)
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Hon. President Sir. Hon. President, I wish to apologise to the Senate that this week, we had anticipated that we were going to do the Budget business, as such, we thought by now the National Assembly would have completed and the Senate would start deliberating on the Budget. I was hoping by now I would have suspended all other business so that we concentrate on the Budget. As such, ministers were not advised to attend question time. So I want to apologise because the ministers took up some other activities somewhere else and are not available for question time.
The Hon. Deputy President of Senate suspended Question Time in terms of Standing or No. 62.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE ZIMBABWE DELEGATION TO THE 5TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE AFRICAN PARLIAMENTARIANS NETWORK ON DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION (APNODE) HELD IN ABIDJAN
First Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report of the Zimbabwean delegation to the Fifth Annual General Meeting of the African Parliamentarians Network on Development Evaluation (APNODE) held in Abidjan.
Question again proposed.
*HON. TUNGAMIRAI: Thank you Mr. President for giving me this opportunity to add a few words to this motion on the Report which was moved in this House by Hon. Chief Nechombo. Mr. President, in most cases, we see that things are planned and when things are planned, things that need to be done are mentioned. If there is money to be paid, it is paid for the programmes. However, the problem is that there are no follow up mechanisms to see if the money was used according to the plan and what came out of it or where the problem was so that next time when the same programme is being done, people will have a guideline of how things should be done. Having learnt from the past, there is need for monitoring and evaluation.
The Hon. Speaker went to a meeting and came back with something that I believe is beneficial before things were taken for granted and if something is said, no one makes a follow up. So this report is very important to us as Zimbabweans. In all ministries that are engaged in a certain project or programme, there should be a team that sees to it that monitoring and evaluation is done to make sure that things are done properly and accordingly.
As the new dispensation, we want to see progress in the country and people who make follow ups on these programmes. It iseasy for people to be corrupt if there is no follow up on the programmes. That is where we have incidents of missing monies because there is no accountability. Let us play our oversight role as Parliament to make sure that there is accountability. We must make a follow up on these monies that are given to ministries to see what has happened, what the money was used for and make sure monies are not channeled to wrong destinations.
There is less corruption if people establish and understand that follow up is done. We also want to see convicted people in prisons who must not walk scot-free. This deters would-be criminals because everyone knows that staying in prison is no joy. The report on monitoring and evaluation helps us to develop our nation. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHINAKE: Thank you very much Hon. President I would like to thank Hon. Sen. Chief Nechombo who brought this motion. It delayed in coming because we were actually waiting for it. There is a lot that is happening in this country that we know nothing about. If you look at what is happening, the Chinese are looting chrome. There is no monitoring that is going on and we will not know what this country is getting from this chrome. I once asked in this Senate what we are getting from Manicaland diamonds. The Minister said he did not know for his role is just to mine. It means there is no monitoring going on there.
We need accountability and clarity on any programme that is being done in this country. When asked by the people we represent and when I profess ignorance, it is embarrassing; Hon. Sen. Chief Nechombo came with a very good motion for everyone to be knowledgeable. It was our wish that the President of the Second Republic appoints a Committee that plays an oversight role. We should be able to establish the direction of where we are going and where we are coming from. Ministries are not getting enough money, which means we do not know the exact status of our finances. Now that we have spoken, let there be a Committee that will play an oversight role.
All the mining activities in the bush that are taking place, if we let monies slide through without monitoring, people will suffer. Children of the next generation will blame us for being reckless. We need monitoring and evaluation. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHIRONGOMA: Thank you Hon. President for giving me the opportunity to speak on this motion. We would like to thank our delegation that was being led by our Speaker who attended this very important meeting. Hon. President, we should do the monitoring and evaluation so that we see how things are going. There is a lot happening in these municipalities and councils in Zimbabwe. Just like the housing issue, people were just building anywhere they wanted. We should monitor these activities to see if they are within the law. With this knowledge that has been brought to us following the visit by this delegation, we have learnt lessons. Even allocated funds to ministries need monitoring.
We have children who are into artisanal miners. They are doing well, but is this gold going to Fidelity? There must be a plan that all minerals go through proper channels and monitoring to see if the money is being channeled to the right destination.
On agriculture, people are given agricultural inputs and the inputs are sold in the streets; we need monitoring and evaluation. There should be a team that does evaluation after they would have done monitoring. Before someone has gone anywhere we should be able to monitor if farming has been done, if anything has been done at all. People should be able to see if nothing has been done and those people should be called out.
Evaluation should be done also if anything has come back or if money has gone down the drain. Each and every Minister who is given their roles, they should be doing evaluation of the jobs that were given to them after monitoring. We want our country to progress and realise our 2030 vision of a middle income society. We want to thank those who brought this initiative to this country to say we need monitoring and evaluation in all spheres of governance. We want this to be taken seriously. With the problem of money in this country, the price of each and everything was going up. Monitoring was done and it actually worked well in this country. This should be seeded in our minds as citizens that we need to have monitoring and evaluation. Even in devolution there is a lot of money that is channeled towards devolution. We need monitoring then evaluation.
There are crooks that siphon funds. They should be monitored. Ministries should monitor these people. With these few words Hon. President, I would like to thank you.
*HON. SEN. SHUMBA: Thank you Hon. President for giving me this opportunity to add my voice to this debate. I support this motion. When they had gone where they had gone, they came back with a very good initiative. When they were presenting their report, I remembered that in this House we once talked about this issue of monitoring and evaluation. It is now being fulfilled to say other countries are doing this, so we should see this and teach each other. Let all that we are doing in this country be monitored to say what has come out of this.
I am very thankful that there is a programme like this. It does not teach the Government alone, it does not mean that the Government is the only one that does monitoring and evaluation. In English they say charity begins at home. If we are in the rural areas, right now the rains have started. You have bought seed and you have sent it back to the rural areas. Others will not do anything; they will just say it will happen on its own. If you go and monitor the seed that you have sent back home to say has any action been taken, that is monitoring.
We cannot have our eyes glued on the Government, blaming the Government. Also ourselves let us spring into action. This knowledge is not teaching Government Ministers and the President only, it is teaching us. All of us should find it as an opportunity to learn. Even in our constituencies, there are monies that are coming there, devolution funds, the CDF funds that are coming through. As Senators why do we not check to see how these funds are being used, what is happening? Let us not set our eyes only on the Government because this affects all spheres.
Someone mentioned councils, but the truth is that things are not going on well because of corruption. I once went to this other church. I went and saw houses that were built haphazardly. These things that have happened in Harare are so shameful. There are no more church stands. These things need monitoring. This is evaluation and monitoring. Council should engage in monitoring to see if it is authentic or people are just building wherever they feel like. This is not for Government only.
I am very thankful to the new dispensation. Someone yesterday praised the President. It is very true – he monitored and did evaluation, and indeed he assigned the young who are highly energetic to some of the positions. He monitored and evaluated and after doing that he appointed young men and women who are very energetic. We are very grateful for that because for 40 years we had bad roads, but recently after the appointment of a young man, we are seeing a change. It is our anticipation that we will be happy at the end of it all because we are seeing action. We have a wise man in a position of influence. You see that there is monitoring that is being done by these young man. Even if you do evaluation you are able to see the progress. This is a very important issue not only in our homes, but everywhere in all spheres, including the Government. If Ministers were here to reply to our motions, it was going to be helpful to the House and Ministries. Thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHIMBUDZI: Thank you Mr. President for giving me this opportunity to add my voice to this motion. This motion is very important to us. It is about monitoring and evaluation. It does not focus on the Government only, it actually even refers to our own families. Even if we look at farming, we sit down as a family and plan for example how many fertilizers we are going to buy and all other inputs including machinery. If you do not look closely at these things, there will not be any progress but you need to evaluate and that is very important to us.
Those who went to Cote d’Ivoire were Members of Parliament, which gives us a task to say even in our Committees, we have work plans. Do we evaluate to see if that which we agreed as Committee has been done because if we are not evaluating, that Committee will not bring results. We would want to thank Sen. Chief Nechombo because those Parliaments which came together saw it fit that if they do not mention monitoring and evaluation, there will not be any progress. We want to thank this delegation that was being led by Adv. Mudenda. We also want to thank that the MPs were given various positions. That was good for our country so that when they meet other countries, they are respected and appreciated. That is why they were selected.
Mr. Speaker, it helps us a lot if they are doing their jobs together with other countries. As Parliament of Zimbabwe, we will benefit from this, it is an advantage to us because we will get to know of the good things that are happening at these meetings. We will be in a better position. We will be getting a lot of information because of people who are into these Committees. We are not afraid, we are confident those people who were chosen in these committees will do a great job.
Mr. President, as Senate, there are things that we should be doing. We should make sure that our oversight role is done properly. We should evaluate and monitor all that is expected of us by this country. Monitoring and Evaluation should not be done in Government only. It should be just like football, the coach should be able to know whether the players are fit, disciplined so that the team can succeed. If there is no monitoring and evaluation, there is no progress, even though we have debated this before, but looking at the importance of this Parliament, this is something that we should take serious. That is what is called Government.
We continue to trail behind if we do not see to it that we do monitoring and evaluation, we will lack in other areas. This has given us an opportunity to see the possibility of progress in our country. Thank you.
+HON. SEN. DUBE: Thank you Hon. President for giving me this opportunity to air my views on this motion brought by Hon. Sen. Chief Nechombo. Firstly, I would like to thank the delegation that represented us on the monitoring and evaluation meeting which is quite important and critical in the development of our nation. This is an important motion in this House; all of us in here want to see development in our country. Therefore, it is critical that we understand this motion. Monitoring and evaluation is not supposed to focus on the Government only, as once been said by the previous Hon. Members that in most cases, we always cry that there is no monitoring and evaluation yet it is our duty to do that monitoring and evaluation because Government cannot go round the country to do the task of monitoring and evaluation.
We therefore need to make sure that we critically look into the operations of our nation, like what a man who loves his wife becomes jealous, making sure that he makes follow ups to where his wife is going. We need to focus on the development of our country and make sure that we monitor everything to make sure that it is functioning properly for the development of our nation. For example, where I come from, there is timber and wild animals and during the night, there are people who come in to cut down that timber. Right now Government does not know that there are timber poachers but it is us who are supposed to make sure that we monitor those activities and bring to the attention of Government.
Our country is endowed with natural resources which can bring development into our country. We also have CDF that is coming in but we do not fully monitor and evaluate how it is being used. The same with the devolution funds, we do not clearly monitor their operations yet they are there for development of our areas. Development that is being brought in by these funds should be clearly monitored by us as Members of this House. This is why I am saying that this motion is indeed important and critical to our country.
Mr. President, where we realise that there is misrepresentation or lack of development, we need to make sure that we continue to give attention to those areas. His Excellency the President, Hon. Mnangagwa, continues to say corruption is a cancer that is destroying our country. Therefore we need to report cases of corruption so as to help the Government and our President who is working hard to see development in this country. Our help in this regard will assist in having progress in our country. As Members of this House, we need to make sure that we continue to have an eye into all activities that are for development into our country. In Shona, they say godo, meaning jealous.
My plea is that if all of us can understand this motion, it will make us work hard especially in the communities that we represent and wherever we go to make sure that there is progress in our country. If we continue to do this, we will see to it that the little money that we have as a country will take us a long way into making sure that most of the things that are critical in the development of our country are catered for. Let us not focus on a lot of things that are happening in different countries but concentrate on the developmental aspect of our country and make sure that the few things that we have in our country are used to give food and monitor them so as to see progress in our country.
Mr. President, like I have indicated earlier on that we have a lot of natural resources in our country but we realise that we have certain schools that are so deplorable yet we have funds which should be used to develop those schools but we lack monitoring and evaluation. We do not really get to see any fruits coming from these funds or from the devolution funds that have been allocated to these communities. Right now there are certain schools that do not have water and books because we are unable to monitor the progress of programmes or work being done in our areas. We need to gather all the resources that we have as a country and make sure that these resources develop this country. Let us guard our country jealously. With the few resources that we have, let development come to our country. I thank you.
HON. SEN. MOEKETSI: I would like to thank Hon. Sen. Chief Nechombo for his motion and the seconder. I see that we are on the same journey as those in the new dispensation. Mr. President, I would like to thank those who gathered information as they travelled and came up with this motion. However, this motion is not new in this House, I think this is the third time that it is being mentioned.
Hon. President, I would like to say this nation should testify to say, when Hon. President Cde. Emmerson Mnangagwa came into power; there are miracles and great things that happened. The biggest issue here is corruption. Given the motion in this House, it needs us to put our hands together. What I want is for His Excellency the President to tighten and put a grip on all the ministries as we are behind his efforts to do so. It is my wish that the President should not shuffle the same people who are known to be doing corruption because that is similar to swapping two half-full bottles of water where one cannot see the difference. We need new people with a different mindset and not shuffle people so that they begin to steal or display corrupt tendencies in a different location. We need a complete change.
As I speak, the agricultural inputs which were allocated to the Pfumvudza Programme, there is no follow up mechanism. Are we doing monitoring and evaluation of the seed allocated to rural areas? There is no monitoring in the rural areas when it comes to the Presidential Inputs programme. Mr. President, there is need for a tight grip on these Programmes and there will be development and total change to our economy. There are people who are given the task to monitor inputs distribution by the President but it seems as if these people also focus on fattening their own pockets and benefitting indirectly. They actually observe the corruption that will be taking place but do nothing about it. It is my wish that these people are imprisoned.
Our prisons are full of prisoners of stock-theft and domestic violence whilst those doing corruption are scot-free. I know that the President set up a Commission on Anti-Corruption which is responsible for monitoring and bringing to account those alleged to be committing corruption. However, when the Commission exposes the corrupt people, nothing is done about it. Within a few days when the matter is on the table, it is thrown away. I do not have much to say but as Senate, I kindly ask you to help the President to tighten the grip on these ministries. This is tarnishing the name of the President and his Office. A lot of people blame the President because there are a lot of criminal activities happening around. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. FEMAI: Thank you Mr. President. Before I contribute to this debate, allow me to greet Hon. Minister Matemadanda. I just want to say thank you very much for coming here. We used to hear on television and radio that he was not feeling well and it was our prayer that he recovers. We are very grateful to the Lord that he recovered. – [HON. SENATORS: Hear, hear.] – (Hon. Minister Matemadanda stood up and nodded in acknowledgement.) – This motion is very important in this country, not only in Zimbabwe but the whole of Africa and Europe. The word corruption is an English word; it was spoken in Britain to say it is ‘corruption.’ In Africa, we have a lot of languages on the word ‘corruption’, meaning that it is all over the world.
There are others who are able to get rid of corruption like Korea, Iran, China and other Arab countries which we know. As we were growing up, we once heard that there were others who were hanged in public for having committed corruption so others can learn that corruption is a very bad thing. Mr. President, if there is no one who monitors and evaluates our programmes, there is nowhere we are going. We will just sit in here and pass laws which are not implemented.
Whenever there is a problem in society, it is referred to the police. The President gave a decree that no private commuter omnibuses should commute to and from the city and anyone who intended to do so should have their buses or commuter omnibuses transport contracted to the Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (ZUPCO). However, those who are supposed to monitor and ensure implementation of the President’s decree are those on the road. There is corruption and these private commuter omnibuses are travelling willy-nilly to and from the city. They are not under ZUPCO yet private cars are the ones which are being stopped on the roads and interrogated. How are these things happening? Those who are sent by the President to monitor and implement programmes should be capacitated through workshops so that they understand the nature of their work through lectures on what it means to work under a directive.
I had never heard of a police officer who was arrested on charges of having arrested a senior or junior official charged on corrupt activities. They are afraid of getting close to someone who would have committed corruption but it is easy for them to arrest someone who would have stolen a goat. It shows that we have failed and for our country to develop, we should get rid of corruption.
Corruption has tarnished our name as Zimbabwe and everything. If you mention that you are from Zimbabwe, the only thing that they will know is corruption. That is very true; people are blamed for corruption simply because of the corrupt activities that are going on in our country. I am thankful to the new dispensation for bringing young blood into positions of authority; I have not witnessed cases of corruption in these young bloods. I understand corruption is very deep and for these youngsters to get to the roots of all, it is difficult for them.
We have been to Dakar to attend meetings on getting rid of corruption. Let us start with thorough investigations and serious oversight. Let us set an example. If someone is corrupt, send them to jail. A cattle rustler is sentenced to 40 years in prison but someone who is involved in corruption is only send to remand and nothing more is done. We want this country to send all corrupt people to prison so that we set an example and everyone will know that the country is now progressing and developing. People who steal RTGs2 000 must be send to jail so that those who steal large amounts understand the intensity of the crime and it will scare them.
This country will be nice without corruption. Right now we say we have no money in the country but we have millionaires and billionaires who have the money in their homes and the money is not circulating. When they die that is when we hear of their wealth. When they divorce we hear of their assets, and we keep quiet but we will get to know of the information. In shona they say, mudzimu waro bonga kuona huku yakararira maza. It starts to eat the broody hen then eats the eggs lastly. We hear people who divorce exposing one another and I think it is the best time to arrest them. They must be tried and send to jail, both of them.
As opposition members, we are not here to oppose only. That is why you find us contributing towards the Presidential Speech because we have a new dispensation in our own party which is development oriented. We cannot develop this country when we are not united. Others are busy stealing; how can one have a property in Sandton South Africa? As a Zimbabwean, why not build your own place in Borrowdale because this is corruption at its worst. Why would you be buying a house in Britain when you do not have a house in Zimbabwe? You would want to use that house as a place to seek refuge - such people must be arrested. We are in the new dispensation and people should be arrested as a deterrent measure. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHIFAMBA: Thank you Mr. President and I thank the movers of the motion. As Zimbabwe, we should be doing away with corruption. In as much as we monitor one another, we are unable to evaluate the extent of corruption to an extend that you would find someone arrested put on leg irons but the following day they are released. What have we monitored and what have we evaluated? If one steals, they just catch them and release them. It is ‘the catch and release game’ but he or she would have deprived this country of developmental money that was supposed to have been used in the hospitals, foodstuffs for prisons, the education sector and other various infrastructures such as roads.
Money is not being used for the best interest of the country but is misused by a single individual who is corrupt. It hurts so much to see people walking scot-free after they have either raped or committed an offence. There are a lot of old men that have been incarcerated because of theft of livestock but none has been imprisoned for being corrupt. We hear of ‘catch and release’ schemes. Why would such people be arrested and released without being tried and within a short space?
In the Cyclone Idai era, people who were supposed to distribute foodstuffs are the ones who looted the foodstuffs. Buses were stocked from Chimanimani and Mutare with foodstuffs that people had looted, foodstuffs meant for the victims of the Cyclone Idai. After their arrest, has anything been done to ensure that the victims have been assisted on provision of foodstuffs? There is no accountability and monitoring as to whether the foodstuffs got to the recipients. We are being cruel to the victims of such disaster. If there is a disaster there should be a mechanism to ensure that deserving victims are the recipients of such aid and not those undeserving.
Corruption is a cancer in this country. The President talked about corruption and we should walk the talk. Whoever has committed an offence should be incarcerated. We are failing to have resources put in place because people would have stolen from Premier or ZBC. People are not paying for licences because programming materials have not improved; therefore people are stealing money meant for such activities. We should be able to monitor and be practical about measures that we put in place in order to recover that ill-gotten wealth. The President should investigate what people are actually up to as regards corruption. Mapfumo sang Corruption in the Society and we thought that he had misunderstood the situation but in fact he had put his finger on the pulse. All those corrupt elements should be arrested and incarcerated. This will then be able to show that the President is walking the talk and that we are in the new dispensation. We are no longer stuck in the old mode. The new dispensation should incarcerate people that are found guilty so that the change can be noted. We should not be wearing the same old shoes together with the new shoes, or we should not be putting new wine into old wine-skins because we are in the new dispensation.
Our President abhors corruption. Corruption is now a cancer in this country. The police are corrupt. If you make a report to the police, the case is swept under the carpet and it ends there because of corruption. Second hand vehicles that are filled to the brim traverse the roads. You wonder how they would have been able to be transported here. It is because of corruption. We should get rid of corruption. I reiterate; corruption, corruption, corruption.
People should know by deterrent sentences being passed, whether is it is Sharia law that one would lose an arm or a limb. We need to get rid of corrupt people in our offices. The Zimbabwe Anti Corruption Commission should also be more serious about the way that they arrest the people and ensure that they are dealt with according to the law. Nothing has happened. Anti corruption measures have been put in place by the President. He has done very well. If one has stolen 100 million, he must reimburse the money that he has stolen so that the generality of the Zimbabwean people can have their lives improved. If one has stolen $100 million maybe he should just return $50 million so that the change can be used for developmental purposes. Thank you Hon. President of the Senate.
HON. SEN. CHIEF NECHOMBO: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. CHIRONGOMA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Tuesday, 14th December, 2020.
MOTION
REPORT ON THE VIRTUAL EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION (IPU)
Second Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report of the Extraordinary Session of the Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. MUZENDA: Mr. President, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. CHIMBUDZI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Tuesday, 14th December, 2020.
MOTION
PREVALENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Third Order read: Adjourn debate on motion on 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. KAMBIZI: Thank you Mr. President for allowing me to further debate on this motion. I also want to thank Hon. Sen. Dube for raising this motion that was seconded by Hon. Sen. Mpofu. Allow me, Mr. President, to thank Hon Members who debated this motion before me. However I want to add my voice on the same motion because I feel the debate was not exhaustive, hence I intend to add more flesh to it by proffering solutions to it.
Mr. President, I want to start by defining gender based violence. I will also go on to look at the causes, look at the forms of gender based violence and probably end up with some of the solutions.
Gender based violence, Mr. President, is the violence that is targeted at an individual or a group of people looking at their gender, that is either he is a male or a female that can be done in private or public. Mr. President, let me quickly look at some of the causes of gender based violence. The first one I would like to look at harmful gender norms. Mr. President normally when we are speaking in front of the chiefs who are custodians of our culture, one has to measure his words and I am going to measure my own words because some of the notions that I am going to talk about have something to do with our culture.
Mr. President, let me look at some of the norms that I am going to talk about. There is a belief or it is known that men have three characteristics. Men are said to be aggressive, have a tendency to control and men dominate. On the adverse the women that we have also have three characteristics. They are docile, they are subservient and they rely on men for provision of food and other materials. Now look at the above norms Mr. President, these norms foster a culture of gender based violence in that women suffer most because they are forced into early marriages because they rely on men for food. There is forced female genital mutilation. These are spurred by outdated cultural practices which I think we need to do away with.
A good example, Mr. President, is a man who originally is very loving, gentle and provides for his family, but one day he wakes up very broke, unable to provide for his family. His character changes Mr. President. He starts to abuse drugs - by the end of the day he is known for wife battering, murdering the wife, even killing the children because he can no longer provide for the family which he used to do. If the truth be told, culturally it is the duty of men to provide for their families. When they fail to do so, that is when they resort to violence which is exactly the opposite when we look at women. Women even if they fail to provide for their families, they soldier on, they work hard to provide for the children including the harassing man – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – So obviously I will say thumbs up to the women – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] –
The second reason for gender based violence is hunger. If there is no food in the House, there is likely to be a hullabaloo. Instead of us working harder to provide food in the family, we turn to harass the women and our children because we have failed to perform our duties as the head of our homes. By doing so, early marriages and forced marriages will be entertained as families tend to accept dowry payments so that they ease the food bill. Women end up being involved in sex to get some few cents to provide for the family. That is hunger.
The other case is about money shortages in the home. We are seeing this happening every day, if there is no cash in the home, there is tension and the woman will be saying, ‘daddy provide food’ and because the husband cannot provide, he becomes harsh and starts battering the wife, which is very bad and unacceptable in this time of the century.
The other issue is war and conflict. During war times parents tend to force their daughters into early marriages for security reasons, but if I am to give a very good example of Zimbabwe, we last had conflict a couple of years ago. Just recently, we had a new type of war called COVID-19 which forced families into the kitchen day in, day out for 24 hours. That is a war; it resulted in food shortages and couples insulting each other. As a result there was gender based violence. Mr. President, what then must we do? It is futile for us to continually say we do not want gender based violence but we must be able to proffer possible solution.
There are certain other reasons why gender based violence is happening day in, day out. I am going to touch on what we should do starting with Hon. Senators who are in here. We need to educate the community on the effects of gender based violence. Probably we are talking about it in here but back home in the communities, people might not know what is called gender based violence and why is it bad because some men out there feel it is their right to abuse his wife because he will be saying I paid lobola.
We need to disseminate information on gender based violence. We need to raise extensive awareness on women’s rights. We need to inform people about the consequences of gender based violence, for example we are witnessing deaths of women and some men go on even to kill the whole family. So people must be aware of early effects of gender based violence. As we do so, we need to express safety and confidentiality. We need to set up functional centres with trained counselors that will not withhold matters and also community care givers.
One of the most important aspects that we must follow is to empower girls against sexual harassment. If the girls are not empowered, it will be very normal for them to go into the bars and start engaging in commercial sex. Gone are the days when we used to say a boy should be afforded the opportunity to go to school leaving out the girl child. The girl child could be much brighter than the boy. We need to empower the girl child and that should take the centre stage – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
Mr. President, we need to provide community based psychological and social support for the victims of gender based violence. Mr. President, if we are to make headway in the fight against gender based violence, we must also look at challenges that we are facing. Why are we not making headway in the fight against gender based violence?
So very briefly, I am going to look at the challenges that we are facing. The first one is there is inconsistency efforts and inadequate resources. As much as we want to raise awareness, we do not have the resources, the resources are insufficient or we are inconsistent in the fight. The second one is that that there is lack of political will. Do we really want to fight gender based violence as a nation? Do we really want to fight gender based violence as Hon. Members in here? If the answer is yes, then we must have political will together, and fight gender based violence and we will win.
The third one is that there is lack of funding. The fourth is that there is impunity and lack of understanding. When we talk of gender based violence, gender refers to men and women but the issue is tilting to the disadvantage of women. Therefore, if we do not involve those whom we are saying daily they are perpetrators, then we will not win the war. We need to involve the men who are allegedly the perpetrators and we also need to involve the women, though the ratio of the women perpetrators is still very low. This may be simply because women are shy to come in the open to say ‘I am being battered at home.’ Whose fault – if a man cannot come out and say I am being battered at home then we will do that for them, but not with the ratio that we have, it is tilting against women.
The other challenge is under reporting of cases of gender. That challenges falls with the women, very few women – if we were to investigate thoroughly, the number of women that are being harassed in the families is much higher than the figures that we have. I am saying the cases are under reported, if the cases are under reported, then we will react according to the figures that we have which will not be sufficient.
The other impediment is ‘not in my community’. Not in your community, it is because you do not know about it. That is denial to say that this cannot happen in my community. As long as we are in the denial mode, then we will not solve this problem of gender based violence. Mr. President, these women are our spouses, they are our equal partners and therefore, we should respect each other equally.
On country laws, this is also a challenge. The last one is the guiding principles to try and bring down gender based violence are not known. This calls for extensive awareness and as many workshops as possible, starting with this House going further up to the last person in the community in Kanyemba. What is quite disheartening Mr. President is in this country, we have many groups and many women organisations that purport to be fighting on the corner of women, that purport to be fighting against gender based violence, but what is happening Mr. President, the cases are getting higher and higher. So, I am not too sure whether these groups are functional. Mr. President, many women, and indeed right thinking men are astonished with the rate of GBV cases happening in this country because firstly, there is low conviction rate on GBV cases because women are not believed by men and worse enough or apparently, women are not believed by their fellow women. Secondly, the Judiciary imposes lighter sentences on such cases and some are even released on very modesty bail or come up with a mere warning.
Therefore, I want to advocate for legislative reforms and enforcement of laws for the promotion and protection of women’s rights – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – We should promote zero tolerance to all cases of GBV. Secondly, we should work hard to eradicate traditional practices that are harmful to women’s reproductive and sexual health. For example, rituals that are associated with puberty. We should also ensure victims have been offered legal medical and psychological support and medicinal referrals whenever it is necessary.
We should hold as many workshops as is practicable to make sure that everybody knows the impact of GBV. It could be within your village, your family but it will continue until the figures become uncontrollable. Allow me Mr. President to challenge all my fellow Senators in here, male or female, to take a leading role in the fight against GBV. Allow me as a special favour to women to urge all the Senators to treat fellow female counterparts as equal partners and to love them and also urge the same to happen to our opposite sex. I thank you.
HON. SEN. A. DUBE: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. MATHUTHU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Tuesday, 14th December, 2020
On the motion of THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR MASHONALAND CENTRAL PROVINCE (HON. SEN. MAVHUNGA), the House adjourned at Five Minutes past Four o’clock p.m. until Tuesday, 15th December, 2020.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Thursday, 10th December, 2020
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two o’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair)
HON. CHIKWINYA: Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of national interest. Madam Speaker, today is the 10th December and it is World International Human Rights Day, where nations world over celebrate the state of human rights, right to life and human dignity. Zimbabwe having enacted the new Constitution in 2013 enacted Section 44 of that Constitution that provides for the respect to fundamental human rights and freedoms. This Section is enforced through Section 78 of the same Constitution. Section 28 provides for the right to shelter under the Constitution of Zimbabwe. I am a legislator Madam Speaker and I am aligned to the provisions of laws that provide for legality and illegality of houses that are erected under our laws in Zimbabwe. However, in respect of Section 51 of our Constitution which provides for human dignity and Section 52 of the Constitution which provides for personal security, I implore the Government to properly consider its timing when demolishing illegal houses. Just yesterday Madam Speaker, illegal settlements in Budiriro were destroyed amidst rainfall and bad weather. My call today and my prayer is that yes, whilst the laws may provide that the houses are illegal, I implore the Executive to consider the timing of destroying such in respect of human dignity and personal security. I so pray. Thank you Madam Speaker – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Hon. Mliswa, order. I hear you Hon. Chikwinya and you have raised a pertinent issue. We will ask the responsible Minister to come and give a ministerial statement so that you can ask him some questions after.
HON. CHIKWINYA: Most obliged Madam Speaker.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. TOGAREPI: Madam Speaker, I move that Orders of the Day, Nos. 1 to 10 be stood over until Order of the Day, No. 11 has been disposed of.
HON. MLISWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
COMMITTEE STAGE
MANPOWER PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT BILL [H.B. 2, 2020]
House in Committee.
Clauses 1 to 5 put and agreed to.
On clause 6:
THE MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. MURWIRA): Hon. Speaker, I propose an amendment to this clause on Section 6(a) which is on mandatory posts in technical and vocational institutions and teachers colleges on page 5(2) to delete the paragraph (g) and substitute it with a new clause 6(b) as follows:
“Student representative council – Higher and Tertiary Education Institutions will have student representative councils elected by the students enrolled at that particular institution. Subsection 2, the establishment, composition manner of election, term of office functions, privileges of members of this council and any other matters incidental thereto must be determined by the institutional statute.
The basis of this amendment is that there was a placement error when it was drafted such that the student representative councils were made employees of the Ministry which was never the intention of the Ministry. So, the amendment seeks to place them appropriately in the Bill by insertion of the new clause which specifically provides for the student representative councils. I thank you.
HON. CHIKWINYA: I am not comfortable with the use of ‘may’ in the paragraph because it gives discretion to other stakeholders to include them or not. It must read ‘shall’.
HON. PROF. MURWIRA: Hon. Speaker, the issue of ‘may’ is if the students opt not to choose their council, that should not stop the business of the college. That is the main reason not to say that they may or may not, but basically to say the students are given total freedom. I thank you.
HON. MUSHORIWA: I think the Hon. Minister’s explanation is not satisfactory. We need to make sure that when we legislate in this august House, it should be a law that will stay for some time. If the Minister is sincere and wants this Bill to become progressive, I think if you cannot put the word ‘shall’ and remove ‘may’ then we need a further amendment incorporating the word that we have highlighted because without that proviso, then the best thing is to just delete ‘may’ and put ‘shall’.
HON. PROF. MURWIRA: I wish to thank the Hon. Member for the contribution. Hon. Speaker, this was mainly for administrative convenience because sometimes when we make it very explicit and not giving students the capability to choose or not to choose at the time of their choosing we are not really be guaranteeing them the freedom to do what they want. However, if ‘shall’ makes it - because we are going to have students representative councils. There is no way - because the student representative council must be in the Senate, must be in the boards and it is known. So, the issue is that the students choose to have a council at a certain point – if there is no council at that particular point, the institution does not stop. That is the whole intention. So, if ‘shall’ is the word, we will put ‘shall’, it is not a big deal.
Amendment to Clause 6 put and agreed to.
Clause 6, as amended, put and agreed to.
On Clause 7:
THE MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, INNOVATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF MURWIRA): I move the amendment standing in my name that on Section 14, amendment of Clause 7 (Grants and Loans to Institutions, Persons, etc). On page 5 in subsection (1) paragraph (c), we will substitute ‘lecturers’ with “staff” in line with the debate of Hon Members so that we are explicit that we mean all staff and not just lecturers. The basis of this amendment is to accommodate all staff members. The use of the word ‘lecturers’ left out other members of staff which is not the intention of the Ministry. I thank you.
Clause 7 put and agreed to.
Clause 7, as amended, put and agreed to.
Clauses 8 to 11 put and agreed to.
On Clause 12:
THE MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, INNOVATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF MURWIRA): I move the amendment standing in my name that in Section 48 on page 10, in subsection (2) insert paragraph (u) as follows––
“(u) make grants and rebates to such registered employers, teachers colleges and technical or vocational institutions for the promotion of such manpower development programmes, as the board may specify”.
This part is already in the principal Act and it was erroneously repealed, so we want to retain it. The basis for retaining it is that rebates act just like the Hon Member said on Tuesday as an incentive for companies to attach students and also to contribute levy and as such, we would not want to lose such kind of provision in our law. The companies are being encouraged by being given rebates. As Hon Members supported on Tuesday, we include that.
Amendment to Clause 12 put and agreed to.
Clause 12, as amended, put and agreed to.
On Clause 13:
HON. CHIKWINYA: There is no inclusion of persons living with disabilities contrary to the majority of Members request during debate. I propose that there be an inclusion of persons living with disabilities.
HON. PROF MURWIRA: This clause is about the policy direction of the Minister. It is not about what the Hon member is talking about. But it is very important to know that all persons are to be trained under the Manpower Development Act. The Manpower Development Act is taking into consideration the existing Act such as the Disabilities Act but we have such an Act and there is no way at no point where this Act is violating that. I thank you.
HON CHIKWINYA: With all due respect to the Minister, in the amended clause in Section 48 (b) (2) (b) (v), insert a clause that accommodates an organisation representing churches. Does this mean that people living with disabilities cannot have the same status or same locus standi as an organisation representing churches?
If you found it wise to have an organisation representing churches, why can you not find it wise to have an organisation for people living with disabilities?
HON. PROF. MURWIRA: Hon. Chair, I get what the Hon. Member is talking about – he is talking about the Board. I do not object to that if it was omitted by mistake. Thank you – [HON. CHIKWINYA: How will the amendment read!] –
HON. CHIKWINYA: I propose insertion of a paragraph that reads, ‘An organisation representing people with disabilities’.
HON. T. MLISWA: On a point of order! There are many organisations but let us be specific. The organisation that represents people with disabilities is called, the National Council of the Disabled Persons of Zimbabwe – that is the one that also has Members of Parliament coming through it. So, we must be specific, the National Council of the Disabled Persons of Zimbabwe.
HON. PROF. MURWIRA: Hon. Chair, with the appropriate wording and reference to a legal body, I have no objections.
Amendment to Clause 13 put and agreed to.
Clause 13 as amended, put and agreed to.
On Clause 14:
HON. MADZIMURE: Thank you Chair, I think if we refer to the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), we now have timelines as to when accounts must be produced. As soon as possible is not good enough and I think that if it is a quarter, then it must be within the first quarter of the year and not as soon as possible – it is not good enough.
HON. PROF. MURWIRA: Hon. Chair, this is …
HON. MLISWA: On a point of order Mr. Chair. Look at those people, are they in Parliament or having a DCC meeting? This is not a Caucus, go outside there and discuss your private matters!
THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES (HON. MUTOMBA): Thank you very much Hon. Mliswa. You may resume your debate Hon. Minister.
HON. PROF. MURWIRA: Hon. Chair, there is no intention to give other timelines other than those ones given by the Public Finance Management Act. So basically, the wording can be done to reflect that we are complying with the PFMA. Thank you.
HON. T. MLISWA: On a point of order Mr. Chairman! Can Hon. Chinotimba sit properly and give his face to you? He is not sitting properly, this is Parliament! – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – He must sit properly and face you – not to be giving you his back. It is rude, even in our culture, you do not give elders your back – [HON. CHINOTIMBA: Are you the House monitor?] – With distinction yes!
THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: Hon. Mliswa, thank you very much for raising that point. – [HON. T. MLISWA: He must respect and face you, not give you his back!] - Sorry Hon. Mliswa, there is a story that was published in yesterday’s newspaper about an incident concerning three people who were murdered in Hon. Chinotimba’s constituency. – [HON. MLISWA: He can do that outside. He cannot discuss it in here!] – Anyway, thank you very much.
HON. MADZIMURE: Hon. Chair, if you read the Clause where it gives the Minister the discretion to give a directive for a set of accounts to be prepared – past experience tells us that not all Ministers are responsible. He can be a responsible Minister but past experience has taught us that these funds have been abused. It is important that we reflect the spirit of the PFMA on this. It also makes it easier when the Auditor-General is to produce a report, she refers to what is provided in the Act and for us to give a blank cheque to the Minister, I think is not good enough.
HON. PROF. MURWIRA: Hon. Chair as I said, on financial issues, we do not intend to do anything that is ultra vires to the PFMA. What we are basically saying here is giving the Minister, whoever he/she is the ability to direct for forensic audits. Hon. Chair, you would know that we were able to actually ask for the amendment of this Act about ZIMDEF because we had done a forensic audit. The issue is, while complying with the PFMA, we are also saying that there can be those ad hoc directives to make sure that prudence is done in terms of financial management especially about ZIMDEF. I thank you.
HON. MADZIMURE: I am saying they have to comply with the Public Finance Management Act, to produce a report three months after the end of a financial year. The Minister will then have his power to then direct whenever he feels the forensic audit should be held. It is in his favour that he knows after every 3 months not to say as soon as possible.
THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES: This Section Clause 14 (3), is actually referring to the statement of accounts to be prepared for the fund in respect of financial year or in respect of such period as the Minister may direct.
Clause 14 put and agreed to.
Clauses 15 to 20 put and agreed to.
On Clause 21:
THE MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDCUATION, INOVATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. MURWIRA): Thank you Hon. Chair. I propose an amendment to this Clause on Section 59 (b), functions of the Tertiary Education Council. On Page 14 (1), paragraph D (II), add ‘of’ between members and technical and substitute ‘or’ with and after technical. The basis of the amendment is that there are typographical errors which need to be corrected.
Amendment to Clause 21 put and agreed to
Clause 12, as amended, put and agreed to
Clause 22 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 FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Madam Speaker, I move that we revert to Order of the Day, Number 1.
Motion put and agreed to.
HON. T. MLISWA: On a point of order. My point of order is to thank the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education for his determination and commitment to duty. It is not many Ministers who sit down and see a Bill through. There are many Ministers who have not brought Bills to this Parliament and he is an example of a person who is serving the country. You could see how involved we were because he was involved too. So Madam Speaker, it requires Ministers in future to follow suit what he is doing. Other Ministers have not even come here to move a Bill. Hon. Minister of Finance, despite being given a landmine by the Government in the economic situation, he is here also doing the same. I think we need serious Ministers who will be moving Bills. Parliament is only effective when Bills and laws are being made and the Committee Stage is the most important part of any policy because this is where we make the laws and Members of Parliament who are in here, well done for sitting through. I want to commend you Hon. Minister and may the good Lord bless you.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Mliswa. I concur with you that Hon. Ministers are showing that they are serious and they are dedicated to their duty. It is good that they are leading by example. Thank you for that. –[AN HON. MEMBER: Inaudible interjection]-
MOTION
FINANCE BILL: BUDGET DEBATE
First Order read: Finance Bill: Budget Debate.
Question again proposed.
HON. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I request in the interest of our tradition, to perform a particular ritual before I proceed to speak to my presentation. I say so as a feminist but moreso, as an afro-feminist in that many a times when things are done...
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Misiharabwi, you can go ahead and perform your ritual, but before you perform your ritual, please may you approach the Chair.
Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga having approached the Chair and after consulting the Hon. Deputy Speaker, Hon. Misihairabwi knelt upon a traditional mat before the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Hon. Prof. Ncube and expressed thanks to him and thereafter, presented a gift of two T-shirts:one with a symbol of the Ncube Totem and the other one with a symbol of a Madyira Totem, with some ululations from some Hon. Members.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Misihairabwi for that ritual to the Minister. Thank you very much.
HON. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: I thank you very much Madam Speaker for allowing me to...
HON. CHIKWINYA: On a point of order Madam Speaker. Thank you Madam Speaker. I am using Hon. Mbondiah’s gadget. This is an institution of Parliament and we are an institution of rules. Whilst respecting our culture, the precedence so set here is dangerous that the people who are out there who do not have the background of what has happened will believe that women are used to kneel before men. This budget belongs to the Head of State and he is the person who runs the country and he has never been kneeled to by anyone and this is creating two centres of power. You are creating a very wrong precedent, especially on point number one. I want to understand under which parliamentary rule you allowed is ritual to be performed in Parliament because tomorrow I can also perform my rituals of removing all my clothes to express of my pleasure at the work being done by the Hon. Minister of Finance. I can remove all the clothes right now as a way of showing my pleasure. So, what precedence are we setting as a Parliament? I need a ruling Madam Speaker, and your ruling is going to make part of the rules going forward. Thank you.
*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order. Thank you Hon. Chikwinya. I think before Hon. Misihairabwi presented the ritual, I asked her to come here so that I could understand what she really wanted to do. When she explained what she wanted to do, I saw that there was nothing bad about it. Even if you would want to have your rituals in future in this Parliament – and if I ask as to how you would want to do the rituals, and you say you want to remove your clothes, I will not allow you to do so. Thank you.
*HON. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Madam Speaker, if any African man has not had any women kneel down for them, they should go and brew beer because generally I said I am an afro-feminist and I believe that our culture is important and I will do it when I need to do it. If you do not have any women who have respected you enough to kneel for you, enda unobika doro because you are the problem…
HON. T. MLISWA : Madam Speaker, I think there is no point for Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga to justify what she has done. You have just said there is nothing wrong. So, Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga, I think you were in order. We are a people with a culture and tradition. Madam Speaker did not say you were offside. It equally applies to anybody, any ritual you want to do in here you do. Any language you want to speak amongst the 16 languages you speak. So, all is in order can you continue with the work. If Hon. Chikwinya wants to remove his clothes we will also be there to celebrate. Let us proceed.
HON. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Hopefully there will be something to look at when he removes his clothes.
Thank you very much Madam Speaker. As I begin this presentation, I just want to start with a quotation which will butress this presentation and the quotation is none other by a woman called Harris. The one woman who has been elected as the first vice president elect of the United States of America. We want to celebrate that during the time that we are having 16 days of activism. She says ‘what a statement Joe’s character that he had the audacity to break one of the most substantial barriers that exist in our country and select a woman as his vice president.’
I say so because I think the things that I am going to talk about are about audacity. It is about changing the way we do business and this is why I started with the way I started so that as I begin to go into this presentation and as I raise the things that we are concerned about in terms of the education of our children, I hope the Minister’s team and the entire Government will understand that we are coming from a place of gratitude, but we would want things to be better. So I just thought this was a beautiful quote to start with to underpin the presentation. Thank you very much.
Within this presentation we will try and do a comparison of the 2020 versus the 2021 budget allocation. We want to do this so that the Minister can see whether we gained anything within the 2021 budget. We also want to analyse the emerging issues from the Education Amendment Act and the impact of Covid-19. We want to analyse the issues to do with teacher incapacitation and welfare and we will quickly go into issues to do with recommendations.
The first slide is to show you the kind of problems that we are actually experiencing within the education sector. There are children who are not only learning in dilapidated schools but are sitting outside. Those children sitting outside there are actually in a class. In most instances those are the kind of schools we would want to raise and talk to the Minister about in terms of what has been allocated in the budget.
If you look at the issues to do with comparison of the 2020 versus the 2021 budget, we want to acknowledge that when you look at the 2021 budget in terms of the percentage, it would look like we got a lot of money. So if you look at the $55 billion, it does look like it is a lot of money but if you do a calculation in terms of the percentage of what we got to GDP, you will find that in fact we have gone down in terms of our 13%. I know that the Minister was trying to juggle between education and health, but the difference is that in terms of health, he moved a little nearer to the 155 - but in terms of education where we have the Dakar Declaration, we really went down. So the 13% is really a loss. We say so particularly because the year 2021 is going to have more complications than we had in 2020. If you remember in 2020 we did not have school because we had a lock down from March up to September. That is a bit of a concern. However, of most concern is the issue that of that $55 billion, 73% has gone to employment costs and only 27% has gone towards non-salary. What it means is that the burden for taking children to school still remains with the parents that have had the big impact around Covid-19 and have not been able to get disposable income that they normally used to have.
We looked at the issue to do with budget utilisation. You will remember that the Ministry of Education and Portfolio Committee on Education had issues with budget utilisation where in fact the Ministry had received money for Cyclone Idai but had not utilised it. However, this year they did enough utilisation but the problem was with the disbursement from the Ministry. Most of the Portfolio Committee chairpersons have raised that as a concern.
Then the quick issues that we observed as a Committee firstly, the issues around school feeding. We had a bid of $3 billion but we only got $1.1 billion. That is worrisome because at the end of the day between January and April, people will be hungry and with $1.1 billion it will not be enough. Sanitary wear allocation – and like I said, we are very happy that we have been giving that allocation but if you look at it in terms of the per capita grant allocated for sanitary wear i twill not be enough. We are happy about the grant in aid, basic state but we think we should synchronise it with BEAM so that we understand that there is an allocation of $2 billion for BEAM and $1 billion for grant in aid and put it together. I also think there should be a clear plan around how we are going to roll free education.
The favourite one that got me to kneel, support to pregnant girls -$123m. I must say that we are going to have a baby boom in 2021 because of what happened with lockdown. We are having a lot of reports of young girls that have gotten pregnant and the psychological support is important. As we speak right now, in Bulawayo we have had two girls that have committed suicide because the psycho-social support does not exist. We are happy that we have the $123m and the discussion now is, how do we create the necessary support system to ensure that those kids are supported.
The issue of water and sanitation which is a time bomb, in Bulawayo when we did the visit as a Committee, it is a problem. The Hon Minister needs to deal with the Bulawayo issue. The rural areas are also in a bad taste and we need to focus on how we can do the linkages between DDF and prioritise the issue of borehole drilling. We did not see anything around ZIMSEC and yet we have a lot of kids that may have to rewrite because of the problems that we had around Covid. We noted that there is lack of clear education funding mechanism that is there. The picture that you see there is what people use in the rural areas. They call it a chigubhu giya, they put a bit of water there and you then press on it and the water comes out. Surely, the kids are being asked to carry water from their homes and some of them, there is no water even where they are coming from. The issue of water and sanitation is a real problem.
Sanitisers are also not there but what we found, we will talk about it when we get to the recommendations.
The issue of teacher welfare is a critical area. We need to deal with it because if we do not, then we will lose all the strides that we have had within education. There is also a problem around Covid response. The Hon Minister will remember that you actually gave the Committee $600m to deal with Covid response. We realise that in this particular Budget, we only have $144m that is provided for.
On recommendations, we would like the rationalisation of allocations within programmes to prioritise infant education. What you did with this Budget is that you actually put more money into secondary education. We think that it should be vice versa. Let us make sure that we get our kids at ECD level to be supported so that the future is clear. We need the urgent synchronisation of BEAM and the grant in aid, either we move it to the Ministry of Education so that when they deal with it, it is dealt with at that level. That also includes disbursements. We believe that we should grant disbursements directly to the schools because taking them to the provinces and districts is creating a lot of problems.
We need careful planning on the early schools opening in January. I am glad that the Minister of Information is here. The 4th of January maybe dangerous because people are coming from the festive season. Perhaps we should give ourselves a gestation period to see what has happened between first to the fourteenth. There is a proposal that we are giving for you to relook at the opening of schools.
Investment into construction of more classrooms and adopt the ZEC framework. We have said this before; the tents that ZEC is not using can we get those tents put into the schools so we facilitate the issues around social distancing.
There is supposed to be the procurement of motor vehicles. The Ministry is proposing having double cabs but we are saying single cabs are probably the best. With the amount of money that, we have we can actually get 200 vehicles. What is important is that let us get the money as soon as possible and let us buy those vehicles so that there may be the kind of supervision that we need at district level.
Prioritise e-book - I am glad that the Minister of Higher Education is here. Education 5.0, we should not be printing books but should be going for e-learning. The money is enough for us to start putting these things on gadgets and make sure that it is done. There is money that is there.
The conditions of service for teachers have to be finalised. There should be more focus on non monetary benefits. Let us make sure that the kids of the teachers have a waiver for school fees. It is unfair that somebody who is teaching your child, they themselves are unable to take their child to school. Surely we should be able to do that. There should be a waiver on cars and accommodation. The Education Fund is already reflected in the NDS1 but let us be clear about where we are going to get the money for the Education Fund. The Covid-19 tax testing levy because I see Government does not want to test and get money for themselves but surely let us levy the tests that are being done. Let us ring fence the 2% levy. The third party insurance, devolution and let us have a private school tax levy. Surely, the rich should be able to cover for the poor. If people are willing to pay $5000 per term, if we could put a little bit of levy there.
On CDF, we want to persuade the Hon Members that have not taken CDF for next year; we are going to be coming to you and say do you not think that it is important to prioritise at least for next year the issues that are to do with education.
In conclusion, we really need to have the disbursements dealt with. We need to make sure that we do our procurement properly. One of the problems that we have had with procurement of sanitary wear is that I do not know whether it is men who went to buy sanitary wear. This is the proper sanitary wear but people went and bought what is called panty liners. What happened is that instead of buying sanitary wear they actually went and bought panty liners. You cannot use panty liners when you are having your periods. At the end of the day the area around procurement is important.
I want to agree with Hon members on issues of procurement. With the amounts of money that we have like $500m, let us try and do international, regional and local tender because some of the sanitary wear that would work are sanitary panties because the majority of our girls do not have panties. Under normal circumstances when they are not having periods, they can run around without a pant. I could be standing here without a pant, you would never know but what happens is that when they are having their periods they actually have to have a pant on. If you give them these disposable ones, you are creating problems of lack of sustainability because you cannot sustain it with the amount of money that we have right now. But if we have a combination of sanitary panties, it means we give her two – one for the heavy flows and the other for light flows. She can keep it for about two years. So you do not have to go to one child to deal with those issues because you will have dealt with it. So the issue of procurement Madam Speaker is important and is of critical importance.
Madam Speaker, like I said, we are happy that there has been an
audacity to dealing with barriers – things that have not been there. I am happy with this particular Minister and his team because for some of us who have been in this House since 2000, it is bad enough and we need to leave. Since 2000, this has been our debate. We have never had at one time a Minister who has come in here… - [HON. MLISWA: Inaudible interjection.] – Yes, Hon. Mliswa has been very supportive on sanitary pads…
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order Hon. Mliswa please!
HON. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Hon. Mliswa has been very supportive on sanitary wear and Hon. Banda also. So I want to acknowledge that and all the other Hon. Members.
We are saying that it has taken us almost 20 years to get these things done and for the mere fact that he decided that not only is he going to say that it is okay, he is going to put money on it. We hope that now that we are talking, tomorrow we may come back or next year with those kinds of things that can be provided for every other girl because the issues of sanitary are issues of dignity, but I want to thank you and thank you very much Hon. Minister. I hope that you will be able to consider some of the issues that we have raised in this presentation. I thank you.
HON. T. MLISWA: On a point of order Madam Speaker! Madam Speaker, you know that I am always criticising. Let me thank the Chairperson of the Primary and Secondary Education Portfolio Committee for the presentation. You are going ICT, your passion to present, your capacity to understand, your capacity to be eloquent, articulate and deliver is second to none.
I wish many Chairpersons in Portfolio Committees could learn like you. I might differ with you in terms of the allocation of money to keep pregnant girls in schools but you are passionate and a marvel to listen to. May all Chairpersons have some flare and charisma because we want some charisma here, hatidi kungo bhowekana. Madam Speaker, this is an example of somebody who should be ministerial material if at all I were to advise the President. I hope so, thank you. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
HON. NDIWENI: Madam Speaker Ma’am, we can hardly hear any hear. The host is not doing his/her job. He is not muting their microphones, they are making noise and we cannot hear anything … - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
HON. MOKONE: Introduction - The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Information, Media and Broadcasting Services plays an oversight role over the Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Ministry. The Ministry is responsible for the dissemination of information locally and globally to uphold and promote Zimbabwe’s founding values, identity and interests.
Parastatals Administered by the Ministry
- Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ)
- Zimbabwe Film and Television School for Southern Africa (ZIFTESSA)
Companies and Public Enterprises Administered by the Ministry
- Kingstons Limited
- Transmedia
- Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation
- Zimbabwe Newspapers Limited and
- New Ziana
Functions of the Media, Information and Broadcasting Services Ministry:-
- Formulation and implementation of dynamic media and information policies that promote rights, the country’s development and national sovereignty. ii. Administration of information-related Acts for fulfilment and compliance.
iii. Information services to the citizenry on Government policies, programmes and other public issues.
- Articulation of Government position and views on national issues.
- Articulating Zimbabwe’s position and view internationally.
- Supporting Government Ministries and departments in the development of information-related structures; in the development and expression of national culture, as well as forging national unity, identity, cohesion and consensus;
vii. Image-building of Government and the country;
viii. Providing rural information services to bridge the information divide;
- Providing platforms for artists;
- Participating in Fairs, Shows and Exhibitions;
- Providing Training in information and media skills;
xii. Regulating Information and media industry;
xiii. Laying media infrastructure and platforms; and diarising Government events and activities.
Services under the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services:
i. Media Liaison
- Content Development and Production Services
iii. Rural Communication Services
- Urban Communication Services
- International Communication Services
- Finance, Administration, Human Resources and Internal Audit
vii. Broadcasting Services
viii. Transmission Services
- News Agency Services
- Book Services
- Training (Media, Information and Film)
xii. Archival Material Storage and Retrieval
xiii. Licencing and Regulatory Services
Major achievements during the 2020 fiscal year:-
Achievements for the Ministry for the 2020 Fiscal year are highlighted as follows:
- The Zimbabwean narrative was traced and shaped to at least 80%.
- Liaison and technical support to Government Departments culminating into the production of a weekly Government Diary.
iii. New 113m Gutu Digital Television Terrestrial transmitter infrastructure was constructed.
- Upgrading and revamping of the national broadcasting infrastructure as follows;
- Gutu FM 2KW radio gap filler transmitter installed.
- Kadoma Star FM transmitter installed.
- Karoi, Nyami Nyami transmitter installed.
- The licencing of six (6) new Digital Television Broadcasters successfully executed.
- Licencing of campus radio stations with Great Zimbabwe already licenced and 6 other University colleges application for radio licenses at various stages of processing.
vii. Covid-19 Communication campaign rolled out at national, provincial and community levels and successfully implemented. The production and distribution of 450 000 Covid-19 Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials in conjunction with Midlands State University.
viii. Roll out of a number of national Media Campaigns in the country as follows
- Anti-Sanctions
- Transitional Stabilisation Programme
- National Devolution Policy
- Pfumvudza/Intwasa
- Cyclone Idai
The following national events were covered:-
(a) Zimbabwe at 40 Documentaries produced as follows
- Heroes commemorations kits
- Radio and Television jingles in 16 national official languages
(b) Heroes day
(c) Anti-Sanctions Campaign
(d) Defence Forces Day
(e) Unity Day
- Proactive disclosure and Agenda setting through:
- Post Cabinet Briefings
- Covid-19 Taskforce and Press Releases
- Increased access to information for the Zimbabwean public, regional and international community through the utilisation of social media platforms such as Twitter, Face book, You Tube and Instagram.
xii. Regional SADC Troika Summit was successfully facilitated.
xiii. Coordinating, organising and commemorating international media days as listed below;
- Word Press Freedom Day
- Universal Access to Information Day
- Social Media Day
- World Radio Day
- World Television Day
xiv. Enactment of the Freedom of the Freedom of Information Act under the national media reform programme. The Freedom of Information Act signed into law on the 1st of July 2020, which effectively repealed the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
- Successfully held the 2 Musical Galas for Heroes and Anti-Sanctions Days.
Constraints in the Year 2020
The Ministry’s plans for 2020 were affected by the following;
- Covid-19 and the subsequent Public Health response measures.
- Inflation which eroded the real value of the budget.
The constraints affected the implementation of the capital budget as follows:-
- Rehabilitation of the Masasa Design Centre.
- Procurement of the Digital Printing Machine.
iii. OB Vans for awareness campaigns.
- iv. Only 36 out of 50 vehicles were procured as the budget was eroded by inflation.
National Development Strategy on Sector Outcomes and Strategies, the Ministry will contribute to the following sector outcomes and strategies:-
a) Sector Outcomes
- Informed nation and international community.
- Improved competitive national brand.
b) Sector Strategies
- Develop an effective and coherent information communication strategy to accurately inform the nation and the international community.
- Develop a robust national publicity strategy with clear communication protocol to enable a two-way communication between Government and the public.
iii. Reshape the National view point through content creation, development and dissemination to improve Zimbabwe’s visibility.
- Align existing laws to the Constitution reinforced by the maintenance and administration of a good regulatory framework and facilitation.
- Enhance traditional media through a robust Digital Media Strategy
- Modernise communication infrastructure, particularly the expansion and digitalisation of media platforms
vii. Efficient maintenance of the existing infrastructure and capacitating the government Internet Service Provider (GISP).
viii. Develop a powerful national adornment drive in which national symbols and cultural heritage are used.
- Improve public relations especially at ports of entry through requisite frontline officers’ training as well as dressing and adornment of reception areas.
- Create a highly competitive national brand, incorporating provinces.
- xi. Recommend sprucing up of and adornment of public buildings and spaces in Zimbabwe and Missions abroad with Zimbabwean art, culture and heritage products.
xii. xii. Establish a national branding committee to strengthen coordination and harmonisation.
xiii. Develop a strong national brand through marketing heritage, world class education, health care and transport, low crime levels, peace and stability.
xiv. Broaden the capacity building programme in protocol and diplomatic services for officials in the Civil Service and Public Entities.
- Develop a robust inclusive national events strategy.
Ministry Strategies and Intervention for 2021 to 2023
- Research, package and disseminate information in order to set the agenda on national development.
- Re-cost and re-engineer the national digital Migration Project.
iii. Increase online publicity.
- Real time information dissemination.
- Create content for social media and mainstream media platforms.
- Conduct public outreaches, road shows and exhibitions (mobile and static) and music galas.
vii. Furnish information hubs with content/ publications.
viii. Install and use effectively Outdoor Public viewing Screens in marginalised communities where there is no radio and television reception/ transmission.
- Creating an enabling environment for the media through licensing, commissioning and regulation of the media.
2.0 The National Budget Proportion
The Ministry of Media, Information and Broadcasting Services was allocated Z$1,479,000,000.00 which culminates to 0.35% of the total National Budget. In 2020, the Ministry of Media, Information and Broadcasting Services was allocated Z$409 799 000 which was 0.64% of the total National Budget.
The Ministry had submitted a budget request of Z$3.7 billion and was subsequently allocated Z$1.479 which is 40% of the bids. This gives a budget gap of Z$2.3 billion, which is 61% of the total bids.
Comparison of Budget Allocation for 2019, 2020 and 2021 in Z$
Year | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
Ministry of Information,
Media and Broadcasting Services |
58,634,000.00 |
409,799,000.00 |
1,479,000,000.00 |
National Budget |
23,158,245,000.00 |
63,641,200,000.00 |
421,600,000,000.00 |
Percentage of Total Budget | 0.25% | 0.64% |
0.35% |
The 2021 Budget Allocation in USD Terms (million)
Item
|
2020 BUDGET | 2021 BUDGET | Percent Change (2020 to 2021) | ||
Nominal | Real | Nominal | Real | % change | |
Information, Media and Broadcasting Services | 410 | 25 | 1,479 | 18 | -28.85% |
National Budget | 65,655 | 3,944 | 421,617 | 5,152 | 31% |
- The budget figures were converted using the official exchange rate, 16.138 for 2020 Budget and
81.82 for 2021 Budget
HEAD OFFICE BUDGET |
Programme 1 Budget: Policy and Administration ( Z$ 000)
Expenditure Item | 2020
Approved Budget |
2020
Revised Budget |
2021
Budget Bid |
2021
Budget Allocation |
Variance (
Bid - Budget Allocation) |
%
Variance ( Bid - Budget Allocation) |
Compensation of Employees |
2,751 |
2,751 |
16,000 |
16,000 |
||
Goods and Services |
2,849 |
10,417 |
109,027 |
52,250 |
- 56,777 | -52% |
Maintenance |
550 |
5,635 |
32,703 |
24,750 |
-
7,953 |
-24% |
Acquisition of Non- Financial Assets |
16,975 |
17,746 |
54,119 |
48,300 |
-
5,819 |
-11% |
Grand Total Programme 1 |
23,125 |
36,549 |
195,850 |
141,300 |
54,550 |
-28% |
Programme 1 Budget: Policy and Administration (US$ 000)
Expenditure Item | 2020
Approved Budget |
2020
Revised Budget |
2021
Budget Bid |
2021
Budget Allocation |
Variance
(Bid - Budget Allocatio n) |
%
Variance ( Bid - Budget Allocatio n) |
%
Change 2020 to 2021 |
Compensation of Employees |
170 |
170 |
0.00 | 195.55 |
196 |
15 % | |
Goods and Services |
177 |
645 |
1332.52 | 638.60 |
694 |
-52% | 1 % |
Maintenance |
34 |
349 |
399.69 | 302.49 |
97 |
-24% | (13%) |
Acquisition of non Financial Assets |
1,052 |
1,100 |
661.44 | 590.32 |
71 |
-11% | (46%) |
Grand Total Programme 1 |
1,433 |
2,265 |
2393.67 | 1726.96 |
667 |
-28% | (24%) |
In real terms, for Programme 1 Compensation of Employees had a positive change of 15% in 2021 compared to 2020. Capital expenditure which is key for service provision going into the future, declined by 46%, maintenance declined by 13% and goods and services increased by 1% in real terms for 2021 compared to 2020 budget. Overall, the 2021 budget declined by 24% compared to the 2020 budget.
The Ministry complained that Employment Costs declined in Z$ terms yet in USD terms employments costs increased by 15%. The Ministry has 52 critical posts that are vacant.
Although there is a variance of -52% for bid and allocation for 2021 for Goods and services in Z$ terms, the budget for the same line item increased by 1% compared to 2020 budget. The allocation for acquisition of non-financial assets had a variance of -11% in Z$ terms, however the same line item declined by 46% in US$ terms in 2021 compared to 2020.
Programme 2 Information and Publicity (Z$ 000)
Expenditure Item | 2020
Approved Budget |
2020
Revised Budget |
2021
Budget Bid |
2021
Budget Allocation |
Variance
(Bid - Budget Allocation) |
%
Variance |
Compensation of Employees |
5,039 |
2,919 |
|
38,000 |
||
Goods and Services |
10,287 |
45,524 |
293,598 |
101,250 |
192,348 |
-66% |
Maintenance |
3,964 |
9,214 |
59,197 |
61,750 | -
2,553 |
4% |
Acquisition of Non-Financial Assets |
72,708 |
177,871 |
311,984 |
169,000 |
142,984 |
-46% |
Grand Total Programme 1 |
91,998 |
235,528 |
664,780 |
370,000 |
294,780 |
-44% |
Programme 2 Information and Publicity (US$ 000)
Expenditure Item | 2020
Approved Budget |
2020
Revised Budget |
2021
Budget Bid |
2021
Budget Allocatio n |
Varianc e (Bid - Budget Allocati on) | %
Varian ce |
% Chan
ge 2020 to 2021 |
Compensation of Employees |
312.24 |
180.88 |
- |
464.43 |
157% | ||
Goods and Services |
637.44 |
2,820.92 |
3,588.3 4 |
1,237.47 |
2,350.87 |
-66% | -56% |
Maintenance |
245.63 |
570.95 |
723.50 |
754.71 |
31.20 |
4% | 32% |
Acquisition of Non Financial Assets |
4,505.39 |
11,021.8 7 |
3,813.0 5 |
2,065.51 |
1,747.54 |
-46% | -81% |
Grand Total Programme 2 |
5,700.71 |
14,594.6 2 |
8,124.9 1 |
4,522.12 |
3,602.79 |
44% | -69% |
In the 2021 budget, compensation of employees increased by 157% in USD terms compared to 2020. Goods and services which underpins the country’s rebranding and reengagement effort and shaping the correct narrative for the country had a variance of -66%. In USD terms the budget of the same line item declined by 56% in 2021 compared to 2020. This underfunding level will negatively affect the country’s international engagement and reengagement efforts and well as national image building.
The Ministry also needs to settle local financial obligations to the tune of Z$8 469 221 owed to various organisations ranging from Local Authorities and Parastatals. Acquisition of non-financial assets had the greatest decline of 81% in USD terms. The budget for maintenance increased by 32% in 2021 compared to 2020. The total budget for Head Office Programme 2 declined by 69% in USD terms.
The variance for maintenance was 4% (the Ministry was actually allocated more than they had bid for) and in US$ terms the budget for the line item actually increased by 32% in 2021 compared to 2020. Capital Expenditure had a variance of -46%. In US$ terms Capital Expenditure in 2021 was 81% less than was allocated in 2020. This will affect investment levels in 2021. The bid had included rehabilitation of Masasa Design Centre and procurement of the digital machine. The Budget prioritised the Masasa Design Centre, Production Services and ICT capacitation of the programme and Provinces in line with Devolution.
Major Concerns
- The Ministry had a bid of Z$664.8 million and was allocated ZW$370 million, giving rise to a shortfall of ZW$295 million.
- The Ministry recruited 21 District Officers in line with the Devolution policy. The Ministry is now represented in 33 Districts and the District Officers report and disseminate information on all areas in the outskirts so that citizens get information on real time basis.
iii. The district officers also need vehicles and equipment.
- The shortfall will affect the implementation of Ministry programmes.
The Ministry is requesting a top up of ZW$70 million.
2.3 BROADCASTING AUTHORITY OF ZIMBABWE (BAZ)
The BAZ is the agent for digitalisation which programme started in 2015. Over the years since inception the total amount received for the project is US$49 232 204 and the project had been underfunded over the years.
BAZ owes Huawei US$3.3 million while work done so far cost US$ 52 million. The work done so far constitutes 41% of the total project indicating a snail pace speed in project implementation. The current infrastructure allows for launching of the DTV services to a limited number of consumers. The current infrastructure will only serve 38% of the country in selected areas. Transmitters are at different levels of development and the project will host the 6 new Stations.
Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) Budget Z$ 000
Expenditure Item | 2020
Approved Budget |
2020
Revised Budget |
2021
Budget Bid |
2021
Budget Allocation |
Variance (Bid - Budget
Allocation) |
% Variance |
BAZ | 273,661 | 201,706 | 1,670,288 | 684,700 | 985,588 | -59% |
The Zimbabwe Digital Broadcasting Migration Project started in 2015 and digital TV services were supposed to be launched by 2016.
The total amount received for the project is US$49.2 million
Payments made to Huawei total US$16.6 million.
Payments made to BAZ amount to US$29.6 million.
Out of an initial quotation of US$175 million approved from Huawei, total amount received for the project is US$49.2 million, thus the project has been underfunded, resulting in slow pace of implementation. For the 2021 budget, the total budget bid for BAZ was Z$1.6 billion and it covered other machinery and equipment. BAZ got an allocation of Z$684, 7 million (43% of total bid) implying that they are underfunded by Z$986 million. This will negatively influence investment in machinery and equipment.
Committee Observations - As at the work done so far constitute 41% of the total project. In 2019, the ZimDigital project was at 38.6% completion and it needs to be completed so that its full benefits are realised. The Committee notes with concern that the project is moving at a very slow pace.
- The Committee calls for early disbursements of funds to minimize possible exchange losses.
- Services will be provided to limited areas at 38% of the country due to limited funding – US$50 million. The current infrastructure allows for launching of the DTV services to a limited number of consumers.
iii. Only 18 transmitter sites are functional out of 48 sites. Hopefully, disbursements for 2021 Budget will be timely in order to add 3 more transmitter sites so that there are 21 working transmitter sites equating to 44% of what is required. If all the requested transmitters were allocated it would improve coverage to 52%.
- The slow pace of implementation of the ZimDigital project leads to violation of Sections 61 and 62 of the Constitution which calls for freedom of expression and freedom of the media and access to information.
- In view of exchange rate developments, the Ministry is advised to prioritise foreign procurement.
- The completion of the digitalisation project is key to opening of airwaves, implying the need for BAZ to service its debt with Huawei of US$3.3 million. The 2021 allocation is US$1 million.
- Impact of Debt – Huawei threatens to switch off Satellite services but BAZ has been negotiating so that the Satellite services are not switched off.
- It sours relations.
- Jeopardises opportunities for future engagements.
- BAZ will embark on the manufacture of Antennae which is an income generating initiative and this also saves on financial resources since Antennae on the local market are expensive. The budget for the manufacture of antennae is Z$ 2 million.
- There is need to fund Media Asset Management and Software Upgrades to minimise disruptive interruptions of systems. ZBC cannot archive any information because there are no backup and archival retrieval systems.
- BAZ needs to be funded so that they improve radio quality and coverage since the Education sector now relies on Radio Services to conduct online lessons due to Covid-19.
- Digitalisation of ZBC is key for image building for the country.
xii. In funding BAZ services, the unifying role of sports in the country should not be ignored. Procurement of TV Outside Broadcast Van improves the quality of video and picture.
BAZ Priority Projects
It was resolved that in order that BAZ achieves its mandate, Z$362 million out of Z$986 million will suffice for 4 projects according to the following priority list;
TV Transmitters in Tsholotsho and Maphisa (Z$113 million) so that people in those low-lying areas receive TV coverage services which they have been denied since Independence in 1980. Transmitters need to be replaced before their life span expires otherwise, they can take 2 years to replace.
Replacement of Additional 4 Old Transmission Towers (Z$197 million) which are now very old and were installed before Independence. They are now a health hazard due to rust and they actually need to be decommissioned because they fall at any time.
BAZ Monitoring (Z$3 million) for universal access to broadcasting services and from a regulatory point of view.
Revamping of FM Transmitter Network at Gweru (Z$49 million) to improve reception and access to information in the Midlands Province.
TRANSMEDIA
Transmedia maintains the transmission infrastructure nationwide.
The licensing of Community Radio Stations could help save lives especially in mining areas and steer the development agenda throughout the country and in 2021 there is need to license disadvantaged communities to disseminate information on developmental issues. There is also need to upgrade FM network equipment since the current equipment is using old and outdated technology.
Transmedia was allocated Z$90 million out of a total bid of Z$542 million. Expenditures under Z$90 million are broken down as follows:
• | 9 Community radio stations
|
Z$31.0 million | ||
• | FM Network Refurbishment | Z$29.5 million | ||
• | TV Spares | Z$19.5 million | ||
• | Transport Fleet Renewal | Z$10.0 million. |
Transmedia 2021 Budget (Z$ 000)
Expenditure Item | 2020
Approved Budget |
2020
Revised Budget |
2021
Budget Bid |
2021
Budget Allocation |
Variance (Bid - Budget
Allocation) |
%
Variance |
Transmedia | 5,745 | 5,745 | 542,640 | 90,000 | 452,640 | - 83% |
Impact of Transmedia Underfunding and Committee Observations
- Absence of community radio stations implies less radio services coverage and fewer communities participating in the national economy, thus negating growth with inclusion.
- The non-implementation of the Long Term Evolution Platform prevents Transmedia from engaging in income generating projects. An investment of Z$42 million will generate Z$100 million. It also causes non convergence of broadcasting and internet based technologies.
iii. The current building housing Transmedia is condemned therefore there is need to build new office space.
- Construction of Mutare Regional Offices, Transmedia is currently incurring huge rental costs for the regional office.
- Lack of funding for a Data Centre installation implies lack of back up services.
Priority Areas for Transmedia
- Long Term Evolution Platform (Z$42 million)because it generates income and thus reduces dependency of the fiscus. Surplus resources will be deposited into a Broadcasting Fund.
ii. Data Centre Installation (Z$60 million)
- Construction of Head Office (Z$100 million).
It was resolved that Transmedia would require an additional Z$202 million for its priority expenditures.
New Ziana produces community newspapers in various parts of the country in line with the Devolution policy. Going forward, plans are to sell advertising space in the newspapers so that the revenue funds are used for the production and distribution of the newspapers to ensure that information is disseminated to the people.
NEW ZIANA Budget in Z$ 000
Expenditure Item | 2020
Approved Budget |
2020
Revised Budget |
2021
Budget Bid |
2021
Budget Allocation |
Variance (Bid - Budget
Allocation) |
%
Variance |
Compensation of employees | 3,600 | 3,600 | 4,835 | 11,000 | 6,154 |
127% |
Goods & services | 230 | 230 | 10,073 | 13,000 | 2,927 | 29% |
Machinery & Equipment | 2,000 | 2,000 | 165,676 | - | -165,676 | -100% |
Total | 5,830 | 5,830 | 180,596 | 24,000 | 156 596 | -87% |
New Ziana was allocated more than their bid for compensation of employees and goods and services expenditures. The Goods and Services will be used for Printing, News gathering and distribution, rentals, vehicle maintenance and communication costs.
Committee Observations on New Ziana
- The allocation for Compensation of employees will be used to boost worker morale as they were the least paid in the media industry.
- There was no allocation for Capital Expenditure which New Ziana needed for Printing press (Z$1 000 000), Motor Vehicles (Z$860,000) and ICT Equipment (Z$18 815).
It is being proposed that New Ziana gets an additional Z$122.9 million to procure the printing press (Z$82 million) and vehicles (Z$40.4 million).
2.6 Zimbabwe Film and Television of Southern Africa
The Film School is the only training Institute in the country with the mandate to train and provide the nation with professionally qualified film and television personnel. A total of 75 to 80 students graduate from the Film School with a National Diploma qualification after 2 and a half years of training. The school targets to recruit O-level and A-level graduates. Zimbabwe Film and Television of Southern Africa Budget (Z$000)
Expenditure Item | 2020
Approved Budget |
2020
Revised Budget |
2021
Budget Bid |
2021
Budget Allocation |
Variance (Bid - Budget
Allocation) |
%
Variance |
Compensation of employees | 1,200 | 1,200 | 2,626 | 4,000 | 1,374 |
52% |
Goods & services | 240 | 240 | 12,899 | 13,000 | 101 | 0.8% |
Machinery & Equipment | 8.000 | 8,000 | 55,506 | 22,000 | 33,506 | -60% |
Total | 9,440 | 9,440 | 71,031 | 39,000 | 32,031 | -45% |
The Film School was allocated Z$39 million against a bid of Z$71 million which implies that they were allocated 55% of their bid. They have 45% funding gap and funding was required for equipment, teaching aids and vehicles to run the Film School.
Impact of Underfunding the Film School and Committee Observations
- The Film School has been chronically underfunded since its establishment. The School received 3 vehicles from the Ministry which have run their life span and now costly to maintain. The school needs vehicles for mobility as well as crucial film training equipment and the budget is $33.5 million.
- Since the equipment is imported due to non-availability on the local market, it is prudent to timely disburse the funds before the value is eroded by inflation.
iii. The Committee also noted that the Film School should be able to generate revenue using the equipment by covering events such weddings for instance.
It was resolved that the Film School gets an additional allocation of Z$33.5 million so that they procure modern equipment in line with the need to adopt and adapt to new technology.
ZIMBABWE BROADCASTING CORPORATION |
ZBC has not been funded for nearly 20 years and through the efforts of the Committee, the Corporation received a grant of Z$130 million.
ZBC Budget Allocation in Z$ 000
Expenditure Item | 2020
Approved Budget |
2020
Revised Budget |
2021
Budget Bid |
2021
Budget Allocation |
Variance (
Bid - Budget Allocation) |
%
Variance |
Compensation of employees |
||||||
Goods & services | 30,000 | 125,400 | - | -125,400 | -100% | |
Machinery & Equipment | 314,600 | 130,000 | -184.600 | -59% | ||
Total | - | 30,000 | 484,000 | 130,000 | 354,000 | - 73% |
Committee Observations on ZBC
- ZBC only received 27% of their total bid, Z$130 million out of Z$484 million.
- The amount allocated will be used to partly expunge legacy debt to critical service providers leaving other urgent issues unattended. About 55% of the allocated funds will go towards payment of statutory debts to content producers, ZIMRA, NSSA and ZIMURA. Legacy debt has been eating into revenue inflows from marketing and licensing hence the Corporation did not benefit from improved cash flows.
iii. The amount allocated to the Corporation should be disbursed early to avoid foreign exchange losses since Z$461 million is owed to a UK company.
- Revenue inflows are negatively affected by withholding tax in compliance with tax laws as previous tax obligations were not met.
- Servicing legacy debt will result in the following
- Stop writs of execution and legal claims from service providers.
- End garnish orders on the Corporation’s bank accounts.
- Smooth execution of the Corporation’s mandate.
- Unlock new content from both local and foreign suppliers.vi. Four (4) CEOs have successively left the employ of ZBC on allegations of poor corporate governance. Owing to these developments it has become the norm that CEOs at ZBC are in acting capacity. There is need to appoint a substantive Chief Executive Officer at ZBC.
vii. There is need for improved corporate governance systems at ZBC since there are consistent reports of corruption at the Corporation for a number of years. Thus, the Oversight function at ZBC needs to be strengthened by the Board and the Ministry.
viii. Ministries should pay for services rendered to them by ZBC and should also honour their legacy obligations to ZBC, so that operations at ZBC are sustainable. This will improve the fees collection compliance rates.
The Impact of Under Funding ZBC by Z$ 354 million
- Shortage of vehicles has affected mobility of core employees and thus resulting in poor service delivery. Critical assignments are often not done due to lack of reliable vehicles. Partial funding of vehicle procurement could help improve service delivery by the Corporation in view of the Devolution Policy. The vehicle budget was Z$59 million.
- The Corporation needs ICT equipment (software and hardware) for both Pockets Hills and Montrose to enhance efficiency in news gathering and processing. The Corporation is currently relying on pirated software which compromises output. Staff also needs laptops and computers to allow the smooth flow of operations. The ICT budget was estimated at Z$ 204 000.
iii. Security needs to be revamped through procurement of CCTV and other electronic equipment to minimise pilferage at the Corporation. About Z$16 million is needed for security so that the Corporation preserves funding provided in other areas.
- Absence of funding will affect the purchase of new and exciting content.
- Refurbishment of studios is key to produce quality output and this requires Z$48 million.
- Work stations need to be improved in view of Covid19 otherwise infections will increase at the workplace thereby putting staff members and their families at risk. A journalist has recently been lost to Covid19 at the Corporation – skills loss.
vii. Failure by the Corporation to pay salaries since license fees collection is only at 1 -2% compliance. This is because compliance officers are not mobile – they need motor bikes so that compliance rate moves to at least 50%.
Priority Areas for ZBC
- ICT Z$16.6 million
- Radio Pockets Hills and Montrose Studios Z$8.5 million
iii. Radio Mbare Studios Z$16 million
- TV OBV Z$48 million
- TV Studios Z$31 million
- HR and Admin Z$45 million
vii. Risk and Control Systems Z$11 million
Total Z$ 176 million
It is being proposed that ZBC gets an additional funding of Z$176 million
General Observations and Recommendations by the Committee.
The Committee commends the Ministry for efforts made in the enactment of the Freedom of Information Act under the National Media Reform programme. The Freedom of Information Act was signed into law on the 1st of July 2020, which effectively contributed repealed the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act. We hope the Media Practitioners Bill will be presented as soon possible to complete the Media Reform Programme and further open up the media landscape.
The SOEs that fall under the Ministry should benefit from the new Ownership model which was proposed in the 2021 Budget. The Ownership model of State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) where Government shareholder function is spread across different Line Ministries is associated with a number of challenges which include
- Inconsistencies in governance practices,
- Ministerial interferences,
- Delays and/or reversals of Government approved SEPs reforms due to vested interests within some line Ministries, and
- Generally weak and passive oversight function, among others.
The 2021 Budget recommended the migration from this traditional ownership model in favour of the deemed more progressive Centralised or Dual ownership models as Government took a deliberate decision to review the SOEs ownership model. For instance in Sweden, the Swedish Government gets a mandate from the Riksdag (Parliament) to actively manage SOEs so as to ensure the best possible long-term value performance and specifically adopted public policy assignments are performed well according to the Swedish Government.
Through this provision in the 2021 National Budget, the Committee will continue to impress the Ministry to improve corporate governance at Parastatals that fall under its ambit.
The absence of substantive CEOs at some SOEs (BAZ, Transmedia and ZBC) affects the smooth and continuous operations of the respective organisations since the Acting CEOs cannot come up with a strategy and implement it because they are not substantive.
In view of developments in the foreign exchange market there are risks of late and none disbursement of the required amounts for policy implementation. Funds should be disbursed on a timely basis so that the Ministry can effectively execute its mandate before possible exchange rate depreciation and inflation erode the value of the allocations.
There is need for the Information Centres to translate policy in languages that all economic agents understand in view of Devolution. This calls for analysis of policies using vernacular languages so that economic agents respond appropriately to policy propositions and changes. viii. Bids for capital expenditure were reduced which compromises efficient service delivery across the board.
The procurement of vehicles will help save jobs because all Government Ministries and Departments including SOEs are mandated to procure vehicles from local suppliers in line with the Local Content Policy.
Conclusion
The Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services plays a critical role in the dissemination of information, promotion of public communication and image building for the country. The Ministry also pays a unifying role through some of its programmes such sports. However, the 2021 budget made considerable cuts on capital expenditure bids which are likely to compromise efficient service delivery by the Ministry and Enterprises that fall under it. A high risk area is the non-completion of the digitalisation programme due to probable exchange losses and so the programme should be accorded high government priority status so that future prospects of engagement and reengagement is not jeopardised. Other programmes are not immune to erosion of value due to exchange losses and inflation, hence the timely disbursements of allocated funds is key.
There is need to prioritise servicing of local and external financial obligations by the SOEs under the Ministry so that the country has a good standing in line with improving the image of the country. The continuous dismissal of CEOs at ZBC due to allegations of malfeasance requires attention as this may point to deeper corporate governance issues that require urgent resolution to bring stability and progress to the Corporation. This will ensure that ZBC actively plays its critical role in the nation.
HON. MURIRE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I am here representing the Chairman for the Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs...
HON. T. MLISWA: On a point of order Mr. Speaker. The Chairman for the Portfolio Committee was seated here. He was talking to Hon. Chinotimba but he is not here. These Chairpersons must be appointed on merit and we cannot continue. I therefore implore you Mr. Speaker Sir for us to defer this until the Chairperson is here. All the other Committees, we heard Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga here. Who is he not to be here? We cannot at all have the situation of Chairpersons sleeping on duty. We cannot continue with this anymore. Where is the Chairperson? May this be deferred? Therefore, my point of order is he is not the Chairperson, there is no apology before you that the Chairperson is somewhere else. Where is he? May he come and present the report. We cannot have this anymore. He is in the bar drinking and he loves his whisky. May he be found and come and give a report. This one is not the Chairperson.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. KHUMALO): Order Hon. Mliswa. I am informed that the Chairperson was not involved in the discussions that took place. So, this one was in charge and so he is the one who must present.
HON. T. MLISWA: Mr. Speaker Sir, there is no Standing Rule which says that. I was a Chairperson of the Committee and only when I am not there within 15 minutes, then you choose another one. There are rules which govern this Parliament and there is no rule that says because he could have been in or somewhere. He is the Chairperson and he was here today and people can witness if I am lying. He was seated right there. There is no rule or tell me the rule that is in the Standing Order which says that because the Chairperson was not going around, he cannot present a report. There is no such rule because he is being paid. We cannot allow this. Maybe the car that he was given is not going to be given to you. We cannot have Chairpersons who only want to Chair when it is convenient and yet when giving a report he is not here.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: We hear you. The Standing Rules allow somebody to Chair on behalf of the Chairperson if he is not comfortable or he is not ready.
HON. T. MLISWA: But he was here.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Not today, but all the proceedings on issues of producing the Committee report were done by this Acting Chair. So, let him present the report.
HON. T. MLISWA: No, but today he has decided to break the law because on this side, we decided to revoke rules because they have gone for too long vachitamba maChairpersons. He lost the DCC post and he was talking to Hon. Chinotimba. I will allow you to make your ruling but you got the point.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. KHUMALO): Can the Acting Chairperson present the report?
HON. MURIRE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Like I said, I am standing in for our Chairman Hon. Mataranyika, the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Justice, legal and Parliamentary Affairs.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. KHUMALO): If you have your Standing Rules, Order No. 25. Report of a Select Committee must be presented by the Chairperson or by a Member designated by the Committee and must be laid upon the table. Thank you.
HON. T. MLISWA: You read the Standing Rules saying that the Committee can be chaired by another member. Where are the minutes which say this one has to speak? This is being recorded and it is going in the Hansard because we cannot have a Parliament without rules. Minutes are there and where are the minutes saying that he must speak. Therefore may he not speak until we see the minutes? I like to follow the law...
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. KHUMALO): HON. Mliswa, order. Acting Chair, can you present your report. Hon. Mliswa, give others an opportunity to report please.
HON. MURIRE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. The report is as follows:
Introduction:
The 2021 Budget proposal has been prepared on the background of an economy that has, over the past years, endured challenges characterised by depressed economic productivity. The effect has been felt by business through suppressed industrial and commercial activity, unstable currency, distorted financial markets and fiscal and monetary constraints. It is on this basis that the Committee of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs applaud both the Honorable Minister of Finance and Economic Development and the Central Bank Governor for the crafting and successful implementation of the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) and introduction of the Foreign Exchange Auction system. Significant progress in bringing macroeconomic stability is being felt by our business and social communities through improved industrial productivity and increased disposable incomes. The Committee is hopeful implementation of the 2021 Budget proposal will enable Government to sustain its resolution to achieve Vision 2030 and attainment of upper-middle income status for our country.
Introduction of the National Development Strategy (NDS) 1 is a welcome initiative which will set the tone for the next 5 budget cycles (2021-2025) anchored on 2021 as the base year. Moving on the theme ‘Building Resilience and Sustainable Economic Recovery’ for the 2021 Budget proposal demonstrates Government zeal to inspire public confidence of its intention to consolidate and build upon gains from the TSP. It is also in the same light that the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and Independent Commissions under the Justice Portfolio Committee should be supported so that it is able to put its contribution towards relevant deliverables necessary for the achievement of Vision 2030.
The Ministry of Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs has 95 Acts assigned to it through Statutory Instrument (SI) 226 of 2018 and is responsible for the delivery of justice throughout the country and ensuring of upholding the Constitution of Zimbabwe. It has 13 departments’ statutory agencies and commissions through which it delivers its core functions. Under the programmes based budgeting the Ministry has funds appropriated to it under four programmes namely; Policy and Administration, Access to Legal Services, Incarceration and Rehabilitation of Offenders, and Registration of Proprietary Rights. It has an approved staff establishment of 583 with 433 in post and 150 vacancies as at September 2020. Of those in post, 180 are men constituting (42%) and the remainder being women 253 constituting (58%). This is pleasing start point towards achieving a gender-just society where men and women enjoy equal access to employment opportunities.
2020 BUDGET FUNDS UTILISATION
1.1.1 Notable achievements from the 2020 funds utilisation include;
- Representing Government and handling 4,840 court cases.
- Tremendous improvement in diet for prisoners, reduced cases of malnourishment.
- Provision free legal aid to 1,461 indigents since the beginning of 2021.
- Registration of 205,042 proprietary documents and generation of US$182,186 and collection of ZWL$147,453,027 in Government revenue.
- Operationalisation of the Companies and Other Business Entities Act which introduced duty of care and loyalty by directors. This also permitted electronic processing of documents.
- Carrying out, for the first time, of a client satisfaction survey in a bid towards improving service delivery to the satisfaction of clients.
1.1.2 Ministry Strategies/Interventions for 2021-2023
Of interest to the Ministry on the focus of NDS1 performance parameters is good Governance which is in turn encored on efficient and effective justice delivery, national unity, peace and Reconciliation. The Ministry has to apply the budget in implementing the following strategies to achieve these NDS 1 target outcomes.
- Review and drafting of policies and laws.
- Strengthening advocacy and communication (Awareness campaigns).
- Capacity building of members of staff (Continuous professional and skills development for Officers and Offenders).
- Enhanced digitalisation of the property and proprietary registration system.
- Enhancement of production through farm mechanisation for self-sustenance.
- Engagement of Public-Private Partnerships.
2021 MINISTRY BUDGET ALLOCATION:
1.2 Vote Analysis:
The Ministry tabled a bid of ZWL$13,199,773,545 in intent to finance strategies and programmes necessary for it to complement Government toward achievement of NDS 1 expectation. Against this bid Treasury appropriated ZWL$7,340,000,000 representing 55.6% and a deficit of ZWL5, 859,773,545 which is 44 percent. This budget deficit poses a constraint to the Ministry in the discharge of its mandate which requires achievement of its set strategies programmes and projects associated with vision 2030.
1.3 Implications of the budget allocation
The Ministry is rated on its performance through its contribution to the nation’s international profiling on a number of variables including
- Governance
The issue of Governance is encored on reforms that determine the World Bank Ease of Doing Business ratings. The improvement in these ratings is influenced by an efficient justice delivery system in the country. According to the World Justice Project, Zimbabwe’s Rule of Law rank fell from 118 in 2019 to 119 for 2020. This can only be attributable to failure to implement certain relevant programmes over the past years due to budgetary constraints. This rating can be best compared with the highest ranked African country, Ghana which is at position 51. This index shapes the perceptions of potential investors, thus failure to achieve the threshold rating will continue to make Zimbabwe an unattractive investment destination. From this perspective, adequate financing is needed to enhance the country’s governance structures including justice delivery so as to achieve an improvement in the global ratings. Figure 1 shows the bids and appropriations for the four Programmes under the MoJLPA.
Figure 1: Bids and Appropriations for Programmes in the Ministry in millions of ZWL$
1.3.1 Policy and Administration
From a bid of ZWL$481.933 million, Treasury was able to appropriate ZWL$498.191 million. Treasury actually surpassed the submitted bid by 3 percent. The Ministry expressed satisfaction at this allocation and hoped that Treasury disburses these financial resources timeously.
1.3.2 Access to Legal Services
Access to legal services is key in measuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the justice delivery system. Under Access to Legal Services programme Treasury allocated ZWL$1,365,627,000 against a bid of ZWL$1,224,449,770. This allocation is in access of the bid ZWL$141,177,230 or 12%. Your Ministry is happy to get what it did not ask for but the Committee of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs would have expected the Treasury to justify why it made such excess provision while giving less than amounts bided for in by the Ministry in other programmes. Funding inadequacies might arise in view of the ministry’s need to achieve NDS 1 programmes and projects relevant to it. Other project that had not been included in the bid might put constrain the Ministry when requirement to implement them using already allocated funds. Such project includes the Attorney-General’s Office and decentralisation structures for provision of devolved legal serves. These projects are expected to come as cabinet priorities and they will effectively displace funding for projects already catered for under the appropriated budget for the Ministry. The Committee of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs therefore sincerely ask the Minister of Finance to make further provision to carter for such projects should they be considered for implementation in 2021.
1.3.3 Incarceration and Rehabilitation of Offenders
This programme is managed by Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) department which is constitutional created in terms of the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Act, 2016. The Ministry bided for ZWL$10,646,433,775 and Treasury provided ZWL$5,083,942,000 representing 48 percent. With this amount, the ZPCS Department will be constrained in effectively and efficiently meeting its constitutional mandate. Table 1 reflects the items constituting the programme and illustrates funding deficiencies thereof.
Table 1: Bids and Appropriations for Key Expenditure Items in ZPCS
Item | Bid | Appropriation | Variance | Implications |
Medical Supplies
& Services |
179,177,404 | 66,333,000 | (63%) | The less than optimal allocation means inmates and prison staff will go without medical care lead to high mortality rates. This defeats the access to justice objective espoused in the NDS 1 |
Military
Requirement |
103,266,130 | 19,234,000 | (81%) | Procurement of only 20% of required ammunition resulting in compromised security.[1] |
Chemicals &
Fertilizer |
234,259,220 | 66,480,000 | (72%) | Insufficient farming inputs will be procured compromising food security in prisons. |
Utilities | 367,400,000 | 162,611,000 | (56%) | Only 6 months coverage of bill payments! |
Bedding
& Linen |
122,895,000 | 59,778,000 | (53%) | Shortage of linen will lead to exposure of inmates to cold during winter and increased cases of pneumonia and death rates. |
Uniforms | 455,034,930 | 88,889,000 | (80%) | Reduced provision of uniforms will lead to low staff moral and poor image for the department. Security may also be compromised to inefficiency |
Rations | 3,102,192,000 | 678,091,000 | (78%) | Inadequate provision dietary leads to nutrition-related diseases and high mortality rates. |
Vehicle
Maintenance |
185,761,560 | 63,889,000 | (66%) | The objective of access to justice may be compromised as the department will fail to provide transport to trial courts for inmates. |
Operational
Vehicles |
2,419,699,585 | 223,000,000 | (91%) | Failure to replenish the vehicle fleet will call for increased hire charges which exorbitant. |
Irrigation
Infrastructure |
25,020,000 | 10,000,000 | (60%) | Procuring 40% of requirements which contributed to food insecurity in prisons. |
Outstanding Debts | 278,774,279.79 | - | (100%) | Inability to service debts, ballooning of debt resulting in termination of services. |
The ZPCS Department regularly faces many operational challenges which may be alleviated if it gets access to the statutory claim to 15 percent of the Courts Administration Fund. Treasury has since suspended retention of funds collected under this statutory provision. The Committee of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs urges the Minister of finance to increase funding on medical provisions, bedding and linen to the ZPCS so as for it to achieve its mandate and for the ministry to realize SDG 16 on justice. Consideration should be placed on gradual replacement of old vehicle fleet as this may prove more expensive.
1.3.3.1. Farming activities:
ZPCS is serious on embarking on projects so as to internally generate revenue to carter for the needs of inmates. Such project includes factories to make uniforms for staff and inmates and also provision of food requirements. To this end the department was allocated farms by Government for it to commercially grow crops to feed inmates as well as generate income to sustain other activities not catered for under the Treasury provision. The Department is therefore serious prepared to effectively and productively utilize the availed land and ensure food self sufficiency and to a limited extent funding gaps that are not covered by treasury allocation. The committee implores the Minister of Finance to consider availing adequate seed money to kick start the farming and clothing factory projects.
1.3.3.2. Sanitary wear:
While crime is not condoned, being in prison is enough punishment to our inmates. The Committee of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs observed female inmates face difficulties if they are not provided with sanitary ware. Being in prison they are also not able to assist themselves in finding alternative means to access these necessary materials. The budget allocated to the Ministry has no provision for sanitary requirements for female prisoners. Failure to access sanitary pads by female inmates will result in them facing psychological and physical stress during their menstrual cycles for the period they will be serving their sentence. This is tantamount to additional sentence. To this end the Committee of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs implores the Minister to make provision for sanitary ware to cater for special needs of our female inmates.
1.3.4 Registration of Proprietary Rights:
This programme accommodates the department of deeds and proprietary rights. The department has a critical project that is underway and requires funding.
1.3.4.1. Computerisation Project:
A bid of ZWL$405 million was tabled, targeting Computerisation, but Treasury only appropriated ZWL$56.7 million, which left a funding gap of ZWL348.3 or 86 percent. The Department is operating partial computerised processes. This approach has serious risks and challenges in the modern world in terms of storage and retrieval documents. The use of paper based documentation by the Department has seen it running out of filing space and facing increased cost for stationary. The department needs to migrate from manual data management system to computerised process in sync with modern trends. The department requires Document Management System that scans both historical and current records to facilitate offering of online services and improve efficiency and service delivery. Easy of doing business is one of the objective of government in its bid to attract business and computerization one such tool that will enable government achieve this objective. Zimbabwe’s Ease of Doing Business rating in 2020 stands at 140 out of 190 nations while Zambia and Rwanda are ranked 85th and 38th, respectively. In terms of the sub-score Starting a Business, which contributes to the overall Index, Zimbabwe is ranked 167th. This may be attributed to the length of time needed to start a business in Zimbabwe, which is 14 days. In Rwanda it takes 6 hours whilst the duration is 3 days in Zambia.
The committee therefore implores government to accommodate the computerization project so as to enable the Ministry secure the necessary hardware and critical software licenses.
1.3.4.2. Filling of Staff posts:
The department has 16 vacant Records and Information Assistant Posts that need to be filled. In 2016, the Public Service Commission approved the creation of these Records and Information Assistant posts subject to Treasury Concurrence. This approval by the public service commission was on the background of a critical need for the service of such staff that the Ministry was facing. Ministry had recruited temporary staff to carry out the work and in the mean time pay their salaries from retention funds. In contrast, Treasury has since announced the discontinuation of the Retention Funds Treasury concurrence to the 2016 PSC approval and allocation of funds for the necessary salaries an urgent matter.
1.4 Challenges and Observations
The following observations and challenges were noted;
- Courts and Administration Fund
Inadequate funding has potential to fail the Ministry in achieving the NDS 1, SDG Goals 10 and 16 which are relevant to it.
- Cripple the justice delivery system and fail structures of good governance.
- Inadequate provision of sanitary ware to Female prisoners and medical provisions to all prisoners has potential to create health hazard in prisons.
- Absence of funds allocations towards productive projects will continue to put pressure on Treasury to provide funding for uniforms and food for prisoners.
- Failure to provide funds for the computerization project will continue to hamper the easy of doing business hence making the country an unattractive investment destination
1.5 Recommandations
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs recommends the following;
✔ Treasury to reverse its position on the suspension of retention of funds collected from Courts and Administration Fund so as to allow bodies in the justice delivery system. to optimally use the Fund to cover financing gaps on the budget allocated by Treasury.
✔ The Minister to make provision for procurement of sanitary pads for female inmates
✔ Treasury to allocate funds to kick start productive project for ZPCS so as easy pressure on funding requirement from Treasury.
2.0 INDEPENDENT AND STATUTORY COMMISSIONS:
The Portfolio committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs overseas budget performance for Independent and Statutory Commissions with Acts are assigned to the Ministry of Justice Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. To this end the Committee has considered budgets from the following Independent and Statutory Commissions
2.1 JUDICIAL SERVICES COMMISSION (VOTE 25)
2.1.1 Introduction:
The Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has a mandate to promote and facilitate the independence and accountability of the Judiciary and the efficient and effective administration of justice in Zimbabwe.
Gender Balance:
The Commission has an approved staff establishment of 1945 with 1819 in post as at September 2020. Whilst women constitute an overall 56 percent of total employment, the representation decreases as you go up the professional ladder. This is shown by 57 percent female representation in Technical and Support posts compared to 39.5 percent representation at Chief Director to Minister/Judges level.
2.1.2 Major Achievements on 2020 budget performance :
- Construction of Mt Darwin Magistrate Court.
- Building of Chinhoyi Magistrate Court (Work in Progress).
- Commencement of construction of Chiredzi, Lupane and Epworth Magistrate Court.
- Renovation of the newly acquired building for Master of High Court’s office building in Bulawayo.
- Rehabilitation of the Mutare Civil Magistrates Court.
2.1.3. The 2021 budget allocation is expected to address the Sector Outcomes spelt out in NDS1. The Commission is pursuing Expeditious Justice Delivery through the following Strategies/Interventions for 2021-2023.
- To promote access to quality justice for all through judicial independence, accountability, transparency, competence and good governance.
- To provide technological, financial and physical resources in order to promote an efficient, autonomous and independent judiciary.
- To advise the Government of Zimbabwe on judicial related matters and on the administration of justice; and carry out functions relating to employment, discipline and conditions for members of the Judicial Service.
- To facilitate efficient, effective and transparent court services and institutional administration.
- To maintain the Judicial Service in a high state of efficiency through best practice and effective monitoring and evaluation.
- To facilitate continuous training, learning and development of members of the judiciary.
2.1.4 Vote Analysis for 2021:
The Commission had a bid of ZWL$7.076 billion against Treasury appropriation of ZWL$2.487 billion. This represents a negative variance of ZWL$4.589 or 65 percent. In past, the Commission had access to 35 percent retention from the Courts’ Administration Fund, but the Treasury has since stopped the retention. The Courts’ Administration Fund was established under Section 30 of the Audit and Exchequer Act [Chapter 22.03] and saved under Section 93 (3)(b) of the Public Finance Management Act [Chapter 22.19]. The main purpose of this fund was to cater for court operations in the wake of the 2008 economic challenges that saw a deterioration in the justice delivery system premised by very little or no budgetary support. The revenue generated includes fines, court fees and estate duty, among other sources. The Fund has been used to cater for obligations arising out of court operations such as:
- Paying witness expenses: Budget releases take time yet witness expenses need to be paid on a daily basis and in real time. The Treasury pronouncement will mean witnesses are not paid and many cases may not reach their logical conclusion due to lack of evidence.
- Settlement of employment costs for contract workers: Growth in the judicial system via establishment of new courts and expansion of existing ones has not been met by Treasury concurrence to employ more staff. The additional staff is being employed on a contract basis, with employment costs paid through the Courts Administration Fund.
- Servicing circuit courts: these sit on a daily basis and the Fund is used to ensure that these courts sit as and when required through timely release of funds.
- Paying utility bills:
- Rehabilitation of court houses in Zimbabwe; Fund has been used to rehabilitate courthouses to improve their image.
- Meeting operational costs; these relate directly to the justice delivery system and include fuel expenses and servicing of vehicles.
The consequence of taking away the Fund in the administration of justice is dire.
2.1.5 Implications of the Budget
Figure 1 shows the total Vote appropriations against bids for key programme items.
Figure 1: Bids and Appropriations for Key Expenditure Items in JSC
Salaries and Allowances:
Compensation of Employees is projected to consume ZWL$1.775 billion and Treasury allocated ZWL$559 million to the commission. This leaves an underfunding gap of ZWL$559 million or 68.5 percent. The ZWL$1.775 billion bid was informed by an anticipated surge in staff requirements as a result of the introduction of the Commercial Division of the High Court as well as necessary salary adjustments to match the cost of living. The Commercial Court’s core function is expeditious resolution of commercial disputes in accordance with international best practice to enhance efficient justice delivery. The operation of the Commercial Court will improve the ease of doing business in accordance to the criteria set by the World Bank. If the required human resources for manning the Commercial Court are not funded, the contribution of the commission towards easy of doing business will go below the index threshold.
Goods and Services:
The Commission’s bid under this budget item was ZWL$1.295 Billion and Treasury’s proposed allocation isZWL$968 Million leaving a funding of ZWL$327 Million.
Acquisition of Non-Financial Assets:
A bid of ZWL$4.006 billion was submitted to Treasury with the intention to target infrastructure development, acquisition and operationalisation of the e-justice delivery system. Against this bid, Treasury appropriated ZWL$960 million, which is only 24 percent. The e-justice system is necessary programme on the on-going reforms which are underpinned by Governance in SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and NDS 1 Objectives. The e-justice system enhances transparency, effectiveness and easy access to justice. The Commercial Court will be the first to go paperless as outlined in SI 123 of 2020 High Court (Commercial Division) Rules, and the deadline has been set for 1 June 2021 which is not achievable with a reduced budget. If adequately funded and successfully implemented this would be a significant milestone in the history of our justice delivery system. Failure to finance e-justice will result in failure to launch the Commercial Court and will have negative implications. In addition, failure to meet self-set deadlines will make necessary reforms, including the relevant SDGs unachievable.
Customary Law Courts:
About 70 percent of Zimbabwean’s population resides in rural areas where Customary Law Courts operate. It is sad to note that the commission did not bid for funding under this budget item. Funding for this item is necessary as it facilitates capacity building of Customary Court Presiding Officers. Chiefs and traditional leaders are the majority of officers under this category. SDG 10 aims at reduction inequality while SDG 16 addresses Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. In keeping with SDGs 10 and 16 and the NDS 1 objectives The Minister is urged to allocate additional funds to the commission to cater the operation of customary Courts.
2.1.6 CHALLENGES AND OBSERVATIONS
Key challenges faced by the commission include:
- Inadequate funds to cater for ancillary court administration expenses that are not catered for by Treasury. This challenge had been addressed through the introduction of the “Courts’ Administration Retention Fund”. However Treasury has since directed that the suspension of retention of collected funds.
- Inadequate funding of e-justice system project will continue to hinder Government’s objective to improve the ease of doing business hence affecting the country’s international rating on this parameter.
- Lack of funding towards the operation of Customary Court has the effect of leaving the Presiding Officers, mainly Chiefs and other traditional leaders behind in the legal system reforms hence reduced access to justice for rural communities.
2.1.7 RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs recommends the following;
✔ Treasury should comply with the law by upholding the Audit and Exchequer Act [Chapter 22.03] and the National Prosecuting Authority Act [Chapter 7:20]and;
✔ Reinstate retention of funds by the commission under the Administration of the Courts’ Administration Fund which is shared departments involved in the justice delivery system.
✔ The e-justice programme needs to be optimally financed to maintain to sustain momentum on Governance reforms as well as achievement of SDG 16.
✔ Treasury to appropriate more funds to the Commission so as to ensure Local Courts are made part and parcel of the Governance reforms in line with SDG 10 and SDG 16 and NDS 1 objectives.
2.2 ZIMBABWE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
NO SUBMISSIONS:
No submission was received from the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.
2.3 NATIONAL PEACE AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION:
2.3.1 Introduction:
The National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC) have a constitutional mandate to promote sustainable peace, equality, reconciliation, national healing, cohesion, unity and peaceful resolution of disputes and conflicts in Zimbabwe. The NPRC is operates two programmes namely Governance and Administration and, National Peace and Reconciliation.
The Commission has an approved staff establishment of 105 with 39 in post as at September 2020. Of those in post, 22 (56%) are men and women are 17 (44%).
2.3.2 Major Achievements on 2020 budget performance
- Engagement of political parties, civic society and security organs.
- Conflict Early Warning and Early Response System (Preliminary setting up of structures and framework).
- Conflict mapping.
- Training of NPRC staff on Basic Counseling and Gender Mainstreaming.
Operational objectives:
2.3.3 The Commission’s operational objectives for the next five years are extracted from NDS1 under the Enhanced Social Cohesion Sector Outcomes. It is in this background that for the period 2021-2023, the Commission’s policy priorities are drawn as follows;
- Baseline survey for NPRC programmes.
- Calibration process to establish a framework for Social Cohesion and Reconciliation Index (SCORE) in Zimbabwe.
- Conducting public hearings in all the provinces.
- Establishing victim support mechanisms, as well as peace architecture beyond provincial levels.
2.3.4 Vote Analysis for 2021
The NPRC submitted a bid of ZWL$474,500,000 and Treasury appropriated ZWL$133,000,000 resulting in a financing gap of 72 percent. The work carried out by the Commission is predominantly field-based as such issues of mobility are critical for the implementation of the various programmes. It must be noted that the NPRC has a sunset clause which means that continued under-funding will prevent the Commission from fully discharging its mandate in the prescribed time period.
2.3.5 Implications of the Budget:
The need for peace and harmony is at the core of any society that seeks to pursue progressive
Table 1: Bids and Appropriations for NPRC Programmes
Sub-Programme | Bid | Appropriation | Variance |
Chair, Commissioner & ES | 30,000,000 | 14,930,000 | (50%) |
Finance, Admin. & HR | 70,000,000 | 49,078,000 | (30%) |
Legal & Audit | 10,000,000 | 4,844,000 | (52%) |
M & E | 10,000,000 | 4,373,000 | (56%) |
Research & Knowledge Mgt | 50,000,000 | 10,206,000 | (80%) |
Conflict Prevention | 60,000,000 | 19,093,000 | (68%) |
Healing, Recon & Rehab | 70,000,000 | 10,230,000 | (85%) |
Victim Support Gender & Diversity | 87,000,000 | 9,973,000 | (89%) |
Complaints Handling & Investigations | 87,500,000 | 10,273,000 | (88%) |
Programme 1: Governance and Administration :
Under Programme 1 (Governance and Administration), the Commission put in place a bid of ZWL$170 million but Treasury appropriated ZWL$83,431,000, which is 49% of the bid. With such under-funding, the Commission will be constrained in;
- Capacity building and training of NPRC staff.
- Partitioning of the Harare Office may not go ahead as planned. The obtaining open-office arrangements are not conducive for victims to openly pour out
- Procurement of Office furniture to avoid staff desk-sharing and sitting on window sills.
- Securing legal representation.
- Conducting baseline survey as well as Social Cohesion and Reconciliation Index (SCORE) in Provinces. Only 1 out of a targeted 10 will be possible.
- Reframing of the Historical Narratives.
Programme 2: National Healing and Reconciliation
This is the operational arm of the Commission. A bid of ZWL$304,500,000 was tabled but Treasury appropriated ZWL$49,569,000 yielding a negative variance of 74%! There is a clear funding bias towards the administrative side of the Commission’s business and yet the core business is peace and reconciliation. There is an unfortunate likelihood that the Commission may not be able to fully perform the roles it was created for. The results of underfunding will manifest in a failure to achieve SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) as well as Social Cohesion as enunciated in NDS1.
Conflict Prevention, Management Resolution and Transformation
Table 1 show that there is under-funding to the tune of 68 percent. The implications of this allocation are shown to specific sub-programmes;
- Dialogue and Dispute Resolution: NPRC will be able to conduct training of mediators and conciliators to engage conflicting parties. However, active resolution of disputes through meetings and conferences would not be possible.
- Conflict Prevention: The Commission will be able to engage in conflict prevention at provincial level through peace infrastructure already in place. However, cascading the engagement beyond provincial level would not be possible. In addition, elections monitoring will also not be feasible.
- Peace Infrastructure: The Commission will be in a position to hold 3 meetings with provincial peace committees on issues pertaining to conflict prevention at provincial level. The establishment and operationalisation of 57 district Peace Committees will not be possible.
- Conflict Early Warning and Early Response (CEWER): Setting up of a system and identification of monitors at provincial level would be feasible. However, funding gap will not make it possible to provide ICT tools required to facilitate information sharing on conflict.
Healing, Reconciliation and Rehabilitation:
There is a negative funding variance of 85 percent for this programme item (see Table 1). The NPRC will barely achieve 20 percent of their intended target.
- Public hearings will only be conducted in 2 out of 10 provinces.
- Truth telling and truth seeking will only go as far as one programme per province and will not be able to cascade to district level.
- Commission will be able to make recommendations on policy and legislation on issues affecting healing and reconciliation.
Victim Support Gender and Diversity:
Due to underfunding to the tune of 89 percent, minimal work will be done in this regard.
- Develop Victims Support Tools and Systems: development of NPRC Gender Policy, Victims Charter as well as standard operating procedures (SOPs) for handling victims, will be possible. NPRC will also be able to establish a data base for partners and service providers. However, setting up wellness centers for victim support will not be feasible.
- Victims Engagement and Documentation: Commission to carry out cross gender dialogue in 2 out of a targeted 5 provinces. Partially conducting psycho-social support sessions for victims will also be possible. However, engaging and documenting concerns and issues of minority groups will not be possible.
- Capacity Building for Victim Support: NPRC will only be in a position to conduct training on SOPs for partners and service providers in 2 out of a targeted 10 provinces.
Complaints Handling and Investigation (88% underfunded)
- Commission to investigate 300 out of a targeted 1,500 cases.
- Commission to carry out 5 out of a targeted 20 awareness campaigns.
- Commission will undertake 5 out of a targeted 23 trainings.
2.3.6 CHALLENGES AND OBSERVATIONS:
The Commission raised key challenges to their operations namely;
- That the operational arm of the Commission is grossly underfunded in light of the sunset clause on the tenure of the Commission.
2.3.7 RECOMMENDATIONS:
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs recommends the following;
- That there is an upward review of funds to allow the Commission to effectively carry out its mandate in its specified lifespan.
2.4 NATIONAL PROSECUTING AUTHORITY (VOTE 30)
NO SUBMISSIONS.
The Committee did not receive any submission from the Authority hence the assumption is the allocation was adequate.
2.5 ZIMBABWE ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION (VOTE 31)
No submission was received from the Commission hence the committee‘s assumption was that it did receive adequate funding.
However, the Committee is keen to know if the 2020 recommendation for 10 percent retention of intercepted illicit flows was implemented. According to Transparency International, Zimbabwe’s Corruption Perception index improved from 22[2] out of 100 in 2018 to 24 out of 100, in 2019. The rating, thereof, also improved from 160 out of 180 to 158 out of 180. This is commendable.
2.6 ZIMBABWE ELECTORAL COMMISSION (VOTE 32)
2.6.1 Introduction
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) is constitutionally mandated to conduct and supervise elections, register voters, delimit constituencies, wards and other electoral boundaries, conduct and supervise voter education, accredit observers, develop expertise and the use of technology in regard to electoral processes, promote cooperation between the Government, political parties and civil society during election period, and ensure that gender is mainstreamed into the electoral processes. ZEC is operating its budget under two main programmes namely; Governance and Administration and, Management of Elections and Referendum.
The Commission has an approved staff establishment of 685 with 422 in post as at September 2020. Of those in post, 241 (57%) are men and 181 (43%) women.
2.6.2 Some of the Major Achievements in 2020
- Conducted 2 local authority by-elections for Harare Municipality, Ward 44 and Mwenezi.
- Drafted media monitoring regulations.
- Reviewed my communication Policy.
2.6.3 ZEC is guided by NDS1 by its contribution towards Sector Outcomes that include Enhanced Service Delivery, Enhanced Transparency and Accountability, Improved Social Cohesion and Improved Human Rights. Guided by these Sector Outcomes, the Commission’s Strategies/Interventions for 2021-2023 are;
- Delimitation preliminaries which include polling area standardisation, stakeholder consultative planning meetings, trainings, and pilot geo-coding.
- Conduct of by-elections.
- Purchase or construct office buildings and warehouses in all provinces.
- Continue with stakeholder engagement.
2.6.4 Vote Analysis for 2021
ZEC submitted a bid of ZWL$12,477,500,000 and Treasury was able to allocate ZWL$2,320,900,000 leaving a negative variance of 81%.
2.6.5 Budget Implication
Table 1 shows bids and appropriations for selected key expenditure items in ZEC.
Table 1: Bids and Appropriations for Key Expenditure Items in ZEC
Programme | Bid | Appropriation | Variance | Implications |
Governance &
Administration |
378,500,000 | 575,976,000 | 52% | ● Inadequate to fill 128 critical posts.
● Allocation may not sustain upward reviews of salaries in 2021. |
Goods & Services | 190,500,000 | 338,076,000 | 177 | ● No issues. |
Acquisition of Capital Assets | 72,000,000 | 116,000,000 | 162 | ● Purchase/construction of offices for the remaining 53 districts and 6 provinces is not achievable.
● The capacity of the data centre will remain capped at 7 million voters. ● It would be difficult to procure reliable vehicles for electoral activities. |
Management
Of Elections & Referendum |
12,027,000,000 | 1,744,924,000 | 85% | ● Serious challenges in running outstanding 2020 by-elections as well as 2021 by-elections (if need be). |
Adequate financing of electoral management bodies is of paramount importance in thriving democracies. The very existence of legislators and senators is a direct outcome of this crucial process. Financing of ZEC may seem costly and competes for scarce financial resources with critical sectors such as education, health and defence. The funding requirements of ZEC are a function of the electoral cycle and will vary hugely between election and non-election. As 2023 approaches, the need for the adequate financing of ZEC is beyond any reasonable doubt. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission highlighted key concerns, in particular, those aspects that make administration of elections feasible. The ZWL$36.9 million needed to upgrade the Elections Data Centre from the current ceiling of 7 million voters has not been availed. Failure to upgrade will disenfranchise new voters when the ceiling is reached. This will have an adverse effect on reforms that are ongoing.
The current appropriation of ZWL$1.744 billion is as good as seed money for the delimitation exercise that needs to be undertaken. The Government has tabled amendment of the Census and Statistics Act so that the next census is conducted by 31 July 2021[i], and every ten years thereafter. This has been necessitated by the need for ZEC to carry out and conclude delimitation 6 months before the 2023 elections, as stipulated by law. Thus, ZWL$8.6 billion is required for the delimitation exercise to go ahead smoothly. The amount of financial resources spent per voter in Kenya (2017), Ghana (2016) and Tanzania (2015) is US$25.40, US$12, and US$5.16, respectively[ii]. Taking an average (US$15 per voter) and multiplying by the voter population (7 million) as well as the auction exchange rate (US$1: ZWL$80) will yield a figure of ZWL$8.4 billion! ZEC has made a clarion call to the effect that if ZWL$8.6 billion is availed, they will be able to meet all their expenditure requirements and preserve the credibility of the electoral process. Failure to meet this funding requirement may result in postponement of the elections which will damage the image of the nation and set back the country’s economic and political progress.
2.6.6 CHALLENGES AND OBSERVATIONS
The Commission raised key challenges to their operations namely;
- Delimitation has been underfunded threatening the smooth running of the 2023 elections.
- The Data Centre has a limit of 7 million voters when voter population is expected to exceed this limit by 2023.
- Outstanding 2020 by-elections have not been adequately funded and no provision has been made for 2021 by-elections.
2.6.7 RECOMMENDATIONS
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs recommends the following;
✔ That Treasury avails ZWL$8.6 billion needed for successful completion of the delimitation exercise.
✔ That Treasury makes available ZWL$36.9 million to ZEC for upgrading of the Data Centre to accommodate 10 to 11 million registered voters.
✔ Those funds are made available for outstanding by-elections and a provision are made for 2021 by-elections.
HON. DR. MASHAKADA: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir. I wish to join the debate on the Budget Statement that was presented by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development.
Mr. Speaker Sir, our duty as the Opposition is to do a critical analysis of the Budget if we can. Our duty is to give constructive criticism where it is warranted and give an alternative view or approach on national issues especially on policy issues such as the Budget. Mr. Speaker Sir, in my debate I will highlight the good, the bad and the ugly in the Budget – so it will be a very balanced approach.
Mr. Speaker Sir, Prof. Mthuli and I come a very long way. We hail together from the Department of Economics, in fact he was my senior and teacher and I must say that I also beg to differ with some of the things that he has done in this Budget but like I said, I want to first of all touch on what I think are the positive things within the Budget. For the first time, in my view I have been in this Parliament for quite a reasonable length of time.
The positive thing that I see in this Budget is that it is located within a particular trajectory. It gives trajectory on the economy and rests on the pedestal of an economic blueprint which has never happened before. Budgets were just being introduced willy nilly without being anchored by a National Development Strategy but this time around, the Budget is being anchored by a National Development Strategy – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – The National Development Strategy is very clear. The Budget is anchored on inclusive growth and macro-economic stability which we all need for this economy; for without growth, without growing the cake and without macro-economic stability, this economy will never recover. So macro-economic stability and growth are the basis of sustainable economic recovery and this is contained in the NDS1 that anchors this Budget.
The other pillar is of course developing and supporting productive value chains. Productivity is key, for without production there are no jobs, foreign exchange earnings and we perish. So the focus on productivity is a key focus which I think anchors the Budget so well. The third pillar is optimising resources in our natural resources – this has been the missing link. Zimbabwe is not poor, we are blessed with so many minerals and natural resources but we have not been able to leverage our natural resources to back up the Budget. There is no fiscal space, we are depending on tax revenues but because this Budget sees the need to leverage on the natural resources sector so that we avoid natural resource case and the Dutch disease, I think it is a very promising Budget in that regard.
This Budget also zeroes in on infrastructure development and as you know Mr. Speaker, infrastructure is an enabler to economic growth. The ring-fencing of about $10 billion for the Chirundu-Beitbridge Highway is very good because that road is happening using our own resources. I am happy that you have ring-fenced $10 billion – you must not end there. You can virement other resources to finish other roadworks or highway projects both in urban and rural areas like Mberengwa, Tsholotsho and all other areas that need highways. You can virement the Budget from the Unallocated Reserve to make sure that we complete some of the roads that have remained uncompleted for quite a long time.
I see that the thrust on energy – making sure that this country is going to be self-sufficient in energy is a very good thrust. I believe that in the years to come, we should be able to export power to the region which was unthinkable two years ago. So I must acknowledge that positive development as the Budget takes the NDS1 as its pedestal. Social protection and human capital development is also covered in this Budget. I see there is quite a lot that has been done on social protection and Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga already referred to some of those issues.
The Portfolio Committee on Education and Secondary Education; Health and Child Care also touched on social protection and safety nets that have been provided for by the Minister, which is all good. The strengthening of effective institutions and building good governance, the Portfolio Chairman on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs has just referred to those institutional strengthening measures that are contained in this Budget.
Finally in terms of the pillars that the Budget rests on, I see there is engagement and re-engagement as a pillar that informs the Budget. So in terms of the trajectory, I think that the Budget is in the right direction.
I also noticed and of course I will come to the ugly but let me just note some of the good things that are in the Budget. Things like the setting aside of $3.9 billion for irrigation is very positive because it will amount to 350 000 hectares going under irrigation. I see the growth of exports to 4.1% in 2021 and from 3.6% in 2020 is a huge milestone. There is an effort to zero in on value chains as I have already referred to and I can also see attempts to revive ZISCO Steel.
Mr. Speaker Sir, what is wrong with ZISCO Steel? Year in and year out – we are talking about ZISCO Steel without any progress. I think that this must be the last time that we talk about ZISCO Steel without actually turning it around. We have got engineers, technicians, electricians and even the feed material to resuscitate ZISCO Steel. What is the problem? If we resuscitate ZISCO Steel it connects with so many other sectors of the economy. The railways, Hwange Colliery, the energy sector will be revamped if we revive ZISCO Steel; re-industrialisation will be promoted if we revive ZISCO Steel because it is at the centre of this economy. This is why the Rhodesians planned their economy with ZISCO Steel in mind and as long as we do not have ZISCO Steel operating and do not see cranes in our skylines – what are we doing? We must see a lot of cranes and buildings all over as a palpable measure to see the recovery of the economy and that is the direction we must take.
The Budget also provides empowerment money for women, youth and war veterans - $37 million but this is contingent upon the setting up of the National Venture Capital Company. Hon. Minister, it is one thing saying you are going to give $37 million to the youth and women but set the National Venture Capital Company like yesterday with structures and transparency information on how the youth and women can access the $37 million from the Venture Capital Company. So that company has to be setup as quickly as possible.
I see you have also allocated $21.4 million towards health and safety in mining; tourism you gave $1.8 billion but helpful this time around. You remember that we have been complaining about the Abuja target of 15% but you are just close to it – I think around 13.3% and I think that we must compliment you for that. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
One other important thing is devolution; you set aside $19.5 billion for devolution which is very good because we need democratic decentralised development. No country has developed through centralisation. We need a democratic developmental State where development is devolved and decentralised. I hope that the Local Government Act or legislations will be re-aligned to the Constitution to make sure that this devolution is able to proceed in a seamless manner.
The other positive that I can take from this Budget is of course, your attempt to introduce a defined benefit scheme for civil servants migrating from Pay as You Go to a defined benefit. That is the only permanent way to make sure that pensioners get something when they retire because if they do not have a defined benefit, that will lead to where they are now, i.e. impoverishment because they have been contributing to Pay as You Go without a defined benefit. So this migration in my view is positive.
The abolishment of retention fund by ministries - the Constitution provides for a single Consolidated Revenue Fund where all State revenue is warehoused but over the past years, we have had a plethora of these independent silos by way of retention funds. Each Ministry has its own slash/side funds and side shows have been happening. This has deprived Treasury of the much needed revenue. So the abolishment of retention funds in my view is a positive development. We want all revenue to go to one port, one Consolidated Revenue Fund and I wish you the best of luck in that because I know that there will be resistance from your colleagues who had been used to the slash funds.
I see that a lot of money $8.2 billion has been allocated to agriculture, to the Pfumvudza Scheme with inputs of fertilizer and seed. The same applies to the cotton sector where 300 000 households will benefit from subsidised inputs and I think that it is a positive development in this Budget. I can go on to single out what I consider to be positive developments in the Budget but like I said there is the good, the bad and the ugly.
I now come to the ugly so to speak. The first thing I note – sorry about this but I am there. I know that you are in a fix because of lack of fiscal space but the continued compression of wages and salaries and incomes is not good for the country. If you pay your civil servants and the private sector well, you are an economist. You are creating aggregate demand as people will demand more goods and services and industries will respond. There will be a supply response and they will create more goods and services and therefore, that is the desired macro-economic effect but if you continue to suppress, compress wages and underpay employees because you want to stabilise the economy, I do not agree with you there. Let us remunerate our civil servants adequately.
The poverty datum line as of September was 17,500 and what you have done is just to increase the tax free threshold from 5000 to 10 000 which falls short of the 17 500 poverty datum line. I would implore you to raise the tax free threshold, say to 15 000 at least to be near or closer the PDL.
The other elephant in the living room is of course your revenues. The 421 billion budget is just an aspirational budget because you need to collect the revenues. If I look at your tax structure, you only depend on V.A.T which is 25,8% projected this year, corporate tax 18,6 projected this year, P.A.Y.E 18,6; excise duty 10,2 and royalties 3%. I am worried about royalties because the mining houses are not contributing enough to the fiscus. A lot of illicit financial inflows are taking place in the mining sector, a lot of transfer pricing is taking place in the mining sector and they are shipping out raw materials, they are not beneficiating. We cannot reward them by just charging 3% royalties; let us increase the royalties that we charge. Infact, I do not agree with the reduction of corporate taxes from 25% to 24%. Companies should pay. If they are growing, they must pay more especially the mining houses.
We are over-taxing our citizens because income tax is too much, VAT is also too much and yet companies are going scot free but I know the mining sector is a lobby sector. I have studied mining all over Africa; it is a lobby sector, it is very difficult to tax mining houses because it is a lobby sector but I think the Minister will deal with that mischief. How can diamond only pay 15% royalties, the coal sector 1% royalties, the gold sector 2% in terms of royalties yet gold is doing well? They are doing very well. So I implore the Minister to review the royalties upwards. This is why in countries like DRC and Tanzania they had to cancel all mining contracts to renegotiate them because the mining sector was not contributing anything substantial to the fiscus.
If you look at the fiscal space, it is limited; this budget has to find money to be funded. Your taxes are only 16% of GDP, the projected GDP is 2, 4 trillion and we can only collect 16%. So we need to work hard to grow the cake so that we can collect more revenues and make sure that mining is leveraged; it contributes to the development of the economy.
Sovereign Wealth Funds – it is a fund which should be populated by earnings from the natural resources sector. We have got Sovereign Wealth Funds like the Norwegian, the Abu Dhabi one, very rich funds but they are populated by oil resources, natural gas resources. So it would be wrong for you to take resources from the fiscus to give to the Sovereign Wealth Funds. Those resources must be found from our natural resources not from income tax or other taxes. It must find a way to be funded by the companies themselves because it is a warehousing of revenues. So I think the money you have allocated to the Sovereign Wealth Fund must go somewhere, may be tertiary students, add money for grants and loans because sovereign wealth fund must be funded by the proceeds from the natural resources. The other challenge you have is that the money you are allocating to the Ministries are disbursed through drip disbursement. You find that at the end of the tenure of 2021, Ministries only have accessed 15% of the allocated revenue. So, this becomes an academic exercise.
Let the money allocated be accessed by the Ministries and that is when you would say I have saved a lot of money and I have surplus when Ministries have not provided services and when the health sector have not purchased drugs and so on. The disbursement or uptake of the fund is something that you need to improve on. The other issue is the debt trap. This country is highly indebted. Almost $9 billion in foreign debt and interest payments and if you look at the figure of interest payments, it is a huge amount. So, we are in a debt trap and let us find a way to get out of this debt trap and let us stop borrowing, foreign borrowing must be stopped.
[Time Limit]
HON. MAPHOSA: I propose for the extension of his time by five minutes.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MAVETERA): You can proceed for five more minutes.
HON. DR. MASHAKADA: Publicly guaranteed debt to parastatals and private companies which borrow must be checked because it becomes a fait accompli on the State. Arduous debt must be checked. So, let us stop borrowing at all in order to rise out of the debt trap. We are enslaving our children and great grand children through this high debt burden.
I come to the macro-economic framework, our macro economic projections. When we talk about stability, I want us to qualify the stability in view of the following things. If you look at growth, you are projecting a 7.4% GDP growth rate against a background of minus 4,1%. If we have declined by a minus 4.1% in 2020, suddenly we aspire to get 7.4%., it is too ambitious. I guess you can revise your GDB focus. This is too ambitious and it is unachievable because we already know that we are subjected to climatic shocks, global shocks as you rightly know and certain macro-economic shocks that are still prevalent in the economy. We will be able to achieve 7.4%. so, I wish you could reexamine that growth back.
The other issue is inflation. By all accounts this is an inflationary budget because you are talking of billions, trillions and it is certainly an inflationary budget. It does not mirror real values in the economy and we are projecting an inflation figure of 135% which is still in the hyper-inflationary zone because anything above 50% is hyper-inflation. So, 135% is almost three times fifty. I do not call that stability because it is not stability. If you go in the shops, prices are rising almost every week while incomes cannot afford those prices.
I see money supply growth also has been on the increase and if you do not control M3 or reserve money, you have got problems in targeting your inflation. I see from your budget M3 has been increasing and it is very difficult to target your inflation. At the end of the day, this budget must build confidence for investors, the private sector and confidence for Zimbabwean citizens and that is key because why citizens are not confident of the budget is that this economy is now a dual economy. It is now an enclave economy. This economy, 80% is informal and 20% is formal. So, this budget largely talks to the 20% of the population or of the economy.
It must be an inclusive budget which covers everybody not just the 10% or 20% in the formal sector. We must reduce informalisation and make the economy more formal so that we can create jobs and we can get confidence of our citizens. At the end of the day, this budget is a good effort but it is how you can balance these huge demands against a small pocket, pace or a small resource incomes. Thank you.
HON. KWARAMBA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to first of all applaud the Minister of Finance for presenting the budget whose theme was “building resilience and sustainable economic recovery” reflects the issue of inclusivity. The budget made commitment to empower disadvantaged groups like women, boys, girls and war veterans even though nothing much is said about the disabled. Priority should be given to women and girls to satisfy the NDS 1.
Hon. Minister, I would also want to applaud you for targeting the issues we raised as Women’s Caucus and the key issues we raised are among the top five priorities in terms of allocation of funds. These are primary and secondary education, health, energy, water and sanitation. These got higher funding as advocated in the Zimbabwe Women Parliamentary Caucus Women’s Manifesto. I would like to comment on agriculture because our economy is agrarian based and the performance of the 2021 budget will depend on performance of the agriculture season but this will only be possible if the agriculture sector is well funded.
The pfumvudza concept is very good but modern farming implements to support women is required and also inputs should be prioritised and distributed timeously both for pfumvudza and A2 farmers. Minister, up to now, most farmers have not yet received inputs for this season yet we say we are not going to import maize this season. Now this is a good season as evidenced by the rains that we are receiving but inputs are not forthcoming. There should be gender disaggregated data showing the number of women who have received inputs to enable monitoring and equitable allocation of resources.
Climate change is one factor that is affecting agriculture, therefore, Hon. Minister we are saying there should be mitigation measures against climate change, let us consider irrigation and this should also be given to women in the district as stated in the MDS strategy. Minister, we also need statistics showing the number of women who received these irrigation equipment.
Madam Speaker, I also want to comment on education. We are very happy for the huge allocation but this should cascade to poor and vulnerable localities in urban and rural areas. Disbursements of BEAM funds should be done timeously and should consider affirmative action. We would also want clarity on import duty and VAT rebate on sanitary wear as it still remains unaffordable to most women. Thank you again for social support to pregnant girls as this reduces school drop outs but would you please clarify how this is going to be administered.
On transport Hon. Minister, since we have introduced a ban on ex-Japan cars, would you kindly resource the motor industry to reduce costs because we foresee the cost of cars going up and beyond the reach of many people. We are also appealing for duty free cars for women. The Government has imported ZUPCO buses but most women cannot access these buses. There is a lot of abuse when women try to board these buses. Kenya and Tanzania have this scheme for women to prevent abuse, we could also adopt that. On non-communicable disease, we also urge the Minister to take sugary foods so that money goes to finance non-communicable diseases to encourage health life styles and the same goes on cigarettes. Minister, you did not respond on this when you did your budget.
Thank you for capacitation of ZINWA and DDF for procuring drilling rigs and borehole maintenance programme. We would also need central coordinating for watch projects because these have a direct impact on women. On sliding payments of water, Hon. Minister, you did not respond to this. On SMEs, monies should be released in time so that they are not affected by inflation. There should be a once off payment so that women’s programmes are not disturbed. Requirements or collateral should be scaled down so that these funds are accessible but women should also be encouraged to pay their loans so that they benefit others. There should be also a bias towards rural women. Erratic releases affect women’s projects. The women’s banks should well funded so that all women access loans.
To conclude Minister, Government should remain focused on gender issues and disburse funds timeously. I thank you.
*HON. CHIKUKWA: I want thank the Hon. Minister for the budget but I want to speak representing people in town. I come from Harare town. I think I need clarity on the issue of tax free band when we compare the type of money which we used to pay, if someone pays in US dollars, the tax free band is high compared to someone who pays in the local currency. Therefore, I suggest that when we are paying, the issue of tax free must be balanced between the local currency and the US so that all people benefit equally or use the exchange rate for that same day.
On the issue of location tax, this touched me. On the issue of projects which are being done especially those operating in Siya-So or saloons, it is not bad as one must pay a certain percentage towards the tax. I am pleading to the Minister that you must reduce the location tax because the time which we are expecting for this to resume on the issue of paying the tax, many people were not going to work or doing any work because of Covid-19. Now people are trying to stand on their feet after this Covid-19. Therefore, extend the period and reduce the amount they are supposed to pay.
In 2012 in Japan, there was an earthquake and the issue of radiation was introduced. On cars there are some cars that were imported in the country before radiation was introduced. Those cars must also pay for radiation not to charge that on cars that are being imported now only but all cars, even those imported before must pay. If the already imported cars are also a disaster to our health, then radiation must be paid.
On the issues of water, there are lots of projects that we have proposed. If you go to areas like Highfield, Harare South or Mbare in the early morning, many people will be queuing for water at the boreholes but there are the elderly who are not able to go to those boreholes to fetch water but they will be requesting for help from the churches. Therefore, I suggest we put aside money to drill boreholes and those boreholes must have piping directed to 100 houses or for a certain area because some other people are now making money by selling water to the people which is supposed to be for free.
Therefore, the issue of putting the pipes from that borehole and service those houses makes the issue of corruption on water to be eliminated. I thank you.
HON. J. SITHOLE: Thank you Madam Speaker. First and foremost, I would like to applaud the effort that was put into providing the top most figure with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education of $55.221 billion. This shows that our Minister is very much aware that it is this level of education which can capacitate any other level, whether it is at university or college.
I also want to thank the Minister for realising that there are certain critical areas within that Ministry which need funding. However, I still feel that there are areas which need to be considered critically, such areas as ECD because as we think about the new curriculum, the updated curriculum and also the Education Amendment Act that we are pursuing, we should realise that State funded basic education starts at ECD. If we start from ECD, then we are going to see ourselves developing a situation where we are going to see more children getting into school, hence capacitating our education system.
I would also feel that there is need to give more money or more funding towards tuition because looking at the situation as it is, a number of our children this year have not managed to go to school throughout the year. Some, even up to today, are going to school once a week because of the staggering that is going on due to the Covid situation and it implies that if Covid is, by God’s mercy, not going to be with us, next year we need to make sure that we revamp our education system and make sure that our children are going to have enough materials in terms of their education.
I also want to mention that for the past years from 2019, we saw our Government making sure that all the outstanding BEAM funds were paid. In 2020 about 1 million children managed to get funding through BEAM and for 2021 an allocation of about $3 billion has been given towards BEAM. It might appear like a very big figure but mathematically if calculated it looks like we are going to go back whereby we will have fewer children going to school using that BEAM facility because of the amount of money which is required per child. The calculations show that each child now needs more and therefore the allocation that was given to BEAM needs to be increased.
We also realise the level of vulnerability among our children and incapacitation of their families accordingly also reflects that there is need for increasing BEAM funding. After all, it is a fund that can work as a footstool towards our basic State funded education. I would like to say there are issues which are also related to education which need to be looked at critically, such issues as mobility by the lower tiers of the administration structure of education – the district school inspectors and their inspectors, the PDs and the inspectors in their different provincial offices. These people need to be mobile so that they can go and see what really happens at ground level.
During a tour by the Committee on Primary and Secondary Education last week, we observed that a number of schools in this country have not seen teachers going back to work and the children are just alone. Some Grade 7 children were actually saying they had just come to write the examinations and such situations require that the administration in the Ministry should be able to go downstream. So there is need for such facilities as vehicles to make these people mobile and you will also find that in these schools a number of parents were saying they could not pay fees because the term or the year is coming to an end. Such things need to be observed by the powers that be so that our education system is not going to suffer.
Accordingly, this also applies to the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare where we will find the Ministry is engaged in education, health and food issues. The officials there need to be capacitated to ensure that they go down to ground level and observe what is happening there. For example the BEAM issue which I have talked about is something that comes from the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare but the way that it is being administered at lower levels leaves a number of children who cannot access that fund because there will not be enough education for the parents involved and in some cases they are child headed families or they are the disabled children. They may not be able to access the funds and it needs these officials from the Ministry to go down and monitor what happens at school level, hence they need to have vehicles.
I also want to say our schools, because they have been so much affected by Covid-19, still need a lot of assistance with such things as masks or
HON. J. SITHOLE (speaking)…all types of PPE because our parents cannot afford. Even as we were moving around, we found that the PPEs were given and some of them got the PPEs in the first phase as they were opening and others did not get them. They were actually working from their own pockets to make sure that their children were getting these PPEs so that they could end up being in school.
I also want to say in terms of the Ministry of Finance, we would rather expect that the issue of a Constituency Development Fund (CDF) must be taken with the name it deserves, if it could be raised. I think proposals have been brought up to something about $2 million because I understand last year, when we visited Zambia, we found that their CDF as of last year, stood at 1.6 million Kwacha and ours was slightly below RTGS200 000. I think we need to make sure that we coin the fund constituency development to mean exactly what we are doing because when we say we develop, we have to develop and that should be adequate.
I also want to say in the area of environment, it was reported that EMA did not get any funding. If we go even into our rural areas, the amount of land degradation that is going on there - yet no attention being taken is so alarming. I strongly feel that EMA should be capacitated, if we do not do it, we are only going to end up with our good Zimbabwe turning into a desert. I think the Hon. Minister has done quite a lot, but these few areas I have mentioned, I strongly feel they have to honoured.
I want to crown this debate by saying we have got serious problems of food in our communities where you have got hungry citizens. They cannot even improve the nation economically because they will not be strong enough. We strongly feel that they should provide more to our vulnerable citizens so that they can also participate in the economic development of this nation. They have been affected, incapacitated during Covid and they need to be given some food. As of this year, we understand the Government had problems of feeding all people who deserved some food to the extent that some had to be dropped off. We feel the budget that is being given of $6 billion to the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare versus an expected $20 billion might need to be increased so that our people can get the food.
Finally our workforce as well, such things as continuous strikes need not to happen. Let us attend to them timeously by giving the people who deserve these salaries and non monetary incentives. Let it be done timeously so that they feel that the Government also understands their plight. I thank you.
HON. MADZIMURE: Madam Speaker, I want to add few words to this debate. The first issue is the monitoring and evaluation of the programmes, starting with the TSP. It was very important for the Minister to have presented a thorough analysis of the performance of the TSP so that the NDS1 will first talk to issues that will sanitise or correct what went during the TSP. Also, to use that as a benchmark because whenever you introduce a programme, if it is not the first programme, you must have looked at the previous one for it to inform you.
Madam Speaker, if we look at the performance of the TSP, it was not very encouraging. It was supposed to stabilise macro economy and the financial sector and also introduce some necessary policies that would help the economy to perform better. Also the issue of institutional reforms, where we were going, to move away from depending on the Government doing a lot of things and let the private sector lead the economy. As a result of that Madam Speaker, we then fail to understand what will be the linkage between the NDS1 and its predecessor which is the TSP. There were no effective consultations Madam Speaker with the key stakeholders including Parliament.
I think the same was repeated in NDS1 where we had to go for consultations without the blue paper which is the NDS1. A lot of people whom we were meeting during our tours as Parliamentarians during budget consultations were asking the NDS1 paper which was going to be used as the anchor for the budget. It was difficult for us to answer those people.
It is important to consult because issues of development must not be from the top and cascading. The top specialises in consumption. It is important that for any developmental issue to be successful, it requires a good approach. That normally accounts for the country’s specific circumstances. It is important that we realise where we are, what we have and our circumstances. Once we do that, we will then be able to say this is how we are going to move from there onwards.
In terms of the macro-economic performance, the overall real GDP growth targets for 2018 and 2019 were all missed, that is a fact. Madam Speaker, because we missed those, if we had carried out an analysis or a review of our performance then we could have said how did we miss the targets. The economy in 2018 grew by 3.4% against a TST target of 6.3 which in 2019 the economy declined by 6.5% against a targeted 9% growth. The 2020 target, we are also going to miss it. So the issue is, we are going to miss our target which should have been around 9% and we ended up achieving a minus but our focus for 2021 is above 7%. We expect ourselves to recover from a minus back to a level of plenitude of 0% and we start going to 9%. I think it is a tall order, it will be easier for the Minister to have projected a target that can be even 1% growth because we were going to meet it and then start going forward.
I would also want the Minister to explain further which sectors we really expect to perform so highly that we are going to achieve that particular goal. If I look at a number of sectors - industry, there is virtually nothing that we are doing at the moment to equip our industrialists. My expectation is that we start re-tooling; we start improving the equipment that we have; we start improving the way we produce our products; we start making sure that productivity improves because until we can do so, we run into a problem where we just think of production but production does not add value. What really adds value is productivity. There is also our mantra ‘Zimbabwe is open for business’, which I strongly feel targets these big businesses but the fact is that our economy is now almost 90% informal, meaning the biggest players in employment creation are not those big companies. It is those small businesses at Magaba, Glenview 8 and these big companies where you find a number of companies occupying what used to be a single company.
What are we doing for those people for them to produce more? It is important that we concentrate on ensuring that our small businesses have favourable conditions for them to grow and produce economically. The only way they can do that is to afford them a situation where they can access funds at reasonable interest rates. Not only that, technically we must equip them as well. We must train our people, we must set up institutions that can train people. SRDC where Prof. Chatsanga used to be at one time, this House resolved that we have a national productivity centre. The whole idea was to make sure whatever we produce there has some element of industrial engineering involved. Industrial engineering is all about maximum utilisation of plant and equipment and also making sure that there is a perfect relationship between the man and the machine. This is what made Japan what it is today. This is what made China what it is today, the issue of productivity. Whenever you walk into a factory, you must know what you are expected to produce. That produce must be known. If it is going to be 75% without any incentive, so be it. This is how the Chinese and Japanese do it. You do not thumb suck and the same applies to even our Government ministries. We do not have any standards. For you to say I have performed today and I ask you, at what level did you perform, that person does not understand.
In a modern world like where we live, we cannot compete with anyone if that is not done. It appears to be a very simple thing but it is because of that, that we do not even produce in our farms because there is no target. The technical support we give to our farmers is very little. I come from a rural background; I used to know that house belongs to a mudhumeni. The house which used to be occupied by the mudhumeni which fortunately was built under Smith is very strong and it still stands there but I last saw someone occupying that house 20 years ago. So there is no one monitoring the performance of our farmers.
We used to know kuti chimudhudhudhu chikati dhudhu! ndechamudhumeni, extension officer. We now do not have those people and because of that we waste our labour. You find where you can grow your crops with only one person but you want six, seven of them. Look at how they even grow the maize - 1 metre apart, hanzi ndokuti chiite zihombe sitereki. There are modern ways of doing things and we need to train people to do that.
Finally whatever performance, the success of any programme or any budget must be related to the effect it has on a person who is in Chiendambuya or who is in Kambuzuma - what gets into their pockets. Does it transform their lives and as far as I am concerned at the moment, the measures that we have been taking are not doing that. We are still giving our pensioners or our elderly, RTGs300 or even 500. That amount is around US$5 or US$4 point something. What do you buy with that and can we proud ourselves that we are looking after our elders when we are giving them RTGs500? That also sometimes brings us into believing that we are in a crisis a little bit where our people cannot survive.
We must ensure that whoever we give, that something can sustain the individual. If we cannot then we cannot and we then think of where to raise the money, which leads me to the issue of resource management. Madam Speaker, the level of corruption if we were to calculate the effects of corruption – in most cases we just talk of someone is corrupt because he was involved in a $60 million deal and the like. Effectively what it does is that, where you were supposed to buy something for $20, you will buy it for $40 but that person who will have facilitated corruption does not get the other $20. That person only gets probably $3 and $17 goes to these businessmen. That is why you then find some people claiming to be millionaires; to be moving mountains. So, until we account for every dollar, then we have a serious challenge. Just imagine where you lose $10 million; if the Minister of Finance was going to get that $10 million and distribute among all the hospitals in Masvingo, they will have enough supplies for the whole year but we pay lip-service as far as corruption is concerned. We have people who get contracts and some of the contracts when the tenders were first floated you would hear it was about $10 million but a month or six months later, it would get to $15m or $20m and then you ask yourself what is changing before a person has even been granted that particular tender. I think it is also important that whatever money we collect should be put to good use and we make sure that all the ministries, whatever is disbursed to them must be followed up. We must know where the money will have gone.
Lastly Minister, if we say we are going to give $5 billion to BEAM it must be disbursed as $5 billion. That is another problem that we have. We talk of the figures but we do not disburse the money. In most cases, almost every Ministry comes back and says they have not received the money. If we cannot raise the money, then we must not promise that we are going to give that money. It will be very important to give the money where it should go. We should also relate the money to the per capita. If we say we are going to give BEAM, how many children are we going to pay for?
Health – from my own calculations of per capita, each Zimbabwean will get around US$60. This amount, for someone’s health care for a whole year is too little. Our people are subsidising the government by going to a clinic, getting a prescription and buying their own medicine. I thank you.
HON. MADHUKU: Thank you Madam Speaker for affording me the opportunity to also add my voice to this budget debate. I want to thank the Minister of Finance and Economic Development for producing a budget which in my view is quite relevant and meets the environment which we are in, and also for subscribing to the NDS1 which has been promulgated by His Excellency. So, it forms the foundation for the budget and I appreciate that very much. I also want to touch on a few points which I think the Minister can look into.
The first one concerns the investment in the youths and women. I think this was also highlighted by the Portfolio Committee on Youth. We think more can be given for vocational training and also for recreational centres. We realise that a lot of our youth need employment and once they are capacitated in this manner, it means they can employ themselves in view of the fact that we have problems with employment in the country. We also realise that the youths form the bulk of the population and this would also cater for the youth which could be a time bomb to the nation if we continue to produce the youths into the street and they do not find something to occupy them in the form of recreational centres and creating jobs for themselves. I urge the Hon. Minister to look into these issues as well as the issue of banks for women and the youths. More needs to be given to those banks. Accessibility should be improved to the youths.
On the issue of irrigation which got a lot of money from the Minister and also command horticulture as highlighted by the President, I think this area needs to be looked into and beefed up. I urge the Hon. Minister to probably look into the possibility of funding drip irrigation in view of the fact that we have erratic rainfall systems due to global warming. So drip irrigation will serve us a lot of water resources because it is very effective and uses little water.
Then on the issue of increasing revenue base whereby the Hon. Minister went to the extent of getting SMEs to ensure that they also pay a piece of their earnings to the country, I think the Hon. Minister can do a lot on the issue of revenue collection because we hear that in the developed world dodging tax is a very serious crime. However, we see that a lot of people in this country do not seem to be paying tax. I think the Hon. Minister can cast his net wide to ensure that everybody pays tax to Caesar.
I also want to urge the Hon. Minister to look into the issue which we once talked about whereby we have a lot of other businesses that are charging in US$ but paying tax in RTGs. If he could find a way of ensuring that they pay government in that denomination, that would also boost the national revenue collection.
Let me also talk about the issue of the mining sector with specific reference to those who mine gold. I have read an article which has been given by Equity Access, which says that Zimbabwe will not meet its gold output target for 2020 and is said to produce less than 20 tonnes in 2020. According to Equity Access, 2020 gold production is Zimbabwe’s lowest in six years. Zimbabwe is now said to widely miss gold production target for 2020 after recording a 1.5 tonne produce in November. We think that there is a problem here because his budget also should get a lot of revenue from mining specifically gold.
The report goes further to say this comes amid reports from Bloomberg Business, that gold worth 1.5 billion is smuggled out of Zimbabwe every year. If this is true, then I think the Hon. Minister has to do something and invest in extractive industry transparency initiative. I think the issue of good governance in the mining sector is very critical because the mining industry has to account for all the revenues they get and their expenditure. So, I am not sure why as Zimbabweans we are finding it very difficult and dragging our feet to join EITI when a lot of other countries such as Zambia are part of this organisation which actually boosts our levels of revenue collection. I would urge the Hon. Minister to ensure that he puts something and makes it a point that we join EITI so that we boost our revenue.
Let me go to the issue of ICT where I want to applaud the Hon Minister for doing a lot by giving money to this area. More can be done to this area especially in the education sector because we have had a lot of problems due to COVID-19 whereby a lot of our learners failed to access online learning and radio lessons, they could not because of lack of connectivity. We end up having a situation whereby some learners are left behind because of challenges with network. Not only that but this age of technology, a lot of our farmers back home benefit from this connectivity by way of improving their farming methods or even looking for markets. They need to be connected. The issue of ICT connectivity will do a lot and also boost production.
Let me look into the other area which has been talked about by the Chairperson of the Committee on Primary and Secondary Education pertaining remuneration and the improvement of welfare of civil servants. On this issu,e I want to zero in on the teaching fraternity. It is critical that we look into this area as seriously as we can because if we do not when we moved around the countryside looking at what the schools are doing, we have witness a very sad scenario whereby some teachers actually just go to the classroom and just tell the learners to read on their own or just give homework which is never marked. This kind of issue is very much disturbing to the learners and it is going to have far reaching consequences. Any development we can talk about for any nation without a good education system is doomed to fail.
We need to seriously look into their welfare. Many countries have challenges improving remuneration for their workers because of economic challenges but other issues like the non-monetary incentives or benefits will go a long way in solving this problem. If I may give an example of what psychology says. There is one Abraham Maslow who talked about the basic needs theory – it is an issue of motivation to say human beings naturally are motivated when their needs are met first. At the bottom of the ladder, we are talking about physiological needs and these have to do with food, water, shelter and clothing. If these needs are met, then they will be motivated to produce more if they are at work. When these needs are me,t they go to the next level of security or safety needs. Here we are talking about financial security, health and safety.
We are saying that following this theory which has been tested scientifically and empirically, if we meet these basic physiological needs of the civil servants, then we are going to have excellent work and they are going to do more to ensure that our learners get the best. It is my plea to the Hon Minister to look into this. By so doing, let me quote what Malcolm said, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today”. We have to do something now in order to ensure that our NDS1 is a success.
Lastly, let me talk about the school feeding programme. We notice that the SDG2 talks about better nutrition and also aims at ending hunger and achieve food security. The goal is to combat hunger and malnutrition for everybody. We have noticed that in the school system, if learners are given food, more of them attend classes and they come to school. You are aware that there is a lot of hunger in the countryside. If learners are given food, more of them will flock to school. We have witnessed that where there is no feeding programme and resources, there has been a lot of dropouts. This is what we have witness. We have also witnessed that sometimes they say they have been given beans, chunks but it is not balanced because there is no maize meal and rice. We have witnessed certain schools just giving learners beans only because there is no maize. I would urge the Hon Minister to ensure that more is given to the learners to ensure that more of them attend lessons so that no one is left behind. This is in line with Vision 2030 and also the SDGs on health and education.
Overally, I want to salute the Hon Minister for being sensitive to the requests from the public because we have seen a great improvement for this Budget for 2021. This is a positive development. I want to applaud him and we are very optimistic that with all these presentations, he is going to look into them and improve in areas where there is need for improvement for the benefit of our country and the National Development Strategy 1. I thank you.
HON NDUNA: I just want to applaud the Minister for coming up with a Budget in the manner he has done. Contrary to what the other Hon Member has said, the issue of TSP has been eloquently and effectively ventilated by the Minister of Finance in terms of its achievements, goals and targets. I will unpack my introduction as follows in that I can vouch that very few, including diplomatic missions, have even read that 300 paged document. What the Minister has done is to actually constrict it and he has actually summarised it and gotten to the key points of TSP, its achievements, goals and such like, what has led him to the NDS1 document.
The Minister has extracted the highlights and then he has also shown the extent to which the TSP goals have been met. It was impressive in my view and I think even tough skeptics like Hon. Mashakada and the rest would actually view that there are now significant changes in the dynamics and economic matrices and matrix in this country. I am going to suggest Madam Speaker Ma’am, that the Hon. Minister issues a shortened version. Like I have said, the one that you presented has got more than 300 pages so that we also, as Members of Parliament, can benefit from the shortened version that is also going to be read by your skeptics.
However, let me just deal, in my introduction, with the micro-economic side of the TSP since August, 2018. We have achieved the following, Madam Speaker Ma’am, I want you to understand this before I go into five points that I want to deal with on his Budget. Number one, the Hon. Minister has brought the Budget under control and got all ministries only spending what they are authorised. Certainly ministers have been coming here, certainly quarterly and monthly reports have been coming to Portfolio Committees and we can see that – it has been open for all to see.
Number two, restructured the Budget completely with the reduction of the proportion of spending going to salaries – from 97% Madam Speaker Ma’am to the current 45% and he has maintained that view. Number three, the fiscal deficit that has averaged over 9% of GDP virtually since Independence and re-emerged in 2014 has been eliminated – that is applaudable to say the least. Number four, the Reserve Bank balance sheet which in 2018 – we as the Public Accounts Committee have been critical of the quasi-fiscal issues in the Reserve Bank but you need to listen to this. The Reserve Bank balance sheet which was totally distorted in 2018, with liabilities exceeding assets by a wide margin, is being completely restructured and will be sound by end of 2020. It is happening and we are scrutinising it as the Public Accounts Committee. It was fully audited in 2020 and all liabilities analysed and brought to book. What more can you want? Certainly we need to applaud that.
The State is again in a position to start debt servicing as the Hon. Minister said in his Pre-Budget presentation and to finance essential long term investment priorities – that is quite applaudable. Number six, we have moved steadily into a balance of payment surplus and are now financing all recurrent imports in full and on time hapana chinokunda ichocho.
Hon. Minister, I also want to applaud you in that in the Monetary Policy field, we have re-established the Monetary Policy Committee in your spheres of influence which has also managed to bring the delinquent behaviour in the system under control and we have seen you reigning in Ecocash, the money lenders and brought those people under control and stabilising our RTGS Dollar and that is quite applaudable.
Madam Speaker Ma’am, a great deal still needs to be done obviously but a market for foreign currency has been created and for the past four months, Madam Speaker Ma’am, you would definitely know that it is a predictable price that you find at TM Supermarkets and such like. There is stability and it is my observation also that in the past three months, inflation has been below 2% on the month to month. It is my thinking and we expect these conditions to be maintained in 2021. Having said that, I want to say to the Hon. Minister that the inflation that he forecast, it is my thinking that it is too high. He basically maybe just needs to concentrate on the revenue targets that he has spoken about which I think really needs amadoda sibili to be realised. I will be giving you how I am proposing that some revenue has to be generated both from the market and from other sources that are not tax related – that is what I am known for. I am not a cry baby.
There is also, in my view, need to fully review professional staff salaries – if you want a monkey, you will definitely get peanuts for payment. My Hon. Madhuku, who has just been here, the issue of manning of schools, is very key but we also need to effectively and efficiently remunerate those who are spending more than eight hours with our children. They are now basically like first class parents. Some of us as parents do not spend eight hours with our children. I am here nearly 14 hours, I get home two hours and I do not sleep like I am competing with the dead and two hours more, I am awake and come back to Parliament. It is my thinking that if you look at that Hon. Minister, in terms of your revenue targets, we can get to where we want expeditiously.
Imports, in my view, have shrunk enormously. I speak to some friends in business and they tell me that there are reports of increased exports. Basically although demand slumped in the second quarter of the year, demand is now recovering strongly after the COVID-19 pandemic. In the process of all this, Government has asked the people of Zimbabwe to embrace TSP – those restrictive measures that are very restricting and that were very tough – those austerity measures. They have stuck to this position in the face of fierce Opposition – I applaud you for that Hon. Minister.
In saying that, it is the 2% that has been charged to everybody across the board and it is my clarion call that if that can be increased and then maybe you can remove the other VAT, other taxes and stick to the increased percentage quantum in terms of that tax because the 2% has done wonders. In particular, in terms of infrastructure development and we also see money is coming in for devolution and that is quite applaudable.
Your work Hon. Minister actually goes overboard, you are the gold finger of the country but also the issues to do with governance also affect the perception that the global community views this country and it is my thinking that the Government of the Second Republic has done a good deal with the farmers in that global sect and that is quite commendable in terms of compensation and they have scrapped POSA and AIPPA that affects your jobs and perception. It also increases the appetite for the International Finance Institutions and also IMF and the World Bank in terms of financing our operations.
There has been Acts amended – 138 Acts of Parliament to bring them into line with the Constitution and maintain a free press. Very shortly and for the first time the State is going to allow the registration of independent radio stations and TV stations, that is commendable, it impacts on the budget. I personally and for a very long time observed that there are a lot of issues that are not monetary related but that affect your business. It is known and it should be known and there were observers in this country in 2018 that His Excellency, E.D Mnangagwa won definitely by more than 300 000. That perception and if that is spoken about from across the political divide by all protagonists, it also gives us as a country that perception by the international community that Zimbabwe is ready and is primed for take off in terms of its economic development.
The issue of aviation is very key. You have already proposed that there is going to be money allocated to four aerodromes and airports for their rehabilitation, maintenance and reconstruction – that is very key. I am alive to the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo tower extension. There is increase on machine interaction, you see the aircraft coming from the air-traffic controllers’ point of view and you are able to guide it accordingly. The current scenario is that the building and the tower are at the same level so there is no eye contact and that is very dangerous, to say the least in the aviation sector.
I have also seen it is Vote Number 1, the President’s Office where DDF resides. You have deliberately put in 4 aerodromes and airports that are there that you need to rehabilitate. It is my hope and view that there should not be any going back on that mantra.
Suffice it to say that I applaud you Hon. Minister – you are on the right track. The issue of roads and road rehabilitation, you have given DDF 300 000 USD, I have divided 3 million by 100 and I have come to that. In USD it buys you a brand new grader, just one.
It is my thinking Hon. Minister that if I can ask you to allow DDF to use that 300 000 and buy second hand graders. You can fit in 10 of them that are below 100 000 hours each and they can go for your gravel roads for more than 10 years. So I ask that you allow them to import those machines duty free for that amount that you have given them.
I am not asking you to increase but Hon. Minister having spoken about aviation, the issue of Air Zimbabwe is very key. If Government can expeditiously take over the debt of air Zimbabwe, it is under reconstruction but in 2011 we had one C.E.O who was Makona who rehabilitated and rejuvenated Air Zimbabwe single handedly without any reconstructor. What the administrator is getting is that he is getting about 11% of all gross income but after this Covid pandemic, it is my hope and view that we are starting on the same level with Emirates and everyone else in the aviation sector. It is time to start again; we lose nothing if we let the workers of Air Zimbabwe bring up their own airline again. Right now you are losing a lot to an administrator unnecessarily. The law can be changed for order. So this is income generating mechanism…
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Nduna, your time is up.
*HON. P. MOYO: Ndaikumbira mumuwedzere dzimwe 5 minutes dzeku humana.
HON. TOGAREPI: On a point of Order! That is not parliamentary.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Member can you withdraw your unparliamentary statement?
HON. P. MOYO: I withdraw.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Hon. Speaker. The aviation sector can grow economies, it actually grows economies and as a continent and as a country we can take advantage of the Yamoussoukro Declaration of the open skies policy. There are five or so of what is called freedom rights that can be apportioned and given to the aviation sector and to airlines in our country that can be used to grow our economy. There is the fifth where they come in from Dubai and they come in via Lusaka and come into Harare. I request that the fifth freedom rights be cancelled so that we do not lose our clients going to Lusaka from Harare.
Emirates take off from Harare, fill up in Harare and go straight to Dubai without transporting our clients to Lusaka and there is what is called cabotage. Cabotage is allowing Emirates to come and do Bulawayo, Harare or Bulawayo-Chiredzi in our country. let us give the airlines that have been with us for a long time such rights and we will get a lot of income arising from that. We can augment and complement that with our ERJ 145 which we have just imported which is at Air Zimbabwe, it is that aircraft the small one which costs nothing more than 5 million dollars and as second hand as it is we can go for about 10 years with the hours that it has.
So, it is my hope and view that you do not sleep as it relates to supporting the airline and they do not need any money, they can utilise what they have. We need to attract more airline, our landing fees and our take off fees are one of the highest taxes in the whole region and in the continent and that does not attract airlines. It is my thinking that the lesser the take off fees and the landing fees, the more the aircraft that will come into Zimbabwe and we can make this an aviation hub of the region.
The geographical location of Zimbabwe as a gateway to SADC should be utilised in the aviation sector. The natural endowments both inside Zimbabwe and outside in the region, we have one of the seven wonders of the world, take advantage of the Victoria Falls, the Mosi-oa-Tunya, there can never be any other place like the Victoria Falls. Business opportunities opened and supported by the second Republic are quite enormous, we have the runway of Hwange Airport, is the longest in the country at 4, 2 kilometers. So we need to rejuvenate it but there is not any money needed, we can use those in the tourism sector to finance.
The issue of the mining sector, as I conclude, we need the private sector and the minors to adhere to the ethos, values, conditions of this country in terms of extracting our resources. There should be no one allowed to mine except they can rehabilitate, reconstruct and make sure they put back the condition of our land. There should not be anybody allowed to mine except if they can construct roads in a macadamized – way asphalt laid, black oriented and all dealt with in the carriageway markings the second to none. So, these are supposed to be the conditions before anybody can mine. What is that going to do to you – it is going to save a lot of money.
[Time Limit]
The people of Chegutu West are very happy with the way I have given you other resource mobilisaton mechanisms and I hope that computerization also on our road networks can allow you to get a lot of revenue. I thank you.
HON. MUSHORIWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I want to thank you for this opportunity to join the debate on the 2021 budget as presented by the Hon. Minister. This is the third budget that has been submitted to this House by the Hon. Minister. Firstly, let me acknowledge the efforts done by the Hon. Minister in coming up with this proposal to this august House. It is only fair before I delve into the budget proposal by the Minister to take cognisance of the background upon which this 2021 budget is premised. We are aware that the past two years under the PSP the two previous budgets that have been presented by the Hon. Minister have made several things.
One of the things that it has done is that in terms of all the projections, economic growth, the two previous budgets failed. For the two years that the budget has been presented to this august House, the Minister had focused on a positive growth, but what we have realised in the past two years is that we have had negative economic growth. We have also failed in terms of our projections in terms of inflation, exchange rate and given such a scenario, you need to look at the assumptions of the 2021 budget. The Hon. Minister is putting his budget on the assumption that there will be a good agricultural season. He is also banking on the fact that probably we have passed the worst Covid pandemic.
He believes that the inflation nosedive is going to be reduced. He banks on the stabilization of the exchange rate and also hopes to increase revenue at the same time. The challenges with these projections are very simple. When it comes to the agricultural season, inasmuch as we can get as much rainfall as we would want, the level of preparedness is very poor in terms of agriculture. The question of Pfumvudza is not sufficient to generate enough agricultural produce. Secondly, the question of Covid-19, in my view – I think for the next three or four months of 2021, this economy is going to be hindered by the Covid pandemic. What that means is that most of the projection of a 7.4% economic growth in 2021 is not realistic and it is not achievable.
The other aspect which the Hon. Minister told us is that $88.7 billion revenue was generated in nine months from January to September. In his projection he says to us from October up to December 2020, he expects to generate $84.4 billion, meaning that he is raising 50% of the revenue in three months, compared to the first nine months from January to September. The dramatic increase is that the Minister then said he projects $344 billion revenue for 2021.
Mr. Speaker Sir, 344 billion is not achievable and I will tell you why. The past two years have taught us a lesson. Ask any Ministry. Of all the money that they have been given in the previous budget, very few ministries managed to get more than 70% of the allocated funds. What it means is that the budget that we have, most ministries are going to get less than 60% of the projected expenditure that they want. Unless, the Hon. Minister is telling us that his Budget is premised on a higher inflation level compared to what he actually stated in his Budget Statement.
If we are going to have a stable inflation rate, then I will tell you that it is difficult to raise even 250 billion in 2021. There are things that the Hon. Minister has tried to do this time around which are noble. You had gone on to introduce presumptive tax on a number of areas. That is good but I think the Hon. Minister did not do sufficient consultations. There are a number of areas which I believe that if the Hon. Minister has actually done sufficient consultation, maybe we will not have major problems. For instance, when you look at the presumptive tax on professionals, lawyers, engineers and medical personnel are supposed to pay presumptive tax. There are other professions which have actually been exempted and you then wonder why tax these professions and leave other professions.
There should be a method, and in any event the basis of that taxation should actually affect each and every person in a manner that equates to the level of his or her income. The other aspect which I thought the Hon. Minister was also going to deal with is the 2% tax. What is happening on the ground when the tax was introduced is that it was meant for the informal business. Right now, 90% of the informal traders, Siyaso or everywhere no longer want to get RTGS and ecocash. If you go there with ecocash they will tell you to go and change your ecocash into US dollars. They now want to be paid in US dollars. What does that tell you? It means the informal market is no longer paying the 2% tax. Who is paying the 2% tax? The 2% is being paid by those who are formally employed, those who are formally registered. What it means is that we are actually overtaxing the already overtaxed formally employed and businesses. This is the reason why I was actually hoping that the Hon. Minister, in his Budget, was actually going to make a re-look into the 2% tax or come up with other measures that could actually level the playing field.
If he wanted to contain and still insist that 2% remains, then the other thing was to make sure that we reduce on the PAYE or make the other 2% deductible for a corporate like what the industrial bodies have been willing to do. Mr. Speaker Sir, I know that we spend the better half of 2020 with most of our personnel in health and education not doing their job. My prayer is that when I look at the figures, the amount of money that has been set aside for employment costs, you get a feeling that we are likely going to face the same predicament. If we do get the same predicament, what it then means is that the Budget as it stands will not suffice, will not help us and this is the reason why I would have been happier if the Minister had actually come up with a rationalisation of the civil service. Let us have an efficient civil service which is lean is well paid.
The other thing that the Hon. Minister tried to touch on but which I am not convinced, is how to deal with State enterprises. Mr. Speaker Sir, what we have in Zimbabwe is a time bomb. Most of the State-owned enterprises are highly indebted to the extent that most of the debt is actually going to fall on the Government sooner rather later. What we need is a practicable solution, not this continuous talk every year on every budget, that we are going to reform yet we do not see reform happening. It is my view and I will be raising some of these issues when we come to the appropriation and the Finance Bill, some of the issues that I actually believe the Hon. Minister could have taken cognisance of.
Lastly, I just wanted to add my voice in terms of the social sector. I want to appreciate that the Hon. Minister has gone a distance in terms of the allocation of money to education. I know we are supposed to target 20% but I think if you combine the two education ministries, I think we have done fairly well. What needs to be done even in health where we have 10% instead of 15%; we have done well but the problem is that most of that money, 70% or so goes to employment costs. We cannot continue as a country to depend on donors to finance our health and to continue to support even our education system.
What I would have wanted Hon. Minister as we had suggested during the Pre-Budget; that certain revenue measures, domestic resource mobilisation needs to happen to make sure that we get a pool of funds that can help in our health sector delivery and also in our education sector so that we do not continue depending on donors who may one day pull the ladder beneath our feet. Mr. Speaker Sir, I am not going to waste much time I will sit down and listen to others.
*HON. TOGAREPI: I want to thank you Mr. Speaker for giving me this opportunity to also add to this budget debate that looks at the funds available in our nation. We want to thank you for crafting this Budget in such a difficult economic environment. We are in the middle of Covid-19 and we also have challenges from the drought that we experienced as well as sanctions. All these were militating against you as you drafted the Budget. The sanctions were avoiding interaction with other nations. Covid also made people to stay in homes because of the lockdowns and no production was taking place. The drought also affected us because it affected our food security. So crafting the Budget was in a very difficult environment. So when we looked at your Budget, we saw the expertise that you exhibited because you want our nation to develop.
You looked at businesses and the livelihoods of the people were seriously considered. I want to thank the Minister that this Budget is good for us as a nation. Minister, I also want to say that I also realised that you had foresight that in 2021 we will experience expected growth of 7.4%.
*THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, Hon. Members attending virtually, may you please mute your gadgets.
*HON. TOGAREPI: You also expect growth in our economy of 7.4%. I saw it as important that our mindset, we need to craft a Budget with optimism. A 7.4% growth shows optimism.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, order. May you please unmute your gadget?
HON. TOGAREPI: I also looked at the fact that in 2021, we may realise the resuscitation of jobs that were lost because of Covid-19 and drought can be available and this will deal with the issue of unemployment in the country. This can encourage a number of industries and companies to work harder because the possibility of getting profit is positive.
Minister, I also realised that the Budget shows that we will have stability in terms of prices in 2021, but what I think you should also consider and put your authority on is the issue of price distortions that are found in the retail sector. If you look at what is happening currently, the exchange rate is at 81% or 82% but when our people are buying using electronic systems, the shop owners are not using the official exchange rate but they are paying premium. That distortion in terms of prices, if it is not addressed by coming up with policies or measures to ensure that we all get to a point of using the official exchange rate, it means that honesty and discipline in terms of business will be lost. So as a Government, what we need to do is to address that. You can also realise your expectations as the Minister. Our perceptions and what is happening in the economy needs to be addressed. You should come up with measures to address the distortions in prices.
I also noticed that you mentioned the issue of inflation. Year to year inflation might go down to 9% because that will result in more disposable income, but we need to remove those people in the society who cause these challenges. If I am to ask if there are other people here who are experts in economics, most challenges that we meet are because we do not have economists among us because there is no reason based on economics but a person can decide to just raise the price of commodities and what has influenced such price increases is nothing at all and cannot be found in economics textbooks. The mindset that our people have now is one of defrauding others and to ensure that the Zimbabwean population suffers. So as the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, we need to come up with measures to ensure that there is fiscal discipline and to address the issue of profiteering that is affecting the prices of goods.
Minister, I also said as a nation we need to come up with measures in order to attract foreign direct investment. I talked about the minerals that I think some are going out through illicit deals. The gold that we mine, the diamond that we get, is it declared or we are only declaring platinum? So wherever mining is taking place we need to know the minerals that are there and they should be declared. If it is a challenge we expect people to come and mine and pay us because the mines are in our hands. Our minerals should be able to give us value for money.
In my opinion, I think we are losing a lot through fraudulent means. There are people who import goods and other things into Zimbabwe. They sell those goods in United States dollars. They are failing to bring that money into Zimbabwe because of the financial system, so they buy that maize and sell their goods in United States dollars. From that money they buy gold and they take gold to their countries. So, are we benefiting as a country? What are we doing about it? A person just comes to sell produce here in Zimbabwe. Now that a person has brought in grain, how was the payment made? These are issues we need to interrogate because there is a lot of money laundering. You have put 200 trucks of maize but how where you paid so we need to plague those leakages. The money should go through the banking system. If not, then that grain should not be brought in the country.
The other issue is concerning our own children or people who are in the diaspora. As the Ministry of Finance, do we have measures because that is our biggest resource - our children in the diaspora are getting a lot of money? If you look at the money that comes through various means, we need to come up with measures to ensure that this money comes in legally and how we can benefit from that to develop our nation. Others are buying houses and stands here in Zimbabwe but as a Government, are we failing to come up with a diaspora housing programme to ensure that they get their stands without any challenges and that when they pay the money, it falls into our coffers. Why are we not doing that?
If we look at the population in the diaspora, they want to build homes in their home country. Have we created avenues for the inflow of that foreign currency? I was of the opinion that another major way of mobilising resources is that I can give an example of Namibia, they have a Public Service Contributory Pension Fund. In Zimbabwe we have Pay as You Go. If one is employed by the Government, he is paid a pension that he has not contributed. We cannot fund pension for civil servants. The money from the Government takes a large amount of the budget but in Namibia, they have a pension fund for public service which runs into billions and that money is used for infrastructural development for the country.
It is also utilised for skills building, so we can actually use that money to develop more skills. I was thinking as a nation, we need to come up with a public service contributory fund. It is a missing link in terms of domestic mobilisation for long term investment in Zimbabwe. We have NSSA, the NSSA Act provides that financial issues are supervised by the Ministry of Finance. NSSA is not regulated today. My fear is that one day NSSA schemes may collapse from a regulatory point of view. NSSA invests in funny things because it is not regulated. My request is that you need to come up with measures to ensure that funds that are contributed through private pension funds including NSSA, should be used to develop the nation.
We should incentivise our pension plus not only to look at infrastructural development but also to look at skills building. So, those incentives will push them to do more. If they fund in the Willowvale Motor Industry, you can give them more benefits. If we do that, those pension funds can have money to pay the pensioners but at the same time investing in the productive sector and creating employment resulting in more contributions.
Hon. Minister, the issue of the youths, they requested for 22 billion and you gave them 3.8 billion. We know the cake is small but I think that you need to have a youth desk in every Ministry where you put money in those Ministries. All youths should be able to access these funds in various Ministries to enable them to be empowered without even increasing the budget itself.
Looking at the health sector, remuneration that we give to our health sector should be increased. I think that we need to come up with a health insurance that is funded by the workers or can be funded by people who drink and smoke. We can tax them and we create an insurance fund and the money from the fund can be used to remunerate the health personnel. That has worked in countries like Rwanda and other countries, so we can do that to develop our nation.
In conclusion, I am also of the opinion that economists who came to unpack the budget, for the first time in the history of this country, we witnessed convergence, we had people like Dr. Chanakira who came and unpacked the budget and they all agreed. What I think will result in achievements in terms of the Budget is to implement the Budget as planned. Yes, people have debated but for it to be a success, you need to go by the book, that is the only way we can succeed. The Budget that we have now, I am a farmer and I am happy with what is happening and I am positive that whatever is in the budget will help me and my family to grow. I thank you.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MUTOMBA): Order, order, I have been informed that dinner is ready. So, I propose that we go to dinner in batches so that we continue with Business.
HON. CHIKWINYA: On a point of order Hon. Speaker. My chief whip who is no longer in the House had advised me that I may reserve my debate today for the purpose of debating tomorrow. May I be advised whether the House will proceed today and tomorrow or going forward so that we can plan. Are we going to be sitting tomorrow?
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: We are not sitting tomorrow.
HON. CHIKWINYA: Are we going to go into Committee of Supply today?
*THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Chikwinya, you are taking your time. You are the next speaker after Hon. Muchimwe.
HON. CHIKWINYA: I want to be assisted. Are we going into Committee of Supply today.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Yes.
HON. MUCHIMWE: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I have very little to say in line with the Budget presentation by the Minister of Finance. I really appreciate the presentations by all those who spoke before me. It is a clear fact that the Ministry of Finance has to give all the Ministries and department sufficient amounts budgeted for timeously. Remember Government funds accumulate mainly from taxes. How can tax funds accumulate when the majority of our people are not at work?
The problem of the Ministry of Lands not having enough funds to dispatch to its departments is a talk of the day all the time. I propose that the Ministry of Lands must support fully, the development and rehabilitation of dams which is water harvesting particularly in the rural areas where there is enough ground for dam construction because dams take up large space of land which is not found in towns. The fundamental principle of any development emanates from agricultural activities because if people have enough, food they can perform many other activities. Obviously, when one is hungry, it is hard for them to do work. With the availability of water in the rural areas, we will be able to encourage people to form, for example bricks, window seals and many other agro-based products to sell in towns where there are so many people.
Agriculture or crop cultivation does not need much cash or any complicated educational systems. They say in our language, kurima hakuna benzi. Once seeds are put in the ground and there is moisture, obviously germination is possible. Weeding and addition of fertiliser is not a hard task. If we utilise fully the land endowed to us by the Almighty God, it means that all citizens will be engaged at work. It then follows that Government revenue will boost from agricultural activities. If many people are formerly employed, income tax will flow into the Government coffers, hence the Minister of Finance will be able to disburse funds to all Ministries without any difficulty because funds will be available.
Of course there are other avenues where Government money comes from. That money will be adequate if supported by countrywide agricultural activities. There are so many people in our towns. The reason for which they come to crowd in cities is because in their rural homes, there is nowhere to perform money generating activities. So many would think life can be sustained better if they join town life. Therefore, my resolution is that employment can be created in the rural areas if water is harvested there. Those in urban areas would now buy those products from the rural people, thereby making money to circulate in the country. Since I have great regards for the Minister, I wish that he considers the little that I have contributed. I thank you.
HON. CHIKWINYA: Thank you Hon. Speaker. I rise to add my voice on the ongoing debate around the 2021 National Budget; cognisant of the importance of this developmental policy trajectory and it being a statement of intend, an actualising vehicle with regards to Zimbabwe attaining its 2030 Vision as expounded by the Executive. Hon. Speaker, allow me to first of all express my disappointment in that barring raising a point of order with regards to our quorum in respect to the processes of Parliament to the extent that we need to proceed but surely Hon. Speaker, as you sit there with the heavy duty and responsibility that you have as the Presiding Officer of Parliament; can you surely say we are debating a national policy which took more than a year to construct….
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Member. I think you remember me saying that food is ready and those Hon. Members who are not here went for food.
HON. CHIKWINYA: I would have proposed Hon. Chair that
we all go and eat for 30 minutes and we come back. In my view, I am not going to be disputing with you and this is part of my debate so there is no need perhaps for us to interact with each other. It is actually a ruling but I am just trying to put on record that in a quick count we are less than 15 Members of Parliament who are debating a national policy that is supposed to shape the national trajectory for the year 2021. From the opposition we are actually nine and from the ruling party there are four MPs, demonstrating the lack of sincerity and seriousness when it comes to matters of national importance by a party that purports to have won a parliamentary majority where 270 members are supposed to be in the House.
HON. TOGAREPI: On a point of order, Mr Speaker, I think we are debating a budget. Derogatory statements like a party that purports to have won is going against the Constitution. I think that is wrong and is not necessary for you to bring another dissension. Just go into your debate.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Chikwinya, the way you used purportedly is very wrong. May you withdraw that statement and may you be guided Hon. Chikwinya. You seem to be taking much of your time because the time I am allocating I am being managed by the time-keepers here. Instead of contributing so the Deputy Minister can listen to your points you are wasting a lot of your time.
HON. CHIKWINYA: It is my time Hon. Chair. There is lack of seriousness by the Ministry officials who have left their deputy and the responsible minister has gone away for dinner. Anyway, I will respect you within that regard. My point of entry to this national budget is that
I am a member of the Mines and Mining Development Committee and I believe in the submissions that have been made by the Minister of Mines and Mining Development Hon. Chitando in his vision which he has managed to convince the Executive in the attainment of $12 billion economy by 2023. In that regard, I have located the mining industrial development fund as a vehicle that is going to assist the small scale miner in making sure that we attain three issues. As we speak, in the province of Mashonaland Central mining disasters resulting in deaths of small scale miners, illegal or legal on the part of them is higher than COVID for the year 2020. So, put into perspective and contextualised, you may as well walk around with a helmet in Mashonaland central than to walk around with a mask because your risk is higher as a small scale miner than being an individual exposed to COVID. I am speaking to the issue that small scale miners are being more exposed to death within the operations of their duties than they are exposed to COVID – that is statistics.
Two weeks ago we lost, so far accounted 40 miners just in two weeks. Actually 42 to be specific, because two more died trying to rescue the other 40 bodies. That is at Rain Mine in Shamva. At Esgodini we have six bodies currently trapped - in fact, they have been declared dead. We are just trying to fulfil cultural obligations of retrieving the bodies for decent burial. In Chegutu Task Mine we have four bodies. They died being five and we retrieved one and the other four are still trapped. I am trying to contextualise and put into perspective a picture that we are now killing more people through our mining activities than those being exposed to COVID.
In Penhalonga we have killed 10 people who were buried alive as the investors were trying to make good of the ground under which they had been given to invest. I have located a line budget item in the 2021 budget which is the mining industrial loan fund which has been allocated $247 million for the purposes of developing small scale miners. In our interaction as a committee, the mining industrial development fund is supposed to capacitate small scale miners with regards to machinery, training and equipment which is necessary for them to do face mining.
My appeal to the Hon. Minister is for him to release the funds. This fund was given $250million in the 2020 budget but nothing was released. So, I am trying to connect the non release of this fund, the non capacitation of the small scale miners, the non training of the small scale miners to the deaths. So, where we were exposing our small scale miners, untrained with no equipment with rudimentary equipment, we expose them to death.
Figures from Fidelity Printers show us that two thirds of our gold comes from small scale miners. So here we are as a nation proud that we have our individual small scale miners giving us two thirds of our gold but we are exposing them to death. I am not speaking of one or two miners who are dying daily around the country. I am speaking of figures that have attracted media attention. My point is: can we facilitate the release – I am not disputing the figure but pleading for the early release of the funds so that it can go to capacitate our small scale miners for them to protect the environment and themselves and be able to deliver our gold in a formal channel devoid of the illegal channels which are making them to be exposed to these dangers?
Hon. Speaker, I am also a member of the Media, Information and Broadcasting Committee of Parliament. I want to applaud the Minister for attending today’s budget debate session in the afternoon. When my Hon. Chair made our presentation. Devoid of time, the Hon Chair had to skip certain issues which I think I may want to buttress as we make a case for this Ministry to be supported. Hon. Speaker, this Ministry is responsible for information. The Bible says; my people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.’ We are currently in a COVID scenario and if people do not know, they will die. If Hon. Speaker you do not know that you are supposed to social distance, put on a mask or sanitise, you will die because you will be exposed to COVID out of ignorance. This Ministry having played an important role was only given $1.4bn out of a request of around $4.7bn, giving a deficit of around $2.3bn. I was comparing figures with other Ministries, some Ministries which, in my view are service Ministries have retained funds from their provision of services.
For example, the Ministry of Justice, through its Judicial Service Commission as it executes its mandate through the courts, make people pay fines and levies and therefore have a capacity of retaining funding for the exercise of their mandate. This Ministry is limited in that function. This is a Ministry under which if we fail to portray a good image of Zimbabwe, every other policy pronouncement which we are currently making in terms of ease of doing business, the anti sanctions trajectory, the tourism sector in terms of advertisement, it will not come out right.
We are a nation which is handicapped in that we only have one television station and we speak through one medium in terms of television, which is ZBC. If we fail to make good of that channel of communication, we have failed the whole nation. For the first time we gave ZBC $130m for the capacitation of ZBC. Let me tell you one thing, ZBC is so defunct that if you go to Mbare Studios you are going to have more than 5 people sharing one room. Thirty five individuals tested positive, what does it mean? It means the people who assemble at Parliament with their electronic gadgets, camera persons and ZBC reporters who come to report parliamentary sessions are exposed to COVID-19 outside and they come to Parliament. They are exposed to more than 270 Members of Parliament who go back to their constituencies and have a capability and possibility of spreading covid-19.
I was telling Hon Senator Mutsvangwa in the afternoon, what the Permanent Secretary reported to us that Hon Mutsvangwa visited Mbare Studios, then nature called, she could not even use one of the toilets meant for females because it was so dirty that she could not enter inside. Why, it was not maintainable because ZBC had no funding to maintain its own toilets. Hon Mutsvangwa had to be driven to a ministerial toilet at Munhumutapa and be driven back to Mbare. That is how graphic it shows the incapacitation of ZBC. I have my own issues with ZBC. Ask me on a different day, I do not like ZBC at all. As a legislator and a Member of the Committee, I am obliged to represent a state institution which I believe that once they are good to go, we can then shape their policy direction.
I was disappointed by the report of the Parliamentary Committee on Justice. They did not answer to one critical question of the country. Is ZEC prepared to hold by-elections? Until when are we going to go ahead with a parliamentary process where other constituencies in terms of seats are not represented? The answer did not come out clearly. I implore the Minister of Finance to properly finance ZEC for purposes of fulfilling a constitutional obligation. We have no choice; once there is a by-election we must be able to fulfill it within 90 days. This is no political matter. We cannot hide behind COVID regulations to say we can have DCC elections but we cannot have bye elections. That is not correct. Let us get our things straight. These are the issues that take us within other communities of nations. I hope the Hon Minister as he is having a fork and knife with fish, can listen to what I am saying because I can see that his deputy is not writing everything.
My other point is that I did not get a report of Parliament because the Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Committee was supposed to report in Parliament. They did not. We have an incapacitated Parliament and on a proper day, and with all due respect, I know that you are the Acting Speaker of today, but I want to raise this in the presence of the whole Speaker’s bench, including the substantive Speaker Hon, Mudenda, that the committee system of Parliament was brought about by Hon Mnangagwa when he was the Speaker of Parliament. The CDF was brought about by Hon Moyo when he was the Speaker of Parliament. What is it that we have done in the Eighth and Ninth Parliament towards the reforms of Parliament? What is it that we are going to be proud of, to say when Hon Mudenda was the Speaker of Parliament these were the new things that were invented or that were established in the Parliament of Zimbabwe? We have nothing to show for it.
We are having a Parliament that cannot go to workshops because it is not funded. The Minister of Finance must know that the untimely release of our funding is making Parliament incapacitated. Our legislative agenda is not moving forward because of the Ministry of Finance. We are the only Parliament in SADC who is not capacitated in terms of Section 117 and 307 of the Constitution to release this process which we are doing. We are giving money to the Executive. It is in our power to give money to the Executive but the Executive does not give money to us. We are the only Parliament.
If the Judiciary makes a request to the Ministry of Finance, it is approved pronto. If the Executive makes a request to the Ministry of Finance it is approved pronto, but if Parliament makes a request to the Ministry of Finance, we join departmental heads. We are in the same queue with the Ministry of Youth. It is unheard of. Right now Mr. Speaker Sir I am challenging you as the head of Parliament, look at the Committee plans which they did in January in Nyanga and look at what they delivered by December and observe the difference. You will find that what they planned in Nyanga is not what they did by December. They did something else. Why, because civil society organisations diverted Committees because they were paying out of hotel allowances. Instead of doing a parliamentary programme, which has got no money, Parliamentary Committees were doing a civil society programme which has got money. That gap should have been funded by the Ministry of Finance.
[Time Limit]
HON TSUNGA: I move that the Hon Member’s time be extended by five minutes.
HON PETER MOYO: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
HON. CHIKWINYA: I am so touched by the issue of Parliament on the basis that – I am not talking about remuneration. I am talking about programmes. I could talk about remuneration because the media is not there but we are the only Parliament which survives by selling coupons. You must be ashamed, including you Mr. Speaker Sir, you sell coupons. You must be ashamed. It is not correct. There is no judge or magistrate who sells coupons. There is no Minister or Deputy Minister who sells coupons, only Members of Parliament sell coupons for them to survive. It is not correct Mr. Speaker Sir. I am making my point. If this Budget does not address the issue of parliamentary staff remuneration, does not address the issue of Members of Parliament remuneration, we are going to move in circles.
We are in a community out of an economy that is not performing well. Members of Parliament are seen as practitioners of social development. So the boreholes, the soccer tournaments and dip tanks that you see are being developed by Members of Parliament. So if you do not support the CDF you are killing the whole community development initiative and the President is on record to say, you are supposed to serve your people. So that is a principle and agreed policy – Members of Parliament are supposed to serve their people. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development is denying us the vehicle to serve our people – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – because we can only serve our people through being properly remunerated and being given a CDF that is commensurate to the dictates of a developmental State.
I have no problems with the individual ministers but have problems with the staff of the Ministry. The Permanent Secretary Mr. George Guvamatanga is on record to say, ‘If you want to have money, do not join politics, that is why I did not join politics.’ This is what he said whilst speaking to politicians in Bulawayo. He has a deliberate policy of not releasing money to Parliament. There are Members of Parliament in here who are owed outstanding allowances where they funded themselves to attend those workshops. How do we have a Parliament that is non-funded? So Hon. Minister, as I conclude on Parliament, may you support your Parliament which you are herein today? In fact for you to win, you are the Deputy Minister Hon. Chiduwa; in order for you to win DCC elections it was because you want to come back next election. So come back to a House that you have supported for it to be able to perform the duties of you being a Member of Parliament for your constituency in Bikita. Thank you on that one.
My last point on the overall performance of the Budget is that, as long as we have a disparity in the income which is by and large the salaries of the civil servants and the expenditure which is the prices in the shops to the extent that people can obtain their salaries as civil servants but cannot afford a grocery that can sustain a basic family, we have no Budget. That is the long and short of any Budget. Right now, diesel increased from $0.96c to $1.19 – that is almost $0.24c increment. An increase of about 30% but what happened to people’s salaries - nothing. The net effect is that the price of transport, food in the supermarkets and housing for rental has gone high but this Ministry has held ‘a tighten the belt policy’, that is not commensurate with what is happening in the market.
So I implore you in the abundance of being cautious to time, that can you match your Budget – income to expenditure. Do not be proud of having a surplus budget, pleasing IMF and the Breton hood institute yet your people have no clinic in Mbizo, have potholed roads in Highfields and no bridges in Malipati. Do not be proud of a statement of surplus yet there is no surplus on the ground. I thank you Hon. Speaker. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
HON. GABBUZA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, I am not going to take long but just on two issues…
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MUTOMBA): Hon. Gabbuza, may you please turn on the microphone.
HON. GABBUZA: Mr. Speaker, there are certain assumptions that were made during the Budget preparation. The whole Ministry of Finance and Economic Development is drawing, Government is coming up with statements – upper middle income by 2030, a growth of 7% etcetera.
The assumption that the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development is making is that there will be plenty of energy throughout but unfortunately, if that energy is not available, all these plans that are being made in the Budget will come to naught. I wish the Minister of Finance and Economic Development could seriously look at the issue of energy because without energy these plans are just useless and at the point that we are now, the level of energy at ZESA at any time – it can collapse and come to zero. It is unfortunate that many people are not very technical within the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development but I would like to invite them to tour some of these generation institutions of ZESA to see where our energy is coming from. They will seriously understand the predicament and the dangers that the country is facing.
Mr. Speaker, if you go to any ZESA office right now, you will be very lucky to find a serviceable mobile vehicle and yet during this rain season, almost every locality is reporting faults, fallen pylons, damaged transformers and when you go to ZESA, they will tell you that we have no vehicle to come and attend to the fault. This is the situation that we live with everyday. I went to one ZESA depot in Hwange, even the staff when you look at them, it is no longer the ZESA moto muzhinji that we used to know. You see an engineer walking bare-footed with no safety shoes and the overalls or work suits are tattered. They have only one ladder on a limping vehicle. They are dejected and you can clearly see that there is no way that the current ZESA can keep the staff.
We are talking of engineers and artisans who are marketable all over. Actually the few who are there, we must be celebrating and applauding them for remaining because any other normal and rational person would not remain working for ZESA when Zambia and South Africa can offer better packages. The situation is so bad and how they are surviving. The other day I met a ZESA vehicle; they had a breakdown – a tyre burst just by my turn off at home. They spent a week waiting for a tyre from their depot and it took a week to get a tyre that had to be brought from Harare from another mobile vehicle – that is the situation that we have at ZESA. What are the problems?
In brief, why do we not allow ZESA to operate professionally without political interference and without micro-managing their assets? The challenge is; we are generating a unit of electricity – if you average because for importing one kilowatt hour of energy which is one unit from South Africa, it costs about $0.13c but then when that unit is sold to Hon. Gabbuza at his home, he has to pay $0.04c from $0.13c then you charge $0.04c and the situation has been like that for some years, I think for the past three years. We are importing electricity at $0.13c and selling it at $0.04c. If it was a company, you would actually be making a loss. There is no way that a company can survive when you cannot even break even. Now, when your average, the production cost of energy from our thermals, hydro, at least to break even you need about 8 cents. However right now, we are selling electricity at about 6,7 cents from about 8 cents production cost. So the Minister of Finance must seriously consider if we do not want ZESA to collapse; that difference, at least if we do not want to make a profit let us break even.
We produce at 8 cents; we sell at 4 cents then that difference of another 4 cents somebody must chip in. The obvious thing is to allow the Government to bring in some money to bridge that gap if we do not want to make a profit.
However, a profitable rate would be to allow ZESA to charge at least 10 cents per unit. I know people would complain that it is too much just because people do not have money but it will still remain cheaper than anywhere else in the region. Before that we were paying about 400 dollars per month. If you calculate what we are paying now, no serious investor can bring in their money to start a power station because we will be selling electricity for a nothing.
I think we seriously need the Minister of Finance to look at this. As we speak, the number of transformers that have been damaged the whole country, the backlog; people want to put in new transformers for new connections, some transformers were vandalised, stolen and damaged by lightning which totals to about 5 000. That is the shortage of transformers in the whole country – 5 000, that is not a small figure.
At the same time we have got a ZESA company called ZENT which can make 400 transformers a month locally, which means if they made 400 per month, in ten months they would have covered up the backlog but what is the Government doing? We are taking money, giving it to some middlemen to go and import transformers from China. Why not take that same money and give ZENT our local engineer; they manufacture the transformers within record time.
The Committee toured ZENT, they have very strong infrastructure, and have made enough boxes. The housing where you put the transformer components they have made enough to supply the whole country but they cannot get the components which are imported just because they cannot get the USD yet ZESA has got the capacity to even charge people in foreign currency but they are not allowed.
On the other side, the energy sector – garages are allowed to sell fuel in foreign currency but ZESA is made to charge in bond notes, which will not even buy those components for the transformers. All of us in our constituencies, we have a clinic or a school without a transformer.
Hon. Minister of Finance, capacitate ZENT to make the transformers. They have the capacity, the guys are sitting the whole day doing nothing waiting for components but a middleman is given foreign currency to import. When you want to import you are told that we are waiting for COVID regulations before the parts can come back and a lot of stories. I think we need to be really serious and assist ZESA to come out of its problems. The problems of ZESA affect all of us and all facets of the economy.
The second issue that I wish the Minister of Finance and Economic Development should have addressed in the Budget is the issue of steel. The Chief Whip mentioned issues about ZISCO. Solving ZISCO would solve half of our problems in the country but we keep ignoring since the First Republic I remember we went there and opened with ESSAR, the new investor at ZISCO but up to now it is still closed. Now what is the effect of ZISCO - I wish to invite the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development just one afternoon to drive along Mbare; soon after the flyover you turn left, take the extreme left - this is where you find all steel companies selling steel coming from South Africa.
You will realise that they do not even put their steel in the warehouase; the Gonyeti with 30 tonnes of steel will be waiting while people are buying. The steel is finished, they start buying from the next Gonyeti and another one comes in. When I did my calculations, I think those guys in an hour are making about close to 30 000 USD per hour of steel coming from South Africa which ZISCO could make. The much needed foreign currency is going to South Africa, even the fencing which Salwire was making is all now coming from South Africa. Just one roll of field fence, 100 USD is gone and the way those companies are making money. I think if the Ministry of Foreign could go there and simply say, let us introduce a steel levy even point one percent for importing steel then we ring-fence that money and give it to ZISCO if we cannot get an investor. The engineers, artisans who were working for ZISCO are still there. They did not go out. Most of them were old enough to go and work outside in the Diaspora. If those guys are brought back with support that ZISCO within a year can be done – what are we doing? We are just allowing it to rot like that.
If we do not have money, let us introduce a levy on those people who are importing a lot of steel from South Africa because in any case we are already losing a lot of foreign currency which is going to South Africa. Introduce a small percentage on those imports, ring-fence that money and plough it back into ZISCO. Within a year we would have brought up that company.
Mr. Speaker, I think these are really painful issues and in my view, I was expecting that the Minister of Finance will address some of these critical issues but you just made mention in passing about ZISCO. Like it was done before, it has been done before and obviously nothing will happen because there is no deliberate critical energy towards trying to solve the problems at ZISCO. They are not big problems; just a little bit of capital injection. The furnaces are there, the coal is there and like it is always known, if we sort out this problem we would have sorted Hwange Colliery, National Railways of Zimbabwe, the construction industry because they all depend on steel. We would have sorted out a lot of all other industries even Sable Chemicals because they used to get oxygen produced from ZISCO as it soots out these furnaces.
However, now Sable Chemicals has to import some components or some elements from South Africa because it is not being produced at ZISCO. I really implore on the Minister of Finance to have a re-look and convince other people in Cabinet to attend to ZESA urgently and attend to ZISCO, then we solve more than half of these problems in the whole country. I thank you.
Hon Tsunga having stood up to debate
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. KHUMALO): Hon. Tsunga, I do not understand what you are saying. I have already recognised Hon. Munetsi to debate.
HON. MUNETSI: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir, for giving me this chance on the debate on our budget. I am going to focus my debate on a few Ministries about four or five of them but I am going to zero much on the Ministry of Environment and Tourism in which I am a member. I want to touch your sensitive heart to this Ministry and I want you to observe the difference about this Ministry to others. We have the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of Defence and Home Affairs and you will discover that all those Ministries encompass two departments. This Ministry, if you look at it, it is Ministry of Environment, Tourism, Hospitality and Climate Change. This means that the amount that you should give to that Ministry is four fold because of the magnitude of work that the Ministry encompasses.
Let us look at some of the areas of concern within the Ministry. If you look at the weather, there are varieties in certain areas that should be covered which need money. We can talk of weather forecast and cloud seeding. We also need some machines to detect the weather pattern and things like that need a lot of money. If you want to forecast about our agriculture in the country, there is no way you can forecast without looking at the weather pattern and we say agriculture is the backbone of this country, but it is focused in the weather pattern which is under Ministry of Environment, Tourism and Hospitality and Climate Change.
I want to thank you for funding the Forestry Commission 100%. We applaud that as a Committee and we want to thank you for that. That will help a lot in aforestation in all the areas in Zimbabwe, but you did not allocate anything to EMA. EMA looks at things like the wetlands. We have issues about the wetlands in this country which are being invaded and it comes under EMA, invasive species like those which we have invaded some parts of Matabeleland. We have harzadous substances which come under EMA and all those things need monitoring equipment which this department does not have at the moment and it needs a lot of money.
I want to speak to your heart to consider this Ministry. Zimbabwe Parks is under this Ministry again and it affects tourism so much. If we do not put in place good infrastructure within the parks, I am talking about the lodges, roads and I am talking about the scenic areas which need to be upgraded, if those are not funded and done well, you will discover that tourists will not be keen to come and have some scenic views in our parks. You will discover that most of our infrastructure is dilapidated in the parks and they definitely need to be revamped.
We also discussed about some revolving fund and let me explain a bit about the revolving fund and how good I find it to be. Revolving fund as it was described is some amount of money which is borrowed by any department within the Ministry and after use; they return the money back to the coffers. They borrow $2 billion and they build the infrastructure and still return the money to the coffers and so, it works double fold. They have done the infrastructural building and they have also returned the money to the coffers to be borrowed by another department. So, I would want you Hon. Minister to definitely consider putting aside some revolving fund for this Ministry so that we can be able to build some of these dilapidated things.
Let me proceed to another Ministry. The Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development – I just want to look at the road infrastructure as a key factor in the country. We cannot do without roads and we can definitely not do anything. I want to ask you Hon. Minister to give priority to our national roads. Of course I want to implore you to pick this one not forgetting Chiendambuya Road in my constituency as well as a key road. As you look at all these other roads, do not forget Makoni North Constituency, there is a key road which goes to Chiendambuya GMB. Roads make it easy for service delivery; it is easy for us to access home.
Are you aware that I am probably the only Member of Parliament in this House who has a constituency without a centimeter of a tarred road? My constituency does not have a centimeter of a tarred road; that must touch you. There is one area which I would also want to ask you to look at. Most areas in Zimbabwe, there are maintenance depots by the Ministry of Transport. If you get to those places, they are some tractors, trailers, dozers which are not functional but when you look at them, they just need a few things for them to work.
If you can send some men around to check on such equipment, it will assist to alleviate some of these problems that we face in our areas because that equipment is there but it just needs something for it to be functional. These maintenance depots are scattered all over the country. Bad roads affect people who live in the rural areas. They end up paying a lot of monies for bus fares, the commuter omnibus and the like. T those who ferry fertilizers for Pfumvudza pay through their nose because some of the roads will be bad and the transporters will charge quite a bit.
I want to thank you for putting money to DDF so that they can consider some roads in the rural areas. I speak much about rural areas because I am a Member of Parliament in a rural constituency and I am rural myself. I have had some DDF people in my constituency maintaining some boreholes and I have had 3 or 4 boreholes sunk, I applaud that. I also want to thank you for funding the local industry so that we can boost employment. I want to thank you for stabilising the economy of this country. I want to believe if it were not for Covid-19, we will be a lot better.
Let me end up by discussing issues to do with primary and secondary education, it is an area of interest Hon. Speaker. When the Chairperson of this Committee...
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, you are left with 5 minutes.
HON. MUNETSI: Thank you Hon. Speaker. When I was watching some slides which we saw this afternoon presented by the Chairperson of this Committee, one would shudder to think that they are pupils learning sitting on the ground not under a roof in this era. Hon. Minister, you probably need to visit areas like that and definitely give a hand to assist. I would like to applaud the education sector, though the money comes late, but the facility of BEAM is there and feeding is there. I want to ask you to look at the secondary schools. It could be very expensive for parents to pay exorbitant fees but if you chip in and assist by subsidising and giving boarding schools say mealie meal, sugar, cooking those foods which are not perishable, that will help to reduce the fees for the parents, think along those lines – [AN HON. MEMBER: Boarding school is luxury otherwise if Government subsidises we will take all our kids to boarding schools.] – I want to ask you to consider building grants for the schools so that you can monitor that you have given so much for a school for a block and that must be completed within that period.
Lastly, we have the department of youth in the country, who are the leaders tomorrow. If you can assist the youth department across the board, find out what they want, give guidelines and assist them. We know the youths are active and there is this saying that new brooms sweep clean but old ones know all the corners of the room. The need guidance. You can assist them in whatever manner in their banks, in their projects so that they can come up and grow to be people of good stature tomorrow.
HON. SEN. MAVETERA: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir. I thought I should also add my voice to this conversation here and indeed we would like to thank the Hon. Minister for coming up with such a splendid budget. I think as young people I am going to just speak on issues to do with the young people of Zimbabwe and with the representative role that I play in this House. I think it is critical for us to be able to analyse, thank and applaud the Minister for what he also did well.
Let me first start by applauding the Minister for the subsidy of examination fees which he gave, especially which is about $500 million. For us as young people, we would like to applaud you and thank you very much for that initiative. That will go a long way in making sure that young people will be able to fulfill their dreams. Let me also be able to thank you again to make sure that this fund alone, we hope that it would actually go also to people living with disabilities. I know there is already a scheme in place which is BEAM, which also looks into that. However, we also thought that to others who would not have benefited from this, you are going to include people living with disabilities. It would also go a long way.
Hon. Minister, let me also thank you for the $37.5 million that you gave to the young people. Indeed, that venture capital is an addition to the current $500 million that you had in the last budget. However Hon. Minister, as young people, we felt quite shortchanged by what happened last year whereby we had the $500 million which was allocated, but was not utilised because there were no systems in place. Let us applaud you Hon. Minister because you said you are going to operationalise the $500 million which was meant for the young people and now it will be effective in this 2021 budget.
Let me also applaud you, Hon. Minister, for the sanitary wear that you gave and put in place which increased from $200 million to $500 million. As young people we want to applaud you and say this is a step in the right direction and we want to thank you for continuing to have the views and all the aspirations of young people at heart. Hon. Minister, when I look at sanitary wear we are hoping that you would also extend it to people living with disabilities and extend it again to those living on the streets. They are not able to access sanitary wear and they do not have that capacity. So we are just asking that if you could then extend it not only to school learners, but also people living with disabilities and people living on the streets. For starters, I think as young people you would have addressed us well.
Hon. Minister, let me go on and highlight some of the issues that we came across when we were doing public hearings that we thought you could actually be able to also address. There was the issue of funds for children living in care homes. Truly speaking Hon. Minister, the law which says that children in care homes are supposed to leave the institution at 18 and they are left there without any other funds or not knowing what to do next, what happens is that these children will go back to the same place that they were when they were taken from the streets or wherever they came from. So we are hoping that Hon. Minister, you could actually set a budget which then enables those that would have left care homes to at least be able to get a self sustaining project or anything that they might get which is self sustaining for them to be able to transit from leaving the care homes and then be able to be living alone.
Let me also applaud you for the boreholes that you put for the council and also for the rural areas. However, especially in Harare and Bulawayo which are the council boreholes, they are having a lot of challenges of children or young people that are being victimised or abused. So we are calling upon you to set up a budget that will look into people that are manning boreholes or that are the ones who are supposed to be controlling boreholes. Considering that they are still very few now, we are just hoping that inasmuch as there are going to be more boreholes that are going to be drilled when we are going towards that, there are people are manning boreholes in certain areas like the area that we went before which was Mabvuku. What you would see there is that these people who are manning boreholes, especially the men, then abuse young ladies because they will want to get water. So as much as we are working towards making sure that there is sufficient water and sufficient boreholes in the country, we are also hoping that you would also make sure that if there is a budget that has to be set aside so that council boreholes have got people who man them who are paid by Government so that at least we do not get this manipulation.
Hon. Minister, let me go on again and talk about grants which Hon. Munetsi talked about. We are hoping that as young people we will be able to have grants, especially in universities. This is very important so that at least young people or any other people who would like to pursue education can then be given that right which I believe a lot of those that went to university maybe 20 years ago were benefiting from student grants. So we hope that this will be reintroduced so that at least we can be able to move forward.
Hon. Minister, let me also conclude on an issue which is not youth related but also applaud you for the $75 million that you put aside which is compensation of pensioners. The reason why I think I need to applaud you is that a lot of people do not want to go on pension because there are no lucrative or no incentives that would incentivise them to be go to pension. So what then happens is that as young people there are no jobs created because there is no room, or you come to realise that that platform that would allow people to go to pension is not there. So you being able to have a budget for us to review insurance and pensions, the legislation on insurance and pensions and also just compensating those who lost any of their monies for $75 million, Hon. Minister let us applaud you. I am sure when they go on pension young people get employment.
Let me now speak to the issue of the budget of the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Art and Recreation. Hon. Minister I will start with the Empowerment Bank. We really want to thank you for allocating $250 million to the Empowerment Bank. However, I understand the Ministry had bided for $ 1 billion and they only got $250 million. So what it means, Hon. Minister, is we need to understand what the Empowerment Bank is supposed to do. We believe that if ever there is capital injection in the Empowerment Bank what will happen is that young people will start businesses and again you should understand that the Empowerment Bank has got minimum percentage loans that young people can be able to access and even the conditions, we believe that as young people, they are quite conducive enough for us to be able to access them but there is the issue of decentralization.
Hon. Minister, you realise in the Empowerment Bank we see that most of the loans that we have can actually be accessed especially by people in Harare, Bulawayo and Masvingo. However, we have to look at another angle whereby we have realised as a Portfolio Committee that the capitalisation or the amount which is used for any budget allocation that you give to the Empowerment Bank, 80% of it goes to salaries. So that is quite scary for us. What it means is if we are going to talk of $250 million, the amount that has been allocated to the Empowerment Bank - we are quite scared that maybe another 80% again is going to go to salaries as well. So meaning 20% is only left for the young people to be able to access loans.
What we are calling upon Hon. Minister is that if possible, may you please look for a plan that will make sure that at least the bulk of the money in the Empowerment Bank will actually be able to benefit young people and again, even the budget allocation of $250 million. Hon. Minister we appreciate that there is $37.5 million, we appreciate again the venture capital, but we are a bit scared now considering what happened last year whereby we had the $500 million and then it was not disbursed. So it is better for us to say that we look for what is currently there, that we know we can easily access which is the Empowerment Bank. So we are calling upon you to say Hon. Minister, if possible, if you are able to make sure that at least you would increase from $250 million, it would actually be good for us.
Hon. Minister, let me go on to the National Sports Stadium. On the National Sports Stadium, we realise that it got an allocation of $200 million. Hon. Minister, we were barred as a country because our stadiums were not sufficient, however my issue now comes to saying the upgrading works have not finished and the budget allocation that had been requested for was $870 million of which you will disburse $200 million. Now our issue then comes to say, Hon. Minister, how then are we able to qualify when we were already qualified? I would not really know that do we still have the capacity as a country if we are not going to invest and make sure that at least the National Sports Stadium is upgraded so that we get the bucket seats which were requested for and also access controls and many other things that were also talked about.
We also need to engage in international games. Hon. Minister we need to understand how sports can actually upgrade people’s lives. We have got the issue of Didier Drogba who went on and played internationally. After playing internationally, he started developing his own country. Of course, we also have people like Benjani Mwaruwari who came in. We appreciate that at least he was groomed in Zimbabwe and went out. We are hopping Hon. Minister that you can then increase a budget for the National Sports Stadium so that we can then sufficiently be able to be included on the international scene, especially in football.
Let me move on to vocational training centres (VTCs), on the VTCs we got an allocation of $107 million. The $107 million, what I need to understand is that the VTCs play a very important role when it comes to capacitation of young people. The issue of the VTCs, there was a request of about $1.5 billion we are currently requesting Hon. Minister, if you could increase that amount from $107 billion. We believe that as young people we will be able then to do what is called skills outreach. We heard that the Ministry has got a plan of making sure that skills reach out the but which is outside the VTCs. There is need for talent identification for us to then be able to create even interact centres and also to go on the budget of multipurpose courses, creation and facilities. We are calling upon and saying may you kindly increase that budget so that at least we can then be able to work towards employment of young people.
Let me go on and talk about incubation hubs, production hubs and innovation hubs which also speak into mining, manufacturing, agriculture and tourism. If you look at all these Hon. Minister, they will go on to assist and train youths. This will enable the youths to become self sustainable. Again Hon. Speaker it is another form of employment creation. On the overall budget of the whole budget of the Ministry of Youth - considering that youths consist the largest population in the country which is about 67% of the total population of Zimbabwe; may the Minister kindly increase this budget so that at least the youth needs are able to be adhered to.
Hon. Minister, considering that the Ministry asked for $23 billion and it got $3 billion, may you kindly be able to at least increase this amount so that it can address the issues of the young people? I thank you – [HON. MEMBERS; Hear, hear.]
+HON. S. NDHLOVU: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I want to add my voice on the Budget that was present by the Hon. Minister of Finance. Here in Zimbabwe we are talking of this cake that we are supposed to share as a country. I realised that we are being taxed so much, since we are being taxed on Pay As You Earn (PAYE) and all these other taxes. With the current mining activities that are going on in our country, we are not supposed to be encountering these challenges. Therefore I always ask myself if ever we are being taxed the appropriate way or we are being overtaxed.
Mr. Speaker, I realised this year we have quite a number of girls that got pregnant. This means that come 2021, we would have a number of children that will be born by these school going children and amongst those who have fallen pregnant, we have some coming from child headed families. When we give birth to children, we give birth to our nation. Right now looking at the families where these girls are coming from, we realised that some of them are coming from very poor families. They will not be able to go to hospitals when they are due for labour. Most of them will end up giving birth at their homes.
We realised that most of the girls that have fallen pregnant are those from Form 1, 2, 3 and 4. As such, Government needs to make sure that it gives help to such children. In developed countries, young people are no longer giving birth but ours continue to increase the population through these early pregnancies. Therefore, I will need the Minister to look into how best he can assist these children who are about to give birth. Also to look at these women that are in child birth age groups to make sure that they are well taken care of by the Government. If we are to let these ladies give birth in their homes, most of them end up dying without being able to get medical attention. These challenges end up taking us to women who experience breech child birth and so on. Therefore, we really need to make sure that we protect these women so that they get assistance to get to hospitals to make sure that they give birth the appropriate way so as to avoid risk.
There have been deliberations on BEAM that it is going to take care of these children that are going to be born. BEAM is not enough to take care of these children. Most of the children are very intelligent. As I speak I myself pay for about 36 children and I have made sure that these children write their grade seven examinations. This was after realising that these kids are intelligent. Some of them fail to even write their grade seven due to challenges that they face in their families. That is when I realised that I really need to come in for these children.
Last month a certain lady came through to thank me for paying school fees for her child and asked me to continue paying for her child until she completes secondary education because she was unable to pay for that child. Therefore, Government should increase money that is allocated to BEAM so that it takes care of these children from primary level to secondary level.
Most of these children who fail to get funding from BEAM come crying to us to say we need to continue with our education but our parents do not have money to pay for school fees. I need to make sure that I take up another 36 kids and pay for them so that they write their grade seven examinations while the other 36 will continue with secondary education. With these few words, I thank you.
HON. NYONI: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir for affording me this opportunity to add my voice to this Budget. This budget is of national importance since it is the foundation of our economic development. Therefore, it is important to have certain procedures that are simple and straight forward and tax rules that are also understandable to the tax payers. We all understand that our economy currently is mostly informal. So there is need to educate that sector so that they understand and develop a will to pay taxes. There is need to find ways of registering them and computerise them for ease of follow ups.
This brings me to the issue of ICT used by ZIMRA for online payment which is either down or very slow. There is need to improve on their ICT so that they are efficient in revenue collection and that they do not inconvenience clients by waiting for too long for a service. I also propose that the Minister reviews taxable income from $3 million to $5 million because our Zimbabwean currency is too weak and one can easily raise $3 million in business. There is also need Hon. Minister, to review tax bands timeously so that the tax payers do not feel robbed of their hard earned income.
I also want to comment on the issue of 2% tax on transactions using ecocash. This tax now is being paid by registered business people and the ordinary person who is already overtaxed. The informal sector being our major business people no longer accept ecocash as legal tender. They now want hard cash. Hence, there is need to have a second thought on that tax because I think it was introduced as a way of raising funds, hence it needs to be reviewed or scrapped.
I also want to comment on the budget that was allocated to industry and commerce. They were allocated $1.9 billion and if we want to resuscitate industry, I propose that this budget be revised upwards. Industry is not about manufacturing but value addition, hence industry and commerce plays a pivotal role on this aspect. This will increase exports and attract the much needed foreign currency in the country. In a nutshell, I thank you Mr. Speaker.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Members, I think it was agreed that Chairpersons and others must be in here but a lot of people are out yet they have to take part also.
HON. MPARIWA: Thank you Hon. Speaker for affording me this opportunity to add my voice to the 2021 budget debate. Let me begin by thanking the Minister for the positives in the 2021 Budget. I want to appreciate that a lot has been addressed by the Budget in terms of the demands and inputs that we did even during our consultations out there as Members of Parliament. I want to congratulate the Ministry of Finance for having taken heed of what the people out there were saying and as Parliament, we will not be embarrassed to go back and give feedback because most of the issues have been covered. However, I know that it will be difficult for the Minister to take everything on board or for us to take further demands to the Ministry.
Let me begin by saying that the budget must cater for the needs of the people especially the disadvantaged, the women, youth, people with disabilities and the unemployed. Without government support, we will find that the categories that we are talking about will not be there. There are people that rely on government support and believe government will actually deliver everything else to them. There are a lot of taxes that government demands from everyone who is employed and that is also a resource base where government can actually tap resources to target some of the programmes that may have some deficits in terms of funding.
On health, I wish to put emphasis on the free maternal health that we have been talking about for the last five years. I would want to believe that the Minister, even during our Pre-Budget workshop, was reminded by the Minister of Health to look at the issue of free maternal health. No woman should die whilst giving life. Everyone here came from a woman, so I would want to believe that we would not want to kill the next generation because they are the next leaders and Members of Parliament.
My second issue is on the support to rural women. I note with concern that we have the Pfumvudza and it is very labour intensive. Who is in the rural areas – it is the woman and the girl child. Digging holes is not easy. Looking at the time when Pfumvudza started to be popular in the rural areas, I was right down at home and women were digging holes. It is so labour intensive and we need modern equipment so that it becomes attractive. Who is in the rural area, it is the woman and the children. They will end up dropping out of school, so that is my appeal that we need to modernise Pfumvudza. It is a good programme and I acknowledge the development so far.
I will now move on to employment and the skills attraction and retention. You will note that in the region, we have more than four million people working in South Africa and Botswana because here we are not offering enough. We need attractive salaries that will make people want to work in Zimbabwe, our own and then we can have those who can join our ministries and industries. Without that, we are losing educated and skilled people. We have had a brain drain where we are training and there is a lot of skills flight. One typical example is the Auditor General’s Office where they have completely lost a number of employees, experts for that matter because we are paying poor salaries, have poor working conditions and bad treatment in terms of looking after the employees in government.
I will move on to social dialogue, TNF and NJC. If you notice – in the report that was presented by the Chairperson of the Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Portfolio Committee, there was mention of the gap. On the TNF, there is not enough for the Tripartite Negotiating Forum yet we are saying they must establish an independent secretariat and come up with a social contract. However, without adequate resources those meetings will not be convened. The same applies to the National Joint Negotiating Council where Public Service conditions of service have to be dealt with between the employer and employees. My appeal is that there is need for the Minister to look at non monetary benefits. I know there was mention of Public Service buses but to those who may want to buy cars, can we resort to the old system where one would get a tax free certificate to get a car maybe within five years so that at least we are retaining the skills and those people will be attracted to stay on their jobs.
The Zimbabwe distant work programme was launched in 2010 but up to now this programme has not taken off properly because ILO believes that the programme will deal with issues that are coming from the TNF and National Joint Negotiating Forum so that there is harmony at industrial level. Without the set up and talking to each other, the employer and employee relationship becomes sour, hence you have strikes, discords and absenteeism at work. In most offices you find just jackets because people are demotivated. When there is decent work people will be attracted to work because they will be getting something that satisfies them. My appeal to the Hon. Minister is that more money needs to be targeted to the social protection programme such as assisted medical treatment order. Anyone who cannot afford health facilities or health fees should get a letter from the Ministry of Labour and Social Services. This scheme has not been adequately funded for the last five years. We also have the bus warrants for those wanting to travel to courts. There is no adequate funding and I am appealing to the Minister for this programme to be funded. Then the food distribution programme is especially in the rural areas but hunger now has even spread to the urban areas. My appeal to the Minister is that there is need for more money to be put on food distribution and all the above programmes I have talked about.
The final one is on the cash transfers. I was going to propose that the Minister adds more money to this programme because this is a Ministry that caters for human beings all year round and the cash transfer also targets the disadvantaged communities such as people with disabilities, the youth and unemployed. There is need for more money more money in this particular department, in these particular programmes, so that at least we have better life for all. I thank you for this opportunity.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF NCUBE): I move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Tuesday, 15th December 2020.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF NCUBE): I move that Orders of the Day Numbers 2 to 29 be stood over until Order of the Day Number 30 on today’s Order Paper has been disposed of.
Motion put and agreed to.
COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY
MAIN ESTIMATES OF EXPENDITURE
Thirtieth Order read: Committee of Supply: Main Estimates of Expenditure
House in Committee
HON CHIKWINYA: On a point of order. I seek your indulgence. We have just been in the Second Reading of the Bill and the Minister is yet to respond. The Committee of Supply has an effect of adjusting figures clause by clause, if what the aspirations of Members of Parliament are going to be taken on board by the Minister. I am not quite sure whether we are procedurally doing our business if it means that we are going to go into Committee of Supply without hearing the response of the Minister, that is number one, without exhausting debate of the Second Reading, that is number two.
May you please refer me to the Standing Rule and Order that allows us to proceed to the Committee of Supply without exhausting the Second Reading of the Bill?
THE CHAIRPERSON: May you show me which Standing Rule and Order prohibits same?
HON CHIKWINYA: By the same weight of your question, yes I may be ignorant of the rules but you are the Chairperson of the Committee. So, you cannot also proceed in ignorance. So the same question applies to you. By which order are you proceeding to the Committee of Supply without exhausting the Second Reading of the Bill.
We are debating the Budget under the Appropriation Bill and you are proceeding to take us to the Committee of Supply; of which Bill? You may as well want to guide us. My problem is that I am representing a constituency with the ultimate objective of passing a Budget which I believe technically is moving in two vehicles – the Appropriation Bill and the Finance Bill but they will marry at one point.
Hon Members who are seated here in respect of yourself and the House are here to assure that the Minister of Finance responds to what they have been saying because we cannot be raising concerns.
THE CHAIRPERSON: These two things are separate.
HON CHIKWINYA: Technically they are separate but they are the same. Let us deal with one against the other.
HON MUSHORIWA: There are two issues in respect of the point of order. First and foremost, when the Minister presents the Budget, he lays before this House the Appropriation Bill and the Finance Bill. What normally happens is that the debate to the budget statement is a feeder because whatever we have been saying and all the Committees have been saying, what it means is that if we are going to consider the Appropriation Bill, what it basically says is that everything that was said by Hon. Members has actually been thrown out of the window - [HON. TSUNGA: It was a futile waste of time.] - Then the second issue Chair, tradition – this will be the first time that we have done this…
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: That is actually not true Hon. Mushoriwa.
HON. MUSHORIWA: No, traditionally, we have always exhausted – we do the Budget and the Hon. Minister responds then we proceed to the Appropriation Bill. After the Appropriation Bill we proceed to the Finance Bill – it has always been like that.
THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON: Hon. Mushoriwa, may you approach the Chair please?
Following a protracted discussion between the Temporary Chairperson and Hon. Mushoriwa, THE TEMPORARY CHAIRPERSON left the Chair to report progress and seek leave to sit again.
House resumed.
Progress reported.
Committee of Supply to resume: Tuesday, 15th December, 2020.
On the Motion of THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. M. NCUBE), the House adjourned at Five Minutes past Nine o’clock p.m. until Tuesday, 15th December, 2020.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Wednesday, 9th December, 2020
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
NOMINATION AS MDC-T DEPUTY CHIEF WHIP
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: I have to inform the Senate that the MDC-T Party has nominated Hon. Sen. M. R. Dube as their Deputy Chief Whip and not Hon Sen. Dube.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE SENATE
HON. SEN. MUZENDA: Mr. President, I move that Orders of the Day, Nos. 1 to 3 be stood over until Order of the Day No. 4 has been disposed of.
HON. SEN. CHIMBUDZI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH: DEBATE ON ADDRESS
Fourth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion in reply to the Presidential Speech.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. MATHUTHU: Thank you Mr. President. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for allowing me to debate this important motion on the State of the Nation Address by the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, Cde. Dr. E. D. Mnangagwa on the Official Opening of the Third Session of the Ninth Parliament of Zimbabwe. Allow me Mr. President to thank the mover of this motion, Hon. Sen. Chirongoma. Allow me Mr. President to thank the mover of this motion, Hon. Sen. Chirongoma and the seconder Hon. Sen. A. Dube. Mr. President, before I start debating this motion, allow me to bring to the attention of this Senate that during the President’s salutation, he acknowledged the presence of the leader of the opposition in our Parliament, Hon. Dr. T. Khupe. This is part of our political reforms as evidenced by the involvement of the opposition in debating the State of the Nation Address.
Mr. President, in this regard I am sure this will yield a positive result. The President was very grateful to the people of Zimbabwe for the discipline and resilience they showed during the difficult times in managing the COVID-19 pandemic. He also mentioned other challenges the country faced, that of climate change. The country has faced three consecutive droughts in succession and coupled with sanctions imposed in Zimbabwe by the West and its allies, they have not helped the economy to grow to an expected level. The President said, we will overcome these challenges. On COVID-19, he encouraged people to stick to the WHO guidelines in order to prevent the country from being affected by the second wave.
He also talked about the transitional stabilisation programme. In the past Mr. President, we used to complain about good programmes being introduced but no implementation. With this TSP, we have seen results. We applaud our Government for having managed to stabilise prices of basic commodities that were being increased daily. The introduction of foreign currency auction system and the monitoring of ecocash transactions Mr. President, has also helped the country to move forward.
Indeed, according to the President’s SONA address, Vision 2030 is on track. I would also like to thank the President for authorising the re-opening of schools and emphasising on the health of both the teacher and the child. The issue of face masks has seen headmasters saying masks must be uniform in colour. They have contracted their relatives and friends to make these and selling them at exorbitant prices.
On the issue of water, it plays an important role in human and animal life. I urge my Government to address the water situation in the country especially our towns and cities. Also, the issue of control between ZINWA and local authorities needs to be addressed urgently.
Mr. President, the state of our roads especially in the rural areas needs urgent attention and again the issue of control arises. On the issue of control, we have three roads authorities. We have the local authority which is council, the DDF and the Ministry. Can we have these harmonised for easy administration of our roads and have one road authority responsible.
The President talked about the launch of the First Five Year National Development Strategy from 2021 to 2025, the NDS1. I hope the new dispensation as it is known to make things happen, would not make this document gather dust and be condemned to the national archives. We would like to see the implementation and success of this Strategy. The NDS1 will spare economic development if properly implemented.
Before I conclude Mr. President, let me talk about the big elephant in the room, which is corruption. This animal knows no boundary, the President said this vice cannot co-exist with sustainable economic development and growth. If we want to get rid of corruption in this country, let us support His Excellency the President. He is the Commander-in-Chief and we are his foot soldiers. Justice must also take its course without fear and favour.
In conclusion Mr. President, I would like to touch on the issue of outstanding Bills with the spirit now exhibited in this august Senate by Hon. Members from both sides, no hate speeches being thrown at each other and the discipline shown Mr. President, I am sure there is a saying that where there is a will there is a way. I promise more work will be done in this Third Session of Parliament than before. United as Zimbabweans we stand, divided we fall. I will leave the other issues to my colleagues to debate on Mr. President, I thank you.
*HON. SEN. FEMAI: Thank you very much Hon. President for giving me this opportunity to debate on this motion which was moved by Hon. Sen. Chirongoma and seconded by Hon. A. Dube. Firstly, I would like to thank my party that allowed us to debate the Presidential Speech, I thank them very much. I thank the new dispensation for giving us the opportunity to understand each other and being able to debate what the President would have said. I sympathise for the time we wasted fighting each other not engaging in constructive debates.
We wasted our time not doing anything constructive instead of building our nation. It is the people’s anticipation that we build this nation so that people benefit. From what the President said, I do not see anything wrong. He mentioned all that we need to do and that is what he made us to do this year. Because of that, I want to thank him for giving us the direction on how to fix this nation.
Firstly, he talked about farming specifically the Pfumvudza Programme. Looking at Pfumvudza in 2005, I went to my rural home in Chimanimani. When I got there my elder brother was digging these holes. I enquired on what he was doing and he said this is the programme. We went to Zvishavane, Masvingo, Gutu and Nyika. We went all over. We also went to Mutare and Rusape, until we got to Marondera and came back looking at this Pfumvudza Programme, meaning to say that there is something that is happening, work is being done. What the Ministers respond to is the truth because they are on the ground, they are doing their work and I would like to thank them because this programme has been a success.
Now that the rains are here, I would like to thank the chiefs on this Pfumvudza Programme, they heard the Head of State talking about Pfumvudza and the chiefs did their part when they spoke to spirit mediums and I am confident they did that. So that is why you see we are seeing the rains.
The President also mentioned the issue of roads. We saw the Harare Bulawayo road is in a good condition. The Masvingo highway is also being fixed, the Masvingo to Beitbridge road. You might think you are in London. You can see clearly during the night. Even your car if it is an old model, because the road has been fixed it actually runs like new. The roads are looking good. Though it has not reached Harare, we are seeing the progress. We are seeing the good work that is being done. Again, we are thankful to the young Ministers because they are able to run around. I would like to thank the new dispensation for such appointments.
Now coming to COVID-19. If your father instructs you not to do something, your father would have spoken in his own voice warning you to stay home so that you are protected from this pandemic. I would like to thank all Zimbabweans, especially those who say they have nothing to do with politics, they showed us politicians that when it comes to a pandemic of such a nature they come together, they are united. Everyone stayed at home despite their political affiliation. Everyone obeyed the rules and regulations and stayed at home. I would like to thank the Minister for the instruction he gave. It reduced the rate of infection and the death rate. It even actually reduced the flu virus. Everyone stayed at home. It was an advantage because we never interacted and it actually protected people from various diseases.
Again, we look at the issue of dams. We want more dams than those that are being commissioned right now, especially in dry areas like Chimanimani - coming down to the lowveld, even in Dande. As long as there is a river let there be a dam. For us to do away with draught we should have as many dams as we can. If we are having dams, if we are having irrigation, people will not experience drought. We will not have some of these problems that we are experiencing such as people changing money on the black market using mobile money, ecocash.
We also want them to focus on Kunzvi Dam. That one has taken a lot of time to be completed. I am seeing that this new dispensation is putting into action all that which was lying idle. They sprung into action. I kindly ask them to get into action and work on Kunzvi dam so that we alleviate the perennial water challenges facing Harare. People in town have no water; they are tired of looking for water. That one if they are to work on it, it should alleviate the water problems. Let them look for a contractor to do the work and commission the dam so that we move forward.
We are also happy with the issue of peace and harmony in the country. It shows the development of the country, but I also want to tell you something - I will give the illustration of caterpillars. If caterpillars are in a tree you will never hear them make any noise. You could sit under a tree but you would never hear them making a noise, but after two days you will see the tree without leaves. They would have eaten the leaves slowly. Therefore with that illustration I am advising people to say if you see the Government, the leadership in silence it is not an advantage for people to engage in corrupt activities. When we wake up, we see Zimbabwe as a tree without leaves, it means corruption has destroyed us. I do not know and I wonder why these people do not listen when we say we do not want corruption. What kind of people are these that do not listen to what we say? We always say we do not want corruption. Today they would have started on something else. Corruption is very dangerous, it is cancerous. It spreads through the whole body and it kills someone in a few days.
If corruption attacks a country, all the people will die. It is dangerous. People will have mental problems and different other ailments. People are not getting money because there are people who are hording money and engaging in money laundering. Others will be having $100 million in their pockets, stored in their homes. Someone will be having as much as $100 million in their own home, in their own pockets while banks have no money. That is where we expect the Head of State to keep on talking and dealing with this issue. If it was possible this Senate should keep on talking about what the Head of State mentioned.
Let us be strong, let us make it a song on our lips to say corruption is bad. The Head of State said we do not want corruption in our country. Here in this august House we are saying we do not want corruption. That is why the Head of State said in his speech if this country is like this there is no development. Even for him, it is difficult for him to lead such a corrupt country.
I would like to remind everyone, all the MPs through you Mr. President, that myself, as I stand in this House as an opposition Member of Parliament - if I correct you or say something, I might speak in riddles but I will be trying to highlight an issue to you. I might be in opposition but where I see that there is an error, I will always highlight it to you. We are now giving solutions. We are no longer criticising just for the sake of criticising. That is what our leader said. It is a way of actually highlighting criticism and trying to give a solution. No one should get angry when we engage in such a manner.
If you hear me saying in a certain area we should establish dams, do not think that I am criticising you, I am actually giving you a solution as someone who is in agreement with the Head of State, but all of us if we are saying yes to everything, we will not know where there is an error or where there is a problem. We are actually trying to advise him by giving him correct information. I would like to thank you Hon. President.
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: I would like to urge Hon. Senators to wear your masks properly, cover your nose and mouth. Covid is still there and it has come very stronger than it was in the first place. We do not just want to wake up and hear that another Senator has died. I plead with you, let us wear our face masks properly. Again do not forget to switch off your phones.
HON. SEN. CHIRONGOMA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. CHIMBUDZI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 10th December, 2020.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE ZIMBABWE DELEGATION TO THE 5TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE AFRICAN PARLIAMENTARIANS NETWORK ON DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION (APNODE) HELD IN ABIDJAN
HON. SEN CHIEF NECHOMBO: I move the motion standing in my name that this House takes note of the Report by the Zimbabwean Delegation to the 5th Annual General Meeting of the African Parliamentarians Network on Development Evaluation (APNODE) held from 28th to 30th of August 2019 in Abidjan, Cote D’ivoire.
HON. SEN. CHIEF CHUNDU: I second.
HON. SEN. CHIEF NECHOMBO: Mr. President, more than ever before, the debate on the need for monitoring and evaluation is now a finished debate, with only one direction, one answer, implementation, implementation. The need for us to move on to a higher order of monitoring and evaluation is now an inexcusable need.
In view of this and the desire to achieve Vision 2030, the Hon, Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Adv. J. F. Mudenda led a delegation of six Honourable Members of Parliament. Hon. Sen. Chief Nechombo, Hon. P. Mpariwa, Hon. F. Mhona, Hon. T. Mavetera, Hon. O. Sibanda and Hon. W. Madzimure and three staff members, Ms. M. Mushandinga, Mr. C. Mukushwa and Mr. C. Ratsakatika to the 5th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of APNODE. The theme of the AGM “Shaping the Africa We seek: The Vital Role of Parliamentarians in Evaluation Capacity Development”. The AGM was held in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire from 28 to 30 August 2019 and was hosted by the Independent Development Evaluation (IDEV) based at the African Development Bank.
Mr. President, the meeting was attended by over sixty Members of Parliament form thirteen countries, across the African Continent, development partners and evaluation stakeholders were also present.
The meeting discussed APNODE’s 2018-2019 Annual and Financial Reports. Participants were trained in monitoring and evaluation. There were also panel sessions on two important topics, namely “Diversifying APNODE’s Resource Pool” and the African Continental Free Trade Agreement”.
Our Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Adv. J. F. Z. Mudenda gave some remarks during the official opening ceremony and was the main presenter during the panel discussion on the topic, “Diversifying APNODE’s Resource Pool”.
The highlight of the AGM was the resolution to bestow Honorary Membership to Hon. Speakers of member countries of APNODE, who include Hon. Adv. J. F. Z. Mudenda. This was followed by the remarkable achievement of the election of four Members of the Zimbabwean delegation into the new APNODE Executive Committee.
Mr. President, let me move on to the highlights, summary of the AGM, at the same time encouraging Hon. Members to go through the already issued detailed full report.
APNODE ORIENTATION-FORMATION
During this orientation session, the APNODE Secretariat explained the voluntary nature of the Network, whose membership is derived from Members of Parliament across the African continent and individuals interested in promoting the use of evidence based development evaluation. The membership of the Network has grown from seven countries in 2014 up to twenty countries in 2019.
APNODE IN THE FRANCO-PHONE COUNTIRES – A STUDY ON NIGER AND MADAGASCAR
The following issues were observed:
- The need to coordinate efforts to include other regional groupings in the programme; and
- That Burkina Faso had reviewed its Parliamentary rules and established a Standing Committee on Evaluation which works full time on evaluating the use of resources and implementation of policy.
COLOMBO DECLARATION AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR AFRICAN MPS
- Countries to adopt national evaluation policies;
- Country budgets to have an allocation of funds for the creation of evaluation systems and programmes
- To capacitate Members of Parliament and staff to enable them to use the results of evaluations.
TRAINING ON DEVELOPMENT EVALUATION
A short training session focusing on the introduction to development evaluation was conducted for the participants. Accountability and transparency were identified as key principles of a democratic society.
HIGHLIGHTS OF OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY
The outgoing Chairperson of APNODE, Sen. Roger Mbassa-Ndine gave some remarks at the official opening ceremony. He urged Members to mobilise resources for the Network’s activities and encouraged other member states to follow the example set by Cote D’Ivoire which had institutionalised monitoring and evaluation by providing for it in the country’s Constitution.
His Excellency, Amadou Soumahoro, Speaker of the National Assembly of Cote D’lvoire, officially opened the Annual General Meeting. He noted the important events lined up for the AGM such as the elections of a new Executive Committee and the development of a long terms strategy for the network. He saluted Hon. Speaker, Hon, Adv. J. F. Mudenda for his distinguished presence together with Parliamentarians present, for demonstrating the importance they accorded to evaluation of public policy.
On the Year End Review
The following issues were raised:
- The need for Aggressive Membership Drive.
- Active National Chapters.
- Approval of the Network’s Budget.
ON PANEL SESSION
The first panel session at the AGM was on “Country Evaluations and the Role of the Legislature”. The discussion revealed that for countries to follow a positive development path, there is need to evaluate development through developing a national policy and evaluation systems.
Given the diversity of country evaluation strategies, participants were called upon to harmonise their evaluation policies and to develop key enablers in order to ensure effective use of evaluations.
The second panel discussion was on “Diversifying APNODE’s Resource Pursue.” The Hon. Speaker, Adv. J.F.Z. Mudenda gave the main presentation. He made a passionate plea for domestic resource mobilisation.
Hon. Advocate J. F. Mudenda called for the institutionalisation of development evaluation and funding for monitoring and evaluation from the national budgets. The Hon. Speaker also proposed the engagement of a professional fundraiser (grandmaster) to help the network in its fundraising efforts.
Mr. President, allow me to move on to the 2nd part of the AGM which was on APNODE, Parliamentary Oversight and the African Continental Free Trade area
Panellists spoke glowingly about the signing of the agreement which they envisaged would strengthen inter-African Trade and lead to the creation of more jobs.
One of the perceived challenges of implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area was the possible migration of people from weaker economies to stronger economies and the greater risks of terrorism arising from the free movement of people.
Elections for APNODE’s New Executive
Another highlight of APNODE’s Annual General meeting was the elections for a new Executive Committee for a two year term for the period (2019-2021). Four of the Members attending the Annual General Meeting were elected to the APNODE Continental Executive Committee. These are:
Hon Felix Mhona (Zimbabwe) Treasurer
Hon. Sibanda (Zimbabwe) Committee Member
Hon. Chief Chikukwa (Zimbabwe) Committee Member
Hon. Mpariwa (Zimbabwe) Committee Member
The meeting deliberated and agreed on a proposal to amend the Network’s Constitution in order to create the position of honorary members for Speakers of Parliaments whose parliaments are affiliate members and for the outgoing Chairperson, Hon. Sen. Mbassa-Ndine. Thus, Hon. Adv. J.F. Mudenda became one of the two Speakers who are now honorary members of APNODE. The other honorary member is the Speaker of the Parliament of Sudan.
Recommendations
Following the deliberations on the AGM, the Committee makes the following recommendations that:-
Government of Zimbabwe, through the relevant structures should finalise the development of the national monitoring and evaluation policy and launch it by 31 December 2020 had it not been Covid 19 pandemic.
Government of Zimbabwe should institutionalise monitoring and evaluation in all its systems and processes beginning January 2021. A model that best suits our conditions should be adopted.
Government should embark on capacity building programmes on monitoring and evaluation which should be implemented across ministries, local authorities, state enterprises, parastatals and the private sector.
Parliament should facilitate capacity building for members of the APNODE Executive Committee in particular and Members of Parliament in general in monitoring and evaluation as part of its capacity building initiatives.
Parliament should institutionalise monitoring and evaluation by recognising APNODE as a Committee of Parliament at the beginning of the 3rd Session of the Ninth Parliament.
Parliament should gradually adopt technical infrastructure as a means of enhancing monitoring and evaluation.
Parliamentarians should demand evaluation reports for various policies implemented by Government at regional and national levels.
In conclusion, the Executive Committee of the local chapter of the APDNODE is grateful to the Administration of Parliament for the support it has received that enabled its members to attend the 5th Annual General Meeting held in Cote D’voire. Let me end by these words, procrastination of monitoring and evaluation is procrastination of social economic development because it is only through evaluation that value exists. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF MAKUMBE: Thank you Mr. President. I would like to support what our Hon. Members did with a few words. I can see that we did our Budget, which is our desire as a Government on what we want to do for our citizens. But for us to know how these things have been implemented, we want monitoring and evaluation so that we see how the projects that we had in mind are progressing.
Our 2013 Constitution talks about devolution which means that the power is now channelled back to the rural areas. The provinces are going to be given money from the national fiscus and the people at the ground will now get what they want. In order for them to get what they want, we need monitoring and evaluation.
We are happy that the leaders of Parliament, including Chief Nechombo, were included in the committee which will run for two terms. This means that as a country and as part of APNODE, we will have support from other countries so that our desire as a nation will include monitoring and evaluation. For sure, when we are doing our Budget, we should look at each and every Ministry. That money would be monitored to see whether it has achieved the desired results. That is where monitoring and evaluation comes in.
We also want to thank the Speaker of Parliament that he was accorded an honorary membership which is very rare. We have heard what he said which means that he is intelligent and he is a good leader. He is blessed by being a leader. That is why our country is crying for removal of sanctions so that we work with other nations and see where we are getting it wrong - all that needs monitoring and evaluation. We are encouraging Government, Committees or Chiefs when we are working for the people, we should do monitoring and evaluation.
I just want to support what one of my colleagues, the Hon. Chief did because I have seen that we cannot go anywhere without monitoring and evaluation. If we go to school, at the end we are examined to find out whether we understood what we have learnt. Thank you.
HON. SEN. DR. MAVETERA: Thank you Mr. President Sir for granting me the opportunity to add my voice to the report which has been submitted to this august House by Hon. Sen. Chief Nechombo. Mr. President, allow me to start my contribution by congratulating our fellow MPs who were chosen to be members of the incoming executive for the coming two years, that is Hon. Mhona, Hon. Sibanda, Hon. Sen. Chief Nechombo and Hon. Mpariwa. I want to congratulate them. More importantly, I would want to urge them to take this opportunity to institute what they learnt from this into our country.
Mr. President Sir, the theme of our meeting if I got it correctly was ‘Shaping the Africa We Seek’. I think it can only be achieved when we look and trace whatever we plan. The importance of M&E can never be over-emphasised. I think as a country, we have got very good examples of what happens if we do not have M & E structure in whatever we do. If we do not have M & E, it is going to be a room for corruption. A good example is the Gwanda Solar Project Mr. President. Public funds were disbursed to someone who did not produce anything. What was lacking? We only got to learn it when it was now going through the courts. We should not wait until that if we had M & E.
Madam President, allow me to say it is unfortunate, probably if I missed it in our incoming budget, that there was not much money which was deliberately dedicated to fund M & E. I think from our National Charter which is our Constitution, one of the most important role of Parliament is to provide oversight. That is basically M & E Madam President. The importance of this trip should not just be taken as one of those outside of the country visits but one which is very important for the very reason of our existence as a Parliament to monitor and provide oversight on what the Executive is doing. It is incumbent upon Parliament to make sure that before we even do this, all of us as Parliamentarians should be capacitated.
I think to start the ball rolling my other Hon. Members who were elected into this august Executive will start to push Parliament to capacitate parliamentarians so that we will have the necessary skills to provide the oversight role which we are mandated by the Constitution to provide. Once we do that Madam President, I am sure that will be a catalyst for national development. M & E Madam President, literally asks us to assess what we are doing and whether we have done it correctly. If we have failed we need to find out what the reasons are and how we can improve. That is basically what M & E is all about. As a Government, this should be in every Ministry. When Portfolio Committees provide their oversight role, one of the things they should start from now is to see whether the structure of the Ministry is conducive to achieve those objectives. That cannot be there if there is no division or department for M & E. We need to start. It is never too late for us to implement this.
In a nutshell Madam President, I would want to echo the recommendations. The report provided us with practical, feasible recommendations which are important for us as a people if we are to achieve our national dream or vision, which is Vision 2030. We cannot achieve it if we do not have the necessary tools to look at how we do our things, that is M & E which is monitoring and evaluation.
I would also want to add my voice to make sure that we quickly institutionalise M & E in all our Government departments not only Government. Government provides the catalyst for development. Government influences policies in what is happening in the private sector. The private sector also will have the opportunity to start to implement policies which will move our nation forward.
Madam President, I think I have already said this on my first presentation for Parliament to empower us so that we can be able to provide our most important function, which is providing oversight for what the Executive is doing and that is M & E. I hope before the end of the coming year we will have workshops and trainings to capacitate us as MPs so that we will be able to execute our mandate in providing the much needed important aspect of oversight for what the Government is doing. I thank you Madam President.
HON. SEN. CHIEF NECHOMBO: Madam President, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. CHIEF CHUNDU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 10th December, 2020.
MOTION
REPORT ON THE VIRTUAL EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION (IPU)
Sixth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report of the Extraordinary Session of the Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. MUZENDA: Madam President, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. ENG. MUDZURI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 9th December 2020.
MOTION
PREVALENCE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
Seventh Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on 16 Days of Activism against Gender Based Violence.
Question again proposed.
*HON. SEN. A. DUBE: Thank you Madam President for affording me this opportunity to add my voice on the motion of GBV. I will add my voice on what I think, what I know and what I have seen on gender based violence during the commemoration of 16 days against gender based violence. We are treating each other as animals in this country there is no longer love, it is like we are staying in the jungle where there are no laws.
Street kids left their homes because of gender violence, and it is not their fault. I will look at both sides the woman side and the man side. As women we must stop violence that is taking place in the rural areas. Women are dying and every year yet we talk of gender based violence when we commemorate 16 days against gender violence. If a woman goes to police to report after being beaten by the husband, they will write a small note and say you should go back and give this to your husband. You go back to take your husband with you to the police, the husband will be alert and he will tell you to go back to the police saying that the people who gave you the note are your man and ban you from entering the house. So, as a woman you just enter the homestead and you are beaten thoroughly which beatings sometimes will result in death. When we were young if you report a case to the police the police will come and take the accused with them but now when you report the complainant is asked to go and give a note to the accused inviting him to come to the police station. I think the police must be educated and well resourced so that they can handle cases of domestic violence.
If we do not address this the women will continue suffering. This habit of giving complainants pieces of paper to give to accused persons must stop, our President is a listening President; he should put his foot down and command the police to do their job properly. I was beaten one day by my husband, he was a soldier, I went to the camp and reported I was given a note to go and give to my husband I told them that if I go back I will be beaten again. I was told to go back so that we fight and if one dies they will come with a metal coffin. So, I just rested my case just like that. I am appealing to His Excellency the President that a person who engages in domestic violence must be prosecuted and given stiffer sentence.
I met a pregnant woman in Magwegwe her husband used to beat her because the man had a girlfriend. The pregnant woman would be told to leave the matrimonial bed so that she sleeps on the floor. The husband beat her whilst she was pregnant and when she was due she died during child birth. We just saw a coffin coming to collect the body. What people do when a husband and a wife start fighting because of social media, we rush to record. We do not even mind whether the people are properly dressed or someone is going to die, we just take pictures and it is very painful and because of that we will not stop it.
I used to be a councilor for Victoria Falls. I would sleep with three women per night, bashed women and I would not sleep attending to them. They would come to me because they did not have anywhere to go, they did not have any parents. The husbands would then follow and they would say okay, I will forgive you because I have come to the councilor. If you had gone to your place I was going to kill you, but now I am just respecting the councilor. So I would counsel them and some would go back and live without any challenges but what happens is when those women have been bashed if you start counseling them they will tell you that I am also tired so I will also look for a boyfriend.
It does not help. If your husband is beating you, you should go back to your home and start afresh than to continue staying in an abusive relationship and you will also start looking for boyfriends so that you would hurt him because in the end you will die because no husbands want their wives to have boyfriends. They will start thinking that probably the children are not theirs, so you will be fighting every day until someone dies.
My cousin brother went to the liberation war despite the fact that he did not want to go. Early in the morning my aunt and her husband ran out of the house naked and they started fighting outside. So this cousin of mine was still young. He told his wife to take a cloth to go and wrap around his mother. No one could go there to stop them because the wife and the father were naked. That violence is the one that led my cousin brother to join the struggle. He left his young wife and one child and he did not come back. He died. He went to war because of gender based violence (GBV). We should speak about it; we should speak against it strongly. We should nip it in the bud because some men are provoked at times. So I am pleading with the President that he should stamp his foot down.
In the bible you know how Eve made her mistake but Adam did not beat up Eve because he knew women are a weaker vessel. So we are getting our men into trouble because of the way we answer back when we are angry. We should forgive one another because we have children and our children will think that in order for women to behave they have to be beaten. So we should feel for one another. I am a weaker vessel I cannot beat a man and I will never get that power. For us not to kill each other you should know that your husband is the head of the family and he knows that you are his helper, but it does not mean that as the head we should run away from you so that you remain in the village alone. We should return to the first love so that we do not hate one another and you know that this is my wife, this is my husband. If you have any challenges which are not reconcilable you should go back to your family whilst you are still alive.
These people should be given stiffer penalties so that they will not repeat the same offence again and the women should not retaliate by also engaging in adulterous affairs. Thank you very much.
HON. SEN. DUBE: Madam President, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. MATHUTHU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 10 December, 2020.
MOTION
CONDOLENCES ON THE DEATH OF HON. SEN. AIR CHIEF MARSHALL RTD. PERRANCE SHIRI
Eighth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the death of Hon. Sen. Air. Chief Marshal Rtd. Perence Shiri.
Question again proposed.
*THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR MASHONALAND CENTRAL PROVINCE (HON. SEN. MAVHUNGA): Thank you Madam President for giving me this opportunity to also contribute to this motion which was raised by Hon. Sen. Tongogara. We would like to appreciate the work that was done by Hon. Shiri. The greatest work that that he did was to liberate the citizens of this country from colonial rule in 1980 and we want to thank him for that.
The late Hon. Minister, as you have heard from the mover of the motion, went to war when he was a boy. Driven by the plight of the country at that time, he left school and went to fight for this country with others. He did a very good job. During the liberation war he taught the liberation skills in Mugagawo. We all know that for someone to be called a soldier and be able to fight against the enemy, he would have been fully trained. He did a very good job. He did not end there. He was one of the leaders during the war and he was leading Tete Province as Provincial Field Operational Commander. A well known battle was fought there. A lot of people who were being led by the late Hon. Shiri survived that battle. After the liberation struggle, he joined the Army. There were three groups of armies: the colonial army from the Smith regime, the ZIPRA army and the ZANLA army. He was appointed to be one of the commanders who united the three groups. You could not see the differences between these groups.
He later joined the Air Force of Zimbabwe where he led the airmen whom we all know that they are very good at their work. You see these airmen during national events, for example doing fly-pasts and air shows. All this came from the leadership of the late Hon. Shiri who was also known as Bigboy Chikerema. It did not end there from defending his country. He also worked in the Command Division where he was working with the President and the programme went on very well. He did a very good job there, we all saw it.
We also want to remember the late Minister for the work that he did when he retired from Army, he never showed that he was a feared soldier, he was able to blend with the public. He had good relations with Mashonaland Central. We mourn the death of a very important figure in our province because we used to sit everyday with him. When he was appointed the Minister of Agriculture, when we were discussion the issue of the economy, we never had a problem with him. We could see that he knew the scope of his work, what was expected of him, he humbled himself and did a very good job.
We harvested a lot of wheat, it doubled from the previous farming season. He came with a lot of programmes for example the Mechanisation Programme that we all know where he went to Belarus and sourced farm implements to be brought in this country and assist our farmers so that our local farmers are able to get. We saw him running around encouraging farmers to pay attention to the changing season. He mentioned the need for dams to be constructed. We saw him running around with the issue of dams. In my province a dam called Semwa is being built in a dry area called Rushinga. It is being built right now. The intention is for people to do irrigation and electricity as well. Mt Darwin will also be able to get water from there. In Bindura which is the capital city of Mashonaland Central, there is Bindura Dam which was also built because of the efforts of the late Hon. Sen. Perrance Shiri. All farmers around this dam will be able to do irrigation on their farms using enough water. This water will also allow industries to function and a lot of people will be able to get safe water for consumption. Looking at the pandemic that we have in the country, it will be of great assistance that people access clean water.
I also want to thank the late Hon. Senator for the Pfumvudza farming programme. People could not accept such programmes in previous years but because of the works of the late Senator, this programme has spread all over the country. This was the planning of a leader who knew the plight of his people and he also knew that hungry people are difficult to lead, hence the Pfumvudza programme was introduced as a sustainable solution to hunger. He did not only look at the issue of poverty alleviation.
Today’s paper was talking about the GDP since 2012-2018; our Province has contributed greatly to tourism. The late Cde Shiri made Arcadia Dam which is part of his farm to be a domestic tourist attraction. It was because of his initiative to promote domestic tourism. There is also Kanyemba, Hon. Shiri also made this area a tourist attraction and he recognised and established that we could have a place just like Victoria Falls. As we speak right now, it is being fixed to be a city. We are looking at revamping domestic and international tourism. We also look forward to seeing it contributing to the fiscus of this country.
Hon. Shiri is one of the leaders who looked back at places where he fought during the war of liberation. People where still learning in mud classrooms but he built Murongwe Primary and Secondary schools so that people would go to school. His wish was to have development in the area and provide basic education to children so that they also develop not only themselves but the community. There are no flashy or big schools in this area but there are proper schools. There is Mariga School which was built in that area. Chapoto school was also raised because of his initiative. In Muzarabani, there are a lot of schools too. He played a leading role in persuading and relaying information to authorities so that they could have a school build in the area and was fulfilled. It was all through his hard-work.
Hon. Shiri did not leave out the issue of health. He built a clinic in Murongwe. In Kanyemba, he played a leading role so that there is a rural health centre which was in line with health guidelines.
Hon. Sen. Shiri was a unifier. In our province, he would not entertain back biting but he would bring those people together and let them work for the development of our province.
With the advent of COVID-19, I remember that he educated a lot of people about this pandemic. He was always alive to doing his job. Even when he got ill, I had seen him on the 23rd and I had a meeting with him in his office. The meeting that we had was work related. He was a strong person. We never thought it would get serious, it was not our expectation. What pained me is the manner in which he died – he died of covid-19 after having campaigning for people to stay safe from covid-19. Yes, he was declared a national hero. People managed to attend the funeral but others failed. That is where we were touched. To say with all the credentials that he had not many people attended his funeral. His friends could not pay their last respect to him. We thank you for the flypast and witnessed soldiers doing their air shows as their last respect and even the gun salute. I would like to say we were pained by the earth of Hon. Perrance Shiri. I had nightmares after witnessing his burial process. I would want to say Hon. Perrance Shiri, you fought a good fight and we saw your hard work. Rest in peace Hon. Big Boy Chikerema. We shall follow also. I thank you Madam President.
+HON. DUBE: Thank you Madam President. I would want to thank Hon. Tongogara who moved the motion so that we mourn together as a family with Mashonaland Central. The Rtd. Air Marshall Perrance Shiri was someone known by many people and we used to read about him in newspapers. His history depicts that he is someone who fought for the liberation of this country. Hon. Shiri’s history is illustrious and everyone knows about his history in Zimbabwe. Hon. Members would talk about his good works, fighting for Zimbabwe’s independence. We are here today as legislators because of Hon. Perrance Shiri’s dedication and commitment to fight for independence. He is illustrious son of the soil. We are told that he was a commander during the liberation struggle. Even after independence he was a commander of the Air Force. We always heard that there was Air Marshall Shiri. We never knew that would miss him. We would meet him in person and he did a good job at the Air Force of Zimbabwe working with the ground force so that Zimbabwe became peaceful country from independence when the forces were amalgamated and things worked out well for everyone. He was someone who was very loyal. After retiring from the Army he did not relaxed. We thank the President Cde. E. D. Mnangagwa for appointing him after identifying his strength and he appointed him to head the Ministry of Agriculture. Hon. Perrance Shiri as a senator and Cabinet Minister ran the Ministry and everyone saw him committed and dedicated to his work. At times we thought that he was someone who could not talk to people as an Air Marshall but he was a humble and loving person. He was a soft speaker and hard worker. It is rare in a country like Zimbabwe for someone who is appointed to a higher position to put on overalls. The normal thing is to put on nice clothes to demonstrate that we are Hon. Members of Parliament unlike Hon. Shiri who would put on overalls and work suites. This showed that he was talented and had God given gift for him to be what he was.
We all know that he was the Leader of the House. At times when he noticed something he would talk to the Hon. Member in person and in privacy. He did not admonish anyone in public. This showed true professional leadership. He demonstrated through the good works. Mashonaland Central’s loss is our loss as a nation because Hon. Shiri was an illustrious man. He was known for raising the flag of Zimbabwe. When people talking about pfumvudza, a certain Member of this House said that it was a good programme. When Hon. Shiri started this programme he demonstrated what he was talking about by teaching people conservation farming. Now the programme has been adopted nationally. Pfumvudza/Intwasa is something which is being talked of by Zimbabweans. As a Senate, we have lost a cadre and no one can change the will of God. My desire is that the whole of Zimbabwe was supposed to come and mourn him together with Mashonaland Central Province but we could not do that because of COVID-19 regulations which unfortunately was the cause of his passing on.
This was the first time for us to hear that there was a person of that stature who passed on as a result of COVID-19. This was really touching and painful knowing that this was our leader in the Senate. The few people who witnessed his burial could not believe it, it was painful. It was God’s plan because that is all our way. When the children of Israel were led by Moses they saw Canaan and unfortunately Moses did not and this is something that is biblical. This is an analogy of what happened here. We also did not have the chance to accompany him but as an individual, I mourn together with the Late Hon. Sen. Rtd Air Chief Marshall Shiri’s family, Mashonaland Central Province and the entire nation. May his soul rest in eternal peace; it is painful to lose a national hero. It is quite sad that we watched the burial on television but we could not change that because it is God’s plan. God allowed us to know him personally. If he had passed on whilst he was Air Marshall with the Air Force of Zimbabwe, then most of the people were not going to know him. When he joined this august Senate, we got to know that he was a very humble, loving and professional person.
For the short period of time we met and knew him and wherever he is lying, I would like to say may God watch over him. Another Hon. Senator said that it is painful but his soul is resting well. Let us cry for those who are alive. I thank you.
HON. SEN. KHUPE: Thank you Madam President for giving me this opportunity to also put some words to this motion which was raised by Hon. Sen. Tongogara. Let me start by saying this is not an ordinary motion because it is a motion which triggers some painful memories. I remember the last words I spoke with the Late Hon. Sen. Rtd Air Chief Marshall Shiri. We sought an appointment with him together with my co-Senator representing the disabled, Hon. Sen. Timire and he agreed. The Hon. Sen. went there and I was not able to go there. So, his last words to me before his departure from this planet, as soon as I finished greeting him he said, ‘ko imimi ndakanzwa zvichinzi hamuna kuuya wani kuoffice kwandakati muuye’. Why we wanted to visit him was that he had said after the audit of the farms which were given to the people, he would look for a special accessible place to allocate to us.
As soon as I heard that he had passed on I became a troubled soul, that is why I was always quiet thinking about the Late Hon. Sen. Rtd Air Chief Marshall Shiri. He was not an ordinary person; he was a liberator not only for ZANLA but for the country as a whole. No history of this country will be written fully without a chapter dedicated to Hon. Sen. Rtd Air Chief Marshall Shiri, his contributions during and after the war. I hope if people are honest in writing a good history they will not forget to also write about his contribution during the Second Republic during the new dispensation.
Many people have said a lot, which is correct that he was handsome. I want to use these words; he would simply throw away his suit and tie and be an ordinary person. He was a down to earth person, so my brief contribution is that it is not only the family of the Late Hon. Sen. Rtd Air Chief Marshall Shiri, it is not only the people of Mashonaland Central, ZANU PF as a party or former liberation fighter who lost but it is the entire country that lost a freedom fighter on his own right.
Madam President, I want to say to the family of Late Hon. Sen. Rtd Air Chief Marshall Shiri wherever they are, that they should always remember that Zimbabwe lost a hero and a contributor, not them only but the entire Zimbabwe. He was a gentleman whom you could approach without fear. He was a gentleman who was prepared to listen; he was a gentleman who could interact with anybody, anytime and anywhere.
In our last budget meeting we had in Bulawayo we continually shared some jokes at the Holiday Inn. I also discovered that he was not only receptive to me alone but it was his nature. He was a very good gentleman. With these few words, I say Cde. Shiri Bigboy Chikerema, my brother, my comrade, a liberator; may your soul rest in eternal peace in the hands of the Lord. I thank you.
HON. SEN. TONGOGARA: Madam President, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. MUZENDA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 10th December, 2020.
On the motion of THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR MASHONALAND CENTRAL PROVINCE (HON. SEN. MAVHUNGA), the Senate adjourned at Twenty Seven Minutes to Five o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Wednesday, 9th December, 2020
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two o’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER
APOLOGIES RECEIVED FROM MINISTERS
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I have got a list of apologies from Hon. Ministers; Hon. D. Garwe, Hon. M. Mutsvangwa, Hon. K. Kazembe, Hon. J. Moyo, Hon, D, Marapira, Hon. S. Nzenza, Hon. Prof, P. Mavima, Hon. M. Ndlovu and Hon. K. Coventry.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (HON. PROF. MURWIRA): I move that Orders of the Day, Number 1 to 9 be stood over until Order of the Day Number 10 has been disposed of.
Motion put and negatived.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. TOGAREPI: Madam Speaker, I seek leave of the House to defer Question Time to next Wednesday to allow debate on the National Budget.
HON. CHIKWINYA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I seek objection primarily for two reasons. Procedurally, the motion was put before us yesterday to suspend Government business and have the budget principles take precedence. In that notice, which we did not object, the Leader of Government Business said and I quote …
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I hear you Hon. Chikwinya, we are proceeding to Questions.
HON. CHIKWINYA: Thank you because tanga tave kuuya nemitemo chaiyo chaiyo.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
HON. T. MLISWA: Madam Speaker, the question I have to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education is a very disturbing one. I have just been informed in my constituency that the ‘O’ level Geography examination that was written yesterday had no map in the entire country and they proceeded to write examinations without a map and it is Geography. May the responsible Minister respond as to why they went ahead with examinations for Geography ‘O’ level without a map? What Geography is it when you have no map? I thank you. – [HON. NDEBELE: And why the Minister has not been fired?] –
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Mliswa but that one is a specific question and I think the Minister will need time to go and investigate then come with the answer. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] - Yes, it is a specific question.
HON. T. MLISWA: Madam Speaker, this is a question that is very clear. The Minister is aware that examinations are being written and this is urgent. It actually requires you the Chair to demand for that answer now because how many more examinations are going to be written without the necessary requirements? So it actually requires an urgent intervention, if that is happening, it will continue.
It is a very simple question because the Minister is incharge of education and the question is – why did the examinations continue without a Geography map yet it is an ‘O’ level examination? It is not specific but actually an urgent issue because students are writing examinations right now. How many more examinations will be written that are incomplete and what does that do to the education system?
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! I have heard you Hon. Mliswa… - [HON. T. MLISWA: It requires urgent intervention!] – Hon. Mliswa, there is no reason for you to do what you are doing! – [HON. T. MLISWA: Madam Speaker, you know I speak passionately because I have a stutter, so at times I have to…] – You speak with emotions Hon. Mliswa which is very wrong, I heard what you said. Please may you take your seat? Please take your seat Hon. Mliswa! It is a specific question but I will request the Minister to respond. – [HON. NDEBELE: When?] - Hon. Ndebele order! Hon. Minister!
HON. T. MLISWA: Madam Speaker, in line with what you said, can we actually get a Ministerial Statement first thing tomorrow? – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – No, no, he will not answer it.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Mliswa, please may you take your seat, the Minister is going to respond to your question.
HON. T. MLISWA: He is not the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education. He is not aware of this because he is the Leader of Government Business. This Parliament is of procedure, haisi yekungo nhonga nhonga kunge matamba adonha! They have portfolios that they were appointed to superintend – that is the reason why I have the right to withdraw.
I need a statement from the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education tomorrow on the matter. It is me who has the right to withdraw and I have realised that there is no Minister with the capacity here to respond to that except the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, so I withdraw. Madam Speaker, may we have a Ministerial Statement pertaining to the ‘O’ level Geography examinations of yesterday that were written without a map. At least I stand guided by you with your advice, it needs time so that at least the message gets through to him and he can prepare one for tomorrow.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I said that earlier on and you disputed it.
HON. T. MLISWA: You are right Madam Speaker, that is why I have restructured it.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Please may you take your seat Hon. Mliswa.
HON. T. MLISWA: Madam Speaker, I am accepting what you are saying but I am further giving the idea that may we have a Ministerial Statement tomorrow instead? I do concur with what you are saying. I withdraw the question and there is no point for anybody to go ahead with a question that I have withdrawn. That is why I am imploring your good office to allow for a Ministerial Statement on that matter tomorrow. I seek your indulgence Madam Speaker.
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): On a point of order Madam Speaker – [HON. NDEBELE: But Madam Speaker, you must make a ruling before the Minister speaks!] – Do you want to respond or I proceed? I stand guided, can I proceed? – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Members, why are you disrupting the smooth running of business? – [HON. T. MLISWA: But we need closure on the issue Madam Speaker. The whole country is listening to hear about these examinations. We push for students to write examinations without enough paper work. How can you people support education?] – Hon. Mliswa, you have a tendency of disrupting the smooth running of business in this House. You speak with emotions every time, I do not know why.
I had already made a ruling that the Minister will go and investigate and bring the answer – that is what I said. – [AN HON. MEMBER: When?] – Next week, that is my ruling and it is final.
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Madam Speaker. Yesterday when I gave notice of suspension of other business, there was an error that one of the Standing Orders was omitted and when I came here, I had already advised Cabinet Ministers that there is no Question Time because we are suspending so that we deal with the outstanding business of the day, that is the Budget and other Bills. There are no Ministers to take questions, I implore you Madam Speaker that the best thing to do is that I apologise for the error but the Ministers did not abscond because they did not respect the House. They knew that we are proceeding with the business of budget. I request you that we do that otherwise we will end up having one Minister answering questions which is not beneficial to all of us. So, I seek your indulgence.
I also would want to say that even the request by Hon. Mliswa that it happens next week; we suspend the Standing Orders and any other business would not be held unless if leave of the House is sought to deviate from that. So, I humbly request that we proceed with the Business of the budget and suspend Question Time. I thank you – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.]-
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Members! Hon. Chikwinya may you approach the Chair.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE MINISTER OF HIGEHR AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, INOVATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT (HON. MURWIRWA): I move that Orders of the Day Nos. 1 to Order of the Day No. 9 be stood over until Order of the Day No. 10 is disposed of. I thank you.
HON. T. MLISWA: On a point of order madam Speaker. You are aware that the budget of the country is important and we have totally taken everything out to pave way for it but the Ministers who control the Ministries are not here. So, how serious are we? The Ministry of Finance is here but the line Ministers are not. This budget is about Ministers understanding, No wonder why they never comply with giving monthly reports and quarterly reports.
Why are we continuing with the budget when Ministers are not here? This is the most important document in the country and we have Ministers who are not here who must be listening to how they should spend the money but they are not here. This is an absolute circus, it is a circus all the time and with my emotions I repeat that it is a circus all the time. We are wasting time. Where are the Ministers? May the Leader of Government business ask Ministers to come and sit in this budget. Tomorrow we will be sitting again up to 12 mid-night. MPs are tired because they cannot get to their places on time but they are sacrificing. Where are the Ministers who are responsible for those budgets and not only that, their own Chief Accounting Officers who are the Permanent Secretaries should be sitting up there.
Members have been passing budgets and there are not reports coming through. You are now known as a Parliament that rubber stamps, that is all. In the history of this country you are a Parliament which rubber stamps your own budget of Parliament you rubber stamp and you do not get anything. When are you going to work up and represent this country with a clear conscience? You cannot be whipped all the time and rubber stamps all the things. The Minister of Finance is here, we appreciate. Minister, where are your Ministers who come to you wanting money and they are not here but who do not run the money. The manager who gets the money is not here.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Mliswa, I hear you. Please may you take your seat. I hear what you said and I think the Ministers will follow the debates through reading in the Hansard and the Minister of Finance is the one who is responsible for this Bill. So, Hon. Members, we can continue with the business of the House.
MOTION
FINANCE BILL: BUDGET DEBATE
Tenth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion for leave to brin in a Finance Bill.
Question again proposed.
HON. MUSAKWA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. Adding to the debate on the Portfolio Committee of Energy and Power Development.
Introduction: The Portfolio Committee 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 2021 budget allocations to the Ministry of Energy and Power Development from the 2020 budget allocation.
1.1. Key Policy Priorities for the Ministry of Energy and Power Development in 2021:
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 2021-2023 include:
- Complete and build new energy infrastructure
- Upgrading, rehabilitation and maintenance of existing infrastructure
- Promote the development of renewable energy projects
- Expand net metering for distributed electricity generation
- Complete and implement energy efficiency policy and regulations and implement
- Increase pipeline capacity from 2.9 billion litres to 4.9 billion litres
The above stated key priority areas for the 2021 budget outlay a clear picture of a determined Ministry that has the intention to achieve its goals in line with national priorities.
1.2. Ministry’s key achievements in 2020:
Despite the economic challenges that characterised the greater part of 2020 and COVID-19 that affected most economic activities, Ministry of Energy and Power Development managed to post some achievements in 2020. Some of these achievements include:
- 200, 10km of high voltage lines were constructed under the grid extension programme
- Manufactured electro-mechanical equipment and constructed a cooling tower and a coal plant under Hwange 7 and 8 main power house civil works
- Rehabilitated Kariba dam
- Rehabilitation of power network through transformer replacements and distribution line reinforcements
- Ministry of Energy and Power Development 2020 Budget Performance:
Despite being allocated a revised total budget of ZWL$525.8 million in the 2020 budget, Ministry of Energy and Power Development’s disbursements from Treasury in 2020 amounted to ZWL$80.65 million. The amount disbursed in 2020 represents 15% of the Ministry’s 2020 budget allocations. The worst affected by the non-disbursement include goods and services and acquisition of non-financial assets. Policy and Administration Programme had an average budget outturn of 36% whilst that of the Energy Supply and Security Programme was at 12%. 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;
- Failed to subscribe to international and regional organisations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency where the country has lost its voting rights.
- Failed to achieve 2020 targets as the non-disbursement of funds resulted in the stagnation of most projects
- Overview and Analysis of the Ministry's 2021 Budget Allocation
3.1. Ministry of Energy and Power Development 2021 Budget Allocations
The Ministry of Energy and Power Development was allocated a total of ZWL$1.641 billion (equivalent to US$20.04 million[1]) in the 2021 budget. The amount allocated represents a 68% increase from the 2020 budget allocation of ZWL$525.8 million (equivalent to US$31.4 million). While in nominal terms the amount allocated increased, the share of the Ministry’s budget the total budget decreased from a share of 0.75% in 2020 to 0.38% in 2021. Figure 1 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 (2019-2021)
Source Budget Estimates (2019, 2020 and 2021)
3.2. Economic classification of the budget:
Of the Ministry’s total allocation of ZWL$1.641 billion, ZWL$214 million was allocated towards the Ministry’s operations which include employment costs and other operational expenditures. The share allocated towards the Ministry’s operations in the 2021 budget is an improvement from the 5% allocated towards the same expenditure item in the 2020 budget. In the 2020 budget, the Ministry’s allocation for operations were inadequate and resulted in the Ministry virementing about ZWL$42 million from the Rural Electrification Agency and ZESA. In the Ministry’s 2021 budget, the largest share (55%) was allocated for capital transfers to ZESA for the expansion and rehabilitation of Hwange Thermal Power Station which is expected to add an additional 300MW to the national grid when completed. 32% of the Ministry’s budget was allocated towards funding capital expenditures. Figure 2 shows the economic classification of the Ministry’s 2021 budget.
Figure 2: Economic Classification of the Ministry’s 2021 Budget.
Source Budget Estimates (2021)
3.3. Ministry’s 2021 Budget Allocations vs Bids:
Although the amount allocated to the Ministry in the 2021 budget increased from the 2020 budget allocation, a number of programmes were underfunded. The Ministry had submitted bids amounting to ZWL$3.43 billion but Treasury allocated ZWL$1.641 billion. The amount allocated represents 48% of the Ministry’s funding requirements. The Policy and Administration Programme was allocated ZWL$169 million against a funding requirement of ZWL$237 million. This means that this Programme got 71% of its 2021 funding requirements. The Energy Supply and Security Programme was allocated ZWL$1.463 billion against a funding requirement of ZWL$3.184 billion. Budget allocation for this programme is 46% of the Programme’s funding requirements. The underfunding for this programme will negatively affect implementation of Ministry’s projects in 2021.
Figure 3: Ministry of Energy’s Allocation vs its funding requirements
Source Budget Estimates (2021)
- COMMITTEE OBSERVATIONS, ISSUES AND CONCERNS
The Committee noted that although the Ministry got an overall budget higher than what was allocated in the 2020 budget, all the Ministry’s sub-programmes were underfunded. 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 2021 budget allocation to the Ministry’s operations and the energy sector.
4.1 Underfunding for all the Ministry’s programmes
4.1.1 Goods and Services- Treasury allocated ZWL$69.84 million against a bid of ZWL$146.5 million for goods and services. This means that there is a funding gap of ZWL$76.66 million. The inadequate budget allocation for this expenditure item will greatly affect the Ministry’s operations such as supervision, monitoring and evaluation of projects under the Ministry’s purview.
4.1.2 Capital Transfers: Treasury allocated ZWL$900 million for a loan facility to ZESA to cover local taxes for the expansion and rehabilitation works at Hwange Units 7 and 8. The Committee notes with concern that the amount allocated is lower by ZWL$550 million from the ZWL$1.45 billion that the Ministry had requested. The underfunding will delay the completion of work that is already behind schedule.
Treasury also allocated ZWL$64 million to Finealt Engineering for the renewable energy projects against a bid of ZWL$135.541 million. The underfunding will negatively affect the supply of renewable energy in the country. Finealt Engineering has a target of 10 000ha under jatropha trees over five years if supported with adequate funding. The Committee also notes with concern that in 2020, Treasury did not disburse any funds to Finealt Engineering for its projects.
4.2 Revenue from Retention Funds: The Ministry had projected to collect ZWL$87.7 million from various levies in 2021 and had planned to use the funds to procure 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. The 2021 budget did not provide any funding for the procurement of strategic fuel reserves.
4.3 The Committee noted with concern that the amount owed to ZESA by various customers has been increasing and currently stands at ZWL$3.2 billion for customers paying in local currency and US$30 million for those billed in foreign currency. The Committee noted that the largest debtors include local authorities (ZWL$1 billion), parastatals (ZWL$189 million) and Government (ZWL$400 million). The failure to pay by Government and local authorities have negative effects on the electricity generation by the company. The situation is worsened by the fact that ZESA owes various suppliers about US$90 million and this debt needs to be serviced every month but the current tariffs have no provision for debt servicing. The debt accrued due to delays in effecting tariff changes in line with macroeconomic developments in the country. ZESA indicated to the Committee that an average tariff of US10 cents would enable the company to provide electricity whilst at the same time servicing its debt. The current tariff stands at US7.73 cents.
4.4 The Committee noted that the 2021 budget did not provide any funding for the production and procurement of transformers by ZENT. However, the Committee is pleased to inform that ZENT is in the process of procuring materials for the production of 830 transformers. This will go a long way in filling the backlog in the requirements for new connections and replacement of vandalised or old transformers.
4.5 The Committee also noted with concern the increase in cases of vandalism of electricity infrastructure. To date, 787 cases have been reported in 2020 with most of the cases reported during the last 2 months.
- Recommendations
In light of the analysis of the Ministry of Energy and Power Development’s budget and issue raised, the Committee recommends the following measures that it feels will raise revenue in the sector and contribute to economic growth.
5.1 It is of concern to note that Treasury has, for the past years, have failed 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 2020 budget, Finealt Engineering was allocated ZWL$20 million but as at 30 September, Treasury had not released anything to support the parastatal’s projects. It is therefore recommended that in 2021, Treasury should meet its side of the bargain by timeously releasing allocated funds to the Ministry.
5.2 The Committee noted that ZESA is owed a large amount of money by its customers. This situation undermines the parastatal’s capacity to pay for emergency power supplies, undertake critical maintenance and develop new capacity for both generation and transmission infrastructure. It is saddening to note that Government has also contributed to the problems facing ZESA by failing to pay its bills. The Committee therefore recommends that in 2021, Government should take a leadership role by paying up its electricity bills arrears.
5.3 In order to reduce further accumulation of debt by its customers, the Committee recommends that Government should allow ZESA to install prepaid meters to all electricity users. This will improve revenue collection by ZESA and instill discipline in the use of electricity.
5.4 Ministry of Energy and ZESA informed the Committee that cases of vandalism have increased in most areas around the country with about 200 cases of vandalism of electricity infrastructure having been reported during the months of October and November 2020 only. This has affected the provision of transformers for new connections, as the newly acquired transformers will be allocated to areas that would have lost transformers due to vandalism. It is therefore recommended that the budget should provide funding for enhancing security of electricity infrastructure. In addition, there is also need for ZESA, with the assistance of Parliament, to carry out awareness campaigns to educate people on how they can police their areas and to have a sense of ownership for infrastructure in their areas.
5.5 The Committee noted that the supply of electricity in the country is under threat due to a number of challenges facing the power utility company. Some of the noted challenges include foreign currency shortages for the importation of electricity and other equipment required for maintenance of the power stations. During the greater part of 2020, the exchange rate was not stable. Most of the electricity users are paying using local currency. The Committee also took note of the fact that ZESA has not provided an incentive mechanism to encourage the purchase of electricity in foreign currency. The Committee recommends that ZESA should come up with an incentive tariff structure for customers paying in foreign currency.
- Conclusion
The Portfolio Committee on Energy and Power Development is of the view that the energy sector is key to ensuring the attainment of the upper middle-income status by 2030. It is against this background that Treasury prioritises the sector in the allocation of funds because of its linkages with various facets of the economy. Zimbabwe is endowed with renewable energy resources, including solar, hydropower and biomass energy. Tapping into these resources would help the country meet the energy supply challenges that are key in achieving the 7.4% economic growth target in 2021 as well as meeting the set targets in the National Development Strategy 1.
HON. MAJAYA: Thank you Madam Speaker. The 2021 National budget is developed under unique circumstances where the country has experienced unprecedented social and economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hard hit by the covid19 pandemic are SMEs and women. Further, in 2019-2020 the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development in partnership with Ministry of Women Affairs Community Small and Medium Enterprise Development (MWACSMED) made great strides to establish the gender needs of Government ministries and improve the practice of gender responsive budgeting. Gender mainstreaming guidelines for government ministries were developed. A gender audit of gender responsive budgeting was conducted that highlighted the need to institutionalise the practice of GRB. The institutionalisation process can only be spearheaded by the gender machinery in the country that is MWACSMED and the Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC). GRB demands that there be equitable allocation of resources to respond to the needs and interests of men and women.
The traditional practice of allocating at least 1% of the national budget to MWACSMED falls short of GRB practice. The Ministry within its internal responsibilities is expected to provide technical and coordination of gender focal persons in all government ministries to achieve gender mainstreaming. However, this was further made difficult by the removal of the Gender component on the Ministry departments. It left a vacuum in gender programming and has contributed to the diminished performance of the Ministry in terms of gender though demand is high that the gender component be resuscitated as it is key to the Ministry achieving its mandate under SDG 5 Gender Equality and the empowerment of women and girls. The budget allocations should consider that the component of MSMES is a Ministry and should be allocated a budget that resonates with the magnitude of the mandate for the Ministry, Further, consider the fact that SMEs are the drivers of the economy, their effective participation in the economy is critical to achieving a middle-income economy by 2030.
Zimbabwe has the second largest informal economy as a percentage of its total economy in the world at 60.6% (IMF,2018).Women constitute 54.4% of the informal sector and the majority of MSMEs are owned by women. The COVID-19 pandemic affected the MSMES sector to the extent that it needs more support than before. The high demand for digital methods of doing business became more imperative in COVID-19. Going forward, the sector needs to rise to the occasion of digital economy. Some MSMEs have been eroded and need resuscitation, working space to adjust to the new normal way of life, social distancing is important for MSMES and advancing access to markets.
COVID-19 pandemic revealed that the social safety nets in the country are weak. The increase of GBV from 1 in 3 women to 2 in 3 women (UNWOMEN, 2020) demanded more support services on a system that was already lacking support. The lockdown revealed that the government was over-reliant on CSOs to shoulder the burden of GBV. In the absence of travel and release of funds most support services were not functional. Women’s burden to care for the family increased from double to a triple burden of care work. There is increased food insecurity, loss of business, lack of access to water and pressure continues on access to social amenities, women are placed in a precarious position to subsidise the government. It is imperative that the gender machinery receives adequate budget allocations, in the highlighted critical areas above so that the economic potential of women is realised as we seek to build resilience and sustainable growth in 2021.
- Positives Gender allocations on the 2021 National Budget
The following gender responsive provisions in the 2021 National Budget were noted:
- The 2021 National Budget Statement commits to provide social safety nets to women, children and persons with disability. Addressing gender inequalities, income inequalities, improving access to finance, social services like health, sanitation and education.
- The National Budget statement also states that resources will be allocated to take actions to assist persons with disability and ill health against natural disasters and Gender Based Violence.
iii. Allocation of zw$500 million towards the National venture capital fund which will capitalise existing finance institutions for women.
- Capitalisation of institutions which support various MSMEs projects: ZW$ 90 million for Women Development Fund; ZW$65 million for Community Development Fund; ZW$250million for Zimbabwe Women Microfinance Bank and ZW$500 million for SMEDCO. However, if inflationary pressures are not curbed, these figures will be meaningless.
- Analysis of 2021 National Budget allocations to the Women's Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (MWACSMED) and the Gender Commission
3.1 Overall allocation analysis from the total budget: What are the challenges?
Table 1 shows an analysis of the budget allocation to MWACSMED and the Gender Commission. It indicates that the Ministry was allocated only 0.5% out of the overall 2021 national budget. The Gender Commission was allocated only 0.036% of the total national budget. This analysis shows clearly that both institutions are on the lower end of national resources allocation and yet they have insurmountable challenges to deal with. It also shows that the Ministry of Finance has not considered the enhanced plight of women in Covid19 that has an adverse effect on economic growth of the country if not adequately resourced. The budget allocation does not adequately reflect the magnitude of work that the Ministry has to undertake to deliver its mandate which includes resuscitating the MSMES, the nation’s source to economic recovery. The other challenge is that programme outcomes may be limited if inflationary pressures are not reigned in.
Table 1: Overall allocation analysis from the total budget
2021 Budget allocation | % allocation from overall national budget | |
MWACSMED | ZW$2,15700,000 | 0.5% |
Gender Commission | ZW$153,000,000 | 0.036% |
Source: 2021 Budget Bluebook
3.2 Budget variances: What are the challenges?
Table 2 indicates that MWACSMED received only 39,8% of what it bid for. The Gender Commission was allocated 64.8% of what it bid for. Whilst the Ministry and the Gender Commission welcome the budget allocation, the fear from MWACSMED is that it falls short of expectations, especially that the allocation is only half of what it bid for.
Table 2: Budget variance
2021 Budget allocation | Ideal Budget | % allocated from the bid | Variance (shortfall)
Bid vs budget allocation |
|
MWACSMED | 2,157,000,000 | 5,410,810,000 | 39,8% | 60.2% |
Gender Commission | 153,000,000.00 | 236,000,000 | 64,8% | 35.2% |
Source: 2021 Budget Bluebook
- Comparison of budget allocation between 2020 and 2021
Figure 1 shows a comparison of budget allocations between 2020 and 2021 for MWACSMED.
Table 2: Comparison between 2019 and 2020 budget allocations (%)
Programme | 2020 %allocation | 2021 % allocation | % variance |
1.policy and administration | 10.6% | 19% | 8.4% |
2.Women Empowerment, Gender Mainstreaming and Community Development | 30.8% | 70% | 39,2% |
3.Small and Medium Enterprise and Cooperative Development | 58,6% | 47% | -11,6% |
Total budget allocation | 0.8 | 0.5 | -0.3 |
Source: 2021 Budget Bluebook
The table above shows that there was an increase in allocation of resources for programme 1 and programme 2.For program 1 the allocation increased by 8.4% and program 2 39,2%.Considering the magnitude of the work that needs to be done, it remains not consummates for the Ministry. Programme 3 saw a decline in allocation from 2020 to 2021.This is disturbing as MSMEs are a critical component to drive economic recovery. MSMEs host the largest portion of the Ministry as it also hinges with community development. This does not reflect lessons learnt from the COVID-19 pandemic which remains a threat.
- What does the budget allocation mean in real terms?
To have a full appreciation of what the Ministerial allocation means in real terms, it is critical to analyse the sub-programme allocation and the implications. Section 4A focuses on the MWACSMED and Section 4B focuses on the Gender Commission.
PART 4A
4.1 Women's Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprise Development (MWACSMED)
Table 3 indicates the shortfall for each programme area.
Table 3: Budget allocation to MWACSMED by programme
Programme | 2020 Budget allocation | Budget Bid | %allocated | Variance (%) |
Policy and Administration | 505 900 000 | 2 656 000 000 | 19% | 81% |
Women Empowerment, Gender and Community Development | 810 700 000
|
1 15 7 800 000 | 70% | 30% |
SMEs and Cooperative Development | 840 400 000 | 1 760 000 000 | 47% | 53% |
Grant Total | 503,976,000 | 1,176,836,000 | (672,864,000) | 57.2% |
Source: MWACSMED Budget Notes
4.1.1 Programme 1 - Policy and Administration: What are the budget challenges?
Programme 1 received only 19% of what it bid for, giving a variance of 81%. One of the main functions of the Ministry is to formulate, recommend, implement, coordinate and evaluate policies, strategies and programmes that promote women empowerment, gender equality, community, cooperative, and SME development.
Decentralisation of the Strategic Policy Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Department:
The Ministry structure operates from national level to provincial, district and ward levels. Staff at all these levels drive the Ministry programmes and projects. However, the staff compliment is often limited to one person per district and per ward. With the wake of the national Results Based Management System there is demand for evidence gathered from monitoring and evaluation to inform future interventions and government progress towards attaining the SDGs. The Ministry received approval from the Public Service Commission on 24 November 2020 to create the provincial planning, monitoring and evaluation departments. These departments will require staff and equipment in the form of digital monitoring and evaluation appliances. Under the current budget variance of 81% for policy and administration, decentralisation cannot be realised. The Ministry requires a revision of this programme budget to accommodate this department.
Gender Mainstreaming, Inclusivity and Wellness Department:
Since the formation of the Ministry the component of Women Affairs and Gender have been key departments. Gender has been critical as it allows the Ministry to represent both men and women in addressing gender inequalities. The changes in 2018 that eroded the Gender component of the Ministry have made it difficult for them to fulfill their mandate. The Ministry acknowledges the 105% allocation toward their bided cost for gender mainstreaming. However, there is no designated department to drive the agenda. The Ministry received approval from the Public Service Commission on 24 November 2020 to recruit a Director and a Senior Executive Assistant who will be housed in the Permanent Secretary’s office to lead the Gender Mainstreaming Department. The recruitment is subject to Treasury allocation of resources. The drive to create this post is also in support of the Devolution Agenda, the National Development Strategy and Vision 2030.
Staffing, office space and equipment:
Human resource complement of the Ministry is at 2 290. The area’s most in need of staff are Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South. The Ministry commends the Treasury for supporting the upcoming appointments in the two regions of 10 staff members per province. However, the Ministry is still experiencing human resource challenges at district and ward level were grassroots activities take place. There is a deficit of community development officers and ward coordinators. At a time were national policies are demanding decentralisation the Ministry requires a boost in its staff to meet the demands of rolling out the NDS 1, Devolution Agenda, Community Development Policy and SMEs.
The aspect of work space environment for Ministry staff nationwide is deplorable. The existing office spaces have limited office equipment from furniture to stationery supplies. Treasury allocated ZW$100,000.00 for printing equipment against a request for ZW$200,000,00 ,yet access to information especially at district and ward level is largely distributed by print media. The office space situation is dire at districts and ward levels .In some instances officers have no office space at all, they operate from other Ministry offices. The impact of this is poor performance of Ministry work. The Ministry also acts as the first port of call for women facing violation of their rights and it has been difficult to engage on confidential matters in the absence of private space. This subjects survivors of GBV, widows and women in distress to secondary trauma.
4.1.2 Programme 2 - Women Empowerment, Gender and Community Development:
- The Ministry would like to acknowledge the support towards the gender mainstreaming programme in which more than what was bided for was allocated resulting in a 105% allocation.
- The Ministry would like to thank Treasury for the additional $ 500 000 towards the linking women to business markets.
- The Ministry would like to acknowledge the recognition of GBV and allocating resources as requested.
- The Ministry would like to thank Treasury for supporting infrastructure development for women to do business at a rate of 74,8% against the requested allocation. This will enhance sustainability for women markets.
The impact of budget variances
Inadequate resources for women empowerment projects:
The women empowerment programme is funded through the Women Development Fund and the Women’s Bank. The table below shows the budget variances.
Table 4: Budget variances for women economic empowerment
LOAN FUND | BUDGET BID | ALLOCATION | % VARIANCE |
Women Development Fund
|
100,000,000 |
90,000,000 |
10% |
Women’s bank |
450,000,000 |
250,000,000 |
55.6% |
Source 2021 Treasury versus Ministry Budget Allocations
The Women Development Fund (WDF) was allocated ZW$90 000 000 against the Ministry bid of ZW$100 000 000 giving a ZW$10 000,000 shortfall. The Ministry target is to support 200 women businesses and target 5000 project funded groups respectively. With a shortfall of 10% only 120 women can be supported. Under the WDF, the Women Development Fund has been the backbone of women economic empowerment at community level in the Ministry. With the increase in extreme poverty measured based on food poverty line of US28,30 per person per month (Zimstats &World Bank, 2019) which is anticipated to have worsened with COVID-19 in 2020,women need the support most to survive in 2021. Extreme poverty remains higher in rural areas than urban poverty. It is imperative that the WDF be administered as initially budgeted for.
From 2017-2020 the Women’s bank was allocated almost half of what the Ministry bided for giving a 55,6% variance. The Ministry bid for ZW$450,000,000 was informed by RBZ pronouncement regarding minimum capital requirement for deposit into microfinance institutions like the Women’s Bank. The budget allocation indicates a shortfall of ZW$200 million which has serious going concern implications for the Bank. The Women’s Bank which is the first such initiative in the SADC region is a model for women economic empowerment that SADC countries are anticipating a good practice that can be replicated in the region. It is important that the Bank can continue to provide capital for women businesses in agriculture, tourism, mining and manufacturing.
Limited funding for GBV institutional support services:
Treasury has supported most of the requested budget for GBV program. However, the unallocated ZW$15million component is also key to the sustainability of GBV response by the government. The government has had to rely on statistics from partners about GBV due to lack of own support services in the form of One Stop Centres. In the 2020 Budget there was a request to build a One Stop Centre in Matabeleland, in 2021 the request is back focusing specifically on Matabeleland North and Chipinge. The selection of sites is based on assessing the lack of One Stop Centres in these areas and shelter. For instance, Chipinge suffered the Cyclone Idai and there were no shelters and One Stop Centres to cater for survivors. The nearest shelter was in Murambinda run by Musasa Project. As at November 2020, Musasa Project recorded 37 152 GBV cases broken down as follows;
Table 5: GBV cases as at 21 November 2020
GBV service | Totals 2020 as at 21 November |
District Offices | 2857 |
Shelters | 4752 |
One Stop Centres | 7754 |
Mobile OSCs | 153364 |
Call centres/phone in | 6425 |
Total | 37152 |
Source: Musasa Project GBV Database
The cost of gender inequalities affects directly and indirectly National development agendas. The gender gap of providing institutional costs to one stop centres and building one stop centres is a gender inequality cost. As more women fail to access GBV services, more women need direct support from government. Adequate budgeting for GBV is reducing costs for the Government.
Community Development:
The community development fund is one of the unique funds that meet the needs of the poorest in local communities, especially in rural areas. The fund is also easy for communities to access. With the increase in extreme poverty in the rural communities and the rise of urban poverty, the Zimbabwe Community Development Fund is critical to support women and men to engage in entrepreneurship activities .The allocation of 65million against 80million will limit the geographical coverage of this fund. The Ministry target is to fund 200 projects. A further budget shortfall of 91,7% toward developing skills in entrepreneurship, agriculture, marketing and manufacturing for communities undermines the efforts of the Ministry. We commend the progressive allocation of resources towards infrastructure in the form of craft centres for marketing products in the community. However, the allocation left out Chapota -Mbire which is under the National Priority areas and has been pending for the past 2 years. Treasury also left out Golden Ville and Biriri craft centres which are on high demand in the provinces. The overall budget allocation towards community development does not resonate with the LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND Agenda.
4.1.3 MSMEs and Cooperative Development: What are the budget challenges?
The Budget for SMEs has drastically reduced from 62% in 2020 to 47% in 2021 allocation of what the Ministry bided for. The reduction is not in conjunction with the increased demand for MSMEs as a major source of income for the general population of Zimbabwe.31% of all respondents in urban areas operated a family business in 2020, 88% of those with a non-farm household business saw their revenue decline. The main reasons are; no or fewer customers, the usual business closed due to COVID-19 and could not get inputs or trade outputs (Zimstats PIECs survey 2020). In 2021 those who lost sources of income hope to recover through support from the Ministry.
The impact of the variance
Financial support to MSMES: The Ministry operates the SMEDCO .The Ministry bid was zw$947,200,000 and was allocated ZW$500,000,000 which is at most half of what they requested (52.8%).
The SMEDCO bid for $947 200 000 is to facilitate access to finance for MSME who are involved in value addition. MSMEs in the productive sector require high capital outlay to enable them to buy equipment and machinery. This is in line with the NDS1 that speaks to industrialisation for import substitution to create sustainable and decent jobs in the economy. The budgetary allocation will affect SMEDCO given that in addition to providing resources for on lending MSMEs, the corporation planned to upgrade its Information Technology Systems and undertake workspace development projects in line with its mandate, will be affected.
The SMEs cluster:
There is a drastic budget cut for the activity on cluster development. The Ministry bided for 136million and was allocated 40 million.The variance of 96million reduces the intended outcomes.As the nation marches towards Vision 2030, improving the productive capacity and productivity of MSMES is critical. The project is aimed at supporting MSMEs in key economic clusters such as clothing, leather and green energy with modern machinery and equipment. Targeted areas are Chiredzi, Gweru, Harare and Bulawayo. The programme is being used as a strategy to provide business development support to MSMEs with ease especially those doing manufacturing in line with MSME Policy on promoting productivity and competitiveness to MSMEs. The budget allocation caters for one cluster. Funding for the planned clusters positively affects development not only of the cluster members but also MSMEs and other service providers along the value chain.
Workspace for SMEs:
The need for MSMEs and informal sector workspace has been on the agenda for years with the Ministry pending adequate resource allocation by Treasury. It is also a priority issue for local authorities now than ever due to COVID-19 requirements for safe and healthy workspaces. Ministry intends to construct 3 factory shells in Bindura Chinhoyi and Lupane. The allocation of only 27% of what the Ministry bided for will not see construction of at least one factory take off to completion.
Business Management and Technical Skills Training:
The MSMEs sector lacks business and technical skills that are required for it to grow from hand to mouth to profit and income that contributes to GDP. The Training program covers technical areas such as quality control and standards, packaging and digital technologies. Providing business management and technical skills training for partners in the MSME sector is key to ensure the sector continues to grow in line with the thrust to graduate enterprises from micro small, and small to medium and medium to large. The limited allocation of resources to this programme of 15% of the Ministry bid will inhibit the Ministry’s capacity to adequately cover all the ten provinces in the country. We need to break the vicious cycle of skills gaps amongst MSMEs to underperformance and underproduction.
MSMEs Market and Trade Promotion:
Gaining markets including export for products manufactured by MSMEs is very key to achieve growth for the sector. The Ministry program seeks to increase access to markets for MSMEs by creating opportunities for MSMEs at national, regional and international market platforms for MSMEs to showcase their products. The 14% budget allocation against the Ministry bid will result in the Ministry struggling to fulfil its mandate. MSMEs have expanded their production capacity and Government needs to do more to ensure that they access markets using various channels including digital technologies.
Cooperatives bid:
Cooperatives in Zimbabwe are characterised by conflicts, fragmentation, unregulated, and appear bogus to the public in Zimbabwe. Regularisation of cooperatives according to the Cooperatives Act and providing the requisite knowledge and skills to undergo the governance processes of managing a cooperative is important. The business of cooperatives can only thrive if trust is restored through proper transparency and accountability mechanisms put in place. The Ministry desires to strengthen the governance system of cooperatives as they play a critical role in all sectors of the economy and the social strata. The non-allocation of resources towards the Cooperative fund will cripple the efforts to support initiatives in fisheries as a viable business venture. The Fund needs to at least take off. However, the limited budget allocation will only serve to maintain the status quo of cooperatives in Zimbabwe.
4.1.4 Recommendations from the MWACSMED
The 2021 budget will operate under the new normal which means the socio-economic impacts of the Covid19 pandemic remain a threat. In that context, it remains critical for the Ministry to receive a budget allocation that will allow provision of social safety nets, boost economic recovery and create sustainable mechanisms for marginalised women, men, boys and girls in Zimbabwe. Towards Building Resilience and Sustainable Growth, the following recommendations are provided:
- Overall Ministry budget: On the overall, the Ministry’s budget should be increased from the current 39,8% of what it bid for to at least 75%. This will allow the Ministry to undertake meaningful initiatives and reduce the thinly spreading of resources which obviously undermine greater impact. Failure to provide additional budget tantamount to failure of the Ministry to effectively deliver 2021 outcomes.
- Addressing office space, office equipment, staff compliment and staff capacity development: The Ministry needs to resuscitate GENDER development in the Ministry. The support towards a Gender Director and Assistant is a cost-effective starting point as opposed to a whole department and decentralisation. The decentralisation of the M and E department is critical to deliver expected results under national programs like NDS1, Devolution and Ministry mandate. Addressing the dire need for office furniture and equipment of all Ministry offices nationwide is also critical. Therefore, filling the resource gap of 81% towards policy and administration budget is important.
iii. Inadequate funds for women economic empowerment projects:
Treasury should reconsider reallocation of the 10 million back to the Women Develop Fund. This will allow the Ministry to fund the targeted 5000 projects in 2021. Similar, for the Women’s Bank to continue to exist a reallocation of the 200million back for the bank will raise enough funds to capitalise the bank at 450million as advised by RBZ.
- GBV support services: The need for institutional support services for GBV can never be over stated. Treasury needs to consider a budget towards the construction of one stop centres starting with Chipinge and Matabeleland North. An allocation of 15 million will close the existing resource gap for one stop centres.
- Community develop program: This program experienced huge budget cuts in critical areas for community development like funding projects , provision of skills and establishment of markets. Treasury should consider reallocation of the 15million back to the Community Development Fund for the Ministry to support the 200 projects as targeted for 2021. Further, consider allocating at least 60% of the Ministry bid which will amount to 12million thus will close the existing resource gap for skills development. An additional 32 million is needed to reconsider the development of Chapota-Mbire, Gold Ville and Biriri craft centres at Provincial level.
- MSMEs financial support: SMEDCO is a critical fund managed by the Ministry for community development. Allocation of 500million is inadequate. The Ministry requests Treasury to reconsider the initial bid of ZW$ 947 200 000.
vii. MSMEs work space: The demand of workspace is growing every day as the economy grows more and more informal. All this is in line with the International Labour Organisation (ILO)’s Recommendation 204 of 2015 on “Transition from the Informal to the Formal Economy”. COVID-19 WHO guidelines require safe and healthy work spaces. The Ministry is currently seized with prioritisation of 3 factory shells in Bindura, Chinhoyi and Lupane. Construction for 1 factory requires ZW$182 712 093 million dollars. The current budget allocation of 500 000 000 million will not construct 1 factory. There is need for more funds amounting to ZW$398 136 280 million.
viii. Business Management and Skills training: To break the vicious cycle of poverty women and men in communities need capacity development towards entrepreneurship. The current budget support needs to be upgraded from 15% of the initial bid to at least 60% for effectiveness. Capacity development is a sustainable tool that resonates with the NDS1 agenda.
- MSMEs market and trade promotion: MSMEs continue to be creative and develop local products that require markets to realise their full potential .Export markets are key to the growth of the sector. The current budget needs to upgrade from 14% of the Ministry initial bid to at least 70% given the much-needed export earnings in the country.
- Enhancing the potential of Cooperatives: For any business venture to realise its full potential, it requires governance systems in place and financial resources. The non-allocation of resources to the Cooperative fund needs to be reconsidered. The limited resource allocation to improving governance for cooperatives also needs to be reconsidered by Treasury. The Ministry welcomes more budget support in this area.
PART 4B - The Gender Commission
4.2 The Commission priority areas for 2021 include:
The Zimbabwe Gender Commission would like Treasury to acknowledge that its 2021 budget is more focused on programming rather than administration as portrayed in the 2020 nudget. However, the budget concerns that were reflective of the 2020 budget needs still remain a priority concern for the ZGC. The budget allocation remains at 64% of what they initially bided for. The concerns of office space , equipment and vehicles remains unaddressed. The demand for ZGC services are high yet the Commission remains invisible to the general populace in the rural areas. These key aspects require some considerations and attention for the Commission to be able to fulfill its mandate. The following is noted:
Program 1: Governance and Administration: Office space: there was a budget bid of ZW$24,000,000 to allow the Commission to purchase an office building which is rather cost-effective than renting offices to the tune of ZW$300,000.00 per month. Already, the rentals are expected to increase by 200% in January 2021.The Commission will require $ZW7,200,000,000 on rentals for 2021. Therefore,require an additional resource of 7,176 000 000 for 2021 rentals from the initial bid amount. This means procurement of the office building is cost effective and sustainable for Treasury and ZGC. Thus, Treasury should consider allocating the ZW$24million for procurement as initially requested.
Table 6: ZGC breakdown of office costs
PAX House (current premises) | |
Current rentals / month | ZW$300,000.00 |
Rentals as at Jan 2021 | ZW$600,000.00 |
Rentals per year | ZW$7,200,000,000 |
Variance | ZW$ 7,176,000,00 |
Source: ZGC
Office equipment and vehicles: The ZGC is now close to reaching its staff compliment for the Secretariat, implying that there will be increased need for office furniture like computers, laptops, desks and chairs. Further transport for the ZGC remains a challenge and has an impact on ZGC visibility as they do their work. The Commission expressed that for the past 5 years they have been hiring vehicles for programming which amount is more expensive than buying vehicles. The work of commissioning inquiries and investigation requires nationwide travel in fulfillment of the Commissions Constitutional mandate. With a variance of 56% on finance, administration and human resources, Treasury could consider rising to an 85% allocation to allow the ZGC to operate at its full capacity.
Considering the rate of inflation, it still remains imperative that Treasury considers purchasing an office building for the ZGC as opposed to paying rentals.
Programme 2: Gender Equality and Promotions:
Sub-program: Monitoring and Research the Commission received 71% of its bid. The focus under this programme include activities in of the following:
- Periodic gender audits
- M and E compliance with gender equality provisions
iii. Facilitating engendering of Constitutional and electoral reforms
- Develop Women Mentorship Programme
- Develop Sexual Harassment Strategy
- Baseline surveys in identified sectors
vii. Conduct Annual National Gender Forum
To enhance this ZGC visibility activities will be decentralised to ensure that from grassroots levels to national levels there is effective participation of women and men. Activities like the annual gender forum are proposed to be decentralised at provincial level. Each province conducts an annual gender forum which then feeds into the main annual gender forum that will provide platforms for all 10 provinces to participate. The decentralised approach of activities will require more resources to engage at the different levels. Treasury to consider additional resources for this programme.
4.2.1 Sub-program 2: public education and awareness, the Commission received 97%% of its bid. The bid was going to achieve the following deliverables;
- Develop public education gender training manual
- Conduct provincial and district community dialogues
iii. Conduct public awareness programmes and commemorations
- Produce information, education and commemorations IEC materials
- Procurement of one double cab vehicle
The resource gap will negatively affect the Commission in printing a limited number of IEC materials for distribution at Provincial and District Level. The Commission intends to produce and distribute 100,000 pamphlets in 2021 and the variance of zw$890,000,000 will not be able to meet the target of 30 000 pamphlets.In addition, this activity is also intended to address the visibility gap of the Commission as pamphlets will be distributed in all the 10 provinces down to districts and ward levels. To close the resource gap treasury may allocate the outstanding ZW$890 000.00 to meet the initial bid by ZGC .
Sub-program 3: Legal and Investigative Services on violation of rights related to gender, the Commission intended to undertake the following:
- National Inquiry on sexual harassment in Tertiary Institutions in all 10 provinces;
- Conduct hearings and field investigations
iii. Carry out community legal consultations
- Provide legal advice and referral pathways
- Conduct mediation, conciliation and arbitration
- Procurement of one double cab vehicle
However, with the variance of ZW$13 530 000.00 the Commission will not be able to resource a fully operative survivor friendly complaints handling section. In addition, the variance will also affect the Commission in outsourcing legal services for any legal work required.
Furthermore, the Commission can now only conduct the national inquiry on sexual harassment in 10 institutions instead of all tertiary institutions.
The core mandate of the ZGC is to conduct national inquiry’s and investigate systematic barriers that hinder gender equality and women rights to be realised. Such investigations need to be of a quality that prevails in a court of law and can progressively influence law reform towards gender equality. It is imperative that adequate resources be allocated to this program .Treasury may consider additional resources to reach 85% of the initial bid which translates to ZW$32 300 000 thus an additional ZW$18 770 000 is required.
4.2.5 Recommendations from the Gender Commission
From the above it is clear that whilst the Commission received the bulk of its bid, the Commission will however experience challenges in the implementation and delivery on its mandate. Given the rise of gender inequalities, GBV cases in Commission focus on sexual harassment in both the formal and social sectors, it is critical that the momentum gained in 2020 by the Commission’s work be sustained in 2021 going forward. Evidence shows that lack of redress of gender inequalities and GBV undermines productivity and growth at all levels. Therefore, in fulfillment of the 2021 budget thrust on resilience and sustainable growth, the following is recommended:
- Office space: Treasury could consider rising to an 85% allocation against the initial bid to allow the ZGC to procure offices, office equipment and vehicles. This translates to ZW$56 100.00. An additional ZW$19 100 000 is requested.
- An increase in the budget support to cover the following shortfalls in programming:
- ZW$12 300 000.00 under research and monitoring; and,
- ZW$890 000.00 under public education and awareness; and,
- ZW$18 870 000.00 under complaints handling and investigations related to gender.
Overall recommendation: Given that the budget is in Zimbabwean Dollars in an inflationary economy, it may be economically prudent for the Ministry of Finance to undertake a mid-term review of the 2021 Budget earlier, so that the Budget remains apt. Additionally, resources should be disbursed to Ministries as soon as it comes into Government’s coffers. Thank you Madam Speaker.
HON. T. MLISWA: On a point of order.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: What is your point of order Hon. Mliswa?
HON. T. MLISWA: My point of order Madam Speaker is, I see that through the Administration of Parliament, we see all these reports being prepared and when they come here, they are told to summarise. I think it is important so that we do not waste people’s time; we come up with a way of just doing a single paper. Really, we are supposed to talk about the whole report Madam Speaker while we are here but now I see it has become a tactic and a strategy in this Parliament that let us summarise, which really takes away all the effort and the time people would have been put. So, to me we cannot continue like this. These are Chairpersons. When the Chairpersons ….
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: So are you suggesting that they should read the whole report?
HON. T. MLISWA: Whether they like it or not, every report must be written in full because the Chairpersons sit down; they waste taxpayers’ money, not to come here and be reading reports for five minutes. What for? Let us change the matrix. Full reports must be read – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – We cannot have short cuts.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Mliswa. I think other Hon. Members are in agreement with you. So, the reports must be read in full.
HON. P. MOYO: Thank you Madam Speaker. I stand to present this report from the ICT Portfolio Committee. I will go straight to what is important.
Overview of the Ministry of Information, Communication, Technology and Courier Services
The Ministry of Information, Communication, Technology and Courier Services, is responsible for developing appropriate policies and strategies that seek to enhance the provision of ICT, telecommunications, cyber security and courier services in Zimbabwe. The Ministry aims to develop an enabling environment for the creation of a knowledge society that transgresses across all levels of the society through exploiting the potential of Information, Communication, Technology and Courier Services for sustainable socio economic development.
The programme areas are as follows:
- Policy and Administration responsible for developing an enabling environment for the creation of a knowledge based society , spearhead the development of appropriate regulatory frameworks that facilitate the promotion of information, communication technology, championing and promote ICT literacy and utilisation;
- Information, communication, technology development and promotion responsible for implementing government ICT programmes.
The Ministry’s key result areas are to promote the development and use of Information Communication Technology and this is accompanied by the following goals:
- Improve access to ICTs
- Improve use of ICTs
- Increase ICT awareness, knowledge and skills
The Ministry’s intervention strategies for 2021-2023 include the following;
- Development and imparting of appropriate ICT skills within the public sector
- Implementation of the National Data centre
- Enhancement of PFMS coverage
- Facilitation of the deployment of passive infrastructure
- Implementation of Last mile connectivity
- Promotion of infrastructure sharing among telecommunication companies
- Establishment of information access centres
- Establishment and maintenance of National systems
This report is being prepared by the Portfolio Committee on Information Communication and Technology within the context of the Ministry of Information, Communication, Technology and Courier Services programme areas. The Committee will analyse the 2021 National Budget Statement in terms of adequacy of resource allocation and interventions in the Information, Communication and Technology sector.
2. State of the ICT sector in Zimbabwe
The current COVID-19 pandemic has shown that information, communication and technology is the new frontier in facilitating economic transactions under the “new normal”. In view of lockdown restrictions the sector has provided critical connectivity and resilience, facilitating work-from-home arrangements, e-commerce, as well as keeping individuals and societies connected and informed, with access to essential services during mandated social isolation. Thus digital technologies and services have proven that they are enablers of sustainable development and inclusive growth. As a result, many telecom players providing broadband benefitted from the surge in the traffic of data.
In the second quarter of 2020 mobile data and internet traffic grew by a record 56.2% to record 10,407 Terabytes (TB) from 6,661 Terabytes (TB) recorded in the first quarter of 2020.The growth in mobile internet and data usage was largely attributable to increased telecommuting due to the Covid-19 restrictions ( POTRAZ Q2 report). The 2021 national budget estimates that whilst the economy is expected to contract by 4.1% by year end, Transport and Communication sector is set to increase by 12.9% in 2020 on the back of marked increase in internet traffic, on the other hand the sector is also expected to grow by 3.2% in 2021(pp 27, National Budget Statement).
3. 2020 ICT budget performance
In order to improve access of ICT services, the Budget highlighted that Government will facilitate the deployment of broadband infrastructure and investments in Last Mile Connectivity by industry players that will ensure affordable, accessible, ubiquitous and reliable ICT services that support an inclusive digital economy (pp 141;National Budget Statement). The Ministry of Information, Communication, Technology and Courier Services highlighted that its major achievement in 2020 has been the maintenance of an up time of the PFMS and other national system at 98%, provided technical assistance and related ICT equipment for the paperless Cabinet, developed the document management system, configured secondary Government email application under the PFMS system to enable Government officials to use the Government domain, established virtual communication platform as a COVID-19 containment system, setting up of COVID-19 command centres, established Mobile Private Network for the work from home programme, established 7 community Information Centres against a target of 20 and established 11 ICT school labs against a target of 100.
a. Administrative unit
The Ministry of Information, Communication, Technology and Courier Services has only two main departments namely, Policy & administration and the information, communication, technology development and promotion and these programme areas received disbursements of less than 50% for the nine months to September, 2020 with overall budget disbursement at 46.9% of the targeted budgetary allocation for the year. The Information, communication, technology development and promotion department which is responsible for implementing Government ICT programmes accounted for 71% of the total disbursed amount towards the Ministry of Information, Communication, Technology and Courier Services. The low level of disbursements is contrary to Government’s commitment towards modernisation of Government services and embracing the digital economy. Whilst Government is encouraging embracing ICT to improve efficiency in the economy it’s not walking the talk as evidenced by low disbursements towards the Ministry responsible for implementing ICT projects.
Table 1: 2020 Budgetary Outturns for Ministry of ICT by administrative unit
Target | Actual (As at Sep) | % Disbursed | % Share of Total Disbursed | |
Policy and administration | 34,832,000 | 16,393,139 | 47.1% | 29.0% |
Information, communication, technology development and promotion | 85,828,000 | 40,213,762 | 46.9% | 71.0% |
Total | 120,660,000 | 56,606,901 | 46.9% |
b. Economic classification
With regards to budget performance by economic classification, disbursements towards compensation of employees has been relatively high and above target compared to other expenditure line items necessitated by high inflation and cost of living. Whilst expenditure towards operational costs accounted for 41.2% of disbursed amounts, disbursements towards the line expenditure have been relatively low with only 51% allocated amount having been disbursed in the nine months to September 2020. This has resulted in the Ministry accumulating arrears to various service providers to the tune of ZWL$49.26 million.
Table 2: 2020 Budgetary Outturns for Ministry of ICT by economic Classification
Revised
Estimates |
Actual (As at Sep-2020 | % Disbursed | % Share of Total Disbursed | |
Compensation of employees | 6,665,000 | 8,572,853 | 129% | 15.1% |
Use of goods and services | 45,635,000 | 23,333,808 | 51% | 41.2% |
Current Grants | 1,300,000 | 760,941 | 59% | 1.3% |
Transport Equipment | 9,600,000 | - | 0% | 0.0% |
Other Machinery and equipment | 49,760,000 | 16,239,299 | 33% | 28.7% |
Capital Grants | 7,700,000 | 7,700,000 | 100% | 13.6% |
Total | 120,660,000 | 56,606,901 | 46.9% |
4. 2021 Budget analysis
To systematically exploit the potential of Information, Communication and Technology for national development and transformation, the Government of Zimbabwe through the National Development Strategy (NDS1) set to facilitate achievement of an e-enabled economy where all sectors embrace ICT to improve efficiency through exploiting opportunities that ensure a conducive business environment that enables access to ICT services through putting in place measures to develop smart programmes such as smart Government systems, smart agriculture, smart health and smart transport and safe cities (pp130; NDS1). Under the National Development Strategy the expected sector outcomes includes; improved access to ICTs, increased ICT usage, improved ICT skills, increased consumer satisfaction and protection on use of ICTs and increased investment in ICTs.
The Budget highlighted that priority will be on implementation of measures that create a conducive environment for private sector investment, full implementation of ICT infrastructure sharing, as well as full roll out of the e-Government programmes(pp 141; National Budget Statement).Whilst an amount of ZWL$1.97 billion is being allocated towards the Ministry of Information, Communication, Technology and Courier services, total funding resources towards government ICT interventions during 2021is estimated at ZWL$ 8,004,291,000 with an estimated ZWL$ 4.14billion from vote appropriations and ZWL$3.86 billion through various government departments (pp142; National Budget Statement).
As part of the 2021 priority infrastructure projects the government has earmarked ZWL$7.959 billion towards building physical and technological infrastructure, as well as requisite institutions and capacities; the amount accounts for 5.7% of the proposed overall support under the 2021 Infrastructure Investment Programme. 51.4% of the proposed funding for priority projects in the ICT sector will be coming from government whilst 30.3% will be financed through loans and the rest from own resources and statutory obligations(pp 124; National Budget Statement). Targeted interventions for the ICT sector in 2021 include , broadcasting digitalisation migration projects, E-government flagship projects, upgrading and maintenance of national systems, Impilo Electronic Health Management System, smart policing, Community Information Centres(CICs) and Computerisation of Schools.
Figure 1: Funding mix for 2021 ICT priority infrastructure projects
2021 Budget allocation
In analysing allocations towards any particular vote, The Committee takes note of the following:
- Budget allocations are made largely from the Consolidated Revenue Fund. This is the Fund funded predominantly by the revenue measures which more predictable and within the control of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. The total available budget from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for 2021is estimated at about ZWL$411 937 300,000
- In addition to the Consolidated Revenue Fund, there are also some resources that come through Retention Funds. Retention Funds are mainly fees, fines, levies and rentals which Government Departments collect from economic agents. In 2021, the total retention funds are estimated at about ZWL$70,591,523,000.
In the 2021 National Budget, the Ministry of Information, Communication, Technology and Courier services was allocated ZWL$ 1.972 billion from the Consolidated Fund and a further ZL$4, 607, 663from the Retention Fund. The 2021 budgetary allocation from the Consolidated Revenue Fund is an increase by 1,534%from the 2020 revised budgetary allocation. The increase in budgetary allocation is compounded by inflationary pressures and increase in available resource envelope towards the Ministry. Just like in the 2020 National Budget, the Ministry of Information, communication, Technology and Courier Services continue to be ranked among the bottom 5 in terms of priority ranking of budgetary allocation towards Government Ministries in the 2021 National budget. The ranking is not consistent with Government’s pronouncement of modernisation Government services and facilitation of an affordable, accessible, ubiquitous and reliable ICT services that support an inclusive digital economy.
Table 3: 2021 Top 5 and Bottom 5 Budgetary allocations for Ministries
Consolidated Revenue Fund (ZWL$) | |
Top 5 | |
Primary and Secondary Education | 55,221,000,000 |
Health and Child Care | 54,705,000,000 |
Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement | 46,259,000,000 |
Transport and Infrastructural Development | 30,064,400,000 |
Defense and War Veteran | 23,754,000,000 |
Bottom 5 | |
Information Communication Technology and Courier Services | 1,972,000,000 |
Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Industry | 1,786,600,000 |
Energy and Power Development | 1,641,000,000 |
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting services | 1,479,000,000 |
Mines and Mining Development | 1,399,000,000 |
Trend in Budgetary allocation
Trend in the share of allocation towards the Ministry of Information, Communication, Technology and Courier Service over the past 10 years shows that, the amount of resources in relation to the total national available resources has averaged 0.19% between 2010 and 2020. The budget allocation for 2021 towards the Ministry accounted for only 0.46% of the total appropriation for 2021, the figure is comparable to other regional countries such as South Africa and Zambia. In South Africa the Department of Telecommunication and Postal services was allocated 0.09% of the National Budget for the 2019/20 fiscal year whilst in Zambia allocation towards the Ministry of Transport and communication accounted for 0.64% of the 2019 National Budget and these figures are expected to increase in view of the Covid-19 induced use of ICT products and services. However because the country is trying to catch up with other regional countries in terms of ICT development, the budgetary allocation is too little as this has over the years been consistently been less than 1% of the National Budget, this shows Government’s lack of commitment to embrace the new digital age in socio and economic transformation.
Analysis of budget allocation by administrative unit
Relative to 2020, all the programme areas received substantially high increases in allocations with the Information, Communication, Technology Development and Promotion programme area increasing by 1,905% and accounting for 87.25% of the total resources allocated to the Ministry an increase by 16.12 percentage points from its share in the 2020 Budget (Table 4). The increases seem to have been necessitated by both projected changes in inflation and Government desire to increase funding towards ICT infrastructure projects as envisaged by the NDS1.
Table 4: 2021budgetary allocations for programme areas compared to 2020
2020 Revised Estimates | Share of total 2020 | 2021 Consolidated Fund | % increase | Share of total 2021 | |
Policy and Administration | 34,832,000 | 28.87% | 251,400,000 | 622% | 12.75% |
Information, Communication, Technology Development and Promotion | 85,828,000 | 71.13% | 1,720,600,000 | 1,905% | 87.25% |
Total | 120,660,000 | 100.00% | 1,972,000,000 | 1,534% |
Analysis of budget allocation by economic classification
All expenditure line items have more than doubled in the 2021 budget allocation taking into account the effects of inflation. Allocation towards Other Machinery and equipment increased by more than 3,000% accounting for 79.26% of the Ministry’s budget whilst employment costs for 2021 are expected to rise by 485.15% compared to 2020 and account for 1.98% of the ministry’s budget.
Table 5: 2021 Budgetary Allocations by economic classification
2020 Revised Estimates | Share of total 2020 | 2021 Consolidated Fund | % increase | Share of total 2020 | |
Compensation of employees | 6,665,000 | 5.52% | 39,000,000 | 485.15% | 1.98% |
Use of goods and services | 45,635,000 | 37.82% | 153,000,000 | 235.27% | 7.76% |
Current Grants | 1,300,000 | 1.08% | 4,000,000 | 207.69% | 0.20% |
Transport and equipment | 9,600,000 | 7.96% | 183,000,000 | 1,806.25% | 9.28% |
Other Machinery and equipment | 49,760,000 | 41.24% | 1,563,000,000 | 3,041.08% | 79.26% |
Capital Grant | 7,700,000 | 6.38% | 30,000,000 | 289.61% | 1.52% |
Total | 120,660,000 | 1,972,000,000 | 1,534.34% |
Assessment of adequacy of Programme Budget
The committee also assessed the adequacy of the Treasury allocation in the 2021 National Budget relative to the Ministry’s aspirations. The Ministry sought to be allocated ZWL$4.385 billion, (excluding employment costs) to finance its programmes but was only allocated ZWL$1.972 billion which covers only 45% of its budgetary requirements. For operational expenses, the Ministry had sought an allocation of ZWL$190 million but allocated 76% of the amount and this has implications to the Ministry as it is continuously accumulating arrears to its service providers as the amount allocated do not allow for the Ministry to clear its arrears and fully implement its projects. On the other hand, the Ministry sought ZWL$4.195 billion for Capital expenditure (CAPEX) but was allocated ZWL$1.776 billion, which is only 42% of its CAPEX requirements. The ministry requested ZWL$2.8 billion for E-Government/Smart Government programmes which constituted 67.5% of the CAPEX bid but was only allocated ZWL$111 million (3.9% of the requested amount). Given the urgency of cyber security threats the Ministry was also allocated ZWL$82 million for the establishment of an ICT Security Centre, which the Ministry felt was inadequate.
The table below compares the total amount allocated to the ministry and the ministry aspirations. The result shows that for its priority areas the ministry received far much less than what they have hoped for and thus they are heavily underfunded and mostly likely affect programme implementation.
Table 5: Allocations Compared to bid
2021 Bid | 2021Vote | % of bid obtained | |
ZWL$ | ZWL$ | ||
Recurrent Expenditure | - | 196,000,000 | |
Employment Costs | - | 39,000,000 | |
Good and services | 190,000,000 | 153,000,000 | 76% |
Current Transfers (ZARNet) | - | 4,000,000 | |
Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) | 4,195,600,000 | 1,776,000,000 | 42% |
o/wMaintenance of National Systems | 20,000 000 | 703,800,000 | 3,519% |
E-Government/Smart Government | 2,810,900,000 | 111,000,000 | 3.9% |
Computer Lab per School | 451,000,000 | 410,000,000 | 90.9% |
Establishment of Community Information Centres | 82,000,000 | 82,000,000 | 100% |
Total | 4,385,600,000 | 1,972,000,000 | 45% |
Recommendations
- The committee notes that the ministry’s programming areas are thin and their focus is limited to a few priority areas, with most ICT services and projects being done outside the ministry’s budget. The committee states that there is no reasonable justification for funding towards government ICT projects to be channelled through other line Ministries. There is also need to allocate ICT budgets for the whole Government through the Ministry so as to maximise on the utilisation of resources.
- The Ministry of ICT and Courier Services requested ZWL$2.8 billion for E-Government/Smart Government programmes but was only allocated ZWL$111 million in the 2021 National Budget. The Committee recommends that the Minister of Finance and Economic Development revise upwards the allocated amounts towards E-Government/Smart Government programmes to at least 50% from 3.9% of the requested amount bringing the total CAPEX budget for the Ministry to at least ZWL$3.070 billion and total budget for the Ministry to at least ZWL$3.377 billion. This will allow the Ministry to fully implement Government ambitious Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan.
- They should ensure timely and full disbursement of allocated funds to avoid delays in implementation of projects and accumulation of arrears. The Committee recommends that budgeted allocations be timeously disbursed so that ICT programmes and projects are quickly concluded rather than remaining in the pipeline for some time.
- The Committee also recommends that the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development should avail resources to enable the Ministry of ICT and Courier Services to acquire new vehicles since the current vehicle fleet is quite old .This will be a cost saving measure as the ministry is currently being charged exorbitant prices for hiring vehicles, the costs of hiring vehicles each year is enough to acquire at least four vehicles.
- The Committee recommends that funds should be availed so that the Ministry will be able to provide necessary platform and infrastructure needed during this ‘New Normal’ as some people are working from home. Further, there is need to support schools especially those in rural areas with adequate resources so that students will continue accessing enough learning material even when learning from home.
- Budget allocations should allow for settlement of arrears by the Ministry as continuous accumulation of arrears affecting Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and maintenance services.
- The committee recommends that further funding should be provided for recruitment of more technical personnel as these are critical for the ministry to be able to deliver on its mandate. The ministry vacancy rate currently stands at 26.75 % of the establishment meaning that the ministry is not fully capacitated to monitor and implement Government ICT projects.
- There is need for all stakeholders to work together as a team and to have a work plan with clear projections and timelines to enable the ministry to meet its goals and objectives for different projects. The Committee also recommends that there should be consideration for access to foreign currency in the procurement and maintenance of ICT equipment.
- The Committee also recommends that there is need for an ICT security centre to address the issues to do with cyber-crimes which are likely to rise as almost every sector has now gone digital. I thank you.
HON. TONGOFA: I rise to present this report on behalf of the Portfolio Committee on Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation.
- Introduction
The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation plays an oversight role over the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation. The Ministry is mandated to transform the Youth, Sport and Culture into a vibrant sector that ensures equitable participation, social integration, economic empowerment and nation building for all Zimbabwean citizens.
The youth constitutes about 67% of Zimbabwe’s total population but they remain largely vulnerable due to various challenges; including high levels of unemployment, lack of access to low-cost funding for projects, market distortions as well as limited opportunities to participate in economic decision making. As such, The Ministry is seized with issues to do with youth empowerment in order to capacitate them to contribute towards economic growth and development. Once progress is made in this regard, the country will be on its way to achieve the aspirations of Vision 2030 of attaining an upper middle-income society.
1.1. Functions of the Ministry
In order to deliver on its mandate, the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation is charged with the following functions: -
- Formulate and establish policy frameworks to promote the development of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation;
- Institutionalize and enforce good corporate governance in Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation programmes to attract investment and full participation of individuals and corporates;
iii. Formulate and implement strategies that ensure development and growth of Sport, Cultural, Creative and Recreation;
- Create an environment that supports and enhances the development of Youth, Sport, Recreation and the diversity of cultural expressions;
- Establish and administer a revolving youth, sport, arts and recreation fund to stimulate the growth of youth, sports arts and recreation industries;
- Capacitate youth, sport, arts and recreation clients/stakeholders through skills training to enhance high performance product and high quality goods and services;
vii. Strengthen Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation associations so as to achieve employment creation and poverty reduction; and
viii. Promoting entrepreneurial skills development for Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation.
1.2. Parastatals and Corporate Bodies under the Ministry
The Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation is responsible for the following parastatals and corporate bodies: -
- Zimbabwe Youth Council (ZYC)
- Empower Bank
iii. National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NAZ)
- National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ)
- Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC)
- Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board (ZNBWCB)
1.3. Ministry Policy Intervention 2021 - 2023
Over the three-year budget cycle (2021-2023), the Ministry will purse the following strategies/ interventions in carrying out its function and delivering in its mandate: -
- Establishment of institutional mechanisms with the capacity to identify and nurture youth innovations;
- Creation of empowerment opportunities for the youth;
iii. Capitalisation of Empower Bank
- Decentralisation of the Zimbabwe Youth Council
- Development of effective enabling legal and policy framework for youth, sport, arts and recreation;
- Promote youth, sport and arts in economic development;
vii. Provide communication, monitoring and evaluation of Ministry Projects and Programmes;
viii. Implementing skills outreach programmes to ensure the marginalised are taken on board;
- Standardization of training institutions – Development and modernization of training institutional infrastructure, machinery and equipment;
- Establishment and equipping new cultural and creative centres and rehabilitation of existing ones;
- Promotion of social cohesion, sense of national identity and pride; and
xii. Build research and documentation capabilities and capacities for arts, culture and heritage.
- The 2021 National Budget
The 2021National Budget was presented to the National Assembly by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Hon. Prof. Mthuli Ncube on the 26th of November 2020 in accordance with section 28 of the Public Finance Management Act [Chapter 22:19] and Statutory Instrument (SI) 135 of 2019 on Public Finance Management (General) Regulations, 2019.
The budget was presented in the context of the National Development Strategy 1 (NDSI – 2021 -2025) and the broader Zimbabwe 2030 Agenda “Towards an Upper Middle-Income Economy by 2030” which are hinged on recognising the need for empowerment of women and youths. The NDS1 recognises the need to achieve sustainable economic development which is inclusive and equitable, ensuring that no one and no place is left behind. The Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation is a key institution responsible for inclusivity.
The 2021 National Budget targets a real GDP growth 7.4% in 2021, following the anticipated 4.1% decline in 2020. The average exchange rate for 2021 is projected at uS$1 to ZWL$80, while annual average inflation is projected at 134.8% in 2021, down from 654.9% in 2020.
The 2021 National Budget is to the tune of ZWL$421.6 billion, of which ZWL$131.6 billion is capital expenditures, representing 31.2% of the budget and 5.5% of GDP. Current expenditures are expected to consume ZWL$290 billion which is 68.8% of the budget and 12.1% of GDP. Government revenues are projected to be ZWL$390.8 billion, resulting in a budget deficit of ZWL$30.8 billion (1.3% of GDP) in 2021.
The key assumption for the 2021 National Budget include: -
- Recovery from COVID-19 pandemicand resumption of global economic activity;
- Firming international mineral prices, good agricultural season and resumption of tourism and trade;
iii. Macro stability reflected by stable currency and prices and recovery in domestic aggregate demand;
- Enhanced revenue collection and control of wasteful expenditures; and
- Domestication of value chains;
- Analysis of the 2021 National Budget
Out of the total budget of ZWL$426.6 billion, the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation received a total allocation of ZWL$3.49 billion, accounting for 0.81% of the total budget compared to 0.5% in the 2020 Budget.
In real terms using the current exchange rate of US$1 to ZWL$81.67, the Ministry’s 2021 budget allocation is effectively around US$42.82 million compared to US$20.31 million allocated in 2020 using the exchange rate of US$1 to ZWL$16.26 that was prevailing at the end of November 2019 when the allocation was made. The table below shows a comparison of the Ministry’s budget allocation for 2020 and 2021.
Table 1: Comparison of Budget Allocation for 2020 and 2021 in ZW$
Year | 2020 | 2021 |
Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture allocation | ZWL$330,187,000 | ZWL$3,497,000,000 |
Percentage of Total Budget | 0.5% | 0.81% |
Exchange rate (at time of budget announcement | 16.26 | 81.67 |
Allocation converted to US$ | US$ 20,309,826.23 | US$42,818,660.46 |
The Ministry’s 2021 Budget allocation is directed towards 4 Programmes through which the Ministry will deliver on its mandate. The programmes are: Policy and Administration; Youth Development and Empowerment; Sports and Recreation Promotion and Development; and Arts and Culture Promotion and Development.
The total Budget Bid submitted by the ministry amounted to ZWL$22.028 billion against the allocated budget of ZWL$3.497 billion. As such, the Ministry was only allocated 17.46% of its total bid. This severely undermines the Ministry’s capacity to deliver of its strategic priorities. The table below shows the budget allocation by programme compared to bids submitted.
Table 2: Ministry Bids against Budget allocation
PROGRAMME | ALLOCATION | SALARY ALLOCATION | TREASURY ALLOCATION
(EXCL SALARIES) |
BUDGET BID
(EXCL SALARIES) |
SHORTFALL |
Policy and Administration | 806,500,000 | 365,750,000 | 440,750,000 | 1,376,688,329 | 935,938,329 |
Youth development | 1,839,700,000 | 171,050,000 | 1,668,650,000 | 13,201,194,600 | 11,532,544,600 |
Sport and Recreation | 528,600,000 | 14,100,000 | 514,500,000 | 4,096,873,460 | 3,582,373,460 |
Arts and Culture Promotion | 322,200,000 | 13,100,000 | 309,100,000 | 2,689,137,400 | 2,380,037,400 |
Total | 3,497,000,000 | 564,000,000 | 2,933,000,000 | 21,363,893,789 | 18,430,893,789 |
Table 2 above shows the amount of shortfalls per programme after deducting employment costs which are a fixed cost. The total shortfall of ZWL$18.4 billion is huge and this will incapacitate the Ministry to fully implement its projects.
The quality of funds allocated to the Ministry can be analysed in terms of type of expenditure supported. In the 2021 Budget, 32% of the Ministry’s Budget has been allocated towards capital expenditure. This is commendable will enable the Ministry to invest in capital items which by their nature facilitate business. Salaries account for 15% of the Budget. Again this is commendable as it is well below the recommended 30% employment costs to total income for Government institutions. Goods and services at 30% of the budget will support the smooth running of the Ministry’s day to day activities.
Current transfers and capital transfers account for a total of 24% of the Ministry’s Budget. These are amounts that are channeled to the Ministry’s Parastatals for their operations and capital expenditure. Figure 1 shows the breakdown of the Ministry’s budget by type of expenditure.
Figure 1: Allocation of the Budget by Type of Expenditure
The Youth Development and Empowerment programme was allocated the most resources, accounting for 53% of the Ministry total allocation. This is in line with the NDS1 thrust of empowering the youth to be productive in the economy. Policy and administration accounts for 23% of the Ministry’s Budget and this includes employment costs. Sport and Recreation Promotion and Development was allocated 15% of the budget, while the Arts and Culture Promotion and Development Programme received 9% of the Ministry’s budget. This shows that Treasury may not fully appreciate the importance of Arts and Culture and the Ministry needs to do more to promote Arts and Culture and ensure that its impact is understood. Figure 2 below shows the distribution of the Ministry’s budget by programme.
Figure 2: Distribution of the Ministry Budget by programme
The table below shows the budget allocations for the parastatals under the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreations.
Table 3: Vote Allocations for the Ministry’s Parastatals
Parastatals/Corporate Bodies Allocation | 2021 | 2020 | % Change |
Zimbabwe Youth Council (ZYC) | 110,400,000.00 | 12,670,000.00 | 871.35% |
EmpowerBank | 250,000,000.00 | 50,000,000.00 | 500.00% |
National Arts Council of Zimbabwe (NAZ) | 72,000,000.00 | 4,351,000.00 | 1654.79% |
National Gallery of Zimbabwe (NGZ) | 78,000,000.00 | 8,277,000.00 | 942.37% |
Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) | 88,400,000.00 | 9,149,000.00 | 966.23% |
Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board (ZNBWCB) | 30,200,000.00 | 2,406,000.00 | 1255.20% |
- Committee Observations and Recommendations
4.1. Engagement with Treasury
The Committee recommends that the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation actively engages officials from the ministry of Finance and Economic Development. The engagement must be aimed at showcasing the Ministry’s programmes on the ground and highlighting their impact on National socio-economic development and contribution towards the attainment of vision 2030. Once Treasury appreciates the impact of the Ministry’s programmes, more funding will be channeled towards implementation of these programmes.
4.2. Arts and Culture
In the 2021 Budget, Government recognises the importance of building necessary environment, infrastructure and relationships for developing youths, sport, arts, recreation and diversity of culture. To that end, Government launched the Cultural and Creative Industries Strategy 2020-30 (CCIS) which is a roadmap that guides the development and growth of the cultural and creative industries sector.
However, the Committee observes that in the Ministry allocation, Arts and Culture activities were not adequately funded. As an example, the Ministry’s bid for the creation of CCIS National Database was ZWL$40 million against an allocation of only ZWL$1.5 million. No meaningful progress can be made in the development of this database and this will compromise the development of the cultural and creative industries sector.
The committee recommends that the Budget allocations should be in line with the budget statement and should prioritise issues that have been identified as important in the statement. This mismatch of budget allocations sets out the Ministry for failure in implementation from the onset due to inadequacy of resources.
4.3. EmpowerBank
Empower Bank has the potential to contribute significantly towards youth empowerment in Zimbabwe. The bank was allocated is ZWL$250 million towards capitalization in 2021. Added to the current capitalization of ZWL$140 million, the Budget allocation brings the total capitalization of the bank to ZWL$390 million. Assuming an exchange rate of US$1 to ZWL$100 by end of 2021, the Bank’s capitalization will be ZWL$110 million short of the minimum capital requirement of ZWL$500 million (US$ 5 million).
The Bank also received ZWL$200 million in the 2021 Budget for provision of loans to youths against a bid of ZWL$800 million. This is inadequate and will not be enough to support youth projects.
The Bank is currently in its formative stages and is still recording losses due to embedded fixed costs. To this end, the Committee recommends that Treasury capitalises the Bank to reach at least the minimum US$5 million equivalent as well as provide more funds to channel towards youth development. This will enable the bank to start making profits as during the first half of 2021.
4.4. Prioritisation of Budget allocations
The committee observed that the Budget has attempted to allocate some resources towards all the Ministry’s requirements. However, the funds are mostly insufficient to cover the budget items and will result in incomplete projects.
As such the committee recommends that the projects should be prioritised and ensure that some are taken to completion within the budget year. However, the is need to balance this with ensuring equitable distribution of resources across the entire country, taking into consideration the fact that other areas may have more need than others.
4.5. Youth Empowerment
Youths are currently facing challenges in accessing low cost funding from financial institutions. The conditions linked to borrowing are restrictive for the youth as they do not have collateral required to secure funds. As such they often resort to unofficial sources of finance (chimbadzwa) which charge them exorbitant interest rates.
The Committee recommends that empowerment programmes should be designed in the form of grants rather than loans. Grants provide the youth the room to be creative and productive without the burden of repayment of loans and interest. Successful grant holders can then in turn empower other youths by contributing and investing in other startups. The process will need to be properly managed to ensure that the grants benefit youths across all provinces and sectors of the economy.
Creation and resourcing of a Youth Development fund, similar to the Women Development Fund becomes imperative. This fund should be adequately resourced.
Unlike the current scenario where youth funds are scatter in all the government departments and agencies, the Committee recommends that these funds be moved and be administered by the Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation. This would assist in ensuring for efficient and effective utilization of these funds specifically for the Youth.
The committee further recommends that a Youth desk be set up in all the Ministries for purposes of championing of all the youth activities and programmes as youth activities are cross cutting.
Further, the Committee recommends that Zimbabwe adopts a policy which require that Youths be represented in all boards of State Enterprises and Parastatals.
4.6. Training Programmes
The Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture is charged with operating Vocational Training Centers (VTCs) across the country to capacitate youths with skills required for specific practical work requirements, for example, welding and carpentry. Most of these VTCs are not in good shape and require rehabilitation and renovations. There is also need to establish VTCs in areas that currently do not have any.
The Ministry is also engaged in Skills Outreach Programmes across the country. These have been very high impact as the involve intensive training over a period of less than three months. This is a highly effective low cost training method which has the potential to impart critical skills to enable the youth to engage in business and specialised trades. The committee recommends the escalation of these trainings to cover more youths in more areas across the country.
4.7. Nation Building
Sport, Arts and Recreation have a very important role of facilitating nation building. Once people gather together to play sport or enjoy arts and recreation, there is an opportunity to inculcate nation building. As such, the Committee recommends that the country takes advantage of sport, arts and recreation events to further nation building efforts.
There is need to engage Treasury to increase support to these events. Provision of funding for the complete rehabilitation of the National Sports Stadium will not only provide a venue for nation building events, but will also unclick revenue generation potential through gate takings.
4.8. Disbursement of Allocated Funds
Over the years, the Ministry’s programmes have been compromised by the untimely disbursement of allocated fund. The Ministry has had to write several times to Treasury to request disbursement of funds that have been allocated in the budget.
The Committee, therefore, requires the Ministry to submit monthly and quarterly reports on amounts disbursed by Treasury, outlining how these have been used. This will not only support the committee’s oversight role over the Ministry, but also enable the committee to assist the Ministry to lobby for timely disbursement of funds.
4.9. Monitoring and Evaluation
Monitoring and Evaluation provides important feedback on the efficiency of implementation of programmes and projects. The Audit function of the Ministry helps in monitoring and evaluation by ensuring that everyone adheres to agreed budgets and processes.
The committee recommends that the Budget should support all activities of the audit function in full to allow the department to undertake all planned audits in the Ministry and its parastatals. The auditor general’s office should also be capacitated to improve management of the country’s resources.
Parliament also needs to develop a robust monitoring and evaluation framework that’s can be adopted by all Government Ministries and Parastatals.
- Conclusion
With the Youth population representing about 67% of the total population, it is critical that our national budgeting is also cognisant of the importance of adequately resourcing programmes for the Youth. Youth programmes has been either neglected or underfunded, thus, perpetuating the vulnerability of this special group of the population. As Government, addressing aspects negatively impacting on the youth alone, would imply dealing with 67% of the challenges affecting our population. Therefore, as the Committee responsible for Youth, Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, we implore the Executive to ensure the National Budget is youth sensitive, including other aspects like sport, culture, arts and recreation.
HON. E. NCUBE: Introduction
This report analyses Vote allocations made to the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare (MPSLSW); and the Public Service Commission (PSC). The mandate of the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare is to: promote fair labour practices, enhance labour productivity and access to decent jobs, enhance access to social protection system that promotes a decent standard of living and promote efficient, effective and accountable operations for the public service.
Whereas the Public Service Commission is mandated to collectively provide for the establishment and operation of the Public Service with institutions, systems, operations and personnel whose function is to execute the mandate of Central Government at National, Provincial and District levels and across different Sectors to achieve planned human rights based national development goals anchored in peace, security and safety of persons and property.
Methodology
The Portfolio Committee on Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare, after the 2021 Budget presentation by the Minister of Finance, engaged officials from the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare; Public Service Commission and representatives of other groups to hear their views on the 2021 National Budget Vote allocations. The Committee sat to deliberate on the views received and came up with its own analysis of the 2021 Budget after an intensive cross-examination of Votes 3 and 26.
Analysis of the 2021 Vote allocation for the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare
The Treasury allocated the MPSLSW a total of ZWL$6,929,000,000 against an ideal budget of ZWL$22,851,915,655. This is only 30% of what the Ministry requires. However, there was a significant increase in the 2021 allocation from the 2020 allocation. The 192% increase from the 2020 allocation of ZWL$2,370,969,000 was informed by high levels of inflation, exchange rate and increased demand for social welfare services due to critical food deficit caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Table 1: 2021 vs 2020 Budget Allocations for the MPSLSW programmes
2020 (ZWL$) | 2021 (ZWL$) | Change
(ZWL$) |
Change
(%) |
|
Policy and Administration | 67,827,000 | 299,048,000 | 231,221,000 | 341 |
Labour Administration | 108,402,000 | 549,505,000 | 441,103,000 | 407 |
Social Welfare | 2,194,740,000 | 6,080,447,000 | 3,885,707,000 | 177 |
Total | 2,370,969,000 | 6,929,000,000 | 4,558,031,000 | 192 |
Notes: 2020 figures are based on revised estimates
o The increased allocation catered across all core areas that is Policy and Administration, Labour Administration and Social Welfare with 341 percent, 407 percent and 177 percent increases, respectively.
o Given the increased demand for food support and other social welfare services emanating from the COVID-19 pandemic in an inflationary environment, the Vote allocation for the MPSLSW is a distant away from the ideal.
o The whole of social welfare core area of the Ministry received an allocation of ZWL$6,039,516,000 excluding employment costs which is enough to mitigate food deficit but still falling short of the ideal budget.
o Generally, there are significant variances between what was proposed as ideal by stakeholders during the pre-Budget consultations and what the Treasury finally allocated to the MPSLSW.
o For instance, an important social welfare Programme, food deficit mitigation programme with arrears of ZWL$1,700,000,000, was allocated ZWL$1,700,000,000 while the ideal is ZWL$3,700,000,000. The variance of ZWL$2 billion is too large.
o The major worry for the Ministry is lack of mobility. The treasury only allocated less than half of the Ministry’s submission (ZWL$267,000,000) for purchasing vehicles.
o Other seriously under-funded areas include: acquisition of fixed capital assets, use of goods and services, Zimbabwe Decent Work Country Programme, labour migration, Tripartite Negotiating Forum (TNF), retrenchment Board, computerisation, labour market Bulletins, labour laws harmonisation, children in difficult circumstances, Disability support and social protection among others.
Box 1: MPSLSW priorities for 2021 - 2023
ü Strengthening of the National Case Management System for the care and protection of vulnerable children including promotion of adoption and foster care
ü Scaling up, review and strengthen inclusive social assistance across life cycle of vulnerable groups including comprehensive education support through BEAM
ü Scaling up cash transfers to vulnerable households under Harmonised Social Cash Transfer
ü Developing and implementing integrated information management system
ü Developing retrenches database
ü Operationalisation of the TNF Act and consolidation of social dialogue
ü Develop labour market information system and register labour market institutions
ü Crafting legal frameworks for Zimbabwe National Productivity Institute (ZNPI)
ü Extending social security coverage to the informal sector and establishing unemployment benefit schemes
Identified gaps by stakeholders
The major concerns highlighted by stakeholders point to the inadequacy of the Budget allocations to provide adequate mobility of social workers, enough social safety nets, in particular, to adequately mitigate food deficit among the vulnerable groups (people with disabilities, the elderly and children among others). The Committee therefore noted that the Budget must do much more to address the plight of the vulnerable groups. Some of the identified gaps in the allocations to the Ministry include but not limited to:
The 2021 National Budget significantly underfunds acquisition of assets by the MPSLSW thereby negatively affecting mobility of social welfare workers leading to inefficient service provision. The treasury allocated too little for the purchase of vehicles, an allocation only enough to buy 39 vehicles out of the ideal 139. Additional funding to buy at least 60 vehicles may significantly improve social welfare services;
The budget allocated for assets in particular furniture is far short of what the Ministry requires in order to effectively implement devolution. More workers and offices are required in provinces for the successful implementation of devolution; the number of people requiring food aid and the market prices of food is a testimony that the current allocation is not enough;
The total amount earmarked for Children in Difficult Circumstances was far less than what was requested. Only ZWL$50 million was allocated from the ideal budget of ZWL$100 million;
The MPSLSW is negatively affected by continued use of a manual system and manual database. There is a problem of improper targeting and duplication of services due to lack of computerised database. The 2021 National Budget does not provide adequate resources for the computerisation process. For instance, the Ministry was allocated ZWL$20,000,000 for the social protection management information system against an ideal budget of ZWL$25,000,000;
While labour issues have become critical in the country, the National Budget continues to underfund areas dealing with labour administration. For instance, there is at least a 60 percent funding gap in the following: development of dispute resolution (ideal budget ZWL$15,000,000 and only got ZWL$6,235,000), National Joint Negotiating Council (ideal budget ZWL$5,000,000 but got only ZWL$2,049,000), Retrenchment Board (ideal budget ZWL$5,000,000 but only got ZWL$830,000), harmonisation of labour laws (ideal budget ZWL$5,000,000 but got ZWL$830,000), computerisation of labour cases (ideal budget ZWL$85,250,000 but only got ZWL$830,000), publications and publications and gazetting (ideal budget ZWL$5,000,000 but only got ZWL$830,000), and productivity promotion programme (ideal budget ZWL$26,000,000 but got ZWL$11,348,000); and food deficit mitigation is in arrears and this implies a non-avoidance of an upward review of this allocation.
The Parliamentary Committee on Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare however, applauded the Treasury for agreeing to increase the allocation to ZWL$6,929,000,000 from the initial figure of about ZWL$4 billion. In addition, the continued provision of public buses continues to lessen workers’ burden. Another welcome development is that the Treasury has also allocated ZWL$500,000,000 for the continued support of primary and secondary school girls with free sanitary wear.
The 2021 Vote allocation for the Public Service Commission
The Public Service Commission was allocated a total of ZWL$9,004,000,000 in the 2021 National Budget. This is a significant increase (496%) from the ZWL$1,509,660,000 revised estimate for 2020. About a maximum of 89.7% of the Public Service Commission vote was allocated to compensation of employees, a maximum of 3.8% to use of goods and services and a maximum of 6.4% to capital expenditure. The expenditure estimates are distributed as in Table 2:
Table 2: Expenditure ceiling
Expenditure head | Expenditure ceiling (ZWL$) |
Compensation of employees | 8,080,000,000 |
Use of goods and services | 344,200,000 |
Other expenses | 800,000 |
Acquisition of non-financial assets | 579,000,000 |
Total | 9,004,000,000 |
Of major concern is the smaller allocation relative to the ideal budget. The Commission was allocated about 2% of the proposed ideal budget of over ZWL$413 billion. However, by removing the ZWL$390.5 billion pension liability for the Public Service Pension Management Fund, the 2021 budget allocation for the Commission is about 39% of the ideal budget. The programmes allocations as a percentage of the ideal budget are presented in Table 3.
Table 3: Allocation against ideal budget
Programme | Ideal budget
(ZWL$) |
2021 allocation (ZWL$) | 2021 allocation as percentage of ideal budget (%) |
Corporate services | 5,465,519,145 | 570,663,000 | 10 |
Human capital management and development | 781,924,908 | 263,886,000 | 34 |
Pay and benefits | 407,525,541,405 | 8,169,451,000 | 2 |
Total | 413,772,985,457 | 9,004,000,000 | 2 |
Box 2: PSC 2021-2023 Priorities
ü Institutionalise strategic planning and client service charters across the public sector;
ü Develop and implement a culture change blue print;
ü Set up monitoring and evaluation units in Ministries;
ü Develop and implement monitoring and evaluation instruments;
ü Devolve Ministry structures and engage citizenry;
ü Operationalise the Corporate Governance Act in Ministries;
ü Develop and implement a results performance management system;
ü Develop and implement staff development programmes;
ü Modernise Public service Academy Training;
ü Strengthen Public Private Partnerships for infrastructural development;
ü Promote research and development, build capacity in ICTs and expand ICT infrastructure; and
ü Facilitate foreign exchange programmes.
The stakeholders noticed that the allocation for the Public Service Commission falls far short of the ideal requirements which points to the need to prioritise programmes and projects. Of major concert to stakeholders was the winding-off of retention funds. The recalling of retention funds may cause inefficiencies within the Public Service Commission and other Government departments as these retentions were used to close gaps in treasury delays in the release of budget resources and also used to anchor PSC decentralised structure.
The PSC Programmes that are likely to suffer from an inadequate budget were identified as follows:
o Ensuring implementation of the National Development Strategy 1 programmes through inspection, monitoring and evaluation across
Districts; ICT modernisation of work place and entrenchment; Biometric authentication programme and upgrading of pensions and payroll systems;
o Human capital training through the establishment of the Public Service
Academy; Capacitating accounting personnel for the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) compliant projects; and Strengthening non-monetary incentives and skills attraction, retention, development and management initiatives.
Another area with a major worry is the under-funding of the PSC programme on strengthening non-monetary incentives and skills attraction, retention, development and management initiatives despite very low remuneration for public servants.
The stakeholders also noticed the importance of paying special attention to people with disabilities and prioritising them in employment in the public sector as enshrined in the Constitution.
Committee’s Observations and Recommendations
The Portfolio Committee on Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare considered deliberated on the 2021 National Budget allocations for votes 3 and 26:
- The Committee noted that the Treasury has moved to prioritise release of resources for social welfare and hence the MPSLSW should prioritise expenditures against releases. The MPSLSW must take more proactive measures to ensure that beneficiaries of social welfare programmes access grants on time. Programmes such as BEAM must be expanded. In addition, new entrants deserving to receive social welfare assistance must easily join the other recipients without a long waiting period;
- The Committee recommends that Social Workers be capacitated to reach all vulnerable households in all provinces. Food aid must be expanded to cover wider areas. Social workers must therefore be mobile and the Ministry must be capacitated to easily reach all corners of the country and transport food to the final destinations. In this regard, there is need for more resources for the acquisition of vehicles (enough to purchase at least 60 more vehicles) and other fixed assets. In addition, decentralisation in the realm of devolution must be prioritised by the
MPSLSW;
iii. The MPSLSW must prioritise computerisation of its systems such as the Social Protection Registry of all assisted vulnerable households. The Ministry must move away from using manual systems. This will not only help in reducing corruption and duplication of services but will also improve efficiency and facilitate Harmonised Social Cash Transfers and timeous payment. Corruption in the selection of the needy, in food, education and health can be monitored and controlled through computerisation. In this regard, additional resources (at least ZWL$5,000,000) once available may be directed towards a speed implementation of computerised systems of the Ministry;
- Priority must be given to programmes that create a computerised database of the vulnerable households including a comprehensive database of the persons with disabilities.
- As enshrined in the Constitution, the PSC must effectively prioritise people with disabilities in employment in the public service. People with disabilities must not be on the waiting list like others. The Government must domesticate the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to give impetus to the country’s constitutional provisions (Section 22);
- The Committee recognises that budget allocation towards social welfare is still like a drop in the ocean. The token provided to the very few people does not provide people a decent livelihood. Hence, it is important to expand coverage and increase the amount. Orphans and vulnerable children living in care homes must be supported adequately to achieve a decent livelihood. The ZWL$4,382,000 allocation for rehabilitation institutions is below the ideal budget of ZWL$6,520,000.
vii. The Committee recommends the PSC to prioritise strengthening nonmonetary incentives and skills attraction, retention, development and management initiatives in this environment of very low salaries. Additional financial resources must be directed towards improving nonmonetary incentives in order to improve welfare of civil servants. The Government should reintroduce low-cost housing, improved transport allowances and vehicle loan schemes and provide cheap loans for all civil servants.
viii. The Committee is worried about the increasing number of trained teachers and nurses who remain unemployed for more than two years after training. The Committee therefore recommends that the MPSLSW must prioritise establishing bilateral agreements (starting regionally) to export trained teachers and nurses to other countries. This will not only improve welfare within their households but will also improve export revenue of the country thereby improving the balance of payments;
- Given the rising labour disputes in the country, the Committee recommends a speed establishment of a social contract. More Budgetary resources must be committed to the establishment of a social contract. The Tripartite negotiating Forum (TNF) must be capacitated and the Committee recommends the MPSLSW to consider these labour negotiation forums seriously; and
- In terms of the paltry current pension schemes, the Committee recommends the PSC to speedily facilitate the movement towards a Defined Benefit Pension Management Fund. An increase of pension payment to ZWL$600 is not adequate for pensioners. The pension office must be resourced to ensure timeous payment of pensions. Government must clear the liabilities of the Public Service Management Fund.
Conclusion
The Budget must allocate more resources towards social welfare services. More funds must be availed to the MPSLSW including the food distribution costs in order to make sure that vulnerable households receive the required assistance. Although the 2021 National Budget recognises that the challenging environment facing the country has resulted in increases in the number of vulnerable households while the capacity of the existing social safety nets has equally deteriorated, the MPSLSW was only allocated about ZWL$6 billion against the ideal budget of over ZWL$20 billion.
The allocation is not adequate given the numbers of needy households. In addition, when distributing food, the Government must include all children’s homes, all homes of people with disabilities and all old peoples’ homes.
On the broader macroeconomic front, the Government should work towards maintaining a stable inflation and exchange rate in the economy so as to preserve the values that were allocated to the MPSLSW and PSC. If inflation is not checked it will affect all programmes and funds will become inadequate, which will leave the poor and other vulnerable groups the worst affected.
HON. K. PARADZA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
The Ministry is mandated to promote, safeguard the national interests, image and influence of the Republic of Zimbabwe in the regional, continental and international arena and to protect the interests of Zimbabwean nationals abroad. In addition, the Ministry has a specific mandate to champion the re-engagement and promote exports which are key in stabilising the new currency and foster economic growth. Central, the Ministry is expected to support the country in the thrust towards rejoining the family of nations through:
Engagement with the diaspora;
- a)Intensification of re-engagements efforts with the E.U, US and normalizing relations with UK;
- b)Implementation of treaties, e.g., African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA) and COMESA-
EAC-SADC Tripartite FTA;
- c)Ratification and domestication of all outstanding international treaties, protocols and agreements;
- d)Rejoining the Commonwealth
- e)Strengthening regional economic ties
- f)Focusing on South to South cooperation
- g)Promoting economic diplomacy, promotion of FDI International Trade (Zimbabwe is Open for Business)
However, the following were noted as challenges which are impeding the Ministry in achieving its mandate:
- Some embassies abroad are dilapidated, while some residences have been abandoned
e.g., Ambassador’s residence in New York, South Africa, Zambia and Mozambique.
- Non-payment of rentals is still a major threat; in some cases, staff have been evicted or locked out.
- Perennial salary arrears amounting to USD$ 20, 329, 168 (between September 2010 – October 2020) for both home-based diplomats and host nationals working in our embassies. Consequently this means Zimbabwe has been breaching international labour laws by not paying workers accordingly.
- Late payment of salaries as well as inaccessibility of these salaries. This has affected even the payment of school fees and medical bills for the staff and their families. Consequently these difficulties have affected the morale of the staff within our diplomatic missions.
- Inadequate embassy vehicles. No representational vehicles, e.g., in Sweden and Cuba where they have resorted to the use of vans.
In responding to the above challenges and repositionising the Ministry to achieve its mandate, through the budget, the Committee supported the Ministry to submit a budget totalling ZWL$55,153,030,910 (US$672, 597, 938). However, the Ministry received ZWL$9,352,196,000 (US$114,051,171) which reflect a shortfall of 83%. The following table showcase budget submissions from the Ministry and budget ceilings and ultimate variances.
Table 1: Budget Submission and Allocated Funds
Descriptions | Submitted
Budget (ZWL$) |
Budget ceiling (ZWL$) | Variance (ZWL$) | Variance (%) |
Compensation of employees | 1,800,000,000 | 2,631,000,000 | 831,000,000 | 43% |
Goods & Services | 10,906,273,200 | 4,525,000,000 | -6,381,273,200 | -59% |
Subscriptions | 2,874,756,860 | 712,196,000 | -2,162,574,860 | -75% |
Acquisitions of
Physical Assets |
38,929,218,790 | 1,484,000,000 | -37,445,218,790 | -96% |
Foreign Services
Institute |
642,782,060 | 0 | -642,782,060 | -100% |
ZimTrade*** | 400,000,000 | 41,011,000 | -358,989,000 | -90% |
Total | 55,153,030,910 | 9,352,196,000 | 45,800,834,910 | -83% |
Total (USD)@82 | US$672,597,938 | US$114,051,171 | US$558,546,767 | -83% |
ZimTrade figures were excluded in the final figure when adding because they are included in subscriptions.
- RISKS AND IMPLICATIONS OF SHORTFALLS IN BUDGETS
Specifically, the following risks are expected from the following omissions:
(a) Limited Funding on ZimTrade Portfolio
The President, H.E. Mnangagwa launched National Export Strategy and the National Development Strategy 1 which, combined, places emphasis of ZimTrade role in promoting exports and nation branding. The country is expected to grow exports from the current US$4.5 billion to US$7.3 billion by 2023. To meet the desired target, ZimTrade is expected to grow exports by a minimum of 10% per year. In addition, in line with devolution, ZimTrade is expected to assist all the ten provinces to contribute to national exports. This is a new thrust which requires funding.
In addition, in recent months, ZimTrade has assisted the country in rebranding and in a number of cases, ZimTrade has accompanied the President to all the international forums and has exhibited on behalf of the country.
The fact that only 10% of the requested funds were allocated by Treasury, ZimTrade is constrained to achieve the set targets which will undermine the achievement of the goals set in the NDS1 and National Export Strategy.
(b) Compensation of Employees
The approved budget shows a variance of 43%. In view of limited funding in other cost centres, this positive variance will give the Ministry scope to virement resources.
(c) Use of Goods and Services
This heading has a shortfall of 59% (see table 1). A significant share of this budget line item are diplomatic missions which amounts to ZWL$2,400,000,000 (i.e., US$29,268,293). By virtue of the fact that there is an overall shortfall of 59% of the total budget requested, the risks which emerges from here are as follows:
- Continuous expulsion of officials in diplomatic missions;
- Legal suits since the diplomatic missions have contractual agreements with the landlords; Bad country image;
- Restrictions to number of foreign missions/travels thereby slowing international reengagement;
- etc
(d) Subscriptions
This budget item has a negative budget variance of 75% (see table 1). This variance is worsened by the fact that the Ministry is in arrears for the 2020 COMESA and UN subscriptions which if not addressed the country risks being expelled from these groupings. More importantly this situation is negatively affecting the country’s image.
(e) Acquisition of Non- Financial Assets
This budget line only received 4% of the requested budget (see table 1). This budget item was aimed at renovating the diplomatic missions abroad, procurement of new fleet of motor vehicles, machinery and equipment and new buildings. In view of the above, the following are the implications:
- The diplomatic missions and motor vehicles will continue to reflect deplorable state which reflects badly on the country;
- The Ministry will find it difficult to establish new embassies in Abu Dabhi, Ankara and Kigali.
- The Ministry will risk losing its land in Zambia, Tanzania, Addis Ababa and Abuja.
(f) Exchange Rate Volatility
The Committee noted that the budget is in ZWL which poses the risks exchange rate losses when the local currency depreciate. In view of the above, the Committee recommend that at the time of the approval of the budget the prevailing exchange rate be used as base and an upward movement will be accommodated by Treasury.
CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS
In view of the shortfalls of the overall budget by 83% 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:
(a)Government must provide budget support which will enable the Ministry to meet financial needs by diplomatic missions;
(b) Treasury must provide budget, that is, ZWL$400 million, with a view of helping the organisation to deliver its mandate of promoting exports and nation branding;
(c)Additional resources are required with a view to equip the Ministry as it take 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.
(d) More resources are required in order to capacitate the Ministry to deploy trade, tourism and information attachees to strategic areas and cities such as UAE, Ankara, Geneva, London, Brussels, Beijing, etc to;
(e)Government must peg the budget of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in USD since the Ministry consumes a lot of foreign exchange in its re-engagement drive, trade negotiations and support to the diplomatic missions. This move will also help in locking in the value of money in the face of volatile exchange rates;
(f) There is need for provision of sufficient budgetary support towards diplomatic mission with a view to clears salary arrears and also avoid a situation where current salaries are paid late;
(g) Additional resources must be provided targeted at the procurement of new embassy buildings and renovating dilapidating ones;
(h) There is need for additional resources for the procurement of motor vehicles and office equipment as well as furniture for the diplomatic missions.
(i) The Committee placed significant emphasis on the need to consider building our own structures/buildings in countries where we have been offered land for example in Abuja, Lusaka, Cairo, Dodoma and Addis Ababa. This is expected to result in the reduction of rentals and create avenues for revenue generation in the medium to long term period;
(j) In order to improve accountability and efficiency in the operations of embassies in foreign missions, the Committee highly recommend that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should be given the authority to oversee the operations of their buildings/embassies in foreign land rather than having the buildings under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Local Government;
(k) Since over 60% of the expenditure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade is in the USD, coupled with the challenges of foreign currency faced over the years, the Committee highly recommends that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade must be allowed to participate at the foreign currency auction floors with a view to ease access of foreign currency. In addition, the Committee highly recommend that the Ministry must be availed with foreign currency whenever it is required.
(l) In order to raise resources for the Ministry, the Committee highly recommend 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 etc.
(m) In view of tight fiscal space and subsequent financial constraints faced by the embassies, the Committee highly recommends to shut down/downsize or rationalise some of the embassies so as to free up resources which will be used to sustainably manage the country’s foreign missions;
(n) Likewise, in view of tight fiscal space, the Committee highly recommend that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade must consider and expedite the implementation of Public Private Partnerships aimed at construction of chanceries and other projects that embassies may deem necessary.
(o) 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$55,153,030,910 instead of the budget ceiling of ZWL$9,352,196,000.
This request if fulfilled, will help the Ministry and the Committee to effectively deliver its mandate and mitigate against the following risks:
(1) Poor country image over continuous expulsion of our staff abroad and poor infrastructures of embassies and motor vehicles;
(2) Slow - down of the re-engagement drive on the back of shortage of funds;
(3) Loss of land in Zambia, Tanzania, Addis Ababa and Abuja;
(4) Possible expulsion from regional and international groupings such as UN, COMESA, WTO and ACP due to an outstanding debt;
(5) Missing the target of US$7.3 billions exports as a result of incapacitation of ZimTrade; and
(6) Failure to meet the NDS1 targets considering the fact that ZimTrade and MOFAIT are key in the resource mobilisation trust. I thank you.
HON. MOLEKELE: Thank you Madam Speaker. I rise to give a post budget analysis on the Portfolio Committee on Health and Child Care.
Background
The Ministry of Health and Child Care’s mandate is to provide the highest standards of health care services to all Zimbabweans. Currently, the health sector is facing a number of challenges which have negatively affected the provision of efficient health care in the country. Some of these challenges include shortages of essential medicines, essential hospital equipment, medical consumables and drugs; inadequate ambulances and services vehicles; poor diet and overcrowding of patients; industrial action by doctors and nurses as well as infrastructure gap to provide basic health care interventions.
Methodology
Following the presentation of the 2021 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 2021 budget
The Ministry of Health and Child Care was allocated a total of ZWL$54.7 billion in the 2021 National Budget up from ZWL$6.459 billion allocated in 2020. This allocation represents a 746.96% nominal increase to what was allocated in the previous budget. It further represents a 12.74% share of the National Budget up from 10.15% achieved in 2020 and translates to 2.3% of Gross Domestic Product up from 1.9% achieved in the 2020 budget. To contextualise the budget allocation to the health sector, an analysis of the top ten vote allocations was made (see Figure 1). Allocation to the Ministry of Health was ranked second after Ministry of Primary & Secondary Education among all the vote allocations (see Figure 1). This implies a high level of government priority to the health sector.
Figure 1: Top ten vote allocations for 2021
Figure 2 shows the trends in the Ministry of Health and Child Care budget allocations and its share to National Budgets from 2010 to 2021. It illustrates a general decline in the share of the health sector to total national budget from a high of 8.6% in 2012 to 5.84% in 2018 before slightly recovering to 7.05% in 2019 and 12.74% in 2021.
Figure 2: Trends in Health and Child Care Budget Allocations (US$): 2010-2021
It is important to further note that the share of the health budget to total expenditure for 2021 slightly exceeds the Southern African Development Community (SADC) average of 11.3% but remains below the 15% stipulated under the Abuja Declaration for the delivery of quality health services.
Trends in per capita health spending
The 2021 Health Budget allocation of ZW $54.7 billion translates to US$ 42.34 in per capita terms, up from US$27 in 2020 (see Figure 3). Whilst this allocation slightly improved, it significantly falls short of the World Health Organisation recommended threshold of US$86. Further, allocation to the health sector is only 28.9% of the SADC average per capita health spending of US$146.29.
Figure 3: Trends in per capita spending on health in Zimbabwe (2010-2021)
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. It 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 2020 Budget performance
The original 2020 health sector budget was ZWL$6.459 billion but was reviewed upwards by a further ZWL$2.996 billion, bringing it to a total of ZWL9.455 billion. The reviews went towards salaries (ZWL$1.796 billion) and COVID -19 emergency response (ZWL1.2billion).
Table 1: Summary of the 2020 Expenditure performance
Original Budget | Additional 2020 | 2020 Total Budget to date | Actual Expenditure | Burn Rate % | |
Employment Costs | 1,978,500,000 | 1,796,171,524 | 3,774,671,524 | 3,774, 671,524 | 100% |
Operations | 2 ,403,500,000 | 1,200,000,000 | 2,354,250,000 | 2,354, 250,000 | 65% |
Capital | 2,077,100,000 | NIL | 202,500,000 | 202,500, 000 | 10% |
TOTAL | 6,459,100 000 | 2,996,171,524 | 6,331,421,524 | 6,331,421,524 |
As shown in Table 1, the salaries budget was fully utilised. As much as 65% of the budget allocated to operations had been exhausted as at 30 September 2020. Only 10% of the budget allocated to capital expenditure had been utilised as at 30 September 2020. This is explained by the position the government took to halt all capital expenditure and focus on fighting COVID-19. Burn rate for central hospitals and services ranged from 93% to 100% whilst that of provincial hospitals ranged between 56% and 92%. For district hospitals, ZWL$43.3million out of ZWL$61.8 million was expended and this represented a 70% burn rate.
Economic Classification of Health and Child Care 2021 Budget
About 17% 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). This is against the 36% that was allocated to the capital expenditure in 2020.
Table 2: Economic Classification of MOHCC 2021 Budget (%)
2021 | 2020 | |
Capital expenditure | 17 | 36 |
Employment Costs | 62 | 25 |
Use of Goods and Services | 21 | 39 |
As much as 21% of the Ministry’s Budget will be spent on recurrent expenditure compared to 39% allocated in 2020. Recurrent expenditure includes purchase of goods and services and current grants. Employment costs will take 62% of the Ministry’s total budget compared to 25% allocated in 2020.
Budget Allocations vs Bids for 2021
In developing the 2021 budget requirements for the Ministry, the following evidence was used to inform key issues to be stressed in budgeting.
v National Development Strategy 1 which gave the Ministry the focus areas to concentrate on as well as contributions from various stakeholders.
v Resource mapping exercise (2020 Report) that helps to improve coordination of both finances and activities and reduces fragmentation.
v 2021 to 2023 Ministry of Heath Strategic Plan.
v Inputs from the various programme managers and sub - programme managers 2020 budget performance
The Ministry’s submitted a bid of ZWL$88.8 billion to Treasury for its programmes but received an allocation of ZWL$54.7 billion leaving a funding gap of ZWL$34.1 billion (62.3%) (see Table 3). Table 3 further shows that Public Health programme has a resource gap of ZWL$63.15 billion (92.3%) whilst Bio-Medical Engineering, Bio-Medical Science, Pharmaceutical Production has a deficit of ZWL$7.16 (85%). With such inadequacies in public health funding, the country remains at high risk in terms of its preparedness in dealing with the disease burden engulfing the nation such as typhoid and maternal related health complications putting children at high health risks. Worse still is the increasing incidences of non-communicable diseases which require high level interventions. Budget surplus in curative services programme is commendable.
Table 3: 2021 MOHCC BID vs Allocation
Bids | Allocation | GAP | |
Programme | |||
Policy and Administration | 5,582,660,214 | 10,136,159,990 | (4,553,499,776) |
Public Health | 68,414,623,714 | 5,268,426,980 | 63,146,196,734 |
Curative Services | 6,396,192,000 | 38,062,269,030 | (31,666,077,030) |
Bio-Medical Engineering, Bio-
Medical Science, Pharmaceuticals |
8,403,111,429 | 1,238,144,000 | 7,164,967,429 |
TOTAL | 88,796,587,357 | 54,705,000,000 | 34,091,587,357 |
Economic Class | |||
Employment Cost | 57,141,956,150 | 33,641,000,000 | 23,500,956,150 |
Use of Goods and services | 60,671,170,371 | 11,609,000,000 | 49,062,170,371 |
Capital | 54,533,682,710 | 9,455,000,000 | 45,078,682,710 |
TOTAL |
172,346,809,231 |
54,705,000,000 |
117,641,809,231 |
Zimbabwe Health Financing: Domestic vs Partner funding (2014-2021)
In 2021, the Ministry of Health is expecting to receive a total partner support of US$496 million translating to 42.6% of the total funding of US$1.165billion to the health sector. This health financing mix as illustrated in Figure 4 is not sustainable given the unpredictable nature of donor funding. This necessitates the need for the government to find more innovative financing methods for health and decrease donor dependency.
Figure 4: Zimbabwe Health Financing Trend: (2014-2021) (US$)
The Government is looking forward to the extension of the Global Fund into another funding cycle (2021-2023) with total resources amounting to US$523million. These resources will be channeled towards complementing Government efforts in fighting HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The Ministry of Health is also expecting around US$60 million from the Health Development Fund although this is still unconfirmed. This fund will support interventions which capacitate the health systems to prevent, detect and control health emergencies as well as focus on COVID-19 response pillars namely coordination, infection, prevention and control, risk communication & community engagement, case management, procurement & logistics and points of entry.
The health sector is also expecting a disbursement of US$10.7 million from the Global Financing Facility towards supporting increased coverage and quality of maternal and child health services.
The Government of Zimbabwe is also receiving support from the People’s Republic of China through the construction of a pharmaceutical warehouse to the tune of US$20 million with the project now at 60% completion and expected to be completed in 2021. Additionally, the Government of Japan is also supporting the procurement of medical equipment equivalent to US$2.8million for Sally Mugabe Children’s Hospital and deliveries are expected in 2021.
Health Budget Allocation by Programme
Of the ZWL$54.7 billion allocated to the health sector, the Curative Programme received the largest share where it was allocated ZWL$38.06 billion (70%) followed by Policy and Administration that received ZWL$10.14 billion (18%). Public Health was allocated ZWL$5.27 billion (10%) whilst Biomedical Engineering, Bio-Medical Science, Pharmaceuticals and BioPharmaceutical Production received the least share of the budget which amounted to ZWL$1.24 billion (2%) (see Table 4) despite the latter’s critical importance in Zimbabwe’s health care system in terms of research and development to facilitate local production of drugs. The National Development Strategy 1 acknowledges that the availability of locally produced medicines is critical in ensuring sustainability of health care. With this allocation, its aspirations of:
- increasing the number of locally produced medicines from 30% to 60% of the essential medicines list by 2025;
- reducing the medicines import bill from US$ 220.4 million in 2020 to US$ 100.4 by 2025; may remain elusive if funding to this programme is not reviewed upwards.
Table 4: Composition of Health Budget Allocation by Programme
Allocation for 2021 | Share of
Programme allocation(%) in 2021 |
Allocation for 2020 | Share of
Programme allocation(%) in 2020 |
|
Policy and Administration | ||||
Ministers' and Permanent Secretary's Office | 381 735 000 | 4 | 18 094 000.00 | 6 |
Policy Planning and Coordination | 1 083 548 300 | 11 | 63 191 000.00 | 21 |
Human Resources | 1 206 079 500 | 12 | 48 541 000.00 | 16 |
Finance and Administration | 1 145 139 300 | 11 | 114 359 000.00 | 39 |
Monitoring and Evaluation | 332 677 100 | 3 | 35 847 000.00 | 12 |
Internal Audit | 221 861 790 | 2 | 9 277 000.00 | 3 |
Logistics and Asset
Management |
5 638 684 000 | 56 | 5 000 000.00 | 2 |
Legal Services | 126 435 000 | 1 | - | 0 |
Sub Total | 10 136 159 990 | 100 | 294 309 000.00 | 100 |
Public Health | ||||
Communicable Diseases | 1 782 181 000 | 34 | 172 501 000 | 42 |
Family Health | 1 862 128 420 | 35 | 85 656 000 | 21 |
Non-Communicable Diseases | 145 677 720 | 3 | 128 644 000 | 32 |
Environmental Health | 1 478 439 840 | 28 | 21 373 000 | 5 |
Sub Total | 5 268 426 980 | 100 | 408 174 000 | 100 |
Curative Services | ||||
Quinary (Research Hospital) | 164 672 000 | 0.4 | ||
Quaternary Care(Central Hospitals) | 12 359 328 820 | 32.5 | 3 095 273 000 | 52.97 |
Tertiary Care(Provincial Hospitals) | 4 529 576 300 | 11.9 | 928 107 000 | 15.88 |
District/ General Hospitals Services | 11 966 295 420 | 31.4 | 1 231 428 000 | 21.07 |
Rural Health Centre and Community Care | 8 928 616 490 | 23.5 | 588 385 000 | 10.07 |
Traditional Medicines | 113 780 000 | 0.3 | 400 000 | 0.01 |
Sub Total | 38 062 269 030 | 100 | 5 843 593 000 | 100 |
Bio-Medical Engineering, Bio-
Medical Science, Pharmaceuticals |
||||
Bio- Medical Engineering | 229 383 000 | 19 | ||
Bio- Pharmaceutical
Engineering and Production |
193 831 500 | 16 | ||
Bio-Medical Science Research | 297 593 500 | 24 | ||
Bio-Analytics | 168 568 000 | 14 | 15 248 000 | 15.5 |
Health Research | 348 768 000 | 28 | 82 993 000 | 84.5 |
Sub Total | 1 238 144 000 | 100 | 98 241 000 | |
GRAND TOTAL | 54 705 000 000 | 6 644 317 000 |
2.7.1 Composition of the Public Health Allocation
Family health; environmental health and communicable diseases sub-programmes received the bulk of the budget allocated to Public Health when combined as evidenced by the respective shares of 35%, 34% and 28%. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) received the smallest share or only 3% of the ZWL$5.27 billion allocated to Public Health in 2021 (see Table 4).
2.7.2 Composition of Curative Services Budget
Of the ZWL$38.06 billion allocated to Curative Services, 33% went to Central Hospitals; 31% to District/General Hospitals; 24% to Rural Health Centre and Community Care and 12% to Provincial Hospitals (see Table 4).
2.7.3 Composition of the Bio-Medical Engineering, Bio-Medical Science Pharmaceutical Production Budget
The Bio-Medical Engineering, Biomedical Science, Pharmaceutical and Pharmaceutical Production medical budget amounted to ZWL$1.24 billion. This was allocated to health and research (28%); Bio-Medical Science Research (24%); Bio-Medical Engineering (18%); Bio- Pharmaceutical Engineering and Production (16%) and Bio-Analytics (14%) (Table 4).
3. COMMITTEE OBSERVATIONS, ISSUES AND CONCERNS
3.1 The 746.96% nominal increase in the budget allocation to the health sector reflects the Government’s increased level of priority that it assigns to the health sector in 2021 compared to 2020. This increase however, needs to be looked at with caution in light of the prevailing macro-economic environment that is characterised by high level of inflation as well as health threats from climate change and COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges actually threaten to reverse the significant improvements that have been achieved in the health sector over the last two decades (such as reduced maternal mortality; decreased Tuberculosis incidence; decreased Malaria incidence and declined mortality). Therefore, the Committee is of the view that the overall size of the health budget seems to be low relative to need. The deplorable situation in the health sector certainly requires more resources. With a funding gap of ZWL$34.09 billion for its programmes, the Ministry is faced with huge challenges of ensuring a healthy human capital that will take the country into an upper middle-income class by 2030.
3.2 Whilst the country has reached 12.74% and is moving towards the Abuja Declaration minimum threshold of 15%, more is going towards salaries. Thus, even if all of it is disbursed, provision of adequate health care services still remains a challenge if health financing is not reviewed upwards.
3.3 The Committee is concerned about the huge decline of the budget allocation to capital projects (17% in 2021 down from 36% in 2020) as this does not match the demand for sound health infrastructure required in most hospitals around the country. This seems to be misaligned to one of the macroeconomic objectives of the 2021-2025 National Development Strategy 1 which is to improve infrastructure development and investment in health.
3.4 Treasury allocated ZWL$175.84 million towards storage and distribution of anti-retroviral drugs by NATPHARM against a bid of ZWL$259.3 million. This left a funding gap of ZWL$83.41 million. The Committee is concerned that the Ministry of Health already owes ZWL$200 million to NATPHARM, adding this to the funding gap will leave NATPHARM inadequately capacitated to execute its mandate.
3.5 Inadequate manpower and unstable workforce remain a key challenge. Health workers play a critical role in the provision of health services but recurring industrial action threatens to derail all the efforts that have been made to improve the health care system of the country. In order to foster stability of the workforce, the Ministry has proposed a number of initiatives (eg staff accommodation; improved work environment and tools of trade) but funding is the issue.
3.6 Resource leakages and inefficiencies in the area of procurement will continue to weigh down Government efforts in improving the health system if not urgently addressed.
3.7 The Committee is concerned about the low burn rate in the country’s public hospitals. Unutilised resources are returned to the donors despite the deplorable state of the health care system.
3.8 The Committee is concerned about the decision taken by Treasury to centralise the Health Service Fund. This fund plays a critical role in ensuring the smooth flow of hospital operations and these institutions cannot operate without it. It is meant to cushion the unpredictable flow of funds from Treasury in cases of drug shortages and well as repairs and maintenance. If it is centralised in Treasury, the cumbersome procedures and delays encountered by hospitals in accessing the funds will only worsen the health service provision by these institutions.
3.9 Donor funding to the health sector is still significant (42.6% of total health funding). The high dependency on external sources compromises sustainability of health care should external funding be withdrawn. Moreso, donor funding is selective and disease specific (TB, Malaria and HIV/AIDS). Whilst the Committee appreciates the progressive procurement of contraceptives, its concern is on the fact that Treasury is not funding vaccines, leaving a lot of children exposed in the event that donor funds dry up or if donors shift priorities.
3.10 It is of concern to the Committee that nutrition health is not included as a separate budget line item under the Public Health programme. If included, this could attract donor funding using $1:$1 funding model.
3.11 The prolonged harsh macroeconomic environment characterised by high inflation and low foreign currency reserves, coupled with the impacts of COVID-19 have seen some industries closing resulting in massive job losses, salary cuts, slowed business activity and fall in disposable income. This implies that the poor cannot afford basic health care services. Further, this has negatively affected employees/employers contributions to health funds such as the AIDS levy. Moreso, at least 60% of Zimbabwe’s economy is informal, making payments of AIDS levy by employees and employers difficult.
3.12 Public health institutions have run out of drugs and medicines supplies, thereby forcing patients to resort to private pharmacies for their prescribed supplies. It is disturbing to note that pharmacies are charging exorbitant prices thereby denying the majority of Zimbabweans access to health care. This situation has seen chronic-diseased patients like those on hypertension medication suffering more.
RECOMMENDATIONS
4.1 Treasury to ensure timely disbursements of the allocated resources in full to facilitate provision of the health care services.
4.2 Government to prioritise the strengthening of the health sector’s human capacity and conditions of service. This requires increased funding to enable the health sector to adequately respond to the health challenges the country is faced with. Funding the Ministry of Health’s initiatives such as staff accommodation; improved work environment and tools of trade will go a long way in fostering stability of the workforce.
4.3 Treasury to prioritise recapitalisation of NATPHARM in order to ensure the availability of drugs in all health centres around the country.
4.4 There is need for innovative health financing given that the country’s public health spending is limited and substantially relies on donor funding. This could include:
4.4.1 Devising cost recovery measures given that most of the services in public health institutions are free of charge. One of this is to make patients pay for health services, especially those that can afford or are on medical aid
4.4.2 Privatisation of some wards and allow access to those that can pay
4.4.3 Reversing the high dependency of unpredictable donor funding for public health sector whilst exploring more practical options for domestic resource mobilisation for health financing including the participation of the business community.
4.4.4 Treasury to allocate $1 out of the $30 charged on presumptive tax towards AIDS levy. This will also trigger flow of resources to the National Aids Council.
4.4.5 Channel the full health levy charged from 10% of airtime to the Ministry of Health instead of the current 5%.
4.4.6 Treasury to include nutrition health as a separate budget line item under Public Health budget as this stands a greater chance of receiving partner funding.
4.4.7 Government to introduce 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.
4.4.8 Treasury to consider allocating 100% of the unallocated reserves to fill in the health sector funding gap. More so, Treasury to consider procurement of 20 mobile vehicles from these unallocated reserves in preparation for the second wave of COVID-19. These vehicles will be used to distribute drugs to the 10 provinces thereby guaranteeing drug availability to patients in need of them.
4.4.9 NATPHARM to sell drugs to public hospital patients at affordable prices in order to harness resources that are being used by public to buy drugs from private pharmacies.
4.5 Prioritise funding of Biomedical Engineering, Bio-Medical Science, Pharmaceuticals and Bio-Pharmaceutical Production in order to promote local production of drugs.
4.6 Reduce wastage and improve efficiencies in procurement. This could be achieved by putting in place tight systems. Further, the new procurement staff that has been employed is expected to foster this.
4.7 Treasury to leave the Health Service Fund with the public hospitals but increase monitoring of how the funds are utilised. Strengthening monitoring of utilisation of funds in general will also increase burn rate of public hospitals. Thank you.
HON. CHIKUKWA: Introduction
1.1 The newly formed 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.
1.2 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 2020 and Ministry Achievements
2.1 Having been formed out of the Ministry of Local
Government and Public Works after the 2020 budget allocations, the
new Ministry did not get a new budget but received administrative
allocations under the former parent Ministry. This severely compromised its operationalisation, especially the setting up of offices and mobility. From a revised estimated allocation of ZWL$346.4 million, only 60% was disbursed for operations. Given these resources, the Ministry achieved the following:
- Commissioning of 228 stands at Nemwama Housing Scheme, a joint venture with Masvingo Rural District Council;
- Dzivarasekwa 737 high density stands, and Makonde Rural District Council 197 mixed density stands 90% complete;
iii. Construction of 2 blocks x 3 bed roomed flats in Marimba 80% complete;
- Completion of 29 F14 houses in Beit Bridge;
- Establishment of Shelter Afrique regional office;
- Crafting of the Zimbabwe National Human Settlement Policy (2020);
vii. Hosting of the 2020 World Habitat Day; and
viii. Unlocking of a US$55 million line of credit of which US$30 million has already been approved for disbursement.
3.0 2021 Budget Allocation
3.1.1 For the 2021 Budget, out of a bid of ZWL9.4 billion, Treasury allocated the Ministry only ZWL$2.8 billion, which is 30% of its requirements. The massive variance between the allocation and bids implies that the Ministry will not be able to deliver on its mandate effectively.
4.0 Post Budget Analysis Meeting Output
Your Committee held a post-budget analysis meeting with Ministry officials and departmental heads led by the Permanent Secretary on Tuesday 1 December 2020. The following was observed:
4.1.1 Given that the Ministry is new, there is a need for office equipment, furniture and fittings, and vehicles at the head office, and both provincial and district levels. Unfortunately, the allocations made towards these expenditure lines are glaringly way below the bids. A case in point pertains to vehicles. The permanent secretary and five directors have no cars, and dependence on hiring is proving too costly. Out of a requirement of 70 vehicles, the Ministry only has 13 old vehicles, of which 5 are non-runners. The Ministry submitted a bid of ZWL$ 547.7 million, and only ZWL$80.2 million, that is, 15%, was allocated. Such a scenario severely undermines effective administration and discharge of the Ministry’s mandate at all levels.
4.2 The Ministry has found it prudent to first complete stalled projects around the country before considering new ones. They comprise residential houses, civil service staff accommodation and student accommodation at state universities which at various stages of completion. The projects need a minimum of US$239.1million, that is, ZWL$20.3 billion for completion using a phased approach over 4 to 9 years. However, for the 2021 budget, Treasury allocated only 39.6% of the ZWL$3.5 billion Ministry bid. At this pace, most of these projects will remain unfinished.
4.3 Your Committee also observed that Treasury allocated a mere 6% of the required ZWL$106.3 million for the phased construction of 500 housing units for the distressed Chimanimani Cyclone Idai victims. This is a worrying situation given the deplorable torn tents and temporary structures in which the victims are living.
4.4 No allocations were made towards the recapitalisation of the National Housing Fund (NHF) and the National Guarantee Fund (NGF) which are critical in the financing of housing construction, especially for the civil servants.
4.5 The allocated funds will not be sufficient for the Ministry to provide the requisite off-site infrastructure (sewer and water reticulation systems) which are critical for the regularisation/sanitisation of various informal settlements which have cropped up in major cities over the years.
5.0 Recommendations
Your Committee recommends that:
5.1 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.
5.2 The allocation towards stalled projects be increased to match the bid. The completion of stalled projects will significantly improve the conditions of service for the civil servants, especially those working in rural areas while reducing the housing backlog.
5.3 The phased construction of houses for the Cyclone Idai victims be fully funded and treated with the urgency it deserves given the dehumanising conditions under which the people are living.
5.4 Treasury makes allocations towards the recapitalisation of the National Housing Fund and the National Guarantee Fund. These two funds play a critical role in the Ministry’s endeavour to ensure decent accommodation for the civil service.
6.0 Conclusion
Decent shelter is a critical human need and an essential feature of an upper-middle-income society. In this light, adequate resources need to be channeled towards achieving this human right. However, your Committee is very concerned with the underfunding of the Ministry of National Housing and Social Amenities and implores Treasury to consider the Committee recommendations. While the reduction of the 1.25 million housing backlog takes the participation of Government, the private sector, and citizens at large; the Government has to take the lead and pave the way by setting up the critical off-site sewer and water reticulation infrastructure. As such, the Ministry’s Policy and Administration, and Human Settlement Development programmes need adequate resources.
HON. MAYIHLOME: 1.0 Introduction
Your Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services noted several observations regarding the funding needs and gaps, and their implications to the performance of the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans and the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage. Key recommendations were suggested to improve the operational efficiency of these Ministries.
2.0 Ministry of Defence and War Veterans Affairs - Vote 4: $23, 75 billion
2.1 Global Overview and Analysis of the Ministry's 2021 Budget Allocation
The budget allocations to the Ministry’s departments/programmes were as follows:
Programmes | 2021 Allocation | Ideal Allocation | Budget Shortfall |
Policy and Administration | $679 million | $54, 8 billion | $54, 1 billion |
Defence and Security | $22, 3 billion | $98, 8 billion | $76, 5 billion |
War Veterans | $814, 9 million | $4, 9 billion | $4, 0 billion |
Grand Total | $23, 8 billion | $158, 4 billion | $134, 6 billion |
2.2 The most seriously distressed expenditure items in the Ministry were:
- Employment costs that currently do not reflect the approved Military Salary Concept.
- Funeral benefits for the ZDF:-no funds were allocated for funerals yet it is part of their conditions of service.
- Travel and subsistence allowances (T&S) which are paid when soldiers are deployed. The ZDF has accumulated a backlog on T&S.
- Medical supplies and services where the War Veterans, the ZDF members and their dependents are failing to access free health services,
- An army marches on its stomach. Rations are an institutional requirement, but the allocations are so paltry one would get the impression that someone thinks he is doing the military a favour.
- Institutional provisions that include uniforms and ceremonial dress; fuel, oils and lubricants,
- BRE was last procured over 30 -40 ago.
- Research, training and development for the military to keep abreast with modern security techniques. The military need to have the appropriate tools of the trade, when there is peace so that they practice with those tools for there no room for trial and error in actual combat.
- Maintenance of vehicles, mobile equipment and physical infrastructure,
- Acquisition of vehicles and other military equipment,
- Public Sector Investment Programmes (PSIPs) especially;
Ø The Manyame Hospital VVIP section, Imbizo Barracks,
Ø Dzivarasekwa housing units, and Jason Ziyaphapha Moyo Barracks
Clearance of legacy debt owed to creditors, which amounts to $1.8 billion. It should be noted that a significant portion of this legacy debt relates premiums charged or factored into prices by suppliers for anticipated late payments. Why should treasury have special arrangements to pay these premiums instead of simply allocating and releasing the amounts on time to avoid punitive prices?
Furthermore, the Military must not exist to be paid monthly salaries; they must be equipped and trained for war. It follows also that Military commanders should not spend most of their time thinking about how to feed and accommodate soldiers, those are givens, that’s why it is institutional, rather commanders ought to spend most of their time thinking about the immediate and long term threats, making strategy and operational plans, and training their men to meet those plans.
In Summary, the ZNA was grossly or not funded at all for the following: funeral expenses, medical expenses for the military and their dependents. Currently using PSMAS but the claims are not being honoured. Thinking of PSMAS, can someone tell me how soldiers on operations or on important training exercises are expected to access or benefit from the use of PAMAS! Mobile equipment like water bowzers, trailers, field kitchens, TFA, Sewage and refuse collection.
Likewise, the AFZ was grossly underfunded especially for R&D and upgrade programmes. Tools of the trade are aged and need replacement. New technologies, Maintenance of Buildings
The War Veterans Affairs programmes such as the registration of War Collaborators and Non Combatants, vetting of War Veterans and the operationalisation of War Veterans’ district offices. The War Veterans dept bided for $88m for initial registration of some 160 000 cadres of the liberation struggle and a lot more for the actual vetting. However, only $50m was allocated, which is not sufficient to conduct registration. There are high expectations regarding this forthcoming exercise and we urge that it be funded in full.
Revamping the War Veterans Fund and operationalizing the Veterans’ Bank.
Recommendations
In light of the above observations, your Committee recommended the following:
3.0 Treasury should prioritize clearance of the Ministry’s legacy debt amounting to $1.9 billion to enable establishment of good relations with suppliers.
3.1 Allocated funds should be released fully and in time to enhance proper planning,
3.2 The Military Salary Concept should be fully implemented to fulfill all the conditions of service for the ZDF members, and hence retain and boost their morale.
3.3 Treasury should adequately finance all institutional provisions and inescapable expenditure items to guarantee an efficient discharge of statutory obligations. These relate to:
- Medical supplies and services,
- payment of travel and subsistence allowances,
- rations, uniforms and ceremonial dress,
- research, training and development to enhance self-sustenance,
- fuels, oils and lubricants,
- acquisition and maintenance of vehicles and other military equipment
3.5 Treasury should also consider a phased approach to replacement of the ZDF capital equipment,
3.6 Support joint ventures and national collaborations between the ZDF and other stakeholders, e.g. on digitalisation and provision of institutional accommodation.
3.7 PSIP projects such as institutional accommodation and health services centres require full funding to expedite their completion.
3.8 Treasury should consider capacitating the ZDF projects by capitalizing the Zimbabwe Defence
Industry and the ZDF farms and mines,
3.9 The War Veterans department requires an upward review of its budget allocation to programmes such as:
Ø Completion of the registration and vetting of War Collaborators and Non-Combatants, and
Ø The establishment and operationalization of the Veterans’ Bank and the Department’s 66 District Field offices.
Ø Treasury should have another one on one meeting with the Ministry of Defence to discuss their barest minimum expectations for the 2021 budget.
3.10 Going forward, Treasury should consider applying a modern funding approach where a certain percentage of the country’s GDP is set aside for funding the Ministry of Defence and War Veterans as is the norm in UN and other developed countries.
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE - VOTE 18 ($23, 6 BILLION)
Global Overview and Analysis of the Ministry’s 2021 Budget Allocation:-
The thrust of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage is mainly about service delivery, that is to say building institutions governance which address whether the resources allocated would make any difference in service delivery and crime reduction. This issue came up even during the public hearings that the Ministry especially the ZRP should be adequately funded.
In the 2021 National Budget of Zimbabwe, the Ministry was allocated $23, 6 billion.
Your Committee commended Treasury for allocating adequate funds that are enough to purchase basic needs of the Ministry. Thus, the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage is well positioned to complete the following projects/ programmes if timely releases are made. The Central Registry building was well funded especially to complete the Insiza Registry offices and the Central Registry Office, save for the following areas: _ Rentals asked for $100m but $8m given;
Domestic travel, which includes all mobile registration was given only $5m. Utilities (water, ZESA, Refuse, security) were allocated $7m yet this is inadequate for 1 month. Fuels were allocated $30 against a bid of $150m Institutional provisions were allocated $10m out of a bid of $88m.
Consumables for the Registry department not funded, let alone the forex consideration. By the way, for since all prices are pegged using the USD$, it is the parallel market rate and not the auction rate, that government departments eventually pay for local products.
The Mkushi Police camp and Chimoio Camp got commendable financial support from Treasury, as well as materials and equipment for the garment factory. The Museum of African Liberation in Zimbabwe has adequate support from the Government; An Auditorium under the National Archives of Zimbabwe was well prioritized.
However, 65% of the Ministry’s budget allocation will cater for employment costs. Ideally, the Ministry requires $312, 6 billion to cater for its recurrent expenditure for the 2021 financial year. The budget shortfall affected some expenditure items, particularly in Civil Registry, Police Services and Migration Management.
The following inescapable expenditure items in the Ministry were grossly underfunded: Supplies and consumables for the Civil Registry, the ZRP and Migration Management.
- Institutional provisions that include:
Ø Uniforms and ceremonial dress for the ZRP;
Ø rations, travel and subsistence allowances for the entire Ministry;
Ø fuel, oils and lubricants, travel and subsistence allowances for the entire Ministry’
Ø Research, training and development for the officers to keep abreast with modern policing technology.
Ø T$S was last paid in 2008 or thereabouts. Individual policemen and women are therefore subsidizing the Government programmes, they use their own money to travel and feed themselves while carrying out official work, e.g. to complete investigations, hence the tendency to feed from the community.
Ø It is small wonder therefore that cases of illegal mining, traffic offenses illegal border crossing continue to increase because of poor equipment and poor conditions of service. Police must be immaculate, efficient, effective, swift and courteous. This can only happen if they are well equipped, looked after, and well trained.
In a nutshell, ZRP need the following tools of their trade:
- Traffic management equipment,
- Mobility in terms of vehicles for land water and air in all terrains,
- Speed traps and breathalyzers,
- CCTV and Drones Digital technology,
- PPEs in light of COVID-19 pandemic. Even schools are requesting police to enforce. How does one deploy officers to enforce COVID-19 rules when the same police officers are not compliant?
Maintenance of vehicles, mobile equipment and physical infrastructure to improve their operational efficiency and lengthen their lifespan; Acquisition of vehicles and military equipment to the preparedness and capability of the ZRP and the digitalization programme that enables the Ministry to work together with other security departments like the ZRP, Civil Registry and Migration Management. The Ministry of Home Affairs has such an initiative where it is implementing an integrated border management system.
The Operationalisation of an integrated border management system at all ports of entry and exit. This can be done in collaboration with other security departments/ Ministries and Equipping the Forensic Department laboratories in all the five centres.
Recommendations
Ø Expenditure targets should be released in time to enable proper planning,
Ø The Civil Registry Department should be capacitated and review upwards the budget allocation to the following key areas:
Ø Tools and implements, institutional provisions and utilities and service charges;
Ø Identification documents and passport consumables,
Ø Fuels, oils and lubricants,
Similarly, Treasury should increase funding earmarked for all critical goods and services for Civil Registry, Migration Management and the ZRP.
Adequate funds should be availed towards capital expenditure for ZRP so that it can be fully equipped with up-to-date, digital technology facilities and equipment.
Treasury should also prioritize the digitalization of the Migration Management department and capitalization of the Forensic Department. A phased approach to funding the replacement and acquisition of capital assets for the Ministry should be applied. Retention funds should be reintroduced especially in line departments like Migration Management and Civil Registry. The Ministry has farms and mines that require financial support so that the Ministry can be self-sustained.
Treasury should support joint ventures and national collaborations between the Ministry of Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage and other stakeholders, e.g. on digitalisation and provision of institutional accommodation, construction, joint operations etc.
Police Commanders should not be seeking Treasury interventions on a day to day basis, but must be given room to plan and execute their operational plans, for theirs is a Constitutional requirement. Therefore, like the Military, Treasury should meet the commanders for a further review before the budget is finalized.
Overall Conclusion
The operations of these Ministries aim at fulfilling their constitutional mandate. Therefore, to achieve this, all inescapable expenditure items require adequate funding. In the same vein, capital expenditures also need to be prioritized and funded so that future operations are smoothened. This strategy acts as an expenditure succession planning whereby both the Ministries’ current and future needs are well catered. These will feed into the short term, medium and long-term development strategies of Zimbabwe. Overall, partnerships and collaborations remain as a key success factor. I thank you and submit Mr. Speaker Sir.
HON. S. K. MGUNI: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir for giving me this opportunity to present the report from the Portfolio Committee on Industry and Commerce on the 2021 Budget allocations.
1. Introduction
On 26th November 2020, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Hon. Professor Mthuli Ncube presented the 2021 National Budget. The 2021 National Budget was presented a few days after the government launched 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 2021 National Budget is aligned to the provisions of the NDS1 as it is centred on building resilience and sustainable economic recovery.
The 2021 National Budget comes against the background of the Covid-19 pandemic which has hampered implementation of planned programmes and projects and led to the closure of borders which has an implication on importation of raw materials and price increases due to high costs of production.
The other challenges include inadequate ICT infrastructure, shortages of fuel and water supplies, high costs of utilities, inadequate foreign currency and reduced working hours amongst other challenges.
While the economy has been exposed to varying shocks coupled with macroeconomic 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 drive if we are to turn around the economy and steer it towards the achievement of Vision 2030.
- The Ministry’s 2020 Budget Performance Review
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 industrialised, technologically advanced and diversified Zimbabwean economy by 2030. This will be attained through its main service delivery areas of policy and administration, industrialisation and consumer protection and quality assurance.
The Ministry was allocated a total budget of $60, 760, 000 during the year 2020, which represented a 25,6 percent increment from the 2019 National Budget allocation. However, during the year 2020, the Budget was increased to $476, 840, 802 as a result of funding for the roller meal subsidy programme and on-lending.
The Ministry’s major achievements under the three key result areas during the 2020 Budget year include:
v Successful implementation of Local Content Strategy.
v The registration of 4000 companies in the reserved sectors.
v Launch of the Consumer Protection Act.
v Increased list for products requiring conformity to standards.
v Implementation of the Zimbabwe National Industrial Development Policy (2019-2023).
v Successful implementation of the value chain concept across most key sectors of the economy.
v Successfully funded the IDCZ to the tune of $124 million.
v Fruitfully participated in two international investment conferences.
3. Overview of the 2021 National Budget
The Ministry was allocated ZWL$2, 345, 000, 000 against their bid of ZWL$9, 772, 998, 870. The allocated figure exceeds the ceiling of $742, 000, 000 according to the Treasury Budget Call Circular Number 3 of 2020 by more than 200 percent. This is a welcome development as the Ministry is geared to meet its mandate of providing a conducive environment for sustainable industrial and commercial growth and development.
While the Ministry is happy with overall allocations to its three main operating areas, Policy and Administration, Industrialisation, Consumer Protection and Quality Assurance though the committee is concerned with the variance between the proposed Ministry bids and the ceilings of 79 percent, 95 percent and 94 percent respectively. This has fully manifested in the shortfalls of the National Budget allocations to the proposed bids for each Ministry’s key areas as shown below:
Key Ministry Areas | Ministry’s Proposed Bid ($) | 2021 Budget Allocation ($) |
Policy and
Administration |
983, 081, 826 | 235, 922, 000 |
Industrialisation | 7, 615, 556, 230 | 2, 029, 226, 000 |
Consumer Protection and Quality Assurance | 831, 776, 314 | 79, 852, 000 |
Total | 9, 430, 414, 370 | 2, 345, 000, 000 |
The Committee 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) needs to be capacitated financially to provide funding to the industrial sector. IDCZ was allocated $1, 960, 000, 000 which is far less than the proposed bid of $5,5 billion.
4. POST BUDGET PRESENTATION ANALYSIS MEETING OUTPUT
Your Committee duly held a post budget presentation analysis meeting with Ministry officials led by the Director of Finance and the industry representatives, CZI and ZNCC on Thursday, 3rd December, 2020. The following issues were observed:
- In its meeting with Ministry officials on the 3rd December 2020, the Ministry appreciated the 2021 National Budget allocation to the Ministry. However, there were concerns on the variance (76 percent) between the Ministry bid of $9, 772, 998, 870 and the budget allocation of $2, 345, 000, 000 which is likely to have an 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.
- Your Committee questioned the role of IDCZ on financing of start-up businesses. The IDCZ representative responded by reiterating the role of IDCZ in complementing the government efforts through implementation of the industrialisation strategy of Zimbabwe in tandem with policies, national priorities and strategies of the NDS1. Also, IDCZ is open to fund manufacturing oriented and value addition firms across all sectors of the economy. IDCZ raised concerns with regards to budget allocations which are persistently and consistently falling short of its proposed bids, which makes it difficult for the institution to finance start-up businesses.
iii. The submission from CZI, one of the key stakeholders reiterated the need for more government effort towards crafting policies which enhance productivity in the manufacturing sector so as to reduce taxes and increase companies’ performance. They also called for policies which promote import substitution, local procurement and value chain support. Your Committee fully supports the proposals.
- The ZNCC in their submission, noted the positives in the 2021 Budget such as the support towards infrastructure development, the Tripartite Negotiation Forum and value chains strengthening. However, they raised their concerns on issues of public debt transparency, taxation, subsidies, global compensation agreement, venture capital and start-ups financing, parliamentary role on public debt, corruption and de-dollarisation framework amongst others. In this regard, your committee took note of the submissions and urges the executive to attend to the issues raised above.
- Your Committee queried the effectiveness of the role being played by the industry in the fight against economic sanctions. The industry representatives acknowledged the existence of economic sanctions and also highlighted their effort in the fight for the removal of economic sanctions in Zimbabwe.
- Your Committee noted with concern the provisions of the new Companies and other Business Entities Act [Chapter 24:31] of 2020 which requires companies registered before February 2020 to re-register by December 2023. As such, the Committee strongly feels that a lot needs to be done on effective and efficient operationalisation of e-registration systems by the Registrar of Companies.
5. Summary of Recommendations
Your Committee recommends that:
- There be complementarity between the Ministry, other ministries, the Parliament of Zimbabwe and the industry in order to embrace the demands posed by the Vision 2030 policies and strategies.
- The Ministry to do frequent tours of the industry in order to establish the status of the industry as well as challenges thereof. This will help the Ministry to tailor solutions which foster industrial growth and development.
iii. The Ministry, industry and all relevant stakeholders must speak with one voice on issues such as sanctions and corruption for the growth and development of the industry and the nation at large.
- There is need to improve the ease of doing business environment so as to improve competitiveness of the country in order to attract both domestic and foreign investments. In this regard, there is need for cooperation between the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and the Zimbabwe Investment and Development Agency.
- The Registrar of Companies office should be digitalised so as to effectively and efficiently carry out the re-registration exercise as required by the provisions of the new Companies and other Business Entities Act [Chapter 24:31].
- There is need for timely disbursement of funds by the Treasury to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce for it to carry out its mandate in a more efficient and effective manner.
vii. Noting the existence of monopolies and oligopolies resulting in collusion and threat to price stabilities, the Committee recommends for improved funding to the National Competitiveness Commission.
viii. There is need for adequate capacitation of the IDCZ so as to enhance financing of start-ups and improve performance of businesses.
6. Conclusion
Industrialisation is at the epicenter of the national vision of becoming an upper middle-income economy by 2030. It has the capacity to absorb shocks and macroeconomic risks. Hence, with industrialisation, 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.
HON. S. S. KHUMALO: Thank you Mr. Speaker.
1. OVERVIEW
The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement’s responsibilities include ensuring food security in the country. It is also responsible for ensuring that agriculture input is produced to serve as raw materials for downstream value adding sectors, especially the manufacturing sector. The ‘Land’ responsibilities have also seen the Ministry being responsible for promoting equitable distribution of land and provision of security of tenure. The “Water” functions of the Ministry also bestow the roles of ensuring that there is adequate water provision for various purposes, including irrigation and recreation purposes. The “Rural Resettlement” functions focus on the issues related to land resettlement programmes and estate management. The Ministry also provides administrative, technical, advisory, research and regulatory services in line with these functions. This implies that budgetary provisions to the Ministry have to be shared among several other alternative and critical uses besides agriculture, making it critical that such funding is adequate.
The Ministry operates through nine programme areas as follows:
- i)Policy and Administration which creates an enabling environment for sustainable and viable agriculture sector;
- ii)Agriculture education which focuses on producing competent agriculture graduates with analytical and entrepreneurial skills;
iii) Crops and Livestock Research and Technology which focuses on developing, adapting and disseminating innovative research technologies to improve crop and livestock productivity;
- iv)Crops Production, Extension and Advisory Services which promotes sustainable, competitive and viable agricultural production through provision of technical, extension, advisory and coordination services;
- v)Agricultural Engineering and Farm Infrastructure Advisory Development which promotes agriculture mechanisation, farm structures and irrigation technologies;
vi)Animal production, health, extension and advisory services which prevents entry, establishment and spread of transboundary animal diseases within Zimbabwe and controls specifies animal diseases and pests; and
vii) Lands, Resettlement and Security of Tenure, which is responsible for provision of security of tenure, management of land information, valuation and compensation of all acquired farms and land acquisition and distribution in general;
viii)Land Survey and Mapping, which is responsible for commissioning and maintenance of international boundaries;
ix)Integrated Water resources management, which is responsible for construction of dams, completion of rural and urban water supply projects.
This is a report by the Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement which is designed to assess the implications of the 2021 National Budget, taking into accountthese programme areas as well as interventions that have been proposed under the budget.
2. BUDGETARY ALLOCATION AND TRENDS
The total budget for appropriation to the various Government ministries and departments for the 2021 National Budget is ZWL$429,341,300,000 (about ZWL$429.3 billion), for which about ZWL$60.8 billion is from constitutional and statutory provisions. In the 2021 National Budget, the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement got an allocation of ZWL$46,259,000,000 (ZWL46.3 billion) and a further ZWL$1,869,315,000 is expected from Statutory Funds, which brings the total available resources appropriated to the Ministry at ZWL$48,128,315,000 (ZWL$48.1 billion). These resources are expected to result in a significant recovery in the agriculture sector, which is expected to increase by 11% in 2021, from a decline of 0.2% envisaged in 2020.
In order to establish the implication, the Committee notes the following:
- The 2021 budgetary allocation from the Vote Appropriation is an increase of about 307.3% compared to the revised estimates from the same source for 2020.Given that the National Budget also project annual inflation to end the year 2021 at less than 135%, the increase in budgetary allocation to the Ministry is still higher in real terms. The Committee therefore commends Treasury for increasing resources to the Ministry in 2021 compared to 2020.
- The total allocation to the Ministry from the Consolidated Fund constitutes about 10.77% of the total budget. However, if the allocation to the Ministry from the statutory funds are taken into account, the total resources available to the Ministry would constitute about 10.96% of the total resource envelope.
An assessment of resources allocated to the Ministry cannot be assessed in isolation. It is also important to assess the importance that is attached to agriculture compared to other productive sectors. Generally, Zimbabwe is considered agro-based, as agriculture is critical for livelihoods as well as for feedstock to downstream industries. At 10.77% of the total available budget, the Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement has the third highest share after Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education as well as the Ministry of Health and Child Care (Figure 1). Given that there were a lot of disruptions to the education sector due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the decline in the rank of the Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement Ministry from being first in 2020 to 3rdin 2021 is understandable. The Committee appreciates this prioritisation, and consider it consistent with the Government’s desire to have agriculture as the main economic driver.
Figure 1: 2021 Top 15 Budgetary allocations for Ministries
3. ASSESSMENT OF RESOURCE ADEQUACY
Given that the Ministry received very significant resources, it is generally difficult to argue for reallocation from other Ministries and State Entities that received a lower share of the Budget. An objective template that can be used to assess whether agriculture has been adequately funded is the “Maputo Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security in Africa”. African Heads of State and Government came up with the Declaration at the Second Ordinary Assembly of the African Union in July 2003 in Maputo. The Heads of State agreed that 10% of public expenditure should be spent on agriculture in an effort to increase agricultural productivity. The 10% benchmark is also stipulated in the Comprehensive Africa Development Programme (CAADP). The Committee is therefore happy that the allocation of about 10.77% to agriculture is above the Maputo and Malabo Declarations. However, the Committee is also cautious in its celebration, given the fact that the Ministry is very broad, with its mandate including other areas which might not be under the functions of the ‘agriculture’ ministries in other countries, for example, the ‘water’ functions could be separate. However, it is commendable that the benchmark is reached.
While giving a high budget on paper can be regarded as indicative of priority, the main determinant factor is the extent to which such resources would be quickly put to use, especially given that we are now in a high inflation environment. The Committee is happy to notice a change in absorption capacity in the Ministry for some programme areas, as traditionally there were some challenges in spending budgeted resources. In 2019, all programme areas had poor absorption capacities, with only 42% absorption capacity by September 2019. By September 2020, the Ministry had overshot its budget by 42% (Figure 2), mainly due to three programme areas; Integrated Water Resources Management; Policy and Administration; and Agriculture Education, which had already spent more than originally allocated. However, the Committee is concerned that only 7% of resources that had been earmarked for Lands, Resettlement and Security of Tenure had been utilised by September 2020, while only 28% of the resources earmarked for Land Survey and Mapping had also been utilised. There is scope, however, for the remaining four programme areas (Crops and Livestock Research and Technology, Crops Production, Extension and Advisory Services, Agricultural Engineering and Farm Infrastructure Advisory Development, and the Animal production, health, extension and advisory services) to be at least able to utilise their resources over the three months from September given that they are not far off from 75% utilisation level. The Committee is therefore happy that the bulk of the resources earmarked for use during this current year are on course to be spent across all but two programme areas.
Figure 2: Utilisation of budgeted resources
3.1 Quality of the Budget
In 2020, about 67% of the Ministry’s budget was earmarked for the Policy and Administration programme and the Committee raised a concern that the budget had been largely constructed to fund one programme area at the expense of other critical functional areas of the Ministry. The Committee is happy that there is a notable shift, as the Policy and Administration programme is taking only about a third of the resources, leaving more resources towards projects (Figure 3). The Committee is particularly impressed that the Integrated Water Resources Management programme’s share is now second, giving an expectation that a number of projects on dams and irrigation development can now be accommodated. The Committee is also happy that Agriculture Education, which had a paltry 0.51% share of the Ministry’s Budget in 2020 has improved to about 3%. Generally, the quality of the budget is an improvement, as key programmes such as Animal production, health, extension and advisory services, are also getting significant amount of resources
Figure 2: Distribution of Ministry’s Budget across the programme areas
The quality of the budget is also reflected by the extent to which the budget is development oriented. A budget which is biased towards capital than recurrent expenditure is generally considered developmental. About 69% of the Ministry’s Budget is for the acquisition of non-financial assets, which include buildings and structures, machinery and equipment and other fixed assets (Figure 3). Only 29% of the Ministry’s Budget is designed to cater for recurrent expenditure, which includes employee costs, purchase of goods and services and current grants. Thus, the Committee also commends government for prioritisation of developmental spending.
Figure 3: Quality of the Ministry’s Budget
3.2 ASSESSMENT OF ADEQUACY OF PROGRAMME BUDGETS
The Committee also assesses the adequacy of the programme funding relative to the variance between what the Ministry had bid for the programmes and what they actually received. Table 1 compares the total amount that the Ministry received (a combined total from consolidated revenue fund and statutory funds) as a percentage of what it had put in their bid. The results show that generally, the allocations were below what the Ministry expected, as the total allocation is only 45% of the Ministry’s requirements. However, of particular concern to the Committee are five Programme Areas, namely Agricultural Education (48%); Crop and Livestock Production, Extension and Advisory services (36%), Lands, Resettlement and Security of Tenure (22%), Land Survey and Mapping (20%), and Integrated Water Resources Management (34%) where the allocated amounts were below 50% of what the Ministry had bid.
Table 1: 2021Budgetary allocations for programme areas compared to what Ministry required
Allocation | Bid | Share of allocation to bid (%) | |
Programme 1: Policy and Administration | 16,542,997,000 | 25,500,000,000 | 65 |
Programme 2: Agricultural Education | 1,312,209,000 | 2,754,759,000 | 48 |
Programme 3: Crop & Livestock Research & Technology Development | 2,264,810,000 | 3,613,570,000 | 63 |
Programme 4: Crop & Livestock Production, Extension & Advisory services | 2,015,998,000 | 5,536,000,000 | 36 |
Programme 5: Agricultural Engineering & Farm Infrastructure Advisory Development | 5,339,895,000 | 9,991,150,000 | 53 |
Programme 6: Animal Production, Health, Extension & Services | 5,259,972,000 | 8,860,000,000 | 59 |
Programme 7: Lands, Resettlement and Security of Tenure | 2,678,847,000 | 11,929,000,000 | 22 |
Programme 8: Land Survey and Mapping | 602,860,000 | 2,947,520,000 | 20 |
Programme 9: Integrated Water Resources Management | 12,110,727,000 | 35,484,000,000 | 34 |
Total | 48,128,315,000 | 106,615,999,000 | 45 |
The Committee hopes that this variance does not result in serious adjustment requirements which can compromise the effectiveness of the interventions.
- OTHER OBSERVATIONS BY THE COMMITTEE
Agribank transformation
The Committee also appreciates the measures being introduced to transform Agribank into the Land and Agriculture Development Bank of Zimbabwe (LADBZ) as part of measures to strengthen and diversify agriculture and rural financial services across the entire agriculture value chain. However, the level of support provided under the budget of ZWL$700 million is not sufficient to meet the 31 March 2021 deadline for achieving this transformation. In addition, the bulk of the resources would generally go towards ensuring that as a commercial bank, Agribank meets the US$30 million minimum capital requirement. Currently, Agribank falls short of this minimum capital requirement by almost US$15 million. However, the resources provided, which are equivalent to about US$8 million, are not sufficient to meet the capital requirements, which could also compromise the funding operations for agriculture, which constitute about 60% of the loan book. The funding gap of US$7 million is a concern to the Committee.
Support for cotton farmers
The Committee is worried that cotton farmers are owed more than ZWL$1 billion, at a time when they are supposed to go back to the farm. The Committee calls for resolution of this issue, while also calling for better management of prices and subsidies to ensure that the farmers are not disadvantaged in future.
Support for the Pig Industry Board
The Committee appreciates the support that has been extended to the Pig Industry Board (PIB), where ZWL$15 million has been allocated for capital costs while an additional ZWL$10 million is earmarked for operations. The PIB had actually bid for ZWL$93 million based on the need to grow the herd and breeding stock. Thus, the amount allocated which is far below expectations would result in a scale down of operations, at a time when improved availability of pork would be instrumental in facilitating economic growth.
5. COMMITTEE’S CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
In conclusion, the Committee greatly appreciating the efforts that treasury has made to increase the capacity of the agriculture sector to perform roles expected under the 2021 Budget. However, the Committee would have the following recommendations:
- We urge Government to timely release the allocated resources in this inflationary environment, while also putting extra efforts to ensure that the key enablers, including utility provision, is in place to facilitate agriculture productivity;
- The Committee would also urges Government to consider facilitating more resources towards some parastatals which are struggling so that they do not have to scale down their operations. This includes the Pig Industry Board and Agribank, which need more resources than what was allocated;
- The Committee recommends that a lasting solution be found on cotton farmer payments and cotton pricing, so that they do not have to spend such a long time while owed by Government;
- The Committee also recommends that capacitating extension officers should be a priority to ensure that the Pfumvunza programme is done effectively, given the capacity gaps among the farmers. I thank you.
HON GORERINO:
Introduction
The Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructural Development (hereafter referred to as the Committee) plays an oversight role over the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development (hereafter referred to as the Ministry). The Ministry’s mandate is to provide and manage transport and transport related infrastructure and services through the development of policies band regulations for the transport sector.
Following the presentation of the 2021 National Budget by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, the Committee conducted post budget consultations with the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development and representatives from the State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) under the Ministry. SOEs includes, Zimbabwe National Roads Administration (ZINARA), Air Zimbabwe, National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ), Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ), Central Mechanical and Equipment Department (CMED), Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe. The post budget consultations and the Committee’s in-depth analysis of all the 2021 budget documents and the National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) informs this report.
Ministry’s strategies and contribution to NDS1 sector outcomes.
The Ministry’s interventions for 2021 are in line with the NDS1 sectoral outcomes.
NDS1 Sector Outcomes and Strategies the Ministry is contributing to Sector Outcomes
- Improved roads and bridge infrastructure
- Improved road transport services
- Improved rail transport infrastructure and services
- Improved air transport infrastructure and services
- Improved marine infrastructure and services
Ministry Strategies / Interventions for 2021 -2023
- Capacity building
- Upgrading of communication technology systems
- Public private partnerships
- Recapitalisation of State Enterprises and Parastatals
Analysis of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Budget
3.1 REVIEW OF THE MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT 2020 BUDGET PERFORMANCE
3.1.1 BUDGET PERFORMANCE
The Ministry has a revised budget estimate of ZWL$3.2 billion in 2020 (4.6% of the total budget) compared to the original budget of ZWL$3.1 billion (5.4% of total budget). However, as at September 2020 the Ministry’s expenditure is at ZWL$8.1 billion which is more than twice the revised estimates for 2020. The Ministry expenditure represents 9.3% of total government expenditure as at September 2020 and that is second after Lands, Agriculture, Water, Climate and Rural Resettlement in terms of expenditure to September 2020. This is huge improvement from 2019 when the Ministry’s expenditure was at ZWL$455.7 million (35% of the 2019 revised budget). The Committee commends the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development for the improvement in disbursements especially given the escalation of costs that threatened most projects.
The key driver of the expenditure for 2020 is the Road Infrastructure and Transportation programme with ZWL$6.9 billion expenditure as at September 2020 which is 177% more than the revised estimate of ZWL$2.5 billion. Policy and Administration programme expenditure as at September 2020, was at ZWL$1 billion which is 153% more than the 2020 revised estimate of ZWL$401 million. However, Rail and Aviation Infrastructure Development utilised ZWL$209.4 million which is equivalent to 67% of the 2020 revised estimate of ZWL$312.6 million. Inland Waters Infrastructure and Transportation used only ZWL$4.9 million which is equivalent to 23.6% of the 2020 revised budget of ZWL$20.9 million. Although, this is an improvement from the 2019 budget performance where the Inland Waters Infrastructure and Transportation programme had utilised 2% at the same stage, the underperforming is a cause for concern given the increase in the number of inland facilities.
3.1.2 KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
The Ministry’s achievements included
- Constructed and upgraded 100 km on Beitbridge Masvingo Harare Road
- Upgrading of R.G. Mugabe International Airport
- Dualised 10km of Harare-Gweru Road
- Constructed Norton Road over Rail Bridge
- Rehabilitated Cyclone Idai damaged roads and bridges
- Rehabilitated 80km Tanganda-Chiredzi Road
- Computerised learners license testing at 5 depots
3.2 MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT 2021 BUDGET
The Ministry has an allocation of ZWL$30,064,400,000 (7%) for 2021 compared to the revised estimate of ZWL$3,224,178,000 2020 (4.6% of the total budget). This is an increase of 832.5% above the overall budget increase of 508.6% (total budget increase from 2020 revised estimate of ZWL$70,548,144,000 to ZLW$429, 341,300,000 in 2021). The increased Ministry’s share of the budget and above average percentage increase shows a positive shift of priority towards the Ministry that is commendable. However, there is still a huge funding gap as the Ministry presented a total budget proposal of ZWL$73,939,436,436 leaving funding gaps of (ZWL$43,875,036,436).
Over and above the ZWL$30.1 billion from the Consolidated Revenue Fund, the Ministry has Statutory and Other Resources worth ZWL$11,621,843,000 with the bulk of that going towards Road Infrastructure Development (ZWL$7,786,899,000) and ZWL$3,835,043,000 towards Rail, Infrastructure Development and Services.
3.3 ECONOMIC CLASSIFICATION OF THE MINISTRY BUDGET
Acquisition of non-financial assets (capital budget) takes the bulk of the Ministry’s budget with ZWL$28.1 billion (93.3%) while the acquisition of financial assets takes ZWL$2 billion (6.7%) of the budget. There is a slight decrease of the capital budget from the 95% in 2020 to 93.3% in 2021 and slight increase of the acquisition of non-financial assets budget from 5% in 2020 to 6.7% in 2021.
The acquisition of financial assets covers use of goods and services with an allocation of ZWL$116 million (5.6% of Ministry’s total budget), Compensation of employees, ZWL$313 million (1% of Ministry’s budget) and other expenses with ZWL$7.6 million (0.03%) as shown in Figure 1.
Acquisition of non-financial assets is dominated by expenditure on buildings and structures with an allocation of ZWL$22.8 billion (75% of the Ministry’s total budget). Capital grants is second with ZWL$3.2 billion (10.8% of total Ministry budget) followed by Transport equipment with ZWL$1.5 billion (5.1%). Other fixed assets have ZWL$449.3 million (1.5% of total Ministry budget) and other machinery and equipment with an allocation of ZWL$82.9 million (0.3% of total Ministry budget).
In terms of shifting priorities, the buildings and structure budget gained the most from 71% of the Ministry allocation in 2020 to 76% in 2021 followed by use of goods and services that increased from 4% in 2020 to 6% in 2021. Capital grants had the biggest loss from 21% in 2020 to 11% in 2021 followed by other machinery and equipment from 1% in 2020 to 0.3% in 2021.
Figure 1: Economic Classification of Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Budget
Source: 2021 National Budget Estimates of Expenditure
3.4 PROGRAMME CLASSIFICATION OF THE MINISTRY BUDGET
The Ministry has four programmes namely, Policy and Administration, Road Infrastructure and Transportation, Rail and Aviation Infrastructure Development and Services and Inland Waters Infrastructure and Transportation. The main priority for the Ministry is the Road Infrastructure and Transportation programme as shown in Figure 2, with a budget allocation of ZWL$26.4 billion or 88% of the Ministry’s budget compared to 78% in 2020. This is followed by Policy and Administration with a budget of ZWL$2.3 billion or 8% of the Ministry’s budget compared to 12% in 2020. Rail and Aviation Infrastructure Development and Services with ZWL$1.2 billion which is 4% of the budget declining from 10% in 2020. Inland Waters Infrastructure and Transportation has ZWL$202.4 million or 0.7% of the Ministry’s budget which is an improvement from 0.4% allocated in 2020.
3.5 FINANCING GAPS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT
As outlined before the Ministry presented a bid of ZWL$73,939,436,436 but was allocated ZWL$30,064,400,000 that is 41% of the Ministry’s requirement leaving funding gaps of (ZWL$43,875,036,436). Capital budget received an allocation of ZWL$28.1 billion (42% of capital requirements) leaving a shortfall of ZWL$38 billion as shown in Annexure 1. Operations and Maintenance received ZWL$1.7 billion (only 21% of operations and maintenance requirements) leaving a shortfall of ZWL$6.2 billion. The Committee is concerned with the huge funding gap that compromises transport and infrastructure development in the country. There is therefore need for an upward review of the allocations to allow for adequate implementation of the required projects and maintenance works.
3.5.1 POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION
Policy and Administration programme received budget allocation for operations and maintenance of ZWL$90.6 million (54% of requested budget) leaving a funding gap of ZW$76.9 million. In terms of the capital budget the programme was allocated half the required budget with ZWL$2.2 billion. The programme cater for the administrative issues in support of the various activities the Ministry including providing support to the Minister’s and the Permanent Secretary’s Offices. Therefore, this programme requires adequate funding for their operations, taking into consideration the need for extensive monitoring of projects and various other issues that are handled by these offices.
3.5.2 ROADS INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORTATION
Roads Infrastructure and Transportation programme received an operations and maintenance budget of ZWL$1.6 billion (21% of requested budget). Under this programme, road maintenance received a paltry ZWL$710 million, which is 11% of ZWL$6.4 billion requested. The programme requested a capital budget of ZWL$53 billion but received an allocation of ZWL$24.5 billion (46% of requested budget). That leaves a funding gap of ZWL$28.5 billion.
Although the major chunk of the Ministry’s budget is for Roads construction and rehabilitation, the Committee is concerned with the huge overall funding gap of ZWL$34.5 billion for the sector. The Committee notes that that the roads infrastructure subsector requires major funding, taking into consideration the backlog in maintenance and rehabilitation of the major roads. Continued side-lining of these roads results further deterioration of the infrastructure. This eventually leads to increased funding requirements towards roads infrastructure. The increase in climate change challenges is a cause of concern. To date, there are a number of bridges and roads damaged due to heavy rains, some which the department - because of funding, failed to work on. The Committee notes that there is need for funding for the upgrading and rehabilitation of infrastructure and services towards efficient systems for business and the public, particularly roads that do not attract investment.
The Committee also notes that the functioning of Transport Management requires officers to be mobile during inspections and patrols. There is therefore need for funding provision for the roads Department to replenish its vehicle fleet to allow for smooth operations.
3.5.3 RAIL AND AVIATION INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AND SERVICES
The Committee notes that the Aviation Infrastructure Development and Services received an operations and maintenance budget of ZWL$4.1 million (55% of requested budget) leaving funding gap of ZW$3.4 million. Rail Infrastructure Development and Services received an operations and maintenance budget of ZWL$6.6 million (53% of the required budget). The two sectors were allocated a capital budget of ZWL$1.2 billion (14% of requested budget) giving a shortfall of (ZWL$7,307,857,400.00). The Committee observes that there is an overreliance on the road transport system as reflected by the gross underfunding of the rail and aviation sector.
The Committee notes that the underinvestment in the rail sectors will make it difficult to achieve the 2021 budget targets and the NDS1 target. The 2021 budget targets the reduction of cost of transportation to 4.5c per tonne km rate for freight from 5c in 2020 which will eases the burden on the road networks as well as reducing the costs of transportation of goods and services. On the other hand, the target under the NDS1 is to increase the proportion of track meeting set standards (Track Quality Index) from 57% in 2020 to 68% by 2025, as well as increasing freight cargo moved from 2.6 million tonnes per annum in 2020 to 6.7 million tonnes per annum by 2025. The revival of the national rail system is vital, as it is the cheapest way to transport agricultural produce, minerals and other heavy cargo.
The Committee therefore urges the Ministry of Finance in the interim to put adequate resources for maintenance works to allow the existing infrastructure to realise business. There is also need for the completion of the search for partnerships for institutions such as National Railways of Zimbabwe and Air Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd for the recapitalisation of the entities.
3.5.4 INLAND WATERS INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORTATION
The department requested ZWL$178.7 million for its capital budget and got an allocation of ZWL$165.4 million for 2021 representing 92% of the budget requested, which is commendable. However, the operations and maintenance budget received ZWL$27.8 million (46% of requested budget) leaving a funding gap of ZWL$34.5 million. The Committee’s observation is that this will negatively affect the operations of the department making it difficult to fulfil its objective of providing efficient, affordable and safe marine infrastructure and services.
Recommendations
4.1 Prioritisation of Operations and Maintenance
The Committee notes the gross underfunding for operations and maintenance where the Ministry received ZWL$1.7 billion equivalent to 21% of the requested budget. The Committee recommends increasing the operations and maintenance budget particularly road maintenance that received only 11% of the requested budget.
4.2 Recapitalisation of State Owned Enterprises (Air Zimbabwe and National Railways of Zimbabwe)
The Committee takes note of Government’s effort towards recapitalisation of both the Air Zimbabwe and the National Railways of Zimbabwe. The Committee is concerned with the long time it is taking to complete the debt assumption for Air Zimbabwe that is critical for attracting potential investors. The Committee recommends the speedy resolution of the proposed reforms of these institutions given the importance of rail and air transport. While plans for restructuring are taking place, the Committee recommends increased funding to ensure a reasonable level of operations that will make the entities attractive for investors.
4.3 Public Private Partnership
The Committee recommends the enactment of a Public Private Partnership Act that can allow for private sector investment in infrastructure development. As with the previous budget, the Committee recommends fiscal incentives for key transport infrastructure projects.
4.4 Tollgates
The Committee notes that the relocation of the Skyline tollgate to a new site covering six lanes, upgrading of the Dema tollgate to a standard toll plaza with four lanes and the upgrading of Esigodini to a standard toll plaza with six lanes are included among other projects in the 2021. The Committee recommends the completion of the above tollgates first before embarking on the new tollgates (Mushagashe, Mupfurudzi and Coleen Bawn) proposed in the 2021 budget. The Committee also recommends that adequate resources are put in place before the beginning of construction of the tollgates to ensure that once a project starts it is completed in the shortest possible time, hence reducing delays and congestion during construction of the tollgates. For the tollgates where ZINARA is renting toilets, the Committee recommends the construction of proper ablution facilities instead of renting. The Committee recommends having clear timelines for the construction of the tollgates.
4.5 Vehicle Number Plates
The Committee is concerned with the current shortage of vehicle number plates at the Central Vehicle Registry (CVR) and the inconvenience caused to the public. Bearing in mind the fact that the number plates are paid in foreign currency, the Committee recommends that the Ministry of Finance provide adequate foreign currency and timely funding for the procurement of number plates. Therefore, the Committee recommends an upward review of the number plates budget allocation from ZWL$757 million to the requested ZWL$993 million. This will remove the inconvenience to the public while at the same time increasing the revenue generated by CVR. The 2021 budget should also consider financing the local production of the number plates to reduce the import bill related to the number plates.
4.6 Bulawayo – Victoria Falls Road
The Committee notes that there is no funding for the Bulawayo to Victoria Falls road. The Committee recommends funding for the continuous rehabilitation of the Bulawayo to Victoria Falls considering its importance as the country’s main tourist destination place.
4.7 Disbursements of Funds
The Committee recommends timely disbursement of funds to ensure projects are completed on time.
5.0 Conclusion
The Committee commends the Ministry of Finance for the support provided to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development in 2020. However, the Committee notes that the development of the transport sector is capital intensive and therefore urges the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to consider an upward review of the Ministry’s allocation. This will ensure continuous and sustained rehabilitation and maintenance of transport infrastructure envisaged by NDS1 and contribute towards the achievement of Vision 2030. The Committee notes that lack of periodic maintenance works increases the future cost of maintaining infrastructure and as the famous saying goes “a stitch in time saves nine”.
Annexure 1: Summary of Ministry Budget Allocation and Bid
MINISTRY PROPOSAL | SHORTFALL | ||
2021 Approved Budget | ZWL$ | ZWL$ | |
Compensation of Employees | 313,000,000.00 | - | - |
Policy and Administration | 27,628,000.00 | - | - |
Roads Infrastructure and Transportation | 270,629,000.00 | - | - |
Rail and Aviation Infrastructure Development and Services | 5,534,000.00 | - | - |
Inland Waters Infrastructure and Transportation | 9,209,000.00 | - | - |
Operations and Maintenance | 1,696,000,000.00 | 7,890,650,000.00 | (6,194,650,000.00) |
P.1 : Policy and Administration | 90,600,000.00 | 167,500,000.00 | (76,900,000.00) |
Ministers' and Permanent Secretary's Office | 32,200,000.00 | 62,500,000.00 | (30,300,000.00) |
Human Resource Management & Development | 10,100,000.00 | 17,500,000.00 | (7,400,000.00) |
Financial Management & Administration | 25,000,000.00 | 42,500,000.00 | (17,500,000.00) |
Internal Audit | 8,900,000.00 | 17,000,000.00 | (8,100,000.00) |
Legal Services | 6,200,000.00 | 11,500,000.00 | (5,300,000.00) |
Information Technology | 8,200,000.00 | 16,500,000.00 | (8,300,000.00) |
P.2: Roads Infrastructure and Transportation | 1,566,900,000.00 | 7,642,900,000.00 | (6,076,000,000.00) |
Road Infrastructure Development | 799,900,000.00 | 6,649,900,000.00 | (5,850,000,000.00) |
o/w road maintenance | 710,000,000.00 | 6,400,000,000.00 | |
Road Transport safety and Standards | 767,000,000.00 | 993,000,000.00 | (226,000,000.00) |
P.3: Rail and Aviation Infrastructure Development and Services | 10,700,000.00 | 20,000,000.00 | (9,300,000.00) |
Aviation Infrastructure Development & Services | 4,100,000.00 | 7,500,000.00 | (3,400,000.00) |
Rail Infrastructure Development & Services | 6,600,000.00 | 12,500,000.00 | (5,900,000.00) |
P.4: Inland Waters Infrastructure and Transportation | 27,800,000.00 | 60,250,000.00 | (32,450,000.00) |
Inland Waters Infrastructure Development | 16,000,000.00 | 35,500,000.00 | (19,500,000.00) |
Inland Waters Safety and Standards | 6,100,000.00 | 13,250,000.00 | (7,150,000.00) |
Marine Navigation | 5,700,000.00 | 11,500,000.00 | (5,800,000.00) |
Capital | 28,055,400,000.00 | 66,048,786,436.00 | (37,993,386,436.00) |
Policy and Administration | 2,196,200,000.00 | 4,416,919,000.00 | (2,220,719,000.00) |
Roads Infrastructure and Transportation | 24,541,800,000.00 | 52,993,344,236.00 | (28,451,544,236.00) |
Rail and Aviation Infrastructure Development and Services | 1,152,000,000.00 | 8,459,857,400.00 | (7,307,857,400.00) |
Inland Waters Infrastructure and Transportation | 165,400,000.00 | 178,665,800.00 | (13,265,800.00) |
Appropriation Total | 30,064,400,000.00 | 73,939,436,436.00 | (43,875,036,436.00) |
Source: Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure 2021 Budget Analysis
I thank you.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MUTOMBA): May I thank you Chairman Hon. Gorerino. I noted that the moment you highlighted your recommendations, the Hon. Minister did not stop writing – meaning that this is the area that he is so much interested in. Although I must say that I was listening very attentively and did not hear you talking about the feeder roads in rural areas.
This time, it is the rainy season and the areas are impassable. I mean, it is just an omission but I must thank you very much for what you have done. You did a great job. Thank you.
HON. TOGAREPI: Mr. Speaker, I move that the debate do now adjourn
HON. MPARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 10 December, 2020
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. TOGAREPI: Mr. Speaker, 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.
THE HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. MURWIRA): Mr. Speaker, I move that the debate do now adjourn
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 10 December, 2020
On the motion of THE HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. MURWIRA), the House adjourned at Twenty Five Minutes to Seven o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 8th December, 2020
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two o’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER
PETITIONS FROM THE COMBINED HARARE RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION AND B. C. KUNDHLANDE
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I have to inform the House that on Friday, 6th November, 2020, Parliament of Zimbabwe received a petition from the Combined Harare Residents Association requesting Parliament to enact legislation that provides for the detection of irresponsible expenditure, disciplinary action against irresponsible persons and recovery of assets from such persons. The petition has since been referred to the Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.
I also have to inform the House that on Wednesday 18th November 2020, Parliament of Zimbabwe received another petition from B. C. Kundlande requesting Parliament to, among other issues, investigate the alleged breach of Section 297 of the Constitution by the Gwanda Lands Commission. The petition has since been referred to the Portfolio Committee on Lands, Agriculture, Water and Rural Resettlement.
CESSATION OF COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I further have to inform the House that due to the heavy demands of the office of the Government Chief Whip, Hon. Togarepi will cease to be a Member of Public Accounts Committee and the Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance and Economic Development.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Members may we please practice social distancing. We have to sit a meter apart from each other. May you stretch your hands? May we all put our masks on properly. I am also reminding Hon. Members to link their gadgets.
HON. T. MLISWA: Thank you Madam Speaker, I think we have to take seriously the COVID -19 pandemic. I say so because on behalf of many Members, our condolences to ZBC Reporter, the late Janet Munyaka. I say so because she was quite dedicated to her duty and was a professional. What really pains me is she definitely got infected while at work. What are we doing to ensure that these people who are dedicating their time to serve this country are protected? What has ZBC done to ensure that there is some tracing in terms of everybody at ZBC. We have not read about that. The fear is that as Parliament, through our role of oversight, we must be able to encourage institutions to be protected. It is quite sad that we allow our dedicated men and women to work without taking cognisance of the fact that from a health point of view, they have to be protected.
The same as this Parliament, why can we not have a situation where we are tested monthly or twice a week because we do not know who is positive here. I say so because my own sister and Hon Member for Hurungwe West and Provincial Minister of State, Hon. Mary Chikoka was infected. It is through the grace of God that she survived. It was acute and in no time she was in ICU under incubation. It is a miracle for her to survive. I have learnt that only until it happens to somebody close to you, can you appreciate it. I am hoping that it does not happen to anybody close to you so that we protect ourselves.
The staff and the Ministry of Health must be commended. Our health professionals must be commended because they have gotten into that point understanding covid and as a result they are able to treat it. In that ICU unit, three people died. May we not be reckless with life to get to hospital? Let us not try to get to hospital because we are now more or less under people with a profession which we are not sure of. I say so Madam Speaker because we must take it seriously.
I see Ministers sitting close to each other and yet in the dedication of duty they are exposed– all of us as Members of Parliament are exposed with people. What assurance can we get in this institution that we are all safe? That is the reason why I am imploring your good office that as of tomorrow – because we do not want to go back home and infect our families, may we get tested so that we know our status and take the necessary remedies that ensure that we are okay and we do not spread it. COVID-19 is real. Once again condolences to the Munyaka family. She was dedicated to duty and other people in that profession too, want some assurance. How then are they going to be protected and so forth? COVID is real - unless and until somebody close to you gets it can you really understand it is there.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Once again thank you Hon. Mliswa. I have taken note of what you have said. I am going to look into it and at the same time I say our condolences to the Munyaka family, may her soul rest in peace. I thank you.
HON. NDEBELE: I am going to speak for just a few seconds. I have risen to implore your Committee on Standing Rules to quickly meet if they may. I say this fully aware that the Minister responsible is also all ears. We are now interacting on digital platforms. It will do us a lot of good to put rules pertaining to how we deal on the digital platform in black and white. For now we seem to be making them as we go. It helps if we have everything in black and white so that every Member knows how to conduct themselves and behave on digital platforms. This is a House of rules and it has to be that predictable Madam Speaker. I so plead with you.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Ndebele. I have taken note of that.
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Madam Speaker, before I go to my business of the day I want to thank Hon. Mliswa for the condolence message to the Munyaka family. She was indeed one of the finest journalists that we had. Covid is real. Like Hon Mliswa said, his sister was hospitalised and taken into ICU. She had the courage to video-call me to show me how she was. She was coughing trying to speak and I ended up telling her to rest. I felt so bad and felt that we needed to do more than what we are doing. I think what he was saying is real. We need to take this seriously and ensure that we protect ourselves and the loved ones that are not with us in this august House. Those are the most vulnerable.
We interact with a lot of people and we go home to innocent spouses, children and relatives. I must say that I commend him for what he said that even ZBC, they need also to be proactive to ensure that the employees are taken care of and we ensure that we protect each other from this scourge of COVID-19. Having said that, I thank you for allowing me to digress a little bit.
MOTION
LEAVE TO MOVE SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS NO. 52, 65, 142, 143 AND 146
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. ZIYAMBI): I rise to seek leave of the House to move that provisions of Standing Orders Number 52, 65, 142, 143 and 146 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, referral of Bills to Portfolio Committees, 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, Appropriation Bill 2021 and all other Government business. I so move Madam Speaker.
Motion put and agreed to.
HON. CHIKWINYA: On a point of order Madam Speaker. Thank you Madam Speaker, I am using Hon. Makonya’s gadget. Madam Speaker, we did not object to the proposed suspension of rules, largely on the presumption that the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development who are the carriers of the business of the day between today until the Budget has passed will be in the House listening to our debates and responding accordingly.
I am happy that the Deputy Minister is here and we want that consistency. I would have loved for the Minister to be here but the deputy is here. We would love that consistency until the time of passing the Budget. It is a request born out of precedence where we see that we will be debating without the Ministry officials presence. I thank you.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Chikwinya. I think the Deputy Minister has taken note of that.
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Madam Speaker. Madam Speaker, actually I delayed the Minister of Finance and Economic Development. He is going to be here by 1500 hrs and is going to be with us until the disposal of the Bill.
MOTION
SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS NO. 52, 65, 142, 143 and 146
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Madam Speaker, I move that the provisions of Standing Orders No. 52, 65, 142, 143 and 146 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, referral of Bills to Portfolio Committees, 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 Bill and all other Government Business. I so move Madam Speaker Ma’am.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Madam Speaker, 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.
Motion put and agreed to.
SECOND READING
MANPOWER PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT BILL [H. B. 2, 2020]
THE MINSTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. MURWIRA): Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. Madam Speaker, the rationale for the proposed Manpower Planning Development Amendment Bill is to create an enabling legislation for the implementation of a Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development system that leads to a national capability for the deliberate and rapid industrialisation and modernisation of Zimbabwe. This is made possible through a Higher and Tertiary Education system that facilitates ability to produce goods and services, for instance through heritage based Education 5.0.
Madam Speaker, we are convinced that the Higher and Tertiary
Education system and its curricula must be derived from human needs. To fulfill human needs, the education system then develops a curriculum that addresses these human needs by developing an industrial capability that produces goods and services to meet these very same human needs.
Madam Speaker, all in all, causing an industry that meets human need is the ultimate aim of any organised learning or education system. Zimbabwe’s education system must be of the same philosophy. This is why it is a fact that the future of industrial development of prospects of any country, the prospects are easily predicted by what is taught in the country’s lecture rooms, workshops and laboratories. To this end, no country can develop faster than the development of its education system.
Madam Speaker, in 2018 and in response to the need to modernise and industrialise our nation through a correctly designed education system, Government came up with Education 5.0 Policy Framework. The framework entails that education has to have five inter-dependent pillars which are teaching or learning, research, community outreach, innovation and industrialisation. Innovation and industrialisation are the additional two pillars to the traditional three pillars of teaching, research and community outreach which we called Education 3.0. This policy needs a strong and supportive legal instrument that embraces it.
Madam Speaker, the above need made us to look at our principal Act of Manpower Planning and Development Act [Chapter28:02], herein after I will refer to as an Act of 1996 with the aim of strengthening it to adequately support the Education 5.0 or simply the Education for Industrialisation Policy Framework. This amendment is important to achieve this strategic intent. Madam Speaker, nations are directed by their national strategic intentions. The national strategic intention is achieved through a national capability, a national capability is in turn achieved using a deliberate configuration of education or manpower development to achieve industrialisation and modernisation.
Madam Speaker, we are basically saying our education is our means for our economic development. Furthermore , the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Number 20 of 2013, hereinafter, I will refer to as the Constitution ushered in the promotion of good corporate governance and other progressive principles which helps to improve service delivery in institutions of Higher and Tertiary Education and its parastatals. As such, the Ministry is aligning the Manpower Planning and Development Act to the Constitution.
Madam Speaker and Hon. Members of Parliament, you may also be aware of the problems that were being faced by the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund a few years ago which included abuse of funds. Malpractices had driven the fund to near bankruptcy where staff salaries were now being paid by a commercial bank against the title deed of ZIMDEF properties. It is our view that these are attributed to the non-implementation of the provisions of the Constitution on good governance and we wish to address this.
Our national strategic intent is to modernise and industrialise Zimbabwe by having an aligned skilled and productive manpower that efficiently delivers a capability to produce goods and services using the heritage based philosophy. We assert that our heritage shall determine the principal direction of our manpower planning and development. Nations can only develop on resources that they have by applying knowledge and skills on them.
Madam Speaker, our Manpower Planning design must therefore, ensure that investment in human capital results in the timely and relevant capability to effectively carryout this national strategic intent of becoming a developed and prosperous nation starting with the level of an upper middle income economy by 2030. We once again assert that the level of development of any nation is a reflection of the level of development and skills of its human resources, given two nations with exactly the same amount of natural endowment but different levels of development, the latter can only be explained by the different levels of knowledge and skills of the manpower of the two nations. A nation with higher skills in manpower will develop faster than the one with lower skills although they might have the same natural resources.
Madam Speaker, the national critical skills audit which was carried out from December 2017 to April l2018, showed that although our national literacy is over 94%, the national skills levels are at 38%. Remember production of goods and services can only happen when there is both knowledge and skill. Skills development has therefore become one of our main focuses as a nation. The design of our manpower planning and development system is our prime target for us to get out of poverty and move Zimbabwe to prosperity.
The purpose of the Bill - as a result of the foregoing, there is therefore an urgent need to amend the Manpower Planning and Development Act for the modernisation and industrialisation of Zimbabwe. The purpose of the Bill is to provide for the following:-
- To transfer the employees of Tertiary institutions from the Public Service Commission to State employees in a similar category to State University employees as this conforms to international best practice and it is in our interest as a nation.
- To provide for the strengthening of the Act with regard to quality control of professional bodies that engage in manpower development, science and technology as well as Manpower training institutions so that training and registration of professionals can be quality controlled under the Act and to align this Act to the Constitution.
- To provide for quality control to all tertiary training institutions, science and technologies institutions and professional bodies that they are quality administered under the Act.
- To ensure that all qualifications obtained in all higher and tertiary institutions lead to the production and goods and services for the industrialisation and modernisation of our nation.
- To entrench the Act in all manpower development issues and to strengthen the control and application of science and technology for the modernisation and industrialisation of Zimbabwe.
The objectives Madam Speaker, the Bill seeks to promote the development and implementation of the national skills planning and development strategy; to promote universities, technical, teachers and vocational education that leads to the production of goods and services; to promote the operational independence of technical and vocational institutions and teachers college in the way universities are; promote engineering and innovation for industrialisation and modernisation through research institutions and institutions of higher and tertiary education.
Going to principles Madam Speaker;
Principle number 1 is to achieve the transfer of tertiary education employees from the Public Service Commission to State institution employees. In order to follow and comply with international best practice in relation to academic freedom and academic integrity for industrialisation, modernisation and attainment of vision of 2030 and beyond, the Ministry requires that all tertiary education institutions employees be transferred from being public service commission employees to state granted institution employees so that they are just like state university employees.
This guarantee academic independence and objectivity for modernisation and industrialisation. The move is intended to ensure that we retain or attract the best brains in the tertiary institutions to facilitate the industrialisation and modernisation of Zimbabwe.
Consequently, all promotion procedures for tertiary institutions should be regulated under the Act in order to ensure compliance with the Zimbabwe national qualifications framework.
Principle 2; it deals with academic and professional training to be done under this Act. The provisions of the Act which deals with professional skills and academic training will be amended to ensure that both academic, skills and professional training as well as registration and control of professional bodies is done under the Act to make sure that we have one manpower direction so that we industrialise and modernise our country.
In addition, the Act will be amended to give the Minister more powers to control the professional bodies in order to achieve quality training and professional standards aimed at industrialisation and modernisation of Zimbabwe through the production of goods and services.
On Principle number 3, good governance, in terms of Section 9 of the Constitution, the State must adopt and implement policies and legislation to develop efficiency, competence, accountability, transparency, integrity and financial probity in all institutions and agencies of Government at every level and in every public institution. These include the appointments to public offices that must made primarily on the basis of merit and that measures must be taken to expose, combat and eradicate all forms of corruption and abuse of power by those holding public offices. This will further strengthen and emphasise the law as provided by the Public Entities’ Corporate Governance Act [Chapter 10.31]. We intend to reform the Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund to align with it good corporate governance practice by putting in place a board. The Minister responsible for administration of the Act will give policy direction to the board. This Principle seeks to entrench the principle of good governance as enshrined in Section 9 of the Constitution.
We also propose that the national manpower advisory council NAMCO be given additional powers and be strengthened to have control over professional bodies and call manpower related activities in order for it to fully deliver its mandate for the industrialisation and modernisation of Zimbabwe. Therefore it entails amending part III and part V as well as other provisions of the Act that speak to ZIMDEF and NAMACO in order to incorporate the envisaged changes in a way that ensures good corporate governance.
PRINCIPLE 4: Management of Statutory Bodies.
Section 316 of the Constitution governs the management of statutory bodies including ZIMDEF. These include their competent and effective operation and that the Chief Executive Officers serve for a limited period whose renewal is dependent on the efficient performance of their duties. The Act is to be aligned to the Constitution to incorporate the management of statutory bodies to give effect to the constitutional position and the position as provided for in the Public Finance Management Act.
In addition, all sections that provide for contracts of employment will be amended to satisfy that the contract of employment should be performance based and with a specific time limit.
PRINCIPLE NO. 5: Duties of custodian of public funds and Property.
In terms of Section 308 (2) of the Constitution, it is the duty of every person who is responsible for the expenditure of public funds to safeguard the funds and ensure that they are spent only on legally authorised purposeS and in legally authorised amounts.
Section 308 (4) provides that an Act of Parliament and in this case, the Act must provide for the speedy detection of breaches of the law and disciplining and punishment of persons responsible for the breach. It is proposed therefore that there be an amendment to the Act to ensure that all ZIMDEF funds are used for manpower development related activities as a safeguard against abuse of funds.
PRINCIPLE NO. 6: Quality control for all tertiary, scientific and technological institutions and professional bodies:
In order to achieve Vision 2030 and beyond, there is need to emphasise issues of quality control for all tertiary, scientific and technological institutions and professional bodies. In this regard we insert provisions in the Act that deal with strengthening quality control because in the mean time, there is already the issue of quality control but strengthening quality control for all tertiary, scientific and technological terrain institutions and professional bodies.
This entails that all tertiary, scientific and technological education training, registration and control of professional bodies shall be facilitated under this Act.
In addition, it must be provided in the Act that all qualifications obtained in all Higher and Tertiary Education Institutions in Zimbabwe must lead to the ability or capability to produce either goods or services for the purpose of meeting human needs through industrialisation and modernisation. This shall enable Zimbabwe to leapfrog in its development using education and training as a facilitator.
ON PRINCIPLE NO. 7: Gender balance.
Section 17 of the Constitution stipulates that the State must promote full gender balance and that the State must take all legislative measures to ensure that both genders are equally represented in all institutions and agencies of Zimbabwe. Both genders must be equally represented in all institutions and agencies of Government at every level. This principle seeks to bring into effect the right to gender balance in all boards and councils appointed in terms of this Act as stipulated in the Constitution.
PRINCIPLE 8: Supremacy of the Act on matters of manpower development and planning.
The Act will be amended by making the Act prevail stronger on issues of training and education qualifications and quality. The Act is strengthened when it comes to regulating the establishment or conduct of quality by any institution of higher and tertiary learning or a professional body involved in manpower training.
PRINCIPLE 9: Strengthening Innovation, Science and Technology for Industrialisation and Modernisation.
Mr. Speaker Sir, Science, Technology and Innovation are the bedrock for Zimbabwe’s capability to leapfrog and become an industrialised economy. We will strengthen the Act so that it is explicit in the promotion of Science, Technology and Innovation for the Industrialisation of Zimbabwe.
The Act is amended to give effect to the formation of the Zimbabwe Academy of Sciences as an advisory body to the State on innovation, science and technology issues along the lines of other Academies such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Indian Academy of Sciences and French Academy of Sciences.
In conclusion Madam Speaker, I wish to highlight that it is envisaged that once the amendments go through, the Act will fully be aligned to the Constitution and there will be the effective management of the Institutions of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology and the parastatals that fall within the purview of the Act and professional bodies. I therefore move that the Bill be now read a second time.
HON. TSUNGA: Thank you very much indeed Madam Speaker Ma’am. I stand in for my Committee Chairperson, Hon. Lindiwe Maphosa who has not been able to be here at this point in time but she informs me that she is on her way, but in order that we expedite business, she has asked that I present the report of the Committee. I take this opportunity, before I proceed to the report, to express my dismay and displeasure at an occurrence this morning in the Parliament parking lot.
I came in this morning and parked my vehicle in the Parliament parking lot as usual as per standard practice because I had come in for a Committee meeting to look at the budget report for our Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade. At the conclusion of that meeting, I went back to my vehicle in the parking lot only to discover that my front door glass had been smashed and...
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Please can you unmute your gadget.
HON. TSUNGA: There is some intermittent in the connectivity. It is okay now. Madam Speaker, I thought I had made my point clear in regard to the occurrence this morning. So, once I discovered the car front door glass had been smashed but the vehicle was locked and fortunately nothing was stolen. So may I appeal to Parliament Administration to ensure that the parking lot is secure and that there are surveillance cameras on all the time. Now, in trying to establish who the culprit was there was no joy. In all likelihood, I was going to be asked to give a suspect, something I will not be able to do. It is just for your information Madam Speaker Ma’am and also for Parliament Administration to also ensure that our vehicles are safe in the parking lot. Having said that Let me proceed with the report.
SECOND READING
MANPOWER PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT BILL [H. B. 2, 2020]
The Manpower Planning and Development Amendment Bill [H. B. 2, 2020] was gazetted on 14th August, 2020. Following the gazetting of the Bill the Portfolio Committee on Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology resolved to conduct Public Hearings in line with provisions of Section 141 of the Constitution, which stipulates that: Parliament must; (a) facilitate public involvement in its legislative and other processes and in the processes of its Committees; (b) ensure that the interested parties are consulted about Bills being considered by Parliament, unless such consultation is inappropriate or impracticable…"
1.0 METHODOLOGY
In compliance with this constitutional provision, and as part of public consultations meant to enhance participatory democracy, the Committee conducted countrywide Public Hearings on the Bill from 4 –19th October, 2020. The Committee conducted physical public hearings in all ten provinces, virtual public hearings via the Zoom platform and received written submissions from stakeholders. The Committee had a half-day workshop on the Bill on 27th October, 2020, organised by Youth Empowerment and Transformation Trust (YETT). The workshop accorded students in colleges and universities an opportunity to add their voice to the proposed amendments.
2.0 SPECIFIC SUBMISSIONS ON THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS
2.1 Clause1: short title of the bill
There was no objection raised concerning the title of the Bill in nine provinces, except in Harare where one respondent pointed out that the key word,‘Manpower’, in the title was not gender-neutral. The respondent suggested that the word should be supplanted by ‘Human Resource’ so that the title would read; ‘Human Resource/Capital Planning and Development Bill’
2.2 Clause 2: (Interpretation)Amendment of section 2 of Cap. 28:02
The public noted the following as fundamental terms which should be captured in the interpretation clause:
- a)“academic staff” means all persons employed, whether full-time or part-time, by the Tertiary Education Service as:
- Professors, Doctors, Lecturers, Engineers and Technicians of any class or persons engaged in research; or
- holders of posts declared by the Council to be academic posts;
- b)“administrative staff” means all persons employed, whether full-time or part-time, by the Tertiary Education Service
- c)“Principal” means the Principal of a Tertiary Institution (Polytechnic, Teachers College or an Industrial Training College) appointed in terms of Tertiary Education ACT;
- d)“Vice-Principal” means a Vice Principal of the tertiary institution appointed in terms of Tertiary Education ACT
- e)“Bursar" means the person appointed to be the Bursar of the Tertiary institution per the Tertiary Education Services ACT
- f)“Lecturer In Charge, Head of Department or Head of Division” means the person appointed by the Principal to be the Lecturer In Charge, Head of Department or Head of Division of a teaching department or the head of any institute or Centre controlled by the Tertiary institution and recognised by the Council;
- g)“Dean” means a person who shall be in charge of Bachelor of Technology programmes who shall report to the Principal
- h)“Bachelor of Technology Chairperson “means a person who shall be in charge of the department who reports to Dean.
- i)“Council” means the Council established in terms of Tertiary Education ACT
- j)“employee” means any person employed by the Council who is not a member of the
academic or administrative staff; - k)“Librarian” means the person appointed to be the Librarian of a tertiary institution in terms of this ACT;
- l)“Registrar” means a person appointed to be the Registrar of the Tertiary Education ACT;
m)“Regulation” means a regulation made by the Council in terms of this ACT
- n)“Student” means any person registered by a Tertiary institution to obtain a qualification of the Tertiary or any person who is determined by the council to be a student;
- o)“Students’ Union” means the association of students recognised by the Council as the Students’ Union;
- p)“Teaching department” means a department/ division prescribed by Council as a teaching department;
- q)“Tertiary institution” means the institution established in terms of the Tertiary Education ACT the incorporation of which is continued by this Act.
Respondents also noted that the word “Board” is key but is not found in the definition of terms. Participants submitted that the definition of terms must be expanded to explain and contextualise the Board.
2.3 Clause3: (Application of the Act) Amendment of section 3 of Cap 28:02
This amends the Act making the Act take precedence over any other legislation which relates to Manpower Development and Training. A considerable number of submissions suggested that the clauses would usher in cohesion in the operations of education institutions. Some respondents submitted that there is bound to be conflict between the proposed amendment on one hand and the Universities Acts.
2.4 Clause4: (Objects of the Act)Amendment of Section 3 of Cap 28:02
Participants pointed out that there was a duplication of objectives since Section 4 of Cap 28:02 lays down the objectives of the Act. The participants submitted that instead of dedicating a whole section to objects of the Act, the drafters should have incorporated the proposed section 3A into Section 4 of Cap 28:02.
Some respondents submitted that the inserted section 3A should be expanded to include the following objects:
- a)To promote the holding of examinations, to confer degrees, diplomas or certificates upon persons who have followed courses of study approved by the Council and have satisfied such other requirements as may be required by the council
- b)To provide courses leading to a degree, diploma or certificate, including courses of training for persons wishing to enter the Tertiary Institution;
- c)To provide correspondence courses and extramural courses for young persons and adults.
They also underscored the need to clearly define the roles, functions and relationship between Institutions of Tertiary Education and the Higher Education Examination Council (HEXCO). They proposed that there should be decentralisation of examinations and institutions should be allowed to autonomously run their examinations, although checks should be put in place to allow 80% comparability in terms of breadth and depth of courses offered across the institutions.
On 3A (c) some key informants submitted that there is a need to clearly define the mandate of each institution based on the economic profile of Zimbabwe. They further opined that each institution must have a unique thrust to avoid institutions duplicating mandates or operate loosely without any adherence to their core mandate when established.
2.5 Clause5: (Establishment of Government institutions, facilities, schemes, etc.)Amendment of section 6 of Cap 28:02
This Clause empowers the Minister to establish Academies of Sciences. The majority of respondents professed ignorance on the exact meaning of the clause. Participants submitted that it is not clear whether it means each tertiary institution will have an academy of science. Some respondents submitted that there are a lot of "academies of sciences" in the country, hence there was no need to establish more academies. Those that subscribed to this view highlighted that what was needed was to review teaching curricula so that institutions produce relevant graduates.
Student Representatives noted that the establishment of academies is particularly exciting since academies are usually highly specialised institutions that focus on a specific aspect of academics to levels par excellence. They also allow students to explore knowledge practically to the highest levels. However, the students proposed the establishment of academies across the length and breadth of various disciplines beyond the sciences, for example the establishment of academies of commerce, social sciences and humanities and so on. Students also recommend that the structures, board compositions and objects of these academies be laid out in the Amendment Bill as this will enable them to assess the direction and capabilities of the academies.
2.6 Clause6: (Mandatory posts in Technical and Vocational Institutions and Teacher’s Colleges)New section inserted after section 6 of Cap 28:02
On average, this Clause drew a lot of interest from stakeholders and respondents, the majority submitted that the mandatory posts should resonate with the new education 5.0 discourse. A majority of respondents bemoaned the omission of the following posts which they deemed crucial
- a)Research and Innovation Officer: to coordinate innovation and research;
- b)Lecturer and Labour Organisations: these have no recognition under the inserted Section 6A (2). Participants submitted that the Clause should provide for representatives of the two;
- c)External Auditors: All provinces objected to the appointment of an internal auditor provided for by 6A (2) (e). Participants submitted that an internal auditor will be a conduit for corruption as he or she will be conflicted and compromised to audit an institution he or she works for. Majority of submissions were inclined towards an independent external auditor who should be engaged on an annual basis;
- d)Information Technology/Network Administrator: participants bemoaned the omission of this post and opined that if ICT had become an intrinsic part of modern learning, then personnel to manage that department becomes a necessity for every institution.
- e)Head of Department: respondents were appalled that the post was not recognised by the Public Service Commission and it is done at an institutional level. They submitted that the post should be recognised by the Tertiary Education Council.
- f)Dean of Students.
- g)Public Relations and Marketing Officer
- h)Head of Procurement who shall report to the Principal
Students acknowledged the importance that has been given to the Student Representative Councils (SRC) as part of the administrative infrastructure of tertiary institutions. Students, however, suggested that 6A part (2) (g) should be revised to provide for a national independent body to be responsible for SRC election administration nationwide. Such a body should have the authority to run SRC elections, declare winners, establish a code of conduct for prospective candidates and initiate a standardised structure for SRCs nationwide.
The students further proposed that Public interviews for proposed candidates to the mandatory posts and students should be given a chance to take part or inform the selection of the best candidate using an agreed platform like an online voting system.
Stakeholders also submitted that some of the mandatory aspects must be clearly defined as their terms were open-ended. The public suggested that on the appointment of:
- a)Principal: 6A (1) should provide term limits for a Principal. She/ He should not be appointed for an indefinite period but there should be fixed terms of five years and subject to reappointment based on performance. Some submitted that the five-year term should renewed once subject to good performance. However, some isolated views advocated an indefinite appointment for the principals.
- b)A Principal should be appointed by the Council after consultation with the Minister and shall hold office for such period as is provided in his or her contract of appointment. This submission noted that the office of a Principal should not be curtailed by terms but they should continue to serve as long as they are capable of discharging their duties.
- c)Subject to the general control of the Council, the Principal shall be the chief academic, administrative and disciplinary officer of the Tertiary institution, with general responsibility and accountability for maintaining and promoting the efficiency, effectiveness and good order of the Tertiary institution.
- d)The public submitted that Academic staff provided for by inserted section 6A(2)(f) should be defined clearly for example; Lecturers in Charge (LICs), Heads of Departments (HODs), Dean of Students, Chairpersons of Disciplines;
- e)There is need for clarity on which institutions can have one or more Vice Principals. Some suggested that every institution should have two Vice Principals; one technical/academic and the other administrative.
2.7 Clause7: (Grants and loans to institutions, persons, etc.)Amendment of section 14 of Cap 28:02
The public objected to section 14(1) (c) which refers to salaries or remuneration of lecturers employed at the institutions only without mentioning the non-teaching staff. The general view was that subsection (c) was prejudicial and discriminatory to non-teaching staff. The public submitted that the provision must be expanded to include salaries or remunerations of all staff at the institutions. Participants pointed out that section 14(1) should also include a provision for people with disabilities and how they benefit from the said grants and loans.
The public commended the proposal to offer grants and loans that might cover student-specific issues like tuition and student accommodation. The public, however, suggested a change in the wording of part (1) of the section to read;
Subject to this section, the Board, after consultation with the Minister and Minister responsible for finance, shall make a grant or loan to or in respect of any teacher’s college, technical or vocational institution, university or University College, or to any other person or institution, for any one or more of the following purposes—
- Such a revision would signify, the public opined, a stern commitment by the parties to avail such grants and loans at all costs.
- Such grants and loans should prioritise vulnerable students by law.
Student representatives submitted that such grants and loans must be disbursed through an independent entity or body other than the institutions to ensure accountability, transparency and quality of access. The public also suggested that students should be allowed by law to repay such loans and grants in the form of “man-hours, “that is, by providing labour that is equivalent to the value of the grant or loan
2.8 Clause8: (Tertiary amenities funds) Amendment of section 16 of Cap 28:02
The public noted that the Bill is inundated with a lot of funds. The participants submitted that this would weigh heavily on the students hence the need to trim and consolidate the funds. However, some divergent view established that the fund was a welcome development since it will support research and innovation.
2.9 Clause9: (Innovation and industrialisation funds)New section inserted after section 16 of Cap 28:02
The public applauded the setting of this fund as it will allow institutions to develop Intellectual Property Rights. However, some respondents were sceptical about the fund as they feared it would burden students who would end up contributing to the fund through fees. The public recommended that the fund should come from other sources including ZIMDEF. Some were of the view that the Government should extend 5% of the country’s GDP to Innovation and Industrialisation.
The public noted that one glaring omission in the objects of Innovation and industrialization fund was the desire to facilitate Patent and Intellectual Property Rights for students. Such rights would foster innovation and see students benefit from their intellectual inventions.
2.10 Clause10:(Professional Bodies)Amendment of section 31 of Cap 28:02
The public recommended that the phrase “Minister responsible for finance, may, subject to availability of resources…” in subsection 5 should be repealed and substituted by “The Minister of finance must guarantee..,” this, the public said, will remove the danger of the Minister using his or her discretion which might be subjective to the detriment of the public.
Other respondents submitted that Professional bodies must have full autonomy over employment and deployment of graduates in a particular profession and such autonomy must not be overshadowed by any other body or entity. The public suggested that membership subscriptions for practising certificates must be regularised and subsidised to affordable amounts for recent graduates.
2.11 Clause11 and 12: (Zimbabwe Manpower Development Fund)Amendment of section 47 and 48 of Cap 28:02
The public welcomed the replacement of the Minister by a trustee in administering the Fund. This, they concurred, will reign in the Minister from misusing ZIMDEF funds. Other respondents voiced their concern over Clause11 (a) (vi) and argued that business enterprises are covered under other legislation and cannot be under the jurisdiction of this Bill. Other stakeholders, however, wanted ZIMDEF to decentralise to tertiary institution level by law to allow access to information about the fund and other administrative processes.
2.12 Clause13: (Zimbabwe Manpower Development Board)New sections inserted after section 48 of Cap 28:02
The majority of public submissions welcomed the establishment of the Board since, it will provide checks on the Minister. However, the public noted that the Clause is silent about the appointment of people with disabilities in the Board. A suggestion was made to expand 48B to include subsection (e) after (d) which states that the Board must include “…One member representing persons with disabilities.”Further, the public suggested that the bill should include the following after 48B (b) (v):(vi) An organisation representing the youths;
(vii) An organisation representing women; and
(vii) An organisation representing small scale business people.
Some were of the view that the board should expand representatives from professional bodies to include Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce and Chamber of Mines.
The public also objected to the appointment of retirees in the Board and suggested that appointees should be people who are conversant with what would be obtaining on the ground. The public then recommended that section 48B (d) which stipulates that part of appointments to the Board must be "…one former Vice-Chancellor of a University or former Principal of a Tertiary institution," should be amended by removing ‘or’ and substitute with ‘and’ to make it read "…one former Vice-Chancellor of a University and former Principal of a Tertiary Institution. This will have an effect of balancing representation from both higher and tertiary education institutions.
Another section of respondents submitted that the ZIMDEF board must be selected on merit and must be subjected to public interviews. Further, students must be part of the selection Committee for the ZIMDEF board.
2.13 Clause14: (Accounts, audit of fund and financial statements)Amendment of section 50 of Cap 28:02
The public applauded the provision but suggested that statements of accounts should be prepared quarterly.
2.14 Clause15:(Internal Auditor)New section inserted after section 50 of Cap 28:02
Public opinion was that the Minister must appoint the internal auditor since the Board cannot appoint an auditor to audit itself. This, the public argued, would result in a conflicted auditor who would be caught in between the need to be independent and to please his/her appointing master. Other voices objected to the appointment of internal auditors. They submitted that there is no need to have internal auditors but auditors should be outsourced on a need basis. They argued that internal auditors will end up compromised if they are to be domiciled at institutions as they become part of the system.
2.15 Clause16:(Holding of Fund)Amendment of section 52 of Cap 28:02
The public submitted that the powers of the Minister should be curtailed. They argued that inasmuch as the Bill is trimming the powers of the ministers, he/she is still left with too much powers thereby leaving the Board at the mercy of the Minister who may approve or rescind its decisions.
2.16 Clause17, 18, 19, 20:
The public welcomed this amendment and explained that the arrangement in Cap 28:08 where the Minister appoints the CEO was subject to manipulation by the minister. The public agreed that a Board which is independent of the control of the Minister should make appointments. The public also welcomed amendments to section 57 of cap 28:02 which provides that the Board should set the functions of the CEO rather than the Minister.
2.17 Clause21: (Establishment of Tertiary Education Council And Tertiary Education Service)New part inserted after Section 59 Of Cap 28:02
Stakeholders welcomed the decoupling of the members of tertiary education institutions from the Public Service Commission as it would address their concerns in terms of the disparity between terms of employment. However, the public expressed disappointment that there was no representation for people with disabilities in the Tertiary Education Council. The public suggested that there is need to include one person with a disability to represent that constituency.
The public also decried that 59A (5) (b) accords too much appointing powers to the minister. The respondents also objected to having the Council filled with retirees. Respondents suggested that members who are seconded to the Council must be active and the council should reflect the geographical representation to avoid the board being filled by people from Harare only. The public also noted that soon after the beginning of the millennium, the grading system had been stagnant, therefore suggested that the transfer of staff from Public Service to Tertiary Education Service should be equally matched with vertical promotion of staff whose promotion had been suppressed.
The public submitted that section 59D (b) which says: Every person who occupies a post in The Technical and Vocational Institutions and Teachers’ colleges is too broad and vague. The people submitted that the subsection should specifically state the constitution of the Tertiary Education Service as follows:
The Tertiary Education Service shall consist of—
- Principal; and
- Vice-Principal; and
- Lecturer in Charge, Head of Departments/Divisions; and (if not defined within the Act, may remain mere posts with no proper recognition)
- The academic staff,
- Administrative staff,
- Employees and students.
Proponents of the above suggestion submitted that the Bill should categorically state that once students are enrolled they should become part of the tertiary education council.
The public expressed concern over section 59K (2) which they said is ultra vires the Constitution in section 65 which recognises collective bargaining. They suggested that if the minister is accorded powers to rescind decisions of associations it would result in the muzzling of section 65 of the Constitution. Proponents of the preceding view noted that the Bill was silent on issues of collective bargaining and a provision must be provided for that.
Further, the public decried the use of very subjective terms like “may” in particular Clause21 section 59K(1), the public highlighted the need to make it obligatory for the Ministry by use of “shall” in place of “may. On section 59H (4) the public suggested that a subsection should be inserted which stipulates that when a staff member is on study leave he /she is entitled to full salary and benefits.
2.18 General Submissions from the Public.
The public also made submissions which were not clause-specific but which were of paramount important to the development of manpower. The public submitted that higher and tertiary education institutions should come up with deliberative policies for enrolment of students with disabilities. Other submissions also highlighted that the bill should also address the proper academic facilities designed specifically for people with disability. Further, respondents opined that the Bill should make it mandatory that institutions of higher and tertiary education craft disability inclusive policies.
3.0 COMMITTEE OBSERVATIONS ANDRECOMMENDATIONS
The public generally welcomed the amendment Bill as positive as it is anchored on making the vision of Education 5.0 a reality.
3.1 The Internal Auditors provided for under Clause6 6A (e) and Clause15 at 50A were totally rejected by participants from all the provinces visited. The Committee noted that while the public may have genuine concerns on the efficacy of internal auditors, the Clause does not preclude the appointment of an External Auditor from time to time. It was also apparent that the public needs reassurance on the utility of internal auditors. The committee noted that the concept of internal is good and is the standard practice in many institutions. The Committee, therefore, recommends that the Ministry should expand 6A (e) and 50A and specify that external auditors can be engaged at certain regular intervals, preferably once a year. The external auditors should report to the manpower development board not to the Minister.
3.2 The Committee concurred that the new inserted section 6A was vague on subsection 2(a) where it provides for the appointment of one or more vice principals. The Committee notes that there is need to clearly clarify which institutions get more Vice Principals. The Committee, therefore, recommends that there is need to put a ceiling of three Vice Principals. It further recommends that polytechnics, teachers college and vocational centres should have three Vice Principals each one standing for the following areas; academic, business and research and innovation.
3.3 The Committee observed the pressing need for autonomy by the institutions as far as conducting examinations is concerned. While the Committee concurred with the public that HEXCO leads to centralisation of functions the Committee recommends that for cohesion and comparability HEXCO should maintain the status quo. Nonetheless, the Committee recommends that for short courses tailor-made and offered by institutions, examinations can be decentralised and be managed autonomously.
3.4 There is a glaring absence of student representation in the National Manpower Advisory Council. There is need to amend section 19 of Cap 28:02 to include students in the National Manpower Advisory Council Board as they should have the right to advise relevant authorities on the trajectory of higher education that they want to see and experience.
3.5 The Committee noted the importance of companies which offer attachment places and apprenticeship programmes to students. The Committee recommends that there must be provisions in the law to offer incentives to the “employers” for engaging students on attachment and apprenticeship so as to encourage them to continue paying their levies. Solutions aimed at regularising “employers” in the informal sector and getting them to pay levies must be discussed and established by law.
3.6 There is silence on the needs of students with disabilities throughout the amendment Bill and the principal Act, Cap 28:02. There is no deliberate attempt in the principal Act or the Amendment Bill to cater for the special educational needs of this constituency. This is against the spirit of SDG 4 which talks about inclusive education, therefore, the Committee recommends that there must be a specific section in the Amendment Bill that focuses on the manpower planning and development needs of this community.
3.7 The Bill is silent about amending section 9 of Cap 28:02 which lays down requirements which should be satisfied when registering non-Government institutions. The section remains the same thus maintaining the tedious, bureaucratic and forbidding methodology of registering a private institution of higher learning. There is a need to revise, at law, the process and requirements for the registration of private institutions of higher learning particularly for those that are proposing to teach critical and innovative skills.
3.8 The Committee observed that there are two kinds of councils mentioned in the Bill. In Clause6A (1) and (2) and Clause8 there is mention of Tertiary Education Council, however, Clause16 (1) and (2) make reference to a Tertiary Education Service Council. The Committee therefore recommends clarity on the councils and if there are distinct it should be clearly labelled in the preamble and the difference explained.
3.9 The Committee noted that the Bill implicitly prejudices and discriminates between teaching and non-teaching staff in higher and tertiary education institutions in some parts. This is exemplified by Clause7 which amend section 14 of Cap 28:02. Section 14 (1) (c) only makes reference to salaries of lecturers employed by a college, institution or university. The section is silent about non-teaching staff at the institutions. The Committee, therefore, recommends that the bill should address all persons employed at institutions and should avoid discriminatory approaches to staff welfare.
3.10 The Committee took cognisance of some sentiments expressed concerning the gender neutrality of the word ‘manpower’ which forms the title of the Bill. It was observed that to some people it might appear that the word is a gendered term, therefore, the Ministry can also consider using more gender neutral words like “Human resources” as suggested by one respondent.
3.11 The Committee notes that the bill is silent about the commitment made by African Heads of State and Government of dedicating 1% of the Gross National Product (GDP) towards Research and Development. The Committee therefore recommends that the Bill should have a proviso which obligates the Government to honour the commitment.
4.0 Conclusion
The Committee noted that the majority of the people who attended the public hearings, including those who contributed written submissions, were elated by the Bill and applauded it as a step towards the right direction. It is, therefore, the Committee’s submission that if the provisions of the Bill are to be fully implemented the Committee is satisfied that the Bill can become a vehicle through which research and innovation are fully realised in institutions of higher and tertiary education. The Committee concurs with the submissions made by student representatives that indeed the amendment Bill does show a renewed and revamped commitment towards redirecting the future of tertiary education in the country. There is a good deliberate focus towards the sciences and education that encourages innovation and industrialisation. There are efforts to decentralise power to the tertiary education sector, with the Minister ceding a number of roles to boards and newly established institutions. There is a new thrust on accountability of funds in the tertiary education sector with deliberate sections focusing on how to handle and account for funds, for instance under ZIMDEF. The downside of the amendment Bill is that in some sections, student inclusion in key decisions making bodies remains elusive. There are some key concerns with regards to “unresolved” issues in the principal Act that speak to student development and quality education. With greater engagement the issues can be ironed out. I thank you Madam Speaker.
HON. S. BANDA: Madam Speaker, I move for the extension of time.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Member. He has already finished reading the report.
HON. CHIKWINYA: I have a point of order.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: What is your point of order?
HON. CHIKWINYA: Madam Speaker, at the beginning of the sitting, the Leader of Government Business moved for the suspension of automatic adjournment for us to focus on the Finance Bill. I fully understand that the Bill under debate now is part of the Government business which is allowed. May I seek your indulgence Madam Speaker that we suspend business on this Bill, perhaps through the concurrence of the chief whips. Whilst people are still fresh for them to concentrate on the Finance Bill, we debate matters to do with the Budget - since due to the suspension of automatic adjournment, we are going to be here until sometime late into the night. I propose that we concentrate on the Budget matters now and then we fully deal with this Bill post Budget. That is my submission, of course with the concurrence of chief whips and other Members. Thank you.
The Government Chief Whip approached the Chair.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Madam Speaker Ma’am. I will be very brief, aware of the impending debate that is directed to the indulgence of the gold finger. I want to applaud the Minister for bringing this Bill to Parliament first and foremost, so that we can migrate from Education 3.0 to Education 5.0. That in the view of the people of Chegutu West Constituency which speaks to development.
Madam Speaker Ma’am, I am alive to the issue of modernization, which is one of promoting modern issues and development arising from education. Madam Speaker Ma’am, Chinhoyi University of Technology has already migrated to that platform and they are producing enough straws to inseminate and impregnate heifers and cows which are the population of Zimbabwe’s cattle population in two months. So I am applauding the Minister for walking the talk even before the Bill had come to Parliament. I encourage him through the same modus operandi, technical ability and technocrats that he is endowed with to make sure that all the universities and higher learning institutions also migrate in the same manner.
The issue that was touched on of internal audit which speaks to internal safeguard of resources that would have been apportioned to the institutions by Central Government and by their own resources is very key as it speaks to governance systems. The issue that the Minister spoke about that he seeks to bring in is according to the Constitution and the Act in terms of Public Finance Management prudent. It should be a foregone conclusion that there should be internal safety nets that seek to deter outflows of illicit nature in terms of revenues that would either have been apportioned by Central Government, ‘national gold finger’ or that would have been given by internal domestic resource mobilisation by those institutions.
I go further to say there also needs to be external auditing but not in the manner that the committee suggests. We have monthly and quarterly reports that are submitted to Parliament and I suggest that we do not digress from the existing trajectory and tangent. We need to adhere to the ethos, to the values of the same principles that are in existence. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. There are adequate safety measures that can deter any delinquent behaviour in terms of financial prudence. I applaud the Minister in terms of output of any programme that would have taken root or that would have been conducted in any institution of higher learning. The output should be open for all to see. For example, a computer is garbage in garbage out. Now is the opportunity to see what would have gone as the software into that computer. The framework in terms of infrastructure development is already there but here is an opportunity for the lecturers, teachers and professors who mann the institutions of higher learning to actually be proud of themselves because of the product. Now the product which is suggested by the Minister, which is applaudable that it be practical and tangible is something that is going to feed into the National Development Strategy 21 to 25 and the local Agenda 2030 of an upper middle income economy come 2030. That is also going to feed into the continental agenda 2063 and ultimately, into the sustainable development goals. I applaud the Minister for seeing further because a nation without a vision is dead. Here is a visionary, a luminary and a champion in the mould of our Minister who now wants to make sure that there is output which is tangible, arising from our institutions of higher learning.
As I wind up, I also want to say to the Minister there are institutions like Mupfure Technical College in Chegutu East Constituency right next door to yours truly Chegutu West Constituency. They should be put at par with the institutions of higher learning. Also the issue of remuneration of lecturers should be put at parity with institutions of higher learning lest we find that there is migration from other institutions of the same magnitude to other institutions. If you want monkeys you get peanuts but if you are going to get people of professorship lecturers alike you need to pay them in tandem or in sync with the global trends because the product is the same. I encourage the Minister and his institutions to also try and look into the issue of beneficiating uranium. Just a small ball beneficiated will make us see wonders and we will put paid to the issues of the requirement of our energy systems, not only in Zimbabwe but continentally and even globally. I challenge them to challenge the uranium so that we beneficiate and value add it.
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to vociferously, effectively and efficiently articulate the issues of the people of Chegutu West Constituency. I thank you.
HON. MAPHOSA: Thank you very much Hon. Speaker Ma’am, I rise to add my voice in the debate of the Manpower and Development Bill that has been tabled by the Minister. Firstly, I would like to applaud the Minister for a Bill that speaks directly to the welfare of the tertiary institutions workforce. There has been an outcry for a long time, especially in terms of remuneration as Hon. Nduna has attributed to. I want to go straight to the key points that I took note of from the Bill. Firstly, the trimming of powers from the Minister to the board is very much applauded. No one wants power taken away from them but for the Minister of Higher and Tertiary, he saw it fit to delegate powers and I want to applaud you as a Committee to say we have never seen a leader like that in our lifetime.
Secondly, we saw the enactment of the board which is the Zimbabwe Manpower and Development Board that is going to be in charge of the day to day running of the institutions. Furthermore Madam Speaker, the establishment of the tertiary council that is going to be administering the tertiary education service also is going to speak to the issue of tertiary education staff who are no longer under the Public Service. That is a very commendable move because the difficulties that we are seeing in the running of these institutions are a result of tertiary education staff being under the Public Service.
What I noted is that the Bill drives issues to do with innovation and it also speaks to the creation of funds to make it a success, which is Education 5.0 that everyone is excited about at the moment. With this vision of Education 5.0 we are going to see a turnaround in our country because it is through research and innovation that greater things can be done. I want to applaud the Minister for coming up with such a Bill.
We also recognise the issue of ZIMDEF that is clearly put into the Bill. The power is also taken away from the Minister in the running of the ZIMDEF funds. We have seen these funds being abused before. We want to thank the Minister because he has seen that it is more reasonable to take these funds and put them to a board that is going to administer them without him being hands-on. It also came out clearly from the public that this was a good move because Ministers are having hands-on on too much funds which corrupts a person. Too much funds will obviously give you temptations. It also clearly speaks that it becomes the supreme law that will govern all institutions and it is a good thing that we have uniformity in the way that our institutions are run. I want to applaud the Minister for that.
I have talked about how the Bill is seeking to drive towards the Education 5.0 in terms of industrialisation and innovation. All in all, I just want to say this is a job well done and the tertiary staff and non academic staff that are there are looking forward to this Bill because it will change a lot of things including their welfare. I hope this Bill will be adopted very fast because it speaks directly to the human resource that we have.
I notice that we have a gap in the Bill in terms of gender and disability. It is a point that came out clearly from the organisations that deal with people with disability, to say it has to speak clearly on how they are going to be catered in terms of enrolment, staffing and gender. Having said that, I would want to thank you Hon Speaker.
HON. CHIKWINYA: Allow me to add my voice on this very pertinent Bill which I think shapes and informs our national attitude towards development through legislation. We should come to a time whereby we need to shape our development agenda through, not only policy pronouncements but by enacting the same policies through legislation. I will commend the Minister for that stance.
Allow me to zero in my debate while agreeing with the majority of the points raised by the acting Chair of the Committee in his report. I will pick on Clause 3.1.2 which speaks to the establishment of the Manpower Development Board. I am a Member of the Mines and Mining Development Committee and I represent a constituency that also has a vast number of people who are into the mining sector. Of late, this sector has been hit by a number of accidents and we have lost quite a number of lives.
In these mines, there are people working which is manpower. As I am looking into this Bill, what is coming into my mind is how best do we protect our people from all the armoury of legislation that is before us. Perhaps from a manpower development level of the people who are going to be working in these mines, the old system pre-colonial up to now especially having a higher thrust around the 1980s was that it was realised by the Government of that time that we needed more people to work into the industries and therefore, the thrust was to develop so many apprentices such as fitter and turners, mechanics and electricians to feed into the industry to cover the gap which had been left by whites who had moved to South Africa and other countries in relation to the transition that had happened as we entered into the independence era.
Government took a deliberate stance to invest into manpower development through apprenticeship programmes. It sustained our industry to the extent that so many people managed to find livelihoods and even if you go to your medium income housing sectors, these are the people that you find occupying houses in Mt Pleasant and Waterfalls. These are your medium income earners.
Our economy has transformed and we are now living in an informal sector. One of the pillars of that informal sector is the small scale gold miners. As I am looking at this Bill I am asking myself, what is it that our education system can deliberately focus on in terms of equipping these young adults with enough skills that as they work into the mines that have been provided for by Government they have enough skills to make sure the environment is safe, their safety as individuals and also the safety of the mine and that they know how to channel that gold through the legal means as it finds its way into Treasury.
Right now we are celebrating one of the key issues which we are going to hear from the Minister of Finance, that we managed to get gold largely from the small scale miners and we are going to give them this much to support them. I know the figures and I cannot preempt; I know they are being supported in this current Budget we are going to be debating. We are giving money to people whom we are exposing to an effect of the Bindura incident where we have just lost 40 people; Chegutu we have lost four people, Esigodini we have lost six people and in Penhalonga we have lost 10 people. We are pouring in money and at the same time exposing them to methods that are ending up with us losing lives.
To bridge the gap of the need to get money, the desire to support them through the fiscus, we now need to put in place an education curriculum that supports these individuals as they leave school. Those who would have taken a deliberate decision to say I want to do mining, I am inspired by so and so who has a small scale mine who is doing mining, they must go through an apprenticed small mining programme so that, at least, they enter into that field equipped fully for them to be able to protect the environment, the gold itself and themselves. So, it is just my thinking Hon. Speaker that an example given by the Acting Chair was that if you go to Victoria Falls, there is Elephant Hills and Kingdom Hotel. One of your persuasions to occupy those hotels is the optics largely informed by the roofing. Certainly, Elephant Hills is as beautiful as it is because of the thatching. The majority of our holiday resorts are thatched and the comfort in those rooms is derived from the thatching attire that provides so much shade even in the absence of an air conditioner. It is not by mistake that the investors – the majority of them whites, who come from other countries come and invest in those resort areas and put in these thatched roofs because they know that it is compatible with the environs.
Now, an individual applied to certify members of the communities or within our citizenry to say, as you employ these thatchers; they must be certified through a formalised education system that individuals or institution is finding it difficult to simply turn our indigenous skill into a formalised skill that can then be exported or recognised and used at an official platform. The institutions raised by the Hon. Minister, the Indian Institution of Science, the Chinese and French academies; what they have done is to simply tap into their indigenous methods perhaps in terms of medicine and coming up with various ways they have been doing. Production of tea for example, and they have formalised them at universities and given them certificates and patented them and now they can sell them to the whole world.
We are, in the majority of times, being told that, if you are affected by a particular disease – mostly cancerous diseases, go to India or go to Kenya but these countries did not import that medicine from the United States of America or the United Kingdom. They took their indigenous way of medicines and formalised them through their education system, patented them and put them to test in various institutions for them to be able to safe guard human life. They were put to test and are actually assisting. Right now, I am told that India and China are the biggest suppliers of drugs here in Zimbabwe but we have ZINATHA, for example. They also deal with traditional medicine. Have we engaged them to an extent that they can give us their medicine and we put them through institutions of higher learning and then develop that medicine so that, at least, we can certify it? Then we give it to the public fully knowing that it is safe for use and it is assisting because you cannot tell me that in this House, no one ever used Ntolwane. All of us used Ntolwane in our infancy and some are still using it but we have never certified Ntolwane to become an official product that can be sold on the market in a pharmacy yet it is our product.
The reason being that we are despising our indigenous ways of doing things because they are not going through an academic system in terms of developing that product and that can only be realised when we develop the manpower that can tap into our indigenous way of doing things and then we formalise it. Of course, we cannot run away from the pre-colonial mindset to say that things have got to go through the academic system. So, this Bill tries to bridge the two – develop your manpower but using your indigenous ways. I implore the Minister to say, expand your degree programmes, expand your technical college programmes to take care of these issues that I have just mentioned. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
Madam Speaker, my second issue will be on student representation …
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Mr. Speaker, Mr. Speaker!
HON. CHIKWINYA: Sorry Hon. Chair, today you are smart so that you look Madamish – that is just a joke. The issue of student representation, I am just emphasising because it has been captured in the report.
I deplore a situation that is devoid of engagement between the supposed beneficiaries because as we establish these institutions of higher learning, they are for the students and not for the Executive or the Boards or lecturers. They are primarily supposed to benefit the students. So when I see running battles between students and lecturers or Vice Chancellors. I think it is an issue of lacking a platform of dialoguing. We must be able to say, we include these students in the decision making process and then they cascade to their constituencies. One, we are developing leadership because the majority of our leaders here today, that is Ministers and Members of Parliament, have gone through these institutions of higher learning. Their leadership skills – there are so many Professors of Economics but some have failed to become Ministers of Finance and Economic Development not because they cannot be Ministers of Finance and Economic Development but because they lack that cap of leadership.
So, as the Executive chooses a minister, they also look at your leadership skills. These leadership skills are horned through the institutions and representative bodies of students. The majority of leaders who protracted the liberation struggle went through boards of student representatives at various colleges and their leadership skills were horned enough for them to be convinced that yes, I can have the education but I need the leadership to go and protract the liberation struggle in order for me to be independent and being academic. The same principle still exists and this is why even the Government in its wisdom, recognises student representative bodies because they know that besides representing only students, they are also horning leadership skills in these future leaders. In fact, the majority of them are now Members of Parliament, those who were Secretary Generals and Presidents. I can mention Hon. Molokele, Hon. Joanna Mamombe and Madam Deputy Speaker there – these are now leaders of today, she was Head girl – the Hon. Minister was a Head girl. So we cannot avoid having the leadership of these student bodies sitting on the Manpower Development Board because we would have left a critical constituency that has to do with our manpower development system.
Lastly Hon. Speaker, I want to implore the Minister and this is purely to buttress on the fact that the realisation that our education and manpower development systems begin to fail when we have failed the living conditions of the lecturers. That realisation alone, I think, is a milestone and it is heroic and legendary because we have found that the high turnover of lecturers at Polytechnical institutions has been affecting the quality of education of our students to the extent that perhaps in one semester, we are going to have four lecturers changing each other because they are now looking for greener pastures elsewhere. Some are even leaving lectureship to go and become small scale miners.
Recently, we lost a teacher in Zvishavane who left school and lost life whilst doing small scale mining. So we cannot hide from this fact that everyone is competing for a sustainable livelihood. So by recognising that they need to be treated the same as their colleagues in the institutions of higher learning at universities and staff; of course, they will be graded, we anticipate that, according to qualifications and stuff but the fact that they are in that category means that their negotiating platform is taken over by an independent body that is devoid of this majority civil servant structure which is quite bureaucratic and has much red tape and includes Members of Parliament who are very lowly paid; I understand but at least they are being taken care of. I hope that the Minister of Finance and Economic Development understood me well on the last point that I just mentioned.
Hon. Speaker, I want to thank you very much and thank Hon. Prof. Murwira – perhaps, in my parting shot; perhaps such type of thinking comes from a Minister who is not directly elected by the constituency and maybe that is why we are finding a sober, unpoliticised type of Bill that is coming before Parliament. These other colleagues of mine who first of all seek for DCC election then want to – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – come to preside over ministerial appointments have been failing us for quite some time. I thank you.
*HON. SHAMU: Thank you Hon. Speaker for affording me the opportunity to add my voice to this important Bill that has been brought by the Hon. Minister. We applaud the good work that is being done by the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science, Innovation and Technological Development, Hon. Prof. Murwira.
I support and I am in agreement with the Bill that he has brought before the august House which is in line with Manpower Planning and Development, whose major objective is the development of the country. What I liked most about this Bill is the appeal to ensure that technological innovations are taken to a higher level. Everything that we do in terms of the discharge of our duties, should be aimed at promoting self sustenance to the generality of the populace.
I am glad that the objectives of the Bill are to achieve up-liftment of the ordinary men in the street as opposed to being the Ministry’s self serving Bill. The vision of the Ministry is to ensure that vision 2030 is achieved and also that also that our socio-economic environment reaches the envisaged upper middle income economy as envisioned in vision 2030.
I would also want to thank the Vice Chancellor of the University of Zimbabwe, Dr. Mapfumo for the speech that he delivered on Friday at the graduation ceremony. He said that all you graduates are now leaving the university and you are now being released into the world. Go and show the people all the knowledge that you have acquired during your tenure at University of Zimbabwe.
Furthermore, show them that you are willing and capable to discharge all your duties that you will be called upon to perform. The Education 5.0 as enunciated by Hon. Prof. Murwira, divides education into five categories, is well received and working well.
The Bill before the House is on all fours with the speech that was delivered on Friday when His Excellency, the President launched the use of computers and its software in the country. The Bill promotes education with production so that people do not just learn the practical aspect but also put that practical element into practice. This Bill seeks to ensure that we use our God given resources, starting with the sun, water, minerals, flora and fauna to maximum advantage in leveraging the development of our economy, so that we empower the majority of our people and meet their expectations and desires.
I also observed that the Hon. Minister has come up with a deeper theme for this Bill, especially that when projects have been put in place with a view to improving our socio-economic environment, people should be given the opportunity to learn and understand what these projects are all about so that they can make a decent living. If we want to go far, we should go with the people and leave no one behind.
I am also happy to mention that the Bill is also alive to gender mainstreaming issues. Furthermore, gender equity should be promoted. I am equally impressed by the call by the Minister to ensure that we invest more into scientific research and that a lot of financial resources be poured into that research. This should not only be supported by the Government alone, but should be supported by various private players from all the sectors. Private companies should also be seen to support Government’s efforts in ensuring that there is rich scientific research, in tobacco growing, cotton or wool processing, so that the experts in those fields will further develop and enhance their expertise, which is of immense importance to the development of the country’s industry. This will also ensure that we not only produce for the local market but we also export to other markets. Therefore, Hon Speaker, I fully support what has been said by Prof. Murwira and the knowledge that he is bringing because it is in line with our modern thinking and technology. Thank you Hon. Speaker.
*HON. TOGAREPI: Thank you so much Mr. Speaker for affording me this opportunity to add my voice on to this very good debate. You brought a very strategic Bill and I thank you Hon. Minister. It will help us to move our country forward. As I look into this Bill, it is going to ensure that there is fire or a spark plug to start our economy. We are renowned with intelligence as Zimbabweans the world over. We are not going to put our minds on redressing our problems or challenges so that we extricate ourselves from the challenges that we are facing as a result of the knowledge that our people have.
We will have done nothing for ourselves. We will have misdirected our intelligence and what is needed is for our people to be technocrats that are well versed in innovation. Zimbabwe requires its people to work for it to ensure that we develop. Even if we want our people to take this country forward without the requisite skills, we will go nowhere and we will end up bringing people that do not believe in our objectives and people who do not share the same vision with us so that our country can progress. They will be there just for the money so that they will be able to sustain their families after their sojourn into Zimbabwe and they go back to their families.
It is my wish that in all places as per the vision of His Excellency, the President - when I saw him launching the incubation hubs, each and every place should have more of those, maybe at district level, such that there will be people who impart such knowledge in the use of technology. Once our children are educated at the universities in line with 5.0, if they go to the communal lands, they may not be able to be accepted with that type of knowledge. We need to prepare the grassroots for this knowledge to go and have a fertile ground so that at the end of the day, we achieve our objectives. These things should be produced timeously so that they can be exported.
Such skills will entice or encourage people to do that. I grow tobacco and when the tobacco expert who teaches people to grow tobacco comes, the people will tell them that we have known for years that we do it this way, even if it is now redundant because their minds have not been prepared to accept new innovations and new technology. So we need massive education to our population so that they will accept this expertise and that it is for the benefit of the development of the country. I am quite indebted, Minister, that the new dispensation has brought things that are important in our knowledge as human beings that people might think that they are able to impart the knowledge that they have to promote corporate governance. What you have done is commendable that you are saying the power that we have, you want to give it to the universities so that the universities can work on their own without the Minister directing everything and running the show as if you were now the principal of a college.
You are empowering them to ensure that they grow themselves up and know the objectives of the nation. I thank you Hon. Minister for that and the new dispensation has come strongly in that regard that there be corporate governance to ensure that our country develops. Although it has already been made reference to by other Hon. Members, I value that point. People go to attain education and have various degrees and are appointed chairpersons of boards. This person requires two to three years to learn and know what is required in chairing a board and how best they can chair a board properly. It will take them three years.
Students that are at university should be given a chance to be in the boards that we are going to create. By so doing, we are taming them young, we are grooming the leadership so that tomorrow they will be better leaders. Some of the leaders that we have are from nowhere in terms of leadership because of the degree that they attained and they do not have leadership qualities. Experience is gained from working with the people. Do not forget that university students should be part and parcel of these boards because we do not live forever. Once we are away, they would remain and carry the baton further as universities identify talents.
Those that are knowledgeable should be given enough resources to do researches and do other things to empower their brain knowledge so that we develop as is best practice in China and India. Countries like India and China, once they have seen that they have a bright child and is coming up with innovation, they invest in that child because that child’s innovation will bring money to the country. We have children that are renowned. The first pilot who was born here in Zimbabwe is now flying planes that fly the Greek routes. He celebrated in Britain because he has shown outstanding skills.
We should give our children opportunities so that our country can develop. In Gutu where I come from whether it is from Mt. Darwin or wherever we come from, there is knowledge that needs to be refined so that this can be used for the development of our country. Some foodstuffs that we have here are good for our diet and health. Do we have a university that is responsible for looking into or researching into the food stuffs that we are consuming to know about the food values and the medicinal health, components that are there so that once we identify that, we can then look for other countries that can also buy our products and if we are not doing that, we go and buy apples.
We have got matamba fruits, but who has done a research into the matamba fruits? I am not saying that those who have medical problems it is their fault no, but those old people that grew up eating the matamba fruit have never gone into the hospital, maybe it is from the nhengeni and such fruits. A research should be done to find out what the benefits of eating nhengeni are. All those teachings we get about other countries should include what happens with our own indigenous fruits. We should have books written about ngengeni, so that people chose to eat nhengeni knowing their benefits to our bodies. I support the Bill brought by the Minister because this is the time we want to move forward as a country. This Bill will cause us to move faster because we have enough knowledge, but it only needs practicality, then we will move forward and develop as a country. I thank you.
HON. DR. MASHAKADA: Thank you Hon. Speaker. I also rise to lend my support to the amendment of the Manpower Planning and Development Bill which the Minister has tabled and also the principles of that Bill as enunciated by the Minister. I want to support this Bill wholeheartedly. Mr. Speaker Sir, now is the time to put a legal framework to Education 5.0. All along it was a good policy, but it did not have that legal force or legal undertone. Now that this Bill is coming, we should be able to see the policy being fully implemented without any legal hurdles.
One thing I like about codifying Education 5.0 policy is that it will lead to a revolution in this country. This Bill will lead to a revolution in this country because in our quest to modernise and industrialise, we just have to make sure that no one is left behind. All along before the Education 5.0, I was really concerned about the kind of education that our institutions were churning out. Minister we had an institution producing graduates who could not fix even the handle of a door. A graduate who could not even fix a tap when it breaks down, so this Bill I think is going to address that mischief to make sure that our education produces practical people; people who are skilled and people who are productive. That is all about andragogy as opposed to pedagogical education that has been given even to adults. You produce useless people; an economist who cannot solve a problem; an engineer who cannot even manufacture a bicycle or a sewing machine. I think this Bill has got the right legal thrust to make sure that our country is going to be a country of practical solutions, not just academic theory.
One thing that worries me about our education system is that Minister, why should a pupil spend seven years, doing primary education, doing what? Six years of secondary education, doing what, just learning theory and no practical skills – honestly, I think we have to review our curriculum. We are spending unnecessary time with students doing grade one to seven; form one to six; university, it is too much time doing nothing. Industry requires those skills. I would suggest that because of the de-industrialisation that took place in this country, all our graduates must be allocated defunct industries, faculty by faculty, let us allocate them all defunct industries in Bulawayo, Masvingo, Mutare, Harare and say please can you resuscitate these industries. ZISCO Steel, we have got a lot of local engineers who can do wonders to revive ZISCO Steel.
So that is the thrust that this Bill is going to promote- the promotion of local skills, local expertise, I think the principles of this Bill are very much welcome. You know we miss those days of trade testing. I used to work in industry, you could see students being trade tested, going into industry; doing wonders in industry even more than those who have gone through higher tertiary institution. So trade testing we really miss it. Days of apprenticeships, we miss those days and that is the thrust that we must take. I think your quest to separate tertiary education workers from the civil services is very noble because they can be better remunerated and equipped and be given that professional independence to execute their duties in a more professional manner. I support that effort.
Hon. Minister, it is time now to reform ZIMDEF because your Bill also introduced institutional reforms on ZIMDEF and NAMACO. It is the right thrust, we need to strengthen corporate governance in ZIMDEF and NAMACO so that all the levies that are collected are applied to manpower development and not any other things like what we had seen happening with past regime when the Minister went amok and then abused ZIMDEF Fund. I hope that it cures all that mischief – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – Lastly, you may now want to look at the terminology of manpower. It is a bit archaic because manpower was connoting to amadoda sibili. Now you talk of human capital, human resources et cetera. So the manpower parlance needs to be revisited because it is no longer gender friendly in the modern world. Thank you very much.
HON. I. NYONI: Thank you Hon. Speaker for giving this opportunity to add my voice to this very important Bill. I will start by supporting the Bill. The Bill clearly lays a solid foundation for learners and graduates who have been able to use their acquired skills in a productive manner instead of theory paper graduates. However, one of the highlights from the report by the Portfolio Committee on Higher and Tertiary Education is a recommendation for three Vice Principals at these institutions of higher learning. This on its own makes the institutions top heavy considering that there are already heads of various departments in these institutions of higher learning.
In conclusion Mr. Speaker Sir, this Bill will go a long way in ensuring that the graduates that come out of our institutions of higher learning are practical people who might be able to create employment such that we do not always produce people who are employment seekers. This on its own will also go a long way in reducing the number of people who are not involved in production in the economy. Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir.
HON. BRIG. GEN. RTD. MAYIHLOME: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir. I would like to thank the Hon. Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education for bringing this Bill to Parliament and also the Committee’s report on this Bill. They did a very thorough job. Hon. Speaker Sir, I just want to highlight a few things that need to be taken into account, otherwise the Bill will remain a mirage to a lot of our people. Firstly, the Bill in my view should be integrated with what happens at ECD, primary and secondary school. Starting only at tertiary institutions without addressing the challenges that face ECD, primary and secondary education in this country will result in a lot of our people being left out, particularly those schools without facilities. We are talking of computers and science laboratories. We are talking of rural areas where there is no network infrastructure. Even researches will be extremely difficult in those areas. So the Bill must be comprehensive, wholesome and address all those things.
The Education 5.0 in my view should start at elementary level so that the child grows with the drive to be an engineer, a doctor or a pilot. When we meet them at tertiary institutions, it is already too late for a lot of other students, so that needs to be addressed. That linkage is very crucial to me.
Secondly, I think another important issue is the issue of incentives for students who do well. The Bill in my view or the statutory instruments should provide for prizes and incentives for those students who come up with viable industrial proposals or industrial projects. Let us look at examples like Singapore and Rwanda. We realise that they are recognised and their medals are given incentives. That recognition drives or inspires everyone else to aspire to do well. So, there should be a provision for such.
Thirdly, I suggest that the Bill should also reward those industries that encourage what is called 70% to 30% training; 70% in the field doing practical work and only 30% doing theory. Too many of our students spend too much time in universities and colleges learning theory but no practical learning. I suggest that the Bill should give incentives to those students that will do 70% of their work in industries so that they produce tangible things. A certificate should be only awarded at completion to those students who would have innovated anything. If you do not produce or innovate on any subject, then your degree is rendered invalid or not really appreciated. We can only do that to create incentives for industry to absorb these people so that journeymen are the basis for training our engineers. In other words, our engineers should start off as journeymen and once they learn how to do things, they are appreciated instead of getting our engineers going on to do MBAs in Economics and Business. It does not help the country at all. That line of training must proceed to tertiary institutions. Otherwise, let us integrate this Bill so that everybody in the country is catered for and is covered so that we have an efficient and effective Manpower Bill. I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
*HON. MUSARURWA: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir. I want to say this Bill is a very good Bill but I am realising that it is silent on the issue of prisons in our country. The Bill does not consider education for prisoners. Prisons are rehabilitation centres and there are skills which are being done at these prisons but the skills are not certified. Therefore, I am saying the Minister must consider the issue of ensuring certificates under Hexco for those prisoners so that when they come out of prisons, they will be having certificates and they can be given jobs at different companies. This issue will help in reduction of crime rates in the country. Thank you Hon. Speaker.
HON. MADZIMURE: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I just want to add a few things to the Hon. Minister’s Bill. Firstly, I just want to expand on what Hon. Musarurwa raised. It is a very important issue. In other countries, normally we look at the best amongst other countries. If you go to Sweden today and you are arrested, your first interview is – what were you doing outside. If you say I was at school doing engineering, they ask you what kind of engineering. They are separated on that basis.
Whilst in the prisons, those funds that you were contributing to when you were outside or entitled to is then remitted to prisons for you to continue doing what you were doing. Because of that, you are rehabilitating that individual. When that person gets out of that prison, probably he will have finished his engineering degree and they make sure that you are employed. Some can even start their projects whilst in prison and they will be supported to make sure that their potential is realised. So I think it is very important for us to do.
The time that a lot of people spend in prison, they will be idle but if they can continuously think about how to do things in a better way, I tell you we will harvest a lot of things that will come out of prisons, at the same time rehabilitating an individual. It will also keep the individual busy and healthy. So, it will be easy to integrate them into the community when they come out.
I want to applaud the Minister for making sure that we now have people who are primarily interested in knowing how we are developing our children. I can give an example; Air Zimbabwe has been training a lot of engineers and we have exported a lot. I know quite a number of young men who now head workshops in Dubai. I even have my sister’s son who is a head of the engine workshop. Mr. Speaker, the conditions we train our children at Air Zimbabwe are deplorable. A number of apprentices were only left with two weeks when we went into Covid but up to today, they have not been given that opportunity to finish those two weeks. What Air Zimbabwe has done is to call them back and tell them that for them to get those two weeks they should do certain repairs. You need about six engineers to service some of these planes that we now have but they are being given nothing. A student comes from Bulawayo, he is now renting in Harare and is expected to wake up in the morning and go to Air Zimbabwe to do some work and come back without anything being paid.
So, I think the issue of ZIMDEF is very important, it must be managed well and conditions that will produce the best created. We are actually exporting a person whom we train well. We used to celebrate when one gets a position to do apprenticeship. You would see people chained in First Street with oils all over the body after completing the course. When that person leaves Zimbabwe to go and work outside, he owes Zimbabwe something. That person is working there because that is where he or she has found a job but the moment the person gets a job which is more lucrative back home, that person will come back. The one who does not come back home will send monies to his or her parents here.
Mr. Speaker, I think it is very important to have such people who are passionate about their work. The issue of selecting people who go in there is very important. Let us forget about politics, let us talk of what we want to achieve. Whoever is capable of delivering must be given the opportunity to do so. The moment we do so Mr. Speaker, Zimbabwe is destined to greatest heights. We have people who have brains and attitude that are prepared to do the best.
So, I concur with my fellow Hon. Members who have contributed before; that if we can follow the Bill – I know the Minister has his own vision of seeing a situation where we can do anything that any other country can do. Let him not be disturbed by other things that will not help him achieve the goal. It is important for us to focus and say this is what we are going to do.
Then downstream, it is also important for us to recognise the fact that we had also some institutions that have been trying to be innovative. We must find out what their real problems are. I can talk of what is included in the NDS1 regarding the issue of productivity. There is a combination between productivity and innovation. On productivity, you are saying how best you can produce the best quality at the least cost. For us to export, we can only do that if we can achieve the highest productivity everyday. Mr. Speaker, as you increase your productivity, you are reducing the cost of the input into that particular product. It then follows that the moment you reduce the cost, you are also reducing the price of the product. So when you export it, it will be a cheap product and can compete at the international market.
Also, the issue of retooling will become much easier; you are getting more money, you are investing into new technologies. That relationship is important to be always in mind. We are doing all this to produce the best and cheapest product and we can conquer the market.
I just want to end up by saying from what the Minister is saying, we are also trying to depart from a situation where we always cry about something that others can try to do to us. We must counter that by making sure that we become more innovative. We can complain that, that country gave us sanctions but I want to tell you that Rhodesia developed faster when it was under the sanctions. Why - they were substituting and people were innovative. We must build our economy under those circumstances, meaning that in a situation where you then have all the access, I tell you - you will travel as far as possible. Our thrust, we must say - here is what we have, we have human capital and resources. Let us use them for the benefit of the people of Zimbabwe. I thank you.
THE MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, INNOVATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLGY DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. MURWIRA): Hon. Speaker, I am really humbled as well as thrilled at the high level of input that is meant to improve our manpower planning and development framework for this country. I just want to say that all the comments that have been given are meant to support and improve the manpower planning and development landscape of our country. A country is as good as the knowledge and skills of its people, no miracles! Development cannot be an accident, it cannot be an incident; it is constructed. We construct the way we want our future to be.
Hon. Speaker, I want to thank Hon. Members together with the Committee on Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development. The Committee and the Members have been very supportive of the journey that we are moving. The journey that we are moving is about prosperity of this country through the sweat and imagination of its people and nurturing that talent so that we begin to enjoy. I think democracy thrives in an environment of plenty and of confidence and where people produce their food, medicine, transport and technology.
So Hon. Speaker, I really just want to say thank you, siyabonga, ndatenda – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear!] –
I now move that the Manpower Planning and Development Amendment Bill [H. B. 2, 2020] be now read a second time.
Motion put and agreed to.
Bill read a second time.
Committee Stage: Wednesday, 9th December, 2020.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. TOGAREPI: I move that we revert to Order of the Day Number 1.
HON. MPARIWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
FINANCE BILL: BUDGET DEBATE
First Order read: Adjourned debate motion for leave to bring in a on Finance Bill.
Question again proposed.
HON. MHONA: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir for affording me this very important time to table the report of your Committee on Budget, Finance and Economic Development responding to the Budget that was tabled by the Hon. Minister of Finance.
- BACKGROUND
Hon Speaker Sir, the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Hon. Prof.Mthuli Ncube tabled a Z$421 billion (approx. US$5.14 billion) 2021 National Budget on the 26th of November 2020. Themed “Building Resilience and Sustainable Economic Recovery”, the budget is riding on milestones achieved under the Transitional Stabilisation Programme (TSP) (October 2018-December 2020) which will be succeeded by the growth-oriented National Development Strategy (NDS 1) that runs from 2021 to 2025. This budget is then the first tool in the implementation of the NDS1.
The budget is being implemented in the context of the NDS1’s 14 Pillars namely:
- Economic Growth and Stability;
- Food and Nutrition Security;
iii. Governance;
- Moving the Economy up the Value Chain & Structural Transformation;
- Human Capital Development;
- Environmental Protection, Climate Resilience and Natural Resource Management;
vii. Housing Delivery;
viii. Digital Economy;
- Health and Well-being;
- Infrastructure & Utilities;
- Image Building and International Engagement and Re-engagement;
xii. Social Protection;
xiii. Youth, Sport and Culture; and
xiv. Devolution.
NDS1 seeks to create 760,000 new jobs, bring inflation down to between 3-7% by 2025 and grow the economy by 5% year on year.
- ECONOMIC CONTEXT
The 2021 National Budget comes at a time when the country is battling to fight the COVID-19 pandemic which has resulted in further macroeconomic deterioration across the economic divide. The ramifications of the pandemic extend beyond the direct health consequences, but has brought negative social and economic impacts thereby posing a big threat to development. The 2021 National Budget is expected to lead the country on a COVID-19 recovery path by reflecting reforms and mechanisms to redress the challenges presented by the pandemic.
In view of the above, Government is expected to enact a pro-poor, inclusive and sustainable national budget framework that prioritises people and their basic needs as well as ring-fencing expenditures thereto. The budget must boost public spending on health, education and social development portfolios without undermining fiscal sustainability. This is particularly so given the economic background of the country, which for the past couple of years was confronted with climatic shocks. Resultantly, the economy is projected to contract by – 4.4% in 2020 before recovering to 7.4% in 2021 on the back of expected normal to above normal rainfall in 2020/2021 season. Inflation, which had peaked to 837.5 % in July 2020 is expected to continue nose-diving after the introduction of the Foreign Currency Auction System which generally stabilised the foreign exchange market. It is expected to close the year 2020 at 2% Month on Month and 336% Year on Year before subsiding to close 2021 below 135% YOY and 1% MOM average. The mining sector is also expected to recover with a rally in global commodity prices.
- COMPLIANCE TO THE LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK
The budget presentation is in compliance with Section 305 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and Section 28(1) of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) [Chapter 22:19] which relate to 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) respectively but violates the Public Debt Management Act [Chapter 22:21].Total Public and Publicly Guaranteed (PPG) debt is estimated at 78.7%of GDP by end of 2020 which is above the SADC recommended threshold of 60% of GDP and the Public Debt Act threshold of 70% of GDP. Moreover, an allocation of ZWL$19.54 billion (5% of projected 2020 revenue of ZWL$ 390.8 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.”
- POST BUDGET CONSULTATIONS
The Budget, Finance and Economic Development Committee received stakeholder reactions to the 2021budget from the Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC), Chamber of Mines (COM), Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), Zimbabwe National Statistics Agency (ZIMSTAT) and Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA). The Committee also received submissions from Institute for Community Development (ICOD) and the Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD). The consultations were done pursuant to budget input obtained from conducted countrywide budget consultations from 12-16 October 2020 to gather the 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) commends the Hon. Minister for incorporating and responding to most of Parliament’s recommendations into the 2021 budget. Although total bids submitted to Treasury by various ministries and departments are much higher than the capacity of revenues and borrowings, the Hon. 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 stabilisation objectives of the budget and the National Development Strategy 1, adhering to an expenditure ceiling of ZWL$421.6 billion, is imperative.
- RECOMMENDATIONS
6.1 Parliament Allocation – Allocation of $7.186 billion (1.7% of the budget) from an initial bid of ZWL$14.7 billion is not in any way reflective of the important role Parliament plays as a custodian of the Constitution and as one of the three arms of the State. The allocation has been declining in real terms from US$124.6 million 2020 to US$88.7millionin 2021 using the official exchange rates, is a far cry from the requirements. As a custodian of constitutional democracy, Parliament needs non-negotiable allocation to carry out its mandate consistent with Section 325 (b) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe which provides that: “The Government must ensure that adequate funds are provided to Parliament, to enable it and its Committees to meet whenever necessary”. The paltry allocation falls short of the minimum financial empowerment requirements for the institution to make robust legislation, effectively represent the populace and carry out vigilant oversight of the executive. In view of the above observations, the Committee seriously urges the Hon. Minister to effect the above recommended adjustments on the Parliament of Zimbabwe Vote, taking a small fraction from unallocated reserve to enable the institution to effectively carry out its mandate as provided in the Constitution.
6.2 Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Allocation- The Committee welcomes the allocation towards the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) of ZWL$420 million which translates to $2 million (US$ 24 691) per constituency. The Committee however recommends timeous disbursements and a review of the allocation to an equivalent of US$50000 per constituency if it is to make meaningful impact.
6.3 Social Protection-The Committee commends the Hon. Minister for allocating $8.2 billion for various social protection programmes. 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 Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), the elderly and the vulnerable.
6.4 Humanitarian assistance- The Committee calls upon Government to revise upwards the current monthly allowances of ZWL$300 per person cash transfer programme for the vulnerable in line with price movements and the need for the funds to make meaningful impact on the lives of the people.
6.5 Wage bill - The Committee calls on the Hon. Minister to ensure that the budget gives effect to structural measures to rationalise civil service including early retirements and eliminating temporary workers. Government needs to develop a digital strategy to help in streamlining public service wage bill. The Committee is of the view that the strategies in the budget to reduce the wage bill to below 40% of the total budget are inadequate. The Committee also 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.
6.6 Productivity - The NDS1 undertakes to strengthen public sector productivity through extensive application of Performance Management Systems. In that regard, the Committee calls upon Government to resuscitate the National Productivity Institute to ensure that wages are linked to productivity. The NPI is a tripartite organisation with representation from the Government, employers and employee organisations established to promote a productivity culture and consciousness in Zimbabwe by coming up with national and sectoral scientific benchmarks to guide productivity bargaining. The NPI should then develop, disseminate knowledge and experience in productivity, for promoting consciousness and improvement in productivity, with the objective of strengthening the performance and competitiveness of the economy as well as of improving the working conditions and quality of life. Moreover, given the plethora of Acts governing the public sector which are also a source of lack of coordination within the public sector, there is need to harmonise these Acts with the main Labour Act. This process was once spearheaded by the tripartite social partners in 2010 but was abandoned.
Cognisant of the low average productivity in Zimbabwe (0.6 metric tonnes per hectare for maize), there is need to focus on enhancing total factor productivity growth across the board. Higher total factor productivity entails improving labour productivity which is very low in the country through improvement in worker skills as well as improvements in working environments to motivate workers to work harder. On the other hand, capital productivity can be enhanced through revamped business investment, research and innovation to increase capital output. Improving the doing business environment can also act as an investment pull factor particularly FDI where capital productivity will be higher.
6.7 Mining-The Committee calls for other supportive measures in the sector which include review and standardisation of Rural District Council fees and charges and further review of Environmental Management Agency charges in line with international best practise. In Mutoko, for instance, the Local authority was getting US$1/tonne of granite extracted in 2019.In that regard, the Committee recommends the adoption of a deliberate policy by Mining firms to capacitate and develop areas where they extract resources. The time limit for liquidation of unutilised export earnings should be extended and Government should undertake to timeously pay for coal delivered to ZESA. The 2021 budget should also prioritise allocations towards the reopening of closed and new mines, finalising the Mines and Mineral Amendment Act and harmonisation of mining taxation laws which are critical in ensuring the viability of the sector as well as to review gold marketing conditions and capacitate law enforcement institutions in order to seal leakages that are enabling side marketing of minerals. Ministry of Mines and Mining development should be capacitated in terms of mobility, communication and computerisation to ensure that mining applications are timely processed and inspections can be conducted as the ministry has a backlog of more than 17 000 applications. To promote mine health and safety and reduce the number of mining accidents, the ZWL$21.4 million allocation is inadequate given the need to increase investigations, inspections and audits and implementation of the occupational health and safety strategy and enforcement guidelines to reduce occupational injuries, fatalities and dangerous occurrences.
The Committee also recommends that the budget must actualise, beyond statements of intent, transparency and accountability in the mining sector through adoption and implementation of such measure as Africa Mining Vision (AMV), Extractives Transparency Initiatives (EITI), Southern Africa Resource Watch Barometer and the SADC mining protocol to curb leakages and spur development in the mining sector.
The setting up of the Mining Cadastre Information System must be finalised in 2020. This is an important system which should increase transparency in the mining sector through mining title administration. In this regard, resources to the tune of ZWL$247.4 million which have been set aside from the 2021 National Budget to meet the target of early next year upon which migration should be completed from the existing manual to the computer-based cadastre system should be supported by allocation of adequate forex.
6.8 State Enterprises and Parastatals (SEPs) - The Committee welcomes the measures to reform SEPs whose continued reliance on handouts from Government has a strong crowding out effect on critical social and capital expenditures. These reforms, which had been on the cards for far too long need to be urgently expedited in the 2021 fiscal year and the budget should provide timelines so as to stop the further haemorrhaging of the economy as keeping them on life support has only benefitted their executives at the expense of the economy. In view of the relatively fairly and at times impressive performance of the SEPs in other countries which are following alternative SEPs ownership models, one of the game changing reforms which Government is pursuing the reform of the current decentralised SEPs ownership model. The Committee recommends reduction of SEPs by merging and disposing off some of them. A centralised model where the Ministry of Finance or any other Department becomes the coordinating arm for parastatals and acts as the Shareholder is desirable, and Government should consider the merits and demerits of such an option before implementation. The central decision-making body will carry out the mission as shareholder in all companies and organisations controlled by the State. It is also recommended that Government reduces its shareholding in commercial SEPs to a minimum majority.
6.9 Subsidies-The Committee recommends Governments to put in place targeted subsidies in order to do away with rent seeking for subsidised commodities. Blanket subsidies are abused and do not reach the intended beneficiaries for example the roller meal subsidy which has been abused by producers and individuals, according to the 2020 Mid-year budget review statement.
6.10 Value Addition-The Committee calls upon the Hon Minister of Finance and Economic Development to ensure that the budget supports value addition and put an end to the export of raw materials. Among other macroeconomic objectives for the NDS1 is the need to accelerate value addition and beneficiation of agriculture and mining. The aim is to increase the contribution of value-added exports to total exports from 9% in2020 to 20% by 2025. The country had a diverse export product mix with a high composition of value-added products such as textiles, clothing and processed foods, among others. Presently the export product mix is heavily skewed towards raw commodities and semi-finished products and the country imports them back as expensive finished goods, a situation which is untenable. The budget should finance the value addition strategies through the identified value chains. Related to that, the budget should spell out targeted interventions towards reviving the steel industry whose potential is enormous. It is therefore prudent that an action plan for the revival of ZISCO be put in place. It is imperative to realise that it is not in the interests of any country to invest in value addition of Zimbabwean commodities as doing this brings more harm than good to their source of cheap raw materials.
6.11 Funding to ZIMSTAT-The budget should adequately fund ZIMSTAT to enable the institution to produce timely statistics which is critical for informed decision making. With a funding gap of ZWL$ 9.089 billion (84% shortfall), the agency is crippled and will not be able to undertake a credible decennial census. ZIMSTAT needs adequate vehicles to facilitate mobility, ICT equipment to facilitate census logistics and adequate manpower in areas such as Legal, Human Resources, IT and Finance. As such, Zimstat allocation should be revised upwards to ZWL$1.7 billion.
6.12 Development assistance- The Committee notes with concern deliberate concealment of development assistance and retention funds by Ministries and Government departments when they make budget bids and representations in Parliament. With retention funds winding up by 31 December 2020, the Committee therefore recommends presentation of a holistic revenue and expenditure plans including projected development assistance during the process of making budget bids. This will enable Parliament to put forward well-informed proposals to the Ministry of Finance.
6.13 Public Debt Management -Zimbabwe should prioritise interest repayment with a view to curtail the exponential growth of the sovereign debt. The Committee observed that according to the budget statement, the country’s external debt is estimated at US$8.2 billion, as at end September 2020 which is an increase by US$106 million from the end 2019 amount of US$8.09 billion and was mainly on account of penalties and interest arrears. Of the 17% owed by public entities through guarantees, Debt Outstanding and Disbursed (DOD) is a meagre US$28 Million while arrears have grown to US$1.349 billion. Expenditure on interest payment has been negligible and this has seen the nation’s debt in our arrears increasing thereby increasing the risk premium for the country.
6.14 Debt Information-The committee Calls upon Treasury to work towards improving budget information. The debt information provided in the budget is not as detailed as provided for in Section 300(4) of the Constitution which mandates the Minister to:
(a) at least twice a year, report to Parliament on the performance of—
(i) loans raised by the State; and
(ii) loans guaranteed by the State;
(b) at the same time as the estimates of revenue and expenditure are laid before the National Assembly
The Minister, in addition to regularly sending detailed reports to Parliament should provide a comprehensive statement of the public debt of Zimbabwe every time he tables the budget as required by the law. Moreover, Section 36 of the Public Debt Management Act is instructive of the information to be contained in the report to Parliament including Government debt management activities, guarantees and lending, information on how the debt management strategy has been implemented over the course of the financial year; bi-annual reporting of debt management activities covering an evaluation of outcomes against the debt management objectives; a list of all guarantees issued by Government including a classification of guarantees according to their probability of being called in and a list of all outstanding borrowings and related debt service projections including classification
of the loans by Government, public entities and local authorities.
6.15 Health– The Hon. Minister of Finance should, by February 2021 engage the Hon. Minister of Health and Child Care, Honourable Vice President C. G. D. N. Chiwenga, as per his undertaking at the 2020 pre-budget seminar and expedite the enactment of the Cancer Act, as well as explore all options including amending the AIDS levy rate to 1.5% and put the other 1.5% to cancer screening. Cancer screening should be available cost free at all health facilities just like HIV testing whose prevalence rates have gone down due to massive testing, prevention and awareness programmes.
6.16 Procurement-The Procurement Committees in the Ministries should be urgently constituted and staffed with qualified personnel in order to address the challenges being faced with regards to delays in procurement. The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, for instance attributed underutilisation of funds allocated towards reconstruction of Cyclone damaged schools in Chimanimani to ineffective procurement. Moreover, utilisation of the capital budget in the Ministry is very weak. As at end-September 2020, only 6% of the ZWL$1.7 billion approved capital budget had been utilised. The Ministry of Health has also reported procurement challenges which have sadly caused the failure to procure 100 ambulances whose budget had been set aside. The 2020 budget has set aside $590million for procurement of 110 ambulances and utility vehicles. Such challenges are across all Government departments and should be urgently addressed. The Committee will be through in 2021 to track the budget to weed out such inefficiencies early into the fiscal year.
6.17 Revenue targets-The Committee is concerned with the seemingly ambitious revenue targets. The budget anticipates collection of $34.8 billion in December 2020, up from an average of $12.6 billion in 11 months. Anticipated revenue for 2021 is ZWL$390.8 billion, (16.4% of GDP). This revenue target is based, on among other assumptions, recovery from COVID-19 pandemic, resumption of global economic activity and resumption of tourism and trade. These are however likely to continue to be depressed for a considerable time given the surge in Covid 19 cases within the country and beyond. If the Covid 19 pandemic is not quickly curtailed, then the growth target of 7.4% in 2021 may be difficult to achieve without concessionary credit lines for business.
6.18 IMTT minimum threshold-The committee recommended upward revision of the minimum taxable amount for the Intermediated Money Transfer Tax (IMTT) to $2000 given that most products which the poor purchase at any given time would cost more than $2000. The Hon. Minister in the 2021 budget revised the Tax-Free Threshold from the current ZWL$300 to ZWL$500. The Committee recommends further revision to $2000, as had been recommended if the tax relief measure is to make a meaningful impact on the lives of the people.
6.19 Youth Employment Tax Credit -The Committee recommends and upward adjustment of the Youth Employment Tax Credit for each employee hired from the proposed ZWL$1500 to a minimum of ZWL$10 000. This will enhance the attractiveness of the scheme to employers. The proposed 1500 (US$18) is not attractive for companies to hire young people. The tax credit scheme should be extended to People With Disabilities (PWDs) wherein the tax credit for hiring a person with disability should be higher.
6.20 Motor Vehicle Rebate Scheme for Civil Servants -The Committee recommends extension of Motor Vehicle Rebate Scheme for Civil Servants to cushion them from excessive transport costs bearing in mind the inadequacy of ZUPCO buses. The budget proposes ceasing the scheme with effect from 30 June 2021 in view of the improved transport system and to nip corrupt tendencies where beneficiaries are ceding their privilege to third parties in exchange for monetary gain. Not much has changed in terms of the transport situation since the introduction of the scheme in 2020. The Committee therefore request the Ministry of Finance to consider the original intention of the scheme and look at possible ways to curtail errant behaviour by the intended beneficiaries. A blanket ban will affect genuine beneficiaries. The committee recommends strengthening of the monitoring and verification systems, as is done in other countries like Kenya and Tanzania.
6.21 Expenditure tracking-The Committee recommends the setting aside of a dedicated fund to conduct Public Expenditure Reviews (PERs) and Public Expenditure Tracking Surveys (PETS) beginning with social sectors. Public expenditure tracking helps governments, citizens and CSOs ensure that allocated public resources effectively reach their intended beneficiaries. They can also help identify and address problems and weaknesses in systems of public expenditure, transfers and service delivery. In the same vein, the Ministry should ensure operationalisation of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) in 2021
6.22 Vote 1-OPC–The 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 in need to separate votes for monitoring Government programmes and service provision. As such, votes for Radiation Protection, SIRDC, DDF and ZIDA should be under relevant Ministries so as to facilitate monitoring and evaluation of performance and Parliamentary oversight.
6.23 Audit Office Budget- The Committee recommends continuous strengthening of the Auditor-General, another watchdog institution. A budget of 0.28% 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.
- CONCLUSION
The Committee commends the Hon Minister of Finance and Economic development for crafting a productivity orientated budget which is couched on the need to put Zimbabwe on a growth trajectory. The Committee also commends the Minister for incorporating most of the recommendations from Parliament. The Committee calls upon all stakeholders to put all hands on the deck to ensure successful implementation of the budget and the NDS1. In that regard, Parliament must be adequately capacitated to monitor budget implementation. This will be done by ensuring timely release of resources and monitoring the outcomes and output vis-a-vis the legislative intention as outlined in the estimates of expenditure (Blue) Book. Any deviation from the plan should be communicated well in time with justifications given for such.
The Committee therefore recommends the House to approve this budget subject to incorporation of these and other recommendations from Parliament.
Thank you, Tatenda, Siyabonga, Twalumba.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MUTOMBA): Hon. Members, may I direct Hon. Chairpersons who are presenting their reports that they need to devoet much of their time on Recommendations and Observations. After your Introduction please, can you go to Observations. I think that those are of much interest to the minister. Thank you very much.
HON. MKARAKATIGWA:
Introduction
The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development’s mandate is to formulate policies that ensure sustainable mining and marketing of mineral resources; regulate all mining operations by ensuring that all mining activities comply with statutory regulations and ensuring mineral beneficiation and value addition before they are exported.
The Ministry’s priorities for 2021 to 2023 include:
- Acquisition, development and Operationalisation of the computerised Mining Cadastre Information System
- Facilitation of the: resuscitation of closed mines, expansion of existing mines and establishment of new mines
- Implementation of the “use it or lose it” principle
- Capacitation of Small Scale Miners through the Mining Industry Loan Fund (MILF) and other financing initiatives
- Mineral exploration and mining development
2.0 METHODOLOGY
2.1 Following the presentation of the 2021 National Budget by the Minister of Finance, the Portfolio Committee on Mines engaged the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development and stakeholders to gather their views. The Committee consolidated the views and came up with its own analysis of the budget as outlined in ensuing sections of this report.
3.0 MINES AND MINING DEVELOPMENT BUDGET ANALYSIS
3.1 Overview of the Ministry’s 2021 Budget
3.1.1 The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development was allocated a total of ZWL$1.399 billion the Consolidated Revenue Fund. The allocation represents a 0.33% share of the National Budget down from 0.50 allocated in the 2020 national budget. The 2021 budgetary allocation was against a bid of ZWL$4 billion implying that the Ministry received 35% of the amount it had requested from Treasury.
Figure 1: Allocation to the Mining sector as a share of total budget (%) between 2018 and 2021
Source Budget Estimates (2021)
3.1.2 Figure 1 reflects a decrease in the level of priority assigned to the mining sector despite its contribution to the national economy of the country.
3.1.3 Although the Ministry’s allocation increased by 74% from the 2020 allocation, it is only US$17.129 million[1] which is lower from the USD equivalence of USD21.092 million[2] allocated in 2020. Further, the effectiveness of this budget allocation will depend on timely disbursements of the allocated funds. The 2020 experience revealed that whilst the Ministry was allocated a total of ZWL$353 million, only 10.43%[3] of this amount had been disbursed as at 30 September 2020.
3.2 Budget Analysis by Programme
3.2.1 The Ministry of Mines has two programmes namely Policy and Administration as well as the Mining Development and Management. Of the ZWL$1.399 billion allocated to the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development for the year 2021, ZWL$312.554 million or 22.34% of the total mining sector budget went towards Policy and Administration (see Figure 2). The Mining Development and Management programme received ZWL$1.086 billion or 77.66% of the Ministry’s 2021 total budget.
Figure 2: Ministry of Mines and Mining Development’s 2021 Budget Allocation by Programme
Source: Budget Estimates (2020 and 2021)
3.3 Budget Analysis by Expenditure
3.3.1 Of the ZWL$353.73 million that was allocated to the Ministry of Mines for 2020, ZWL$490 million (35.03%) went towards operations and maintenance expenditure. Capital expenditure was allocated ZWL$657.867 million (47.02%) which is lower than the 56% allocation in the 2020 budget. Employment costs will take 17.58% of the Ministry’s total budget in 2021 whilst the remainder (0.36%) will go towards acquisition of financial assets (loans). (See Figure 3). The Committee appreciates the prioritisation of capital expenditure.
Figure 3: Economic Classification of the budget
Source Budget Estimates (2021)
3.4 Budget Allocations vs Bids for 2021
The Ministry of Mines and Mining Development’s 2021 budget allocation of ZWL$1.399 billion represent only 35% of Ministry’s bids submitted to Treasury. The Policy and Administration Programme was allocated 34% of the Ministry’s bid for that programme whilst the Mining Development and Management Programme had a funding gap of 60%. This underfunding of the Ministry’s programmes will negatively affect the Ministry’s operations which are key in achieving the US$12 billion mining industry by 2023. Figure 4 shows a comparison between the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development’s bids and 2021 allocation for the two programmes.
Figure 4: 2021 Budget Allocations against the Ministry’s bids
Source Budget Estimates (2021)
- COMMITTEE OBSERVATIONS, ISSUES AND CONCERNS
4.1 Decrease in the level of priority assigned to the sector
Whilst there was 74.7% increase in the budget allocation to the mining sector, there was a marginal decrease in the share of what the sector received to the total national budget. The budget, generally reflect limited extent to which the government prioritises the mining sector despite it being the chief foreign currency earner for the country. Since the thrust for the 2021 Budget is centered on ramping up productivity in the agriculture, manufacturing, mining and services sectors to create jobs and reduce import; the Committee expected the budget to adequately address the mining sector challenges to bring the industry to a growth trajectory in line with the US12 billion vision by 2023. The proposed allocation to the Ministry relative to the others therefore appears small to capacitate the Ministry of Mines in line with its 2023 vision.
4.2 Scrapping of the retention of resources from statutory fees
Whilst in the past years, statutory fees have immensely contributed to the Ministry’s operations; it is of great concern that Treasury has discontinued the retention of the statutory fees collected by the Ministry of Mines. The statutory fees provided a lifeline to the Ministry’s operations in the backdrop of late disbursement of funds to meet the Ministry’s urgent operational costs.
4.3 Rebound of the mining industry in 2021
The Committee notes with appreciation the forecasted growth in the mining sector in 2021 and beyond. The mining sector performance is expected to rebound from the 4.7% decline recorded in 2020 to 11% in 2021. The growth One of the key mining sector deliverables under the US$12 billion mining sector roadmap in the mining industry is anchored on the opening of new mines, as well as the resuscitation of closed ones, projects expansion, increased capacity utilisation, and value addition and beneficiation.
4.4 Mining Cadastre System
The benefits and prospects of a computerised mining Cadastre for Zimbabwe as a mineral-producing nation are legion. The primary goals of such a system are to strengthen investors’ property rights and security of tenure within the mining sector, enhance the transparency of the mineral
licensing process and support government’s regulatory capacity through improved efficiency, information availability and
management. Multiplier effect of this scenario is the increase in the activity of the mining sector which translates to increased employment potentials, reduction of poverty and increase in national wealth. A Computerized Mining Cadastre can therefore benefit all stakeholders in the mining sector including, administrators, mining investors, external users and the national government in diverse ways. In light of these advantages, the Committee notes with great concern that despite the previous budgets having provided allocation for this, no progress has been noted. The Committee is concerned that it has taken more than six years for the Cadastre project to be completed despite the low budget requirement of just US$2.6 million.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Development provided an allocation of ZWL$247 million for the implementation of the automated mining cadastre information system that is expected to be completed early 2021. The allocated funds are in line with the Ministry’s bid and the Committee requests Treasury to timely disburse the funds for this given the urgency of the need to implement the automated cadastre system.
4.5 Mining exploration
Zimbabwe is underexplored. Government has not been approving Exclusive Prospecting Orders (EPO) despite mineral exploration being vital for mineral resource quantification. The country has thus lagged behind in terms of new discoveries and large-scale investments. The Committee notes with concern the inadequate funding allocated to the Mining Promotion Company that is mandated to carry out exploration activities. It is of concern that despite exploration being one of the key mining sector deliverables under the US$12 billion mining sector roadmap, the mining exploration was allocated ZWL$1.2 million against a bid of ZWL$250 million. This represents a funding gap of 99.65%. The Committee is of the view that the allocation is grossly inadequate if the sector is to achieve this vision.
4.6 Surveillance and monitoring-
The Committee notes with concern the increased mineral leakages. The leakages can be attributed to weak monitoring by the Ministry of Mines due to incapacitation of the Ministry. The Ministry highlighted to the Committee that over the past years, they have experienced challenges with acquiring and maintaining motor vehicles due to inadequate funding from the Treasury. For example in the 2020 budget, a provision of ZWL$50 million was made for the acquisition of motor vehicles. However, it is disappointing to note that as of 30 September 2020 no disbursement was made for the purchase of the vehicles. In addition, in the 2021 budget, the budget for the acquisition of the motor vehicles was allocated ZWL$174 million against a requirement of ZWL$350 million. This underfunding will negatively affect the surveillance activities of the Ministry. There is need, for example, for government to continuously monitor production output levels and operational issues at mining sites instead of relying on information from the mining companies. Depending on mining companies to declare production figures is not sustainable and this could lead to distorted information on production levels. Without adequate information on mineral output it is would be difficult to collect adequate tax revenue.
4.7 Capacitation of Small Scale Miners
The Committee noted that in the 2021 budget, Treasury allocated ZWL$64 million towards the capacitation of the Small-scale miners through the Mining Industry Loan Fund. However, it is disappointing to note that in 2020, Treasury did not disburse any funding for this budget item. To make matters worse, the 2021 budget allocated only ZWL$274 million towards capitalization of the Mining Industry Loan Fund against a Ministry’s bid of ZWL$556 million. The amount allocated represents a funding gap of 50.7%. The small-scale and artisanal mining sector has of late become one of the pillars of the economy of Zimbabwe contributing significantly to national exports and therefore should be adequately supported to enable them to transform from being informal to formal enterprises.
4.8 Disaster Management
The Committee notes with concern the rising cases of accidents in the mining sector. The situation is worsened by the absence of a Disaster Management System by the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development that reacts to disasters. The current disaster management structure only covers formal miners and excludes the small-scale miners who are largely informal. This is despite the fact that they are currently contributing about 50% of the country’s gold. The 2021 budget did not provide any allocation towards the Mining Sector Disaster Management.
4.9 Mines and Minerals Bill
The Committee expresses concern over the slow pace in the process of amending the Mines and Minerals Act to align it with international best practices. The Act will legalise the implementation of the “use it or lose it” principle to prevent speculative hoarding of claims across all minerals. More so, it is good for building confidence in the administration of the industry. Further, the “use it or lose it” principle offers government an opportunity to optimise tax revenue from the disposal of released mining blocks which have proven geological potential. The Committee however, notes with appreciation that the Minister of Finance did specify the timeframe for the implementation of this principle. The Government has set ‘early 2021’ as the deadline upon which the Act will be passed.
4.10 Alignment of corporate tax payments to retention thresholds
The Committee notes with appreciation the alignment of corporate tax payments to retention or liquidation thresholds, with effect from 1 January 2021 – this is a positive measure as it allows mining companies to prioritise the available forex for importation of critical materials for sustaining output growth and production ramp up while using local currency for payment of local transactions. We are also of the view that Government would extend the same principle to payment of royalty and other statutory obligations which mining houses are paying 100% in forex.
- RECOMMENDATIONS
5.1 Given the challenges obtaining in the mining sector, there is need for not only increased budgetary allocation but timely disbursements of the allocated resources in full. Further, Treasury needs to increase the mining sector allocation, relative to the total budget towards the realization of a US$12 billion mining sector by 2023.
5.2 Use it or lose it. The Committee proposes that Government adheres to the set target for the finalization of the amendment of the Mines and Minerals Act that will provide the legal framework for the implementation of the “use it or lose it” principle. The eexpedition in the enactment of the Mines and Minerals Bill into an Act will address transparency and accountability risks and vulnerabilities associated with the archaic Mines and Minerals Act of 1961. The proposed Mines and Minerals Bill should be grounded on transparency and accountability along the mineral value chain. It should also reflect the tenets of the African Mining Vision of having a “Transparent, equitable and optimal exploitation of mineral resources to underpin broad-based sustainable growth and socio-economic development.”
5.3 The Ministry of Mines to set timelines for its 2021 policy priorities to allow for Committee follow-ups on progress. In addition, the Committee will require the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development to submit to the Committee quarterly budget reports to ensure budget tracking by the Committee.
5.4 To realise the US$ 12 billion vision, Government needs to support small-scale players accessing the MMCZ credit funds as this will go a long way towards achieving inclusive growth. The Mining Industry Loan Fund should be adequately capitalized. The support should also include mechanisms to formalise and decriminalise the Artisanal and Small-Scale Miners to optimize on their contribution to the economy. The formalisation of the sector should be coupled with incentives for the players to access mining claims and licenses at reasonable fees.
5.5 Mining Cadastre System- The Committee has noted that it has taken 6 years for Treasury to fund a US$2.6 million. The Committee recommends that the 2021 budget disbursements prioritises the Cadastre system by disbursing the ZWL$247 million allocation in the first quarter of 2021 in order to enable the Ministry to migrate to migrate from the manual to the computer based cadastre system before the end of 2021.
5.6 Disaster Management System:
The Committee noted with concern the absence of a disaster management structure that covers all players in the mining industry irrespective of their legal status. The Committee recommends that Treasury provides funding for the constitution of an all-inclusive structure to prevent and react to disasters in the mining industry.
- Conclusion
Zimbabwe faces crucial decisions regarding its mining sector, which ultimately will affect its long-term development and progress and for the Ministry to continue to increase its revenue generation capacity and to be able to carry out its priority projects and programmes in line with the National Development Strategy. Despite enjoying an endowment of many mineral resources, globally, Zimbabwe’s the mining industry has remained relatively small and stagnant. If properly tapped, the mining industry could help propel projected 7.4 growth for the country in 2021. In fact, the performance of mining sector will be an important factor for Zimbabwe to achieve this growth target.
HON. MAPHOSA: I am presenting a report of the budget analysis report for the Portfolio Committee on Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development. The Committee sat on Friday last week and adopted the report. The report is as follows:
1. Introduction:
The 2021 National Budget theme is “Building Resilience and Sustainable Economic Recovery”. As such, the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development has a key role to play. The Ministry is responsible for oversight, formulation and implementation of policies related to planning, training and development of human capital and the promotion of science, technology and innovation. The key deliverables of the Ministry are human capital development, innovation, science and technology development. The Ministry will facilitate these key deliverables at local, regional and international levels in line with the National Development Strategy and Vision 2030. A high quality higher and tertiary education is the engine of economic growth and modernisation. The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development provides an oversight responsibility over this Ministry.
2. Major Achievements in 2020:
During the 2020 Budget year, the Ministry scored the following achievements:
Ø Ministry established a student loan scheme with CBZ bank amounting to $30 million with a loan guarantee amount of $15 million. Qualifying students are selected from enrolled students in the Ministry’s Higher and Tertiary institutions.
Ø The Ministry operationalised Hwange Teachers College which is being incubated by United College of Education. Construction works are soon to commence.
Ø The Ministry has a Higher Education infrastructure development programme in place in universities
Ø The Ministry has completed the map of natural regions which was last reviewed in 1963.
Ø The Ministry constructed innovation hubs at six State universities namely University of Zimbabwe, NUST, MSU, HIT and CUT. Two other innovation hubs are under construction at GZU and BUSE. MSU and UZ have just completed construction of the first phase of their industrial parks; the Tugwi-Mukorsi Concept Master plan was completed.
Ø The Medical Oxygen project was done.
3. Major Challenges:
The following are the major challenges that the Ministry faced in 2020:
Ø Delays in the disbursement of funds
Ø Shortages of critical staff and skills at institutions of higher learning (universities and tertiary institutions). The employment freeze by Treasury exacerbates this problem.
Ø Inadequate vehicles for monitoring, evaluation and implementation of the Ministry’s programmes. The Ministry has institutions right around the country and requires constant mobility for its programme implementation, oversight and corporate governance role.
Ø Lack of adequate infrastructure at universities and colleges, i.e. student and staff accommodation facilities, and learning spaces.
4. Policy Priorities in 2021:
The vision of the Ministry is to deliver a competitive, modernised and industrialised Zimbabwe through higher and tertiary education, innovation, science and technology development. To achieve this, the Ministry developed a philosophy of Education 5.0, which is an education with 5 missions, i.e. teaching, research, community service (consultancy), innovation and industrialisation. Education 5.0 seeks to make the country’s higher education relevant to the key challenges facing the country. To that end the following are the Ministry’s key priority programmes in 2021:
Ø Geospatial, Aeronautical and Space Science Capability Programme
Ø Energy and Mineral research
Ø Zimbabwe National Space Agency (ZINGSA)
Ø Innovation Hubs and Industrial Parks
Ø Agricultural Research Development
Ø Biotechnology and Advanced Cattle Breeding Technologies
Ø Study in Zimbabwe Programme
Ø Research and Development 1% of the GDP towards research and innovation
Ø Capacitating Teachers in the teaching of Science
Ø Infrastructure Development
Ø Operationalising the Zimbabwe National Qualifications Framework (ZNQF)
Ø National Science Technology Innovation System (NSTI).
Ø Good governance enhancement in the Ministry and its agencies.
5. 2020 Disbursements as at September 30:
The Ministry’s revised 2020 expenditure estimate was $2 890 889 000. Unaudited expenditure shows that 68.8% of this amount was disbursed as at 30 September 2020. Disbursements by programme shows that Policy and Administration had received 82.1% in disbursements, Skills Training and Development 70% and STEM for Industrialisation and Modernisation 20.5% as at the same date. Figure 1 shows disbursements by programme as at 30 September 2020.
Figure 1: Disbursements as at 30 September 2020:
6. 2021 Expenditure Bids versus Allocations:
The Ministry submitted a total expenditure bid of $33 384 132 181 but was allocated $14 368 000 000 for 2021. This represents a shortfall of $19 016 132 181. The expenditure shortfalls are noticeable in all of the Ministry’s programmes, but are most pronounced in the capital grants for Higher Education, Tertiary Education and Research, Development and Innovation. Figure 2 shows bids vs. expenditure allocations for the Ministry’s three main programmes.
Figure 2: Programme expenditure bids versus allocations ($ Billion)
7. Trends and Overview of the Ministry’s Budget:
When expressed as a percentage of the total National Budget (share of the national cake), the Ministry was allocated 3.4% in 2021. The trend in this share reflects the Ministry’s prioritisation in government programmes. On a trend basis, we see that the Ministry’s share continuously declined from a peak of 7.7 % in 2012 to 3.7% in 2019. This share was increased in 2020 to 4.4% before dropping to 3.4% in 2021. Although the Ministry received a substantial increase in its 2021 budget allocation, its priority in the National Budget decreased. Figure 3 shows the trend of the Ministry’s budget as a proportion of the total National Budget.
Figure 3: Proportion of the Ministry’s budget in the National Budget (% of total budget)
The Ministry’s expenditure allocation increased by 397%, from $2 890 889 000 in 2020 to $14 368 000 000 in 2021. If we include retention funds, the total 2021 allocation amounts to $17 833 020 000. Retention funds represent 19.4% of the Ministry’s 2021 overall budget.
8. Capital vs. Current Expenditure Distribution
Since 2016, there has been a gradual improvement in the capital expenditure budget allocation from 8.3% to 17.2% in 2020. In 202,1 the capital budget allocation was further increased to 34.9%. There has been a significant improvement in the proportion of the capital budget allocation in 2021 when compared to 17.2% in 2020. This development is most welcome given the central role of capital infrastructure in promoting education, and long term economic growth and development. Figure 4 shows the trends in the capital vs. current expenditure allocations for the Ministry.
Figure 4: Capital vs. Current Expenditure Budget allocation (2011-2021)
9. Economic Classification of the Ministry’s Vote:
The 2021 current expenditure budget of the Ministry is skewed towards financing current grants (48.9%), employment costs (8.6%) and goods and services (7.4%). The capital expenditure budget is distributed as follows; capital grants (22.3%), buildings and structures (11.2%), machinery and equipment (0.3%). The expenditure distribution by economic classification clearly shows the shift from consumptive budgeting towards capital budgeting. Figure 5 shows the economic classification of the Ministry’s 2021 vote allocation.
Figure 5: Economic Classification of the Ministry’s 2021 Vote allocation (%):
10. Programmes of the Ministry:
The Ministry’s budget is programme based. There are three main programmes namely: (1) Policy and Administration, (2) Skills Training & Development, and (3) STEM for Industrialisation & Modernisation. The Skills Training & Development Programme received the bulk 84.17% ($12 093 125 000) of the total vote allocation followed by STEM for Industrialisation & Modernisation (9.11%) ($1 309 603 000) and lastly, Policy and Administration (6.72%) ($965 272 000). The expenditure distribution across programmes is reflective of the Ministry’s core mandate of human capital development. Figure 6 shows the distribution of the Ministry’s 2021 budget by programme.
Figure 6: Distribution of Ministry’s 2021 budget allocation by programme:(excluding retention funds)
10.1 Policy and Administration Programme
The Policy and Administration programme was allocated a total of $965 272 000. The bulk of resources in this programme go towards the sub-programme on Finance and Administration (50.4%). The distribution of the rest of the resources by sub-programme is shown in
Figure 7: Distribution of the Policy and Administration Programme Budget:
10.2 Skills Training and Development Programme
The Skills Training and Development Programme was allocated a budget of $12 093 125 000 in 2021. The budget towards Skills Training and Development increased by 384%% in 2021 from $2 497 786 000 in 2020. The Higher Education sub-programme (universities) takes the largest chunk of the Skills Training and Development budget (81.4%) followed by Tertiary Education (16.7%) while Quality Assurance takes the least (1.9%). Figure 8 shows the distribution of the Skills Training and Development programme budget by sub-programme.
Figure 8: Distribution of the Skills Training and Development Budget
10.3 STEM for Industrialisation and Modernisation Programme:
STEM for Industrialisation and Modernisation was allocated a total of $1 309 603 000 in 2021. The sub-programme on Research, Development & Innovation takes 90.1% of the resources while 7.6% and 2.3% is going towards Technology Transfer and Promotion & Advocacy respectively. The expenditure distribution in this sub-vote reflects government’s commitment to implement Education 5.0 which is premised on research, innovation and industrial development. Figure 9 shows the distribution of the STEM for Industrialisation and Modernisation programme budget.
Figure 9: Distribution of the STEM for Industrialisation and Modernisation Programme Budget:
11. Verify Engineering
- Verify Engineering submitted a bid of $260 million and was allocated $120 million in the 2021 budget year, leaving a shortfall of $140 million. Given this shortfall, indications were that Verify Engineering will not be able to go onto the market in 2021. The failure to go onto the market will be regrettable given the progress that had been made in 2020 which include the purchase of marketing and distribution infrastructure worth USD2.2 million. This consignment for gas cylinders and spares for the plant is already underway.
- There is however a critical shortage of accessories and vehicles for use. The current vehicles in use are now very old given that they were bought in 2005. As such, Verify Engineering requires additional financial support from Treasury in order for it to complete its gas project. If this project is supported, the country will experience foreign currency savings through import-substitution.
- It was noted that once the gas project is complete, the company should then embark on its second coal-to-fertilizer project which is also of national significance.
12. Observations:
12.1 The 2021 Budget Shortfall:
The Ministry is grateful for the allocation of $14 billion in the 2021 budget year by Treasury. Given this allocation, the Ministry will be able to achieve some of its priority programmes in 2021. However, the allocated amount falls short of the Ministry’s bid of $30.4 billion by $17.3 billion. The Ministry’s capital grant is the most severely affected by the budget shortfall.
12.2 Key Projects:
Additional resources are required for the following key projects:
- The construction of NUST buildings that have been unfinished for the last 20 years. The allocated amount is not enough to finish the library building alone.
- Building and capacitation of the four new State universities. These are (1) Marondera University of Agricultural Science and Technology, (2) Gwanda State University, (3) Manicaland University of Applied Sciences, and (4) Pan African Mining University of Science and Technology. These universities have no buildings and laboratory facilities.
- Construction of hostels to increase number of students staying in university residence from the current 20%. The 2020 target of 1000 beds per university was not achieved. Going forward, PPEs are targeted at MSU (800 beds), BUSE (500 beds).
- In light of the COVID 19 pandemic, the Ministry needs support to capacitate State universities and colleges with ICT infrastructure to ensure staff have capacity to deliver lectures remotely.
12.3 Salaries of university and college lecturers:
The remuneration of lecturers in our universities and colleges is quite worrisome as it is resulting in massive resignations and skills flight. College lecturers are earning the same salaries as primary school teachers in spite of their higher qualifications and skills set. Professors are earning about USD300 compared to the regional average of about USD2000 per month. There is therefore need to achieve regional parity in the remuneration of university and college lecturers.
12.4 COVID 19 Related Interventions:
In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, campus radio stations were encouraged in State universities in order to aid remote teaching and learning. An invitation was extended to all State universities to apply for a campus radio station. It was noted that Lupane State University and ZOU have already applied. Of note, was the lack of action for ICT programming in order to build capacity among teaching staff and students.
12.5 PPPs in Infrastructure Development:
The Ministry was encouraged to consider PPPs in infrastructure development. It was noted that NUST as an example, has a very good model for building student hostels.
12.6 Education 5.0:
In light of Education 5.0, the Ministry’s linkage with other key ministries such as Primary and Secondary Education ought to be strengthened. It was encouraged that the Ministry strengthen its link with people with indigenous knowledge and from the informal sector so that they also experiment and produce goods and services in the innovation hubs. It was however indicated that the National Development Strategy provides the platform for synergy between the Ministry and these key stakeholders.
12.7 Student loans:
It was noted that the terms and conditions of student loans are not attractive at all as most students failed to access these loans. The terms and conditions include the need for students to produce current pay-slips as part of the loan access requirement.
13. RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Treasury should consider further budgetary support for the Ministry’s capital budget. Higher and tertiary education is at the centre of the country’s industrialisation and modernisation agenda, and hence there is need to support HTEIs programmes.
- Treasury should seriously consider additional funding to Verify Engineering so that it can go onto the market in 2021. The critical need for local hospital oxygen cannot be overemphasised. Supporting Verify Engineering is noble as this promotes import substitution and serves the country on foreign currency.
- Treasury should pursue regional parity in the remuneration of university and college lecturers and other critical staff. The Ministry was advised to also pursue non-monetary benefits such as stands for housing and flexible vehicle loan schemes in order to retain staff.
- The Ministry should try and space its Bills in future where possible so as to release adequate time for scrutiny of each Bill.
- State universities should consider campus radio stations in order to aid remote teaching and learning.
- The Ministry should pursue PPPs in infrastructure projects.
- The Ministry should strengthen its linkages with other ministries, people in endogenous knowledge system and the informal sector in pursuing Education 5.0
- The terms and conditions for student educational loans should be reviewed so as to make them attractive to students in need. The Ministry advised that the stringent conditions are being reviewed and other flexible arrangements such as ‘work for fees’ and scholarship programmes will be actively pursued in 2021.
- Treasury should increase the allocation for quality assurance given the critical role it plays. The Ministry submitted a bid of $107 165 000 for 2021 and was allocated $48 065 000, resulting in a shortfall of $59 100 000. I thank you.
HON. MUSARURWA: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir. The Portfolio Committee on Environment and Tourism met on 7th December, 2020 and deliberated on the 2021 Post Budget Analysis and it adopted this report.
Introduction
The recommendations are in line with the NDS1 and the 2021 budget thrust. The committee analysed the policy issues, grant budgetary allocations and analysis by Ministry programmes and lastly analysed allocations done to the Ministry’s parastatals.
A. Policy Issues
The Committee is pleased to note that the Minister of Finance and Economic Development pronounced the following Existing Duty Concessions;
- Rebate of Duty on Capital Goods for use in Tourism Development Zones
- Rebate of duty on capital goods for expansion, modernisation or renovation of hotels and lodges
- Suspension of Duty on Motor Vehicles Imported by Safari Operators
- Suspension of Duty on Buses for Tour Operators
This will allow retooling and deepening asset capacity in the sector in sight of COVID.
The Committee recommends that this concession would have been tied up to the period of NDS1 (2021-2025).
- Extension of VAT exemption to all tourists for domestic market. This will assist in retaining a fair average tourist cost which will move the sector to a USD$5 billion by 2025.
The committee recommends that a Statutory Instrument be put in place for other operators since the current exemption was on accommodation alone.
The Committee also recommends that the facility should be clearly stated to benefit all domestic tourists and not for the operators benefit only.
- Acknowledge tourism-aiding infrastructure development for example, the Harare-Beitbridge Road.
The Committee recommends for more funding to other related projects like the Makuti-Kariba Road so as to resuscitate the giant Kariba resort.
- Budgetary Allocations
The Ministry submitted an ideal bid of ZWL$2,993,181,254 for its four programmes namely:
- Policy Cordination and Administration
- Environment and Natural Resources Management
iii. Tourism Development and Promotion
- Weather, Climate and Seismology Service
The total allocated budget from the Treasury is ZWL$ 1,786,600,000. This means 60% of the ideal budget has been financed and the Committee recommends an additional combined ZWL$1,206,581,254 to finance effectively the four programmes.
C. Analysis by Programme
- The ideal budget bid for the Policy and Administration programme was ZWL$191,420 million and Treasury allocated it ZWL$124,887 million. This entails that 65% of the ideal budget is financed by Treasury.
The Committee recommends an additional ZWL$66,533 million to finance activities in the new Environment and Tourism Directorate and resource the already newly established Department of Monitoring and Evaluation
- The ideal budget bid for the Environment and Natural Resources Management programme was ZWL$ 693,091254 million and Treasury allocated it ZWL$226,025 million. This entails that 33% of the ideal budget is financed by Treasury.
The Committee recommends an additional ZWL$467,066254 million in order to meet owings in environmental conventions, subscriptions in Multilateral Agreements and member states collaborations.
The additional request is needed in co-funding programmes under GEF6 and GEF7 cycles where we commited USD$10 million equivalent.
- The ideal budget bid for the Tourism Development and Promotion programme was ZWL$ 987,473,000 and Treasury allocated it ZWL$491,026,000. This entails that 50% of the ideal budget is financed by Treasury.
The Committee recommends an additional ZWL$496,213,000 to finance tourism development and promotion programmes and activities.
- The ideal budget bid for the Weather, Climate and Seismology Service programme was ZWL$1,121,197,000 and Treasury allocated it ZWL$944,428,000. This entails that 84% of the ideal budget is financed by Treasury.
The Committee recommends additional funding of ZWL$176,769 million to fund weather stations, weather radars, seismology stations, airport automatic weather observing systems. All relevant for climate change adaptation which is key in these modern times of climate change.
- Analysis by Parastatals
Programme 2: Environment and Natural Resources Management.
- Forestry Commission
The ideal budget bid for the Forest Commission was ZWL$26,145 million and Treasury allocated it ZWL$26,145 million. This entails that 100% of the ideal budget is financed by Treasury. This is for the recurrent expenses. The challenge is of late disbursement of allocated funds into the Forestry Commission Afforestation Fund.
The Committee recommends timeous release of the funds to enable timeous re-afforestation activities.
2. EMA
EMA did not receive any allocation from Treasury. EMA had submitted a bid to implement activities like wetlands restoration, rehabilitation of degraded lands, and ecosystem, eradication of invasive species, developing pollution abatement facilities, acquisition of hazardous substances emergency response and ambient air quality monitoring equipment.. There is also need to construct a National Hazardous Waste Landfill in Kwekwe.
The Committee recommends that Treasury allocates funding from the carbon tax to supplement funding from its own budget.
3. ZIMPARKS
The ideal budget bid for ZIMPARKS was ZWL$500 million and Treasury allocated it ZWL$156 million. This entails that 31% of the ideal budget is financed by Treasury and this will heavily affect our expected domestic-led tourism. ZIMPARKS has received inadequate capital expenditure budget to cover anti-poaching and park management, motor vehicles, tourist facility renovations and roads and infrastructure development.
The Committee recommends an additional budget allocation of ZWL$344 million covering the above requirements.
Programme 3: Tourism Development and Promotion
1. Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA)
The ideal budget bid for ZTA was ZWL$455,7 million (256,2 million recurrent and 199,5 million capital expenditure) and Treasury allocated it ZWL$198,726 million (149,726 million recurrent and 49 million capital expenditure). This entails that 43.60% of the ZTA ideal budget is financed by Treasury and has received inadequate funding which impacts negatively on Tourism and Growth Strategy, Government Devolution Policy, Domestic Tourism Campaign and the Visit Zimbabwe Tourism Campaign.
The Committee recommends for additional funding of ZW$256,974 million in order to fully achieve the ZTA’s extensive marketing and promotion and to meet recurrent and capital expenditure.
2. Mosi Oa Tunya Development Company
The ideal budget bid for Mosi Oa Tunya Development Company was ZWL$69,5 million and Treasury allocated it ZWL$23 million only for capital expenditure. This entails that only 33% of the Mosi Oa Tunya Development Company ideal budget is financed by Treasury. The Company is still in its infancy and the current operations are non-revenue generating. The company needs to expend on Validity of Feasibility Study, Architectural Modelling of Concept plan in the Victoria Falls Special Economic Zone.
The Committee recommends that an additional ZWL$46,5 million be allocated to the Company in order to meet the above-cited projects Thank you.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. PROF. NCUBE): I move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 9th December, 2020.
On the motion of THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, the House adjourned at Nine Minutes past Six o’clock p.m.
[1] ZWL$1.399 billion converted at the 24 November 2020 auction rate of ZWL$81.67/US$1
[2] ZWL$353,73 million converted at the December 2019 interbank rate of ZWL$16.77/US$1
[3] This amount excludes the ZWL$6.6 billion, which was disbursed as loans but was not part of the Ministry’s budget allocation.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 8th December, 2020
The Senate met at Half-past Two o’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE in the Chair)
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR MASHONALAND CENTRAL PROVINCE (HON. SEN. MAVHUNGA): Mr. President Sir, I move that Orders of the Day, Numbers 1 to 4 be stood over until all the other Orders of the Day have been disposed of.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH: DEBATE ON ADDRESS
Fifth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion in reply to the Presidential Speech.
Question again proposed.
+HON. SEN. MKWEBU: Thank you Mr. President for giving me the opportunity to add my voice on the speech that was delivered by the President to the nation; the motion was moved in this House by Hon. Sen. Chirongoma, seconded by Hon. Sen. Dube. A lot has been said and there are a few issues that I will talk about. Firstly, I will talk about what was said by the President in his speech which was raised by the Minister in the past few days on the transitional stabilisation programme. I will talk about how this has improved our economy and other issues that can help improve our economy.
There has been instability of currency in this country but nowadays our currency is now stable, which makes prices to be stable, especially if we look at urban and rural areas. You find that the prices would change with time from the urban to the rural areas and this was changing things on the market. Nowadays, the currency is stable and we can now buy basic goods from the supermarkets. The other thing is micro-stability. It was not very easy to borrow money because if you borrow money, it was going to change as our inflation was not stable at all. It was making our life difficult in this country but with the forex exchange market, it has made business to function well.
We can now even borrow money on loan at a low interest rate. It was making the lives of all Zimbabweans difficult. Even the President said the prices were rising each and every day and there was nothing that the President could do if the economy was not stable. We have been trying to do many other things; for instance, we constructed the road from Harare to Beitbridge and we used our own resources as Zimbabwe. We did not borrow any money from IMF but we used our own local resources and this was not going to be possible without the intervention of the President.
There was a dam which was constructed using Zimbabwean dollars. We did not borrow any money from the IMF, we used our own resources. Even this shows that we are in deep plight. We ensure by all means as Zimbabweans to use our own local money without borrowing. I am applauding the President for he is trying by all means to help this country. COVID-19 attacked this country and we did not have any resources in terms of money to deal with the disease but Zimbabwe managed to raise $18 billion so that we buy all the resources needed to fight COVID-19. We did not borrow this money from anyone. Mr. President, with these few words, thank you very much.
HON. SEN. MWONZORA: Thank you very much Mr. President Sir. Mr. President, for the first time in two years, I rise to debate the Presidential Speech. At the onset, I wish to state that the politics of this country must change. We must get rid of the politics of hate, acrimony, polarisation, violence and replace it with the politics of rational disputation and tolerance. The mistake that we as politicians across the political divide continue to make for years is to assume that our people, the people of Zimbabwe think politics everyday. To the contrary, our people think of their daily struggles, school fees, health and the well-being of their loves ones. They think of all their physiological needs first and foremost. It is therefore important that we deal with these issues that matter to Zimbabweans irrespective of their political persuasion.
I should state that we have seen enough rancour and bloodletting in our nation and it is time for change. It is time for the ruling party to change its attitude towards the opposition and vise versa. Our people must be completely enfranchised wherever they are. They must be allowed to choose from time to time the men and women who must govern them freely. Our electoral system must thus guarantee the secrecy of the vote, the security of the vote and the security of the voter.
In his speech, the President acknowledged the role of the diaspora in Zimbabwe’s economic development. They must be encouraged to do more. However, there cannot be responsibility without rights. Therefore, this country has to allow the diaspora vote. Other countries like Malawi, Mozambique and Russia allow their nationals stationed in Zimbabwe to vote in their national elections while they are in Zimbabwe. My party - the MDC-T is working on concrete proposals on how to make the diaspora vote safe, fair and credible.
Our country has experienced uneven development and economic injustice in its regions. To forestall this, our Constitution provides for the principle of devolution. Under this principle, local communities have a say in the development priorities within their regions. Resources found in those regions must benefit the local people first and foremost. It is unfair and ironic Mr. President Sir, that in Marange where we find rich fields in diamonds, you also find some of the poorest and unhappiest Africans on earth. It is equally unfair that the people living along the Zambezi in Tongaland and who have populated that region for years are regarded as poachers when it comes to fishing in the Zambezi. A special quota of fishing rights must be given to the local communities as a matter of right. It is sad that seven years after the promulgation of the new Constitution devolution laws have not yet been finalised. The provincial councils elected two years ago are not yet fully operationalised.
The President talked about the provision of farming inputs to the rural and urban communities to ensure food sufficiency. While this is a good proposition for the programme to succeed, the provision of agricultural inputs must be completely depoliticised. The continued politicisation of the provision of these inputs only leads to resentment and exacerbates the polarisation of our country. Therefore, politicisation of the provision of inputs must be criminalised and the culprits brought to book. Zimbabwe has just concluded a compensation agreement with the white former farm owners. The agreement also relates to black former farm owners although it was not negotiated by the black former farm owners. It is important that the compensation for black people who lost their land should be prioritised also.
One of the black people who lost their land in a clear case of political victimisation was the late Reverend Ndabaningi Sithole whose Churu Farm was expropriated for political reasons. To date, his family has not had any justice. The greatest omission in the compensation agreement is the failure to provide compensation of predominantly black former farm workers who lost their jobs due to the Land Reform Programme. These people who were disadvantaged by circumstances any way have been totally forgotten. As a labour backed party, we as the MDC demand that there must be immediate negotiations between the State and organised labour for the compensation of these former farm workers. It is not fair that this Government must compensate capital and forget labour. It must compensate and compensate labour as well.
It is vital that the Government deals with the plight of the victims of political violence. These include victims of Gukurahundi, 2008 violence, Operation Murambatsvina, the August 1, 2018 shootings and the January 14 to 16, 2019 shootings. We just have to deal with this blight in Zimbabwe’s history and compensate these victims and their families. For any meaningful national peace and reconciliation to happen, there must be truth telling. The MDC T is able to provide a database of some of the victims of political violence. Some of these atrocities happened after the formation of the MDC and we do have a database of these victims.
Here I am making an assumption that everyone wants to have a clean start and we are calling this new dispensation the second republic. Now we must deal with the atrocities by the first republic, it had a lot of victims and we must compensate them. We must also learn from other countries how they have dealt with their post conflict situations. We must derive motivation from the State of Rwanda which recovered from one of the worst genocidal wars on the African continent to become a leading power economic powerhouse on the continent. Before his sad demise, the Late Morgan Tsvangirai set the tone for the integration of Zimbabwe in the international community of nations. Zimbabwe is internationally isolated and this is not helping its people. The MDC is prepared to play its part in ending this isolation. We state it as obvious that the positive movement by the international community in his regard must also be matched by a positive movement on our part as a nation in instituting key political, social and economic reforms.
In this regard, the MDC T has prepared a proposed list of those reforms that we are suggesting. Mr. President Sir, this is a time for new politics within the opposition, we are no longer going to be opposing the ruling party for the sake of it without proffering solutions. We are going to be proffering solutions and what we have already done is to prepare a list of those things that we think need to be set right in this country and we are offering that list for discussion with Government and other stakeholders. We agree with the President that we must prioritize a programme that empowers the youths. In this regard it is a grave mistake to regard the youths as leaders of tomorrow. The youths are leaders of today, however the programmes meant to empower the youths must be completely depoliticized.
The national Constitution and the constitution of most political parties, in particular the Constitution of the MDC T and the constitution of ZANU PF provide for the 50:50 gender principle. However, in practice political parties have only paid lip services to this principle. This is unfair, undemocratic, hypocritical and criminal. For political parties to espouse a 50:50 principle that they do not follow, therefore, political parties must now be compelled to actualize this principle. Our country is to be deviled with corruption at both central and local government levels. This scourge must be dealt with as firmly and as mercilessly as possible. Research shows that corruption has led to massive leaks within our economy. There must not be any holy cows Mr. President when it comes to dealing with corruption.
The fact that a person is more prominent in society must be regarded as highly aggravating to justify a higher sentence. Now Mr. President Sir, it is a truism that the MDC is running almost all the local authorities in this country and therefore, it is running local government. It is a truism and I state it for the sake of completeness that ZANU PF is leading central government. We must have division of labour here. We in the MDC are going to deal with corruption at local government level and mercilessly as we can. We invite our brothers and sisters in central government to follow suit.
In the fight against corruption, we must follow the examples of other countries. I want to invite ZANU PF, you cannot follow China half way, and you must follow China all the way and look at how China deals with corruption, especially corruption of people who are in authority. Mr. President, as I have said before, this is the time for new politics and the time for a new approach. I am just hoping that the Minister of Agriculture who is going to see the distribution of farming inputs will take this into account that we need to completely depoliticize the institution of agriculture. I thank you Mr. President.
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Mr. President, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and greed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 9th December, 2020.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Mr. President, I move that Orders of the Day, Nos. 1 and 2 be stood over until Order of the Day No. 3 has been disposed of.
SECOND READING
ZIMBABWE MEDIA COMMISSION BILL [H. B. 8A, 2019]
Third Order read: Second Reading: Zimbabwe Media Commission Bill [H. B. 8A, 2019].
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Mr. President Sir, I rise to present the Zimbabwe Media Commission Bill. This Bill makes additional provisions with regards to the Zimbabwe Media Commission which is established by Section 248 of the Constitution and whose functions are detailed in Section 249 of the Constitution with the objective to protect the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of the media granted under section 61 of the Constitution.
The Bill must be read with and subject to various provisions of the Constitution such as Part 1 of Chapter 12 relating to the nature of independent commission supporting democracy, of which the Zimbabwe Media Commission is one. Part 1 of Chapter 18 with respect to general and supplementary provisions relating to all constitutional commissions covering the juristic status of commissions, terms of office of members, funding of commissions et cetera, as well as Section 17 relating to gender balance. These aspects have not been reinstated in the Bill. Essential Mr. President Sir, the Bill elaborates the functioning of the Media Commission for easy of reference, the relevant provisions of Chapter 12 of the Constitution relating to the establishment and functions of the Commission are set out verbatim as a preamble to the Bill. So too is Section 61 which sets out the right to freedom of expression and freedom of the media.
Mr. President Sir, even if the Constitution had not established the Zimbabwe Media Commission, some such body is needed in any functioning democracy. The media of a country is called the Fourth Estate by reference to the other estates of the political nation, namely the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary. It is so called because like the other three branches mentioned, it plays a decisive role in the governance of the State, but whereas the Executive is accountable to the Legislature and ultimately to the voters, the Legislature is accountable to the voters and the Judiciary operates by virtue of a Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct under the Judicial Service Commission Act which is enforced by a formal complaints mechanism. Under that Act, the media was not similarly constrained until the enactment of the so called Access to Information and Protection of Privacy in 2000.
As defective as that Act was, it gave notice to the media that since it has access to the public space in the exercise of its freedom of expression, it must accept some of the responsibilities that go with that access such as being disciplined when it infringes the constitutionally protected right to privacy or when it breeches the Common Law rights of individual human dignity and reputation as well as the corporate manifestations of those rights and freedoms held by companies and other corporate bodies.
Mr. President Sir, the State in every democratic country in the world has a vital interest in not only promoting the freedom of expression but also in preventing its abuse, whether directly through its executive agencies or through the courts. Free speech, as we all know, is not a licence to peddle falsehoods or to engage in certain expressions or behaviours with complete disregard for their impacts on the society in which they occur. There are also legitimate concerns where the right to freedom of expression impinges upon other rights and freedoms held by individuals such as the right to privacy or the protection of intellectual property rights of authors in their works. This is the case in the country where the freedom of expression and the jurisprudence associated with it is perhaps the most advanced and zealously guarded, I mean of course the United States of America.
Mr. President Sir, I propose to illustrate our own national experience on this topic by reference wherever possible to what is called in the United States First Amendment jurisprudence, the First Amendment being the primary constitutional guarantee of free speech in the United States. The depth and continuity of the American jurisprudence on issues of media freedom provides a useful benchmark against which to measure the experience of other nations young and old.
Mr. President Sir, I think from the outset, we need to bear in mind an important point that is peculiarly pertinent to developing countries such as our own. This is what forging nationhood naturally features more prominently in the calculations of policymakers in young developing countries than in the more mature nations. Creating a sense of national identity in the space of only one or two generations is an ambitious but not impossible goal and certainly one cannot deny that the deployment of the media to help in bringing this about is indispensible. Accordingly, there is a greater sensitivity in developing countries over what role the media may play in alleviating or exacerbating political and other tensions simply by virtue of them being younger and therefore more fragile nations.
We may here benefit from a useful analogue drawn from an American Supreme Court case 100 years ago by a famous American jurist, Oliver Wendel Holmes. The case in question, Schenk vs USA, involved the prosecution of the general secretary of the Socialist Party under the Espionage Act for distributing anti-conscription leaflets to prospective draftees in the war against the Bolshevik regime in Russia. The court held that it was not a breach of First Amendment Rights to convict someone for prohibited words that did have the intended results so long as the prohibited words were used in such circumstances and were of such a nature as to create a ‘clear and present danger’ of bringing about the substantive evils Congress sort to prevent. To quote Homes, ‘the most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man falsely shouting FIRE in a theatre and causing panic’.
Now Mr. President, in our context, I think it is fair to say that irresponsibility on the part of media in dealing with issues of particular sensitivity pauses a greater and more immediate threat to the social peace and national cohesion of most developing nations as it would to most developed and mature democratic countries. There is little doubt that such irresponsibility played some role in Kenya’s 2009 election violence leading to the enactment in that country of the Communications Amendment Act of 2009 curbing media content in the interests of national security.
Mr. President Sir, in the United States, illegal immigrants are a frequent target of numerous syndicated right-wing radio talk shows. Imagine if similar rein had been given to radio broadcasters in South Africa in whipping up xenophobic sentiments in the time before and during the terrible riots that led to so many deaths of foreigners.
Governments in societies such as ours bear a greater burden in attempting to strike a balance between freedom of expression and restricting that freedom in the interest of social peace and national cohesion. If Governments stray too far in the direction of paternalistic protectionism, that error is perhaps preferable to the opposite one of complete neglect. Mr. President Sir, we can and should aspire to the standards of free expression of a country such as the United States but it may not be fair to hold developing societies like our own too closely to those standards.
Zimbabwe’s legislature and courts have been particularly active on issues of media conduct and freedom, especially in the last two decades, resulting in the creation of the constitutional body with which we are now concerned, called the Zimbabwe Media Commission, whose composition and functions now form part of our Constitution since the promulgation of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Act (No, 19) on 13th February 2009.
I would like to draw a brief parallel between some of the issues addressed by our media law and those addressed by First Amendment jurisprudence, in order to show that, to a very great extent, we share common values and concerns, albeit not with the same emphasis in every case. Mr. President Sir, to save time I will divert only infrequently to the particular provisions of our laws addressing concerns similar to those mentioned by the United States Supreme Court.
I will now turn, Mr. President, to obscene and sexually explicit expression. It has long been held in the United States, as indeed in most democracies, that obscene and sexually explicit expression is not to be accorded the same standard of freedom that is given to other forms of expression, and for obvious reasons. In the 1969 case of Ginsberg vs New York, the US Supreme Court held that states have an interest in limiting the distribution to minors of sexually explicit material, even where that material is not obscene, in the interests of ensuring the growth of our youth into “free and independent well-developed men and women”. In 1978 case of the Federal Communications Commission vs Pacifica Foundation, the Court held that the FCC did not violate the First Amendment by sanctioning a radio station for use of indecent language in this case George Carlin’s “Dirty Words” monologue), on the basis that indecent speech should not be allowed to intrude into one’s home uninvited. In the 1991 case of Barnes vs Glen Theatre, Inc, the Court upheld an Indiana law banning nude dancing, ruling that there was no First Amendment violation if the law aimed to protect “public morals and public order”.
Political Speech
On the issue of campaign funding, it has often been argued, here and in the United States and elsewhere, that unlimited expenditure for political campaign purpose is an exercise of free speech that should never be abridged in any way. This point was argued before the US Supreme Court in the case of Buckley vs Valeo, which ruled that the statutory election-spending limits provided for under the 1974 Federal Election Campaign Act were an unconstitutional restriction of free speech but not the restrictions of contributions to candidates, since these may conduce to corruption.
In 2002, the United State Congress passed the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold) which among other things, regulated “soft-money” campaign contributions in the US (contributions paid on behalf of, but not to candidates, especially for advertising) by requiring any such contributions paid within 20 days of an election to be publicly reported, and prohibited foreign campaign donations to state as well as federal elections. The following year, United States Supreme Court in the case of McConnel vs Federal Election Commission upheld the McCain-Feingold Act as not violating the First Amendment. It also incidentally, upheld the ban on foreign donations to election campaigns, on the sound basis that foreigners should not be allowed to derogate from the right of voters to determine their domestic affairs.
Hate speech
Given our political history, it is not surprising that Zimbabwe and other developing countries are particularly sensitive to speech or forms of expression that are politically, racially or religiously inciteful. In our Criminal Law Code, for instance, there are sanctions against “Causing offence to persons or a particular race, tribe, place of origin, colour, creed or religion” (Section 42). As I have argued before, the proximity of the threat to social peace and order of such speech in developing countries tends to be much greater than it would be to a mature democratic society. However, as I will show, concern for the hate speech is not entirely absent in such societies.
In the 1942 case of Chaplinsky vs New Hamshire, the US Supreme Court held that: “There are certain well-defined and narrowly limited classes of speech, the prevention and punishment of which have never thought to raise any constitutional problem. These include the lewd and obscene, the libelous and the insulting or “fighting”” words, those which by their very utterance inflict injury or tend to incite an immediate breach of the peace. It has been well observed that such utterances are not essential part of any exposition of ideas, and are of such slight social value as a step to the truth that any benefit that may be derived from them is clearly outweighed by the social interest in order and morality.” The case in question involved a Jehova’s Witness, whose activity in passing out pamphlets calling organised religion a “racket” caused by public disorder.
However, in the 1969 case of Brandenburg vs Ohio, involving the punishment of a member of the Ku Klux Klan for making inflammatory statement at KKK meeting against Jews and African Americans, the Court held that “constitutional guarantees of free speech and free press do not permit a State to forbid or proscribe advocacy of the use of force or of law violation except where such advocacy is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action and is likely to incite or produce such action”.
In recent years, the Supreme Court has displayed a far more relaxed approach to hate speech than in the past, or rather it is striven to be more even-handed in its approach as between left-wing and right-wing purveyors of such speech. In 1992 case of R.A.V. vs City of St Paul, the US Supreme Court invalidated a City Council “hate-speech” ordinance, under which a teenager was convicted for burning a cross on the lawn of an African American family, as a breach of the First Amendment, by concluding that, though it thought the conduct to be reprehensible, the City Council had “sufficient means at its disposal to prevent such behaviour without adding the First Amendment to the fire”.
Reputation of public figures
The United States and other democratic countries of the West are generally less deferential to the reputation of prominent political figures than is the case in the developing world. In Zimbabwe, for instance, we have sanctions in the Criminal Law Code against “Undermining the authority or insulting the President” (Section 33). This is partly a reflection of the greater respect for authority inherent in conservative and traditional societies, and is conducive to national cohesion in developing countries if applied in clear cases of abuse. Even in developed countries, the law extends some protection to the reputations of public figures, albeit that it holds to a much narrower standard of protection than our own. The strict standard that public figures must meet in protecting their reputation is illustrated by the US case of New York Times vs Sullivan, which involved a defamation suit by a Police Commission from Alabama against the New York Times for publishing an advertisement in the South for his subordinates’ brutal tactics against civil right protesters. The United States Supreme Court held that public officials could only recover damages for defamatory falsehood on clear and convincing proof of actual malice, that is knowledge that the statement was false or reckless disregard for its truth or untruth.
Preservation of cultural heritage
A concern that does not feature much in the free speech jurisprudence of the United States is the use of the media in the promotion or preservation of the cultural identity and traditions of ethnic groups particularly of indigenous groups. So for instance, the first explicit statutory recognition of Native American values came only in 1978 with the American Indian Religious Freedom Act. This Federal statute extended and guaranteed access to the sites and sacred objects necessary to practise traditional Native American religions.
In our context however, the need to preserve cultural heritage is more acute, given that the cultural heritage in question is in fact the inheritance of people who make up the majority population in our societies. Furthermore, American and European cultural values as well as European languages especially English, French and Portuguese threaten in varying degrees the existence of the rich cultural diversity that still characterises much of Africa. Cultural diversity like bio-diversity is a thing to be valued for its own sake. A contribution to our common human provisions of our Broadcasting Services Act must be understood and supported. We hope that the Zimbabwe Media Commission will have equal regard to protecting our rich cultural and linguistic expression in the other forms of media.
In conclusion, I urge you Hon. Senators to pass this law and in doing so, raise another important milestone in the development of our democracy. I thank you
HON. SEN. DR. MAVETERA: Thank you Mr. President for giving me this opportunity to add my voice on what the Minister has just presented.
If we look at the history of our nation up to date, some of the issues or challenges that we are facing as a people emanate from our culture and how we handle media space in our country. I would want to applaud the Minister for bringing this Bill to this august House and I hope that the august House will look at this Bill much more seriously because it is going to define how we are going to perform as a nation. I do not want to go back into history but what is important with this Bill is that it is going to give an outlook or the operation modalities of the media space in Zimbabwe which has caused a lot of problems.
I remember at one time our country was ranked among the worst countries in terms of how we handle our media. I hope there is wisdom in the Minister bringing those clauses which have ended up with us being labelled like a pariah State because of the media laws which were draconic and not suitable in a democratic country. I hope with this new dispensation, the Executive will pay more attention and respect the media. We hope that this will provide enough independence of that Media Commission so that it will be able to perform its duties without interference from whatever quarters. I think that will uplift us to a level where we are well regarded within the community of nations as a people who are tolerant to divergence of views, which is a pre-requisite for national development.
I hope it will also be able to address the abuse and justified abuse which has been coming from some quarters who have labelled or published news which ended up affecting us as a nation, which is a threat to national security and development. I would want to urge my fellow Hon. Senators that we take this as one of the most important Bills which has been brought to this august House since we started this term of Parliament. I hope we will do justice so that we start to prepare our country for national development. I thank you Mr. President Sir.
*HON. SEN. KOMICHI: Thank you very much Mr. President for giving me this opportunity to debate. I would also want to thank the Minister for bringing this Bill to this House. We should continue to be people who try to do the right things on our own in this country.
Zimbabweans are very educated and they need to express their rights before their leaders and country. They want their leaders to be accountable for what they would have done. However, there is a clause that I do not like as Hon. Sen. Komichi alluded to. If I was able to persuade the leadership, I would persuade them to remove this clause. The clause says that the President cannot be insulted in a democratic State. If one has become a President of a nation, he or she should have taken the burden of the whole country of 15 million people. You will now be doing their work by serving them. If one woman needs a hospital or road, you should provide it. You would have taken the burden of all the people in the nation.
Time and again people see you not doing the things they expect you to do economically or otherwise. I do not see any reason why anyone should not say anything they want about the President. I have seen the current President being insulted at rallies during the first dispensation. The patience that he demonstrated amazed me. I established that he is a very strong man. In West Africa, if you want to be a President or Chief, you are subjected to public abuse, shame and insults. You should withstand the insults and criticism in order to be a leader because you would have shown your strength.
We are seen as people who are very stringent if people are not given rights to express themselves. If you are insulted, what is the problem – if someone in Mufakose insults me, there is nothing that is taken away from me. I still remain a president. Let us have a difference between the Mugabe dispensation and the current President. Let us look at that closely Hon. Minister. We gain national reputation if we are to remove that clause. What we want is to join the family of nations that tolerate others. We are actually isolated.
Again, it their wish as Zimbabweans to say let us have a lot of television stations. Let us not continue to just have ZBC. I understand Zimbabwe is one of the first countries in Africa to have a television station but we still have one television station. It is actually embarrassing for us as a nation. If I am not enjoying the programmes on ZTV, I have no other option. Even if it is soccer, I cannot change channels but to get stuck to one. Let us work to bring a change with regards to that area and allow people to have a choice of what they want to watch. That is where development of the area comes from and if we allow freedom of expression, new ideas come in. Ideas do not come from someone who is sad or confined in a stringent environment. That is my plea and cry Hon. Minister. That is one of the reforms we should consider.
We should allow ourselves to compete with other countries internationally. Yes, we compare Zimbabwe to America but the level of education is now the same. Let us compete internationally with other countries. My wish is that our country be removed from the sanctions list so that we can go and compete fairly in the economy of the world without restrictions. I was really pained to note that other countries were supported financially when the Covid pandemic started and Zimbabwe got nothing. Zimbabweans are regarded as highly intellectual people and they should be having solutions to some of these problems. Someone who seeks something is always persuasive and will only rise when he has glued his hands on that which he desires. Let us have a collective effort working towards achieving a free from sanctions stance. Let us deal with it practically collectively as a nation. Thank you.
*HON. SEN. KAMBIZI: Let me first thank the Hon. Minister for bringing this Bill. It is important that this Bill passes and we get a framework of doing things in this country. Let me thank the previous speaker for what he has said. I have just a few issues that I want to mention. Zimbabwe has people who are well cultured and so we should maintain our culture. We should not lose our dignity as a way of persuading or giving in to western countries.
I read about Guatemala. There were a lot of sanctions against that country from western countries and that country was given a lot of requirements to fulfil yet sanctions were never removed. This issue of allowing the President to be insulted or criticised to extremes as a test of leadership does not augur well with me. We cannot allow children to insult their father as a test case. A father should be respected. Those who went to ask for sanctions should go back and ask for sanctions to be removed. With those few words, I thank you.
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Starting with Hon. Sen. Mavetera who is supporting the Bill but insisting that we need to look at ourselves and ensure that as we deal with the process of enacting this law, we must have due diligence to the provision of the Bill. Also, that we ensure that this august House becomes recognised and appreciated for this historic event of ensuring that we give effect to the issues that are enshrined in our Constitution. I want to agree with him that the reason why we are bringing in this Bill is that, in my remarks I said in the Bill, we will quote verbatim provisions of Section 61 that we relate to what we need to do to ensure that we give effect to free speech as well as Section 49. So the guiding principle is the Constitution, to say that the Constitution has guaranteed freedoms and how do we now go about doing that. This is the process that we are doing, so I agree with him in that regard and I want to thank him.
*Hon. Sen. Komichi spoke well about the rights of the people in this country. Indeed, they are well educated but they argue why the President should not be criticised. He gave an example and I heard what he said but when I was giving a background to the Second Reading of this Bill, I said as Zimbabweans, we cannot just copy everything from different places. Mr. President Sir, a child would take any adult or elderly person as a parent. If your cattle had run into someone’s field or grazed in that field, you would be disciplined by even a neighbour, not necessarily your biological relative and you would still keep quiet. These days you will hear a child telling you that you are not their parent. That is why we encourage that some of the things that are spoken are unnecessary.
Sometimes even in this august House when we argue, we do it differently but with a lot of respect. Mr. President Sir, you even refer that such language is not acceptable in this House. Even myself as a Minister if I use unacceptable language, indeed I am liable to correction. If we are referring to freedom of speech, why then do we want to insult the President? That is what this law is talking about that those may be extreme. Some people are saying why do we not open the airwaves to allow more stations, but this is what we did. Recently, we licensed some other television station players so that people may have an option, those who may not be interested in ZBC. That is in fulfillment of Section 51 of the Constitution.
I would also like to thank Sen. Kambizi for referring to our culture. That is exactly what I am trying to say that we should try to balance between Western freedoms and our freedom in the context of our culture. Mr. President Sir, it would be a very good thing if you go to another country, you are taught about the culture of that place or country. That is exactly what we envisaged. When somebody visits us, they should come here and learn our culture. If you go to Beitbridge, you should be able to be taught the culture of that area, be it the Tonga speaking, Shona or Kalanga. So we would like to preserve our culture and I would like thank the Hon. Member very much. Even the bringing in of sanctions, let us say as a country, we unite and argue and call for the removal of sanctions whilst we work. Whether the sanctions are going to be removed or not, it is neither here nor there. I thank you very much and take this opportunity to move that the Bill be read a second time.
Motion put and agreed to.
Bill read a second time.
Committee Stage: With leave, forthwith.
COMMITTEE STAGE
ZIMBABWE MEDIA COMMISSION BILL [H. B. 8A, 2019]
House in Committee.
Clauses 1 to 9 put and agreed to.
On Clause 10:
HON. SEN. MAVETERA: On Clause 10, under the part for investigation where the Bill states that the Commission may have to involve the police in making investigations. I do not know what the Minister feels about it, but I think we need to have a better way or a better body to do those investigations because the moment when we include the police, we are criminalising the whole process and the police is an arm of the criminal justice system. So by virtue of just inviting the police in the activities of the commission we are putting the name of the commission in the public Bill. I think we actually discredit it because it is now working like an arm for criminal investigation which is contrary to the objective of this Bill. I would urge the Minister, probably he may not as of now get it is saying but the Commission must be fully equipped to make the necessary investigations for itself. I think that is why we have to make sure that when we are choosing commissioners, we choose those who are competent and qualified for the job.
I would strongly urge the Minister to remove the police in this as part of the investigation team. Once the Commission makes its recommendations for criminal proceedings to be taken for whoever is involved, then that is the time to invite the police, not at this early elementary stage. I hope the Minister will try to see the wisdom in what we are trying to put. We are trying to protect the Commission to make it appear that it is a people’s Commission and people will not actually be afraid to approach it. I am sure it is a common cause that right now, the moment you see police, people are not free to express themselves. So let us get rid of the police from this early phase of investigation. Police must be invited by the Commission not to be part of the Commission’s work. I think we need actually to separate that, otherwise the police is part of the Executive and we are bringing the Executive to make these investigations into something which actually defeats the whole purpose. This Commission will not be independent in term of the investigations.
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Thank you Hon. Chair, the import of this provision is that the Commission is not obligated to invite the police, however they may. So what we are saying is in the wisdom of the Commission, if they need the assistance of the police, they may do that. You may realise that a hearing may have been convened, but there are security issues because there are people who are rowdy. We are putting this provision to ensure that they must be free to call them. It does not mean that the police are part and parcel of the investigations. They are coming in upon an invitation to merely assist the Commission do whatever they are doing. So, I believe the provision as it stands does not in any way cause any harm, but it will allow the Commission to do their job effectively. I thank you Madam Chair.
HON. SEN. DR. MAVETERA: Thank you Madam Chair, I think probably it is the way this clause is couched because if they are invited to investigate, it is different from them being invited to provide security or to provide a better environment for the Commission and to execute its constitutional duties. They may be invited to be part of the investigations - that is where the problem is, but being invited to play their duty to provide a conducive environment for the Commission to do their work then we have got no problem. What the Minister has said is that they will come to provide a conducive environment but that is not what this Bill is saying.
So if that is what he said and if that is what he thinks the Bill intends to do, then it must be rephrased and actually captures what he said which I do not have any problem with. I thank you.
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Hon. Chair I just gave one example that there might be need for security at a hearing. The way it is couched - if I may read ‘the Commissions may request the assistance of the police during an investigation, hearing or enquiry.” The Commission is at liberty if there is something that they want to understand or appreciate, they may request the assistance of the police either in writing or to come physically and assist them with whatever they want.
We do not want to narrow the role of the police in assisting the Commission, it is just assistance which you may or may not request. I believe we must leave it broad so that whatever the Commission requires within the framework of their independence, it is the Commission that is requesting the assistance of the police and the Commission has a constitutional mandate and functions that are clearly defined in so far as interference with the Executive is concerned. Be that as it may, we are all interrelated, the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary. That is why you see we have police manning the Parliament building at the request of Parliament, to assist Parliament to ensure that things move. The way it is couched, we do not want to narrow it but broadly speaking, leave it open mindful of the fact that the Commission know their constitutional obligation. I submit Hon. Chair.
*HON. SEN. CHIRONGOMA: Thank you Madam Chair, first of all I would to thank the Hon. Minister for bringing up this Bill, he explained it very well and it is clear to understand. The Commission indeed can do its work but if the Commission needs help or assistance from the police they should be free to call them, if they need the police. So, police as trained people can be called.
*THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS: Thank you Hon. Chair, I would like to thank Hon. Sen. Chirongoma, indeed I concur with him. The police should be able to be called in when there is need for the police, be it for security reasons or for their expertise or if the Commission wants to ensure that they carry out their duty in a fair or just way.
Clauses 11 to 21 put and agreed to.
Schedules 1 to 2 put and agreed to.
House resumed.
Bill reported without amendments.
Third Reading: With leave, forthwith.
THIRD READING
ZIMBABWE MEDIA COMMISSION BILL [H. B. 8A, 2019]
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): Mr. President Sir, I now move that the Bill be read the third time.
Motion put and agreed to.
Bill read the third time.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. ZIYAMBI): I move that Orders of the Day on today’s Order Paper, Numbers 4 and 5 be stood over until Order Number 6 has been disposed of.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
REPORT ON THE VIRTUAL EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OF THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE INTER-PARLIAMENTARY UNION (IPU)
Sixth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report of the Extraordinary Session of the Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. MUZENDA: Mr. President Sir, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. CHIMBUDZI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 9th December, 2020.
On the motion of HON. SEN. MUZENDA seconded by HON. SEN. MATHUTHU, the Senate adjourned at Nine Minutes past Four o’clock p.m.