PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Friday, 8th April, 2016
The Senate met at a Quarter to Ten o’ clock a.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE
SENATE
SUSPENSION OF BUSINESS
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: I wish to
advise the House that the Minister who was in the midst of giving a presentation yesterday has been delayed in traffic and he is on his way. In that view, we shall take a ten minute break.
Business was suspended at Twelve Minutes to Ten o’ clock
a.m. and resumed at Two Minutes to Ten o’ clock a.m.
MOTION
LEAVE TO MOVE RESTORATION OF THE MOTION ON
RATIFICATION OF THE LOAN AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE AND THE EXPORT-
IMPORT BANK OF CHINA
THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (HON.
MANDIWANZIRA): Madam President, I seek leave of the House that the Notice of Motion …
HON. B. SIBANDA: On a point of order Madam President, there is no quorum in the House.
[Bells rung]
Notice having been taken that there being present fewer than 26 members, the bells were rung for Seven Minutes and a Quorum still not
being present, THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
adjourned the House without question put at Nine Minutes past Ten
O’clock a.m. pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order Number 55.
NOTE: The following Members were present when the House adjourned: Hon. Sen. Bhebe M; Hon. Sen. Chimbudzi A; Hon. Sen.
Chimutengwende C.C.C; Hon. Sen. Chief Chisunga; Hon. Sen. Chief
Chitanga, Hon. Sen. Chief Gwenzi; Hon. Sen. Machingaifa T; Hon. Sen.
Makwarimba C; Hon. Sen. Manyeruke J; Hon. Sen. Mashavakure N;
Hon. Sen. Mawire J; Hon. Sen. Mumvuri D; Hon. Sen. Musaka M.B;
Hon. Sen. Chief Nebiri; Hon. Sen. Chief Ntabeni; Hon. Sen. Chief Nyangazonke; Hon. Sen. Chief Siansali; Hon. Sen. Sibanda B and Hon.
Sen. Tawengwa C.Z.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Thursday, 14th April, 2016
The Senate met at Half-past Two o’ clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE
SENATE
NON-ADVERSE REPORT RECEIVED FROM THE
PARLIAMENTARY LEGAL COMMITTEE
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: I have to inform
the Senate that I have received a non-adverse report from the Parliamentary Legal Committee on all Statutory Instruments published in the Government Gazette during the month of March, 2016.
HON. SENATOR TAWENGWA: I move that Questions
Without Notice and Oral Answers to Questions With Notice be stood over until the rest of the Orders of the Day have been disposed of.
HON. SENATOR MASUKU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. SENATOR MLOTSHWA: I am standing in for Senator
Ncube. I move that Order of the Day, Number One be stood over and we revert to Questions for Oral Answers.
HON. SENATOR KHUMALO: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
HON. SEN. KHUMALO: Thank you Madam President. My
question is directed to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education.
Is it Government policy that other children’s school fees is paid for under the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Programme whilst there are other children who are not in the programme but are unable to pay their fees. Is that not a discriminatory policy?
THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (HON. DR. DOKORA): Thank you Madam President.
Thank you Hon. Senator. The funding mechanism which the Hon.
Senator is referring to is under the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education and Science Development. I believe that the question be redirected towards that Ministry in order to yield a response.
Generally, what I can say for my Ministry is that we have many organisations that help indigent learners like Camfed. Econet has something called Joshualites. They find opportunities to come in and assist a few of our young learners. In principle, we are predisposed to working with those that assist any of the sub-groups within our learner population. However, the specific question should be directed to the Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Ministry. Thank you.
HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: Thank you very much Madam
President. My question is directed to the Ministry of Primary Education. Does the pledge to have children recite some information in schools improve their lives? Hon. Minister, I think it could have been better to introduce the reciting of the SDGs in schools than this pledge because it was going to improve their lives.
THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATION (HON. DR. DOKORA): This is an original question
with a very interesting slant. If the Hon. Member has taken time to understand the source of the words, they could be clearly saying; does the Constitution help the lives of people. The preamble to the
Constitution carries a greater part of the content of the pledge. I do not know whether you are familiar with the constitutional requirements to teach the Constitution. Does teaching the Constitution help the young people’s lives? I do not think that question should arise in this honourable House, especially when as a Ministry we are mandated to teach the Constitution. However, I thank her all the same, for the slant of the question. Thank you.
*HON. KOMICHI: Thank you Madam President for giving me this opportunity to pose my question. My question is directed to the Vice President of our nation, Hon. Mnangagwa. With the time that has lapsed since the disappearance of Itai Dzamara, when will the Government announce that he is now late?
*THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE,
LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON.
MNANGAGWA): Hon. Madam President, the Hon. Senator was
reading from a piece of paper. Is it a question that he is asking on his own behalf or he was given that question to ask from another source? It does not matter who gave him the question. However, if he has an idea of what is going on, we do not know. What we are doing as
Government is that we are still looking for Itai Dzamara. If you have evidence that he is now late, it would be of great assistance to help us as Government.
We are in the process of trying to find him and that is what we always say day in day out. That is what we can say about Dzamara. The information that says he is now late; we need you to come and give us that information if you have evidence. I thank you
*HON. SEN. MAVHUNGA: Thank you Madam President. My
question is directed to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education. Hon. Minister, I would like you to shed more light on what measures you have put in place to strengthen adult education. We have not really seen any tangible measures that you have put in place on adult education. I thank you.
*THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATION (HON. DR. DOKORA): I thank the Hon. Senator for her question. In March, 2015, we came up with a programme to expand adult education, through what is known as informal education. We were given an opportunity that covers two or three grades each year after an assessment has been done. There are others who say that they have gaps that they want to cover in secondary education. Since March last year each school has opened its doors for such people to be assisted. We further made sure that before we had means of requesting schools to start such programmes, we actually made the process less cumbersome to start non-formal education or adult education. What the schools now do is that they only inform the heard of district in their area. Those who want to engage in adult education, be it primary or secondary, practical or academics, they are not for free. They come at a cost but the cost is quite affordable. People should go to schools in their vicinity, whether primary or secondary, and they will be assisted there. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. MACHINGAIFA: Thank you Madam President.
My question is directed to the Minister of Justice, Legal and
Parliamentary Affairs who is also the Vice President of Zimbabwe. The people out there are asking if there is an opportunity for them to access Parliamentary debates which are in vernacular languages. They would want to use these debates in vernacular languages but they are only in English. They want to know when such a measure will be put in place for them to access the parliamentary debates in vernacular.
*THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE,
LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON.
MNANGAGWA): I want to thank the Hon. Member for the question. The books that he has talked about, the Hansards, the parliamentary debate can be translated to Shona or Ndebele. So far, we can translate into seven vernacular languages. What we do not have are the resources, hence we fall short in terms of capacity. We have people in our nation who can do the translations into the various vernacular languages.
Our Constitution is also supposed to be translated into 16 languages and so far we have managed to translate into seven languages. We are now sourcing more resources to ensure that we cover the eight or nine other languages that are in the Constitution. It is not as if a board needs to sit for the translations to be done, but we can do it. The challenge is on resources.
We want to thank you for that question. It will be easier for those in the rural areas to go with the Hansard as it is easier for them to understand if it is in vernacular, a language which they understand. It is something that we have not been able to do because of resources. I am hoping that it is something that we should embark on in the near future. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF MUSARURWA: Thank you Madam
President. My question is directed to the Vice President of Zimbabwe. We would want to know what measures the Government has put in place in terms of our ancestors the likes of Mbuya Nehanda, Chingaira, Chiwashira, Mapondera and others, to ensure that their remains are repatriated back to Zimbabwe. In our culture, when a person dies he should be given a proper burial. Also, is compensation from the people who murdered these ancestors going to come concurrently or otherwise?
*THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE,
LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON.
MNANGAGWA): Madam President, Moyondizvo the question that you have asked is a difficult one. You named individuals whose skulls are not here, I do not know if that is true, if all of them were taken but there are some names which you mentioned and we do not know that their skulls went there. Some came but the skulls are still to come back. We are still engaging with the Government of the Queen. They admit that they have some of the things but some they do not have. We are not going to sit idle, we will continue searching and seeking that these be repatriated back to Zimbabwe, of which they agreed some of them, they do have.
You also mentioned about compensation for the skulls is not the only compensation we want but we want compensation for the settling of the white settlers here in Zimbabwe over and above the skulls or heads. We also want compensation for the looting that they did from this nation. I am sure if you read the history books, they will inform you that there was a Loot Committee. The white settlers sat down and came out with a board to discuss looting.
All that is evident, those are issues that are discussed and they take time, they are legalistic. They have returned some; the Germans returned some of them and have remained with one. The British are hard headed, we actually had to force them out of this nation. So for us to get the remains of our ancestors that they have, we need to engage them and engage a legalistic approach for us to get our heritage back. The compensation that you mentioned about is broader than what you have mentioned, about the skulls or heads or our ancestors because in our African culture it is not ideal that the body is this side and the head is somewhere else; that is our heritage and our belongings, so they should return them.
What I urge is that you sit down as traditional leaders and come up with a position to support the Government that as traditional leaders you want that resolution for the repatriation of the heads of those ancestors of ours and you take it to the Attorney-General in order for us to expedite the process as well. I thank you.
HON. SENATOR MLOTSHWA: My question is directed to His Excellency, the Vice President of Zimbabwe. Does not the disappearance of $15 billion in the diamond sector reflect the high level of corruption in the country and what is Government going to do to recover or prosecute the perpetrators?
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE,
LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON.
MNANGAGWA): Thank you Madam President and thank you Hon. Member for the question. The manner you have structured your question is like you are questioning on the basis of fact.
I think at the current time, there is an allegation that there is $15 billion which is missing. That has to be investigated. Actually, Parliament can constitute itself to find out how that happened, if that really happened - but Government is in the process of investigating. This is why in the integration and consolidation of the seven diamond companies, there is auditing of each and every single company which was engaged in diamond mining. All the diamond mining companies have been stopped, except those who have now complied. There is forensic auditing of all these companies and the results will come and will be made public. I thank you.
HON. SENATOR MLOTSHWA: We believe that if the Head of State admits that it happened, it means that Government is doing something and has investigated and knows that it happened.
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: I think that is a
statement.
HON. MNANGAGWA: If the President said it happened, then he would be having the facts and there will be an investigation. The fact that there are investigations means that the issue is an allegation that there is prima facie information that has been laid before the Head of State that there is corruption of this magnitude in this area – can this be investigated. This is where we are, but if you have some other information besides what I am stating, please bring it forward and assist us. I thank you.
HON. SENATOR MAKORE: My question can be responded to by our Vice President, Hon. Mnangagwa since you are the Leader of the House. The most suitable person was supposed to be the Minister of
Higher and Tertiary Education –[HON. MEMBERS: He is there.]- Thank you very much. So I will now direct the question to him. Is there a policy on sexual violence in all tertiary institutions?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY
EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
(HON. DR. GANDAWA): Thank you Madam President and I want to thank the Hon. Member for asking that question. Yes indeed, there is policy on sexual harassment in all institutions of higher and tertiary education and all institutions always adhere to this policy.
*HON. SENATOR MANYERUKE: My question is directed to
the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education. I would like to find out how far your Ministry has gone in terms of registering schools in resettlement areas to address the challenges children face in travelling long distances in order to write Grade Seven examinations?
*THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATION (HON. DR. DOKORA): Thank you Senator
Manyeruke for that question. There are stages that we have come up with and these set guidelines as to when a school can be registered. We look at whether the infrastructure is there in terms of classrooms, ablution facilities, the administration blocks and accommodation for the teachers. We do not want just house but we are saying that the teachers should have the same rights as the children in that they should have adequate accommodation. Those are the issues that we consider. When all these are in place, the officials in my Ministry will not delay registration.
Cognisant of the problems that are in resettlement farms that is in areas that were inhabited by the white settlers, we know that there were no schools and there are no schools that have reached such stages for registration. We have put an opportunity whereby we consider if there is adequate infrastructure for children to use as classrooms as well as toilets to ensure that when it comes to examinations, the District Education Officer ensures that examination papers are taken to a school that is registered to ensure proper storage and safety. They will then take the examination papers to the venue that is used as a school to ensure that they write their examination. I thank you.
HON. SENATOR KHUMALO: My question is on traditional
chiefs. Since I do not see anybody responsible, I will ask the Vice President of the country to answer the question.
There is a tradition of how the chiefs are anointed. In Shona, they change people. In Matabeleland, the tradition is, somebody should be born a chief but we are finding that the Government can now choose anybody and say that one is fit to be a chief and shift the current chief so that there is a new chief who is now appointed by Government who is not born a chief. Is that the new policy now? Maybe, the policy now is that anybody can be seconded as chief.
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON.
MNANGAGWA): Thank you Madam President and thank you Hon Senator for the question. The input of the question is that others are born chiefs, others are given but that argument cannot be sustained. If you go to Mashonaland and say you were not born a chief when you are a chief, I do not think they will be friendly to you. These are traditions; the Shonas’ on this side of the country has their own tradition of how chiefs are anointed. The Ndebeles’ have their own tradition of how chiefs are anointed but both become chiefs because they have been born
chiefs.
The Government itself has no jurisdiction of going around looking or picking individuals as chiefs. If a chief is deceased, the role of Government after two years, that is the period required under the Shona tradition, will go there and ask the relevant houses to seat down and indicate the next person to be installed as chief. That is what
Government must do. If that is not followed, it is corruption and it must be fought wherever it is found. If we become aware of a situation where the procedure was not followed in the manner I am describing, you have the right to lodge a complaint. In the same manner under the Ndebele tradition, once a chief is deceased, again Government will come and ask the relevant elders of that area as to who is the next chief. Government has the obligation to anoint that particular person who has been agreed upon in terms of the tradition to be anointed chief. We have no policy as Government just to look for anybody because they are tall, short or fat, then they become a chief. There must be a reason why they must become a chief, whether Shona side or the Ndebele side. There must be reason why the families concerned chose you to be chief. So, anything outside what I am describing is corruption and must be eradicated.
HON. SEN. SINAMPANDE: Thank you Madam President. My
question is directed to the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Dr. Gandawa. When will the grants for university and college students be effected again?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY
EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHONOLOGY
DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. GANDAWA): Thank you Madam
President. I want to thank the Hon. Sen. for the question that seeks to assist our students in colleges and universities. As you might be aware, the Government has a policy of cadetship which assists students with tuition fees and everything they require to attain their education. However, the grants and loans has since been suspended due to the constraints that we have in the fiscus. Should our situation improve, they will be revived but currently we are not able to assist the students with the grants and loans. Suffice to say that, we are looking at other funding mechanisms to try and come up with strategies to assist students. As you might have discovered, we have since started to assist a few students depending on the few resources that we have but it is a matter that we are seized with and we are very positive that one day we will be able to revive this to assist the populace that really need this assistant.
*SENATOR CHIEF CHISUNGA: Thank you Madam President.
My question is directed to the Deputy Minister of local Government,
National Housing and Public Works; District Administrators and
Provincial Administrators, which Ministry do they fall under between
the Ministry of Rural Development and Preservation of Culture and
Heritage and Local Government, National Housing and Public Works.
*THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC WORKS AND NATIONAL HOUSING (HON.
CHINGOSHO): Thank you Madam President. I want to thank the Hon.
Chief for the question he has posed. The split in the Ministry of Local
Government has also divided the Provisional Administrators and the District Administrators. The Minister of Local Government has DA’s in the urban provinces as well as the PA’s. We have Metropolitan
Provinces and they are two, Harare and Bulawayo. So, the PA in Bulawayo as well as the DA in these Metropolitan Provinces are under the Ministry of Local Government Public Works and National Housing but all the others are under the new Ministry of Rural Development and
Preservation of Culture and Heritage, that is the position currently.
Thank you Madam President.
HON. SEN. B. SIBANDA: Thank you Madam President. Could I
ask from the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, what the policy is with regards to the provision of accommodation in tertiary institutions, in house accommodation?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY
EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHONOLOGY
DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. GANDAWA): Thank you Madam
President. I want to thank the Hon. Senator for a very pertinent question. Students accommodation has always been a challenge in all our institutions of higher learning but with the budget that was presented by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, you will realise that there is provision for the infrastructural bond and we have actually floated for the infrastructural bond which we are very positive will alleviate the challenges in terms of student accommodation. We are at an advanced stage and have since received bids from financial institutions that are willing to put up accommodation in all our institutions be it polytechnics and universities.
We are now at a stage where we are consulting with the Reserve
Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to finalise the modalities so that the cost of setting up the accommodation will not choke our students. It will be a challenge if we do it on our own so we want to be advised by both the RBZ and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development on the funding mechanism that will allow these institutions to put up accommodation in our institutions.
It will not solve the problems as of today but at least we have started and are very positive that the problems that we are currently facing in our institutions in terms of accommodation will be a thing of the past once we start implementing this policy. I am very positive that before the end of next month, May, we will have finalised all the processes and selected institutions with favourable conditions to put up accommodation in all our institutions. I thank you.
HON. SEN. B. SIBANDA: Could the Minister confirm whether it
is true or not that you are considering introducing bunk beds at tertiary institutions and if this is a suitable arrangement for those institutions?
HON. DR. GANDAWA: It is a myth and not a fact that we are
considering putting bunk beds in our institutions. I think that information is a misconception of what we intend to do. I thank you.
HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: My question is directed to the
Deputy Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services. Minister, where are we in terms of e-learning development, are the students managing to use twitter to share ideas in class? Also, are we able to use our fingerprints for a pin in order to identify ourselves?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INFORMATION
COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER
SERVICES (HON. MLAMBO): Thank you very much Hon. Sen. for
the question but I think it is a mixture of questions. I see in there biometrics technology, not really ICT belonging to my Ministry, no, perhaps if the question could be rephrased.
+HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: Should I ask the question in
SiNdebele?
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Order, order
Hon. Sen. I think you should rephrase the question in English.
HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: I am trying to understand Minister,
where we are as a country in terms of using the social networks. Can students now share ideas using Twitter in class? Also can we identify ourselves using our fingerprints as a pin into these gadgets that we are using?
HON. MLAMBO: Thank you very much, it is a bit clearer now
but still mixed a little. Let me start with social networks. Indeed many people can share and communicate through social networks. Basically, we have about 13 to 15 social platforms in this world, not only in Zimbabwe.
You are aware of the majority of them, we have Facebook, Viber, WhatsApp and things like that. People communicate, sending information and photographs and they love bad pictures for that matter. So the networks are very busy everyday transferring that kind of information across all social strata i.e. children, old people and so forth.
We are very advanced and compared very well with the rest of the world in terms of communicating using social media.
We are not yet doing as badly as other countries in terms of the negative side of social media which we have to guard against. I remember the Minister was speaking to the nation that we are not yet at a point where we can consider banning social media. This is because our citizenry are still using social media responsibly as it has very negative consequences if abused.
Coming to the other issue which is bio-metrics, it is more to the
Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development but just as it may, it touches to some extent our Ministry as well. Bio-metrics is the use of human features which are very unique from DNA science which can uniquely identify a person. The very easy examples are eyes and fingerprints.
Right now, quite a number of buildings can be accessed using biometric means like the fingerprints. There is a gadget right at the door where you touch and the door opens once it identifies your fingerprints.
These fingerprints are pre-loaded into a database in the computer of that building and when you touch, the computer verifies your fingerprints with what has been stored in the database and it allows you in.
Better ways are using facial features which are also very unique, you do not touch anything. The problem with touching is sometimes the fingers are dirty or sweating and they spoil the fingerprint reader. When using facial features, you just stand there and the computer scans and compares your facial features with those that have been pre-stored in the computer and allows you entrance. Others are the eyes, when you get there, you open your eye in an iris reader and again the computer scans and compares your iris with the pre-stored iris features and allows you in. I thank you.
HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: Madam President, my
supplementary is seeking information whether as a country, we are at the level that the Minister was just explaining. Are our children using those social media in class as a way of sharing ideas?
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Order, order
once you are talking education then you better pose the question to the relevant Ministry.
HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: Alright, then I will put it in writing.
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: No, you …
Questions Without Notice were interrupted by THE HON.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE in terms of Standing Order No. 62.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE
CONSTRUCTION COSTS FOR HARARE-AIRPORT ROAD
- HON. SENATOR B. SIBANDA asked the Minister Transport and Infrastructural Development to:
- State how much it has cost the Government to construct the
Harare-Airport road;
- Explain the reason for the delays in completion of the same.
THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATON (HON. DR. DOKORA) on behalf of THE MINISTER
OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT:
Madam President, it did cost the Government US$15.8 million to construct the Airport road up to the stage of commissioning.
b). The completion of the remaining works are delayed because of changes in procuring procedures. The Ministry is currently waiting for an approved list of suppliers from State Procurement Board, after which we will be able to purchase kerbing materials and complete the project.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE BULAWAYO-NKAYI-GOKWE
ROAD
- HON. SENATOR B. SIBANDA asked the Minister of
Transport and Infrastructural Development to:
- Explain why it has taken over 20 years to construct the Bulawayo-Nkayi-Gokwe road.
- State whether the construction of the said road is a priority project or not.
THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATON (HON. DR. DOKORA) on behalf of THE MINISTER
OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT:
Madam President, the delay in construction of the Bulawayo-NkayiGokwe road is because of the unavailability of funding.
- Madam President, the above project is a priority project because of its linkage; Bulawayo - Nkayi - Gokwe which are cattle producing and cotton growing areas close to Bulawayo. This is why we had to link the road to one of the completed bridges - Mbembezi, in 2015. Once enough funding is secured, we will also open Ingwingwizi bridge, then attend to the rest of the road. I thank you.
WRITTEN SUBMISSION TO QUESTION WITH NOTICE
REASONS FOR DEPOSITING SCHOOL LEVIES INTO THE
SCHOOL SERVICE FUND (SSF)
- HON. SEN. CHIMHINI asked the Minister of Primary and
Secondary Education to:
- explain the import of the Ministry’s instruction to schools to deposit all school levies into the School Service Fund (SSF) with immediate effect, which is a departure from previous regulations governing the handling of school development funds;
- to state whether parents were consulted, as custodians of the school levies;
- to explain how schools will access funds for expenses previously funded by school development levies, which were not funded from the school service fund;
- to explain how the instruction will cater for staff previously employed by School Development Committees;
- to explain the 3% of the School Service Fund (SSF) to be deposited with Treasury and its purpose.
THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATION (HON. DR. DOKORA): There has not been any
Ministry level instruction to schools to deposit school levies into the School Services Fund (SSF). What the Ministry has done in line with current efforts to align the Education Act and all the Statutory Instruments with the new Constitution, was to widely consult with all stakeholders, Members of Parliament and Senators included on their views vis-à-vis management of levies and other funds generated for the purpose of enhancing teaching and learning.
There is a questionnaire on levies collection and use which was sent to all schools in Term 1, 2016 and the Ministry is analysing their responses to facilitate course of action. I speak in this manner cognisant of the operation of the law as stipulated in the Education Act 2006 (Amendment) Section 38 subsection (i) and Non-Government schools establishing Schools Services Fund into which (1) ‘all fees and levies
… shall be paid’ and (2) ‘…all monies paid as fees or levies shall be deposited.’
- To state whether parents were consulted as custodians of the school levies.
As already explained, the consultations are ongoing. It is the
Ministry’s view that there is buy-in by our stakeholders and a good example is the outreach program where, as Ministry, we managed to reach out to all the 8 651 schools throughout the country. Through this platform, the Minister, Deputy Minister and Secretary were able to share with school Heads and SDC Chairpersons the envisaged education transformation and progress made to date on the new curriculum.
The sub-questions (c), (d) and (e) fall away as a consequence of the consultative phase that is now concluding.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE 133RD ASSEMBLY OF THE
INTERPARLIAMENTARY UNION (IPU)
Second Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Zimbabwe Delegation Report on the 133rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
Question again proposed.
HON. SENATOR MAKORE: Thank you Madam President for
giving me this opportunity to share on the report presented here by Hon. Senator Chief Siansali, the Report on the 133rd Assembly of InterParliamentary Union held in Geneva. Firstly, I would want to make a clear observation that the institution with a noble purpose was formed almost over a century ago which is 100 years. It is a very notable response that just after independence; we also joined as a new formed Government into this particular institution being of 167th in this particular institution.
The topical agenda that was shared in Geneva was that of migration caused by various ways in either Africa, Arab countries themselves, meaning to say there has been a vast exodus of people from their countries of origin into other countries as migrants; migrating from their countries as a result of war. Again, it shows that in any country it is either you are a refugee who goes into that country for safety - it appears really that there is an anti-migrant feeling in various other countries. It is not only because of wars in the areas that these people come from, for example it has been effected by ICs this suspicion is showered on the auspices that no one knows exactly who this person is because of a hidden agenda of war.
Generally for the spells of this, it shows that the proliferation of wars, again the persecutions that are in existence does make all - again shortage of expected democracies and respect of human beings and respect of different opinions. I want to say the Parliaments as has been indicated in this particular report have got a role to pay but that role can only be meaningful if Parliaments are respected by various executive authorities of those different countries. Saves to say in a number of situations, we normally notice Parliament as if they are talk shops because normally what they debate and suggest are not taken seriously by the Executive themselves.
This shows that the lack of equality in terms of authority bestowed in these three arms of State, sometime present themselves as a problem if there is a disregard of Parliaments themselves. You have seen the noble idea for which this institution was formed over a century ago. Up to now, the purpose for which it was formed still exist because there is vast shortages either of finances, the financial backing so that the operation becomes smooth with relation to this particular institution, sometimes it is far short. Member States sometimes cannot even subscribe as is expected, to this particular body. We are only saying that we are experiencing a lot of migrants. The migration is caused sometimes by the shortage of jobs or the political influence of that particular country. People run for safety but alas, if you observe the current events, you see people again being chased away from those particular countries.
We have experienced death along the Mediterranean, when people are in transit particularly in their camps, a lot of people die on their way. It is very alarming the loss of lives that we are experiencing. We also experience child marriages under this auspices and torture, torments and rapes - you name it, and also divorces of those people because they would then be regarded as if they are less human than other persons as a result of these particular treatments.
Parliaments in those particular countries I wonder whether they also defend such kind of people or whether there is also a policy that institutions can fall for which sort of liaise with the countries of origin where those people are coming from. Mr. President, it is alarming.
Africa, internationally and world over, we are experiencing vast torments as a result of this. We are experiencing human trafficking which we have witnessed alarmingly. We have experienced also xenophobia from our SADC country, quite a number of people perished as a result of this. Very painfully, some were burnt alive. There is total disregard of human lives and human rights. I wish as far as I see, that Parliaments should regarded as equal and should also be listened to by our executive institutions of various Parliaments.
Secondly, I also want make a recommendation, perhaps at the end, as far as my opinion calls, that we must be serious on this issue so that we put our budgets for purposes beyond call of duty by Parliaments; for the purposes that we can at least share and be able to embark on the assistance to save human lives. We have experienced Mr. President that wars are persistent, sometimes because of power hunger and need to remain in power. I believe we have to regard lives as very important elements.
Mr. President, I want to thank this particular body. It is a very important body. This body sometimes cannot discharge of its duties to the best of its ability on the basis of various limitations which they have. It is my humble belief that I call various Parliaments and Governments to regard this institution as one of the most alleviating instrument for us to go forward in terms of human regard and the upholding of democracy at large. Thank you.
HON. SEN. TAWENGWA: I move that the debate do now
adjourn.
HON. SEN. MASUKU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Tuesday, 3rd May, 2016. MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY
EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
(HON. DR. GANDAWA): I move that Orders of the Day, Numbers 4 to 6 be stood over until Order of the Day, Number 7 has been disposed of.
Motion put and agreed to.
SECOND READING
MANICALAND STATE UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
BILL [H.B.8, 2015]
Seventh Order read: Second Reading: Manicaland State
University of Applied Sciences Bill [H. B. 8, 2015].
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY
EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
(HON. DR. GANDAWA): The Ministry wishes to establish the
Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences through the Act of Parliament. The University will be launched with four inaugural faculties of Engineering, Tourism and Natural Resources, Horticulture and Environmental Sciences, Agriculture and Life Sciences.
JUSTIFICATION FOR ESTABLISHING THE UNIVERSITY
- Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences will have the niche area in applied sciences in order to proffer scientific and technological solutions to challenges that militate against socio-economic development of Zimbabwe.
- Manicaland Province has various economic activities which are a result of the diverse natural resources found in the Province. Therefore, they are in economic developments that will come with the establishment of a State University in a Province which has diverse agricultural and industrial activities.
- In addition, the Province posses scenic landscapes and other tourist attractions. Thus the proximity of the proposed State University campuses to these economic activities reduces the cost of research and site visits by lecturers and students, while positively influencing production levels through research skilled human capital development.
MULTI-CAMPUS LOCATIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY
It is proposed that the University will be established as a multicampus University, taking cognisance of the distribution pattern of the natural resources prevalent in the main centres of the Province.
Here are the proposed campuses and related programmes:
- Mutare – Shall be responsible for Engineering because of the manufacturing and mining activities in areas in and around the city of Mutare.
- Makoni – Shall be responsible for Agriculture because of high rainfall. This is traditionally a flue-cured Virginia tobacco, maize and wheat growing belt and is complemented by animal husbandry.
- Nyanga – Shall be responsible for Forestry, Tourism and
Hospitality, Wildlife, Horticulture, Fruit and Vegetables and Fisheries because of the obtaining pleasant and ideal climatic conditions.
- Chipinge – Shall be responsible for Horticulture and irrigation – supported agriculture, in particular wheat and cotton in Middle Sabi and Sugarcane cultivation for biofuels.
The recommended multi-campus approach will bring operational excellence to each of the campuses due to proximity to resources and related activities. The developments at these sites will be in phases. It is proposed that each site should have a Techno Park as part of the infrastructure and programmatic developments.
- FERN HILL FARM (MUTARE
CAMPUS)/HEADQUARTERS OF UNIVERSITY – Has been
proposed to house the Administrative Headquarters of the University due to its centrality as well as being located in the Central City of the Province of Manicaland.
Mutare has a comprehensive and robust infrastructure to support most of the needs of a modern University. The Fern Hill Farm Campus is envisaged to host the first Faculty of Engineering. There are several other institutions of higher learning in Mutare.
NICHE/OBJECTIVE OF THE UNIVERSITY
The key objectives for the university will be:
- Specialisation in applied sciences;
- Mineral sciences;
- Forestry sciences;
- Agricultural sciences;
- Wood technology; and
- Tourism and hospitality
Agriculture: because of high rainfall in areas such as Makoni - traditionally well known for growing flue-cured Virginia tobacco, maize and wheat and animal husbandry.
Forestry, Tourism and Hospitality, Wildlife, Horticulture, Fruit and Vegetable and Fisheries: have been proposed because of the obtaining present and ideal climatic conditions.
Horticulture and Irrigation: supported agriculture, in particular wheat and cotton in Middle Sabi, and sugarcane cultivation for biofuels.
Resource Mobilisation for the University
The Foundation Steering Committee, on the proposed State University was very positive about prospects for useful and successful fundraising activities for the proposed project. They confidently made it clear that there were business executives, bankers and local business persons who were eagerly waiting to trigger processes into operation on receiving Government notification granting the establishment of a State University in Manicaland.
More importantly, the establishment of the Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences is in line with the Government policy to have a state university in each province of Zimbabwe. I thank you.
SENATOR MAKORE: Thank you very much Mr. President.
The motion that was brought in by the Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, to us is a welcome development.
We have listened from the contributions that were made here as regards universities in terms of accommodation. Minister, the question that comes to mind is a displaced type of attitude by our university students as a result of not finding accommodation, grants and loans. That in itself makes our children wild as a result of not getting adequate accommodation at the university. It is not pleasing to note that when our children go to school, they become wild because of vast shortages of accommodation.
It is my humble observation that even if that institution is set in Manicaland, we welcome it but we have to put a stop to mushrooming of universities without providing adequate resources that are necessary for lives and culture to be maintained in terms of the development of our children. We want to mould a student who will be cultured and not affected by various problems through shortages. I do accept that the development is called for. Thank you very much.
SENATOR CHIEF CHISUNGA: Thank you very much
President for giving me this opportunity. I want to make a contribution to the motion by the Deputy Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development.
I applaud very much the idea of establishing universities especially institutions to do with applied sciences. I believe this will go a long way in making sure that the exploitation of our natural resources is adequately addressed through the establishment of the faculty of agriculture as well as tourism.
We have had some inferior institutions like Mushandike in Masvingo where half baked graduates would be produced but now the introduction of the Mutare State University will be a welcome idea towards addressing such an anomaly. Thank you.
I would also want to applaud the issue of engineering. Whilst it is a noble idea to make sure that we invest quite a lot in engineering but I also have my concerns particularly on issues to do with having graduates who will be unable to get employment in our country. Recently, we have heard a question which was answered by one of the ministers concerning the unfinished work of the road to Bulawayo because of the unavailability of resources.
I want to check whether our resources are well prioritised in order to finish the already existing projects which are on course. For instance, the Lupane State University – I understand that currently or a few years back, lessons have been taking place in Bulawayo because the institution was not finished. I think we should direct our energy toward existing projects so that we have notable projects which we can stand and say we have finished or done this other than creating new institutions which I think will not fulfill the desired results.
We have a number of our people here in Zimbabwe. I want to be apprised whether the creation of this university will go a long way towards creating employment in our country because at the moment, we are having thousands of school leavers who are unable to secure employment. It is a matter of trying to find whether we can strike a balance by prioritising employment creation vis-a-vis the establishment of these learning institutions.
As a country riddled with resource shortages, I think being a noble project, it would be good if the project would be implemented at a later stage because at the moment we seem to be having other pressing priorities. I thank you.
*SENATOR CHIEF CHIDUKU: Thank you Mr. President for
giving me the opportunity and I also want to thank the Minister for the Bill that he has brought to this House. We have been waiting for this university over a long time. When land was being settled, we left that land in Manicaland reserving it for the university during the land resettlement era. We were wondering why this was taking long and delaying. We wondered where the problem was because those who were willing to assist were available. So, I just want to thank the Minister that it is a good initiative but you are dragging and the people of Manicaland are actually waiting for that university. I thank you.
*HON. SEN MUTSVANGWA: Thank you Mr. President. I want
to congratulate the Ministry for finally bringing this motion to this House. It has been a long time and Manicaland was mourning for the establishment of a university. I am sure the majority of people will agree with me that Manicaland is quite a big province among the ten provinces. For that reason it means that all the children from
Manicaland did not have the opportunity to go to universities because all these universities were not accessible and were far.
I am sure you will agree with me that before independence, Manicaland had the most schools in terms of secondary schools so for that reason, Manicaland trains a lot of children such that even after independence we got quite a lot of schools and our children did not have the opportunity to attend university. I want to thank the Minister for seriously considering the issue of engineering and manufacturing especially considering that Mutare is close to Chiadzwa where we are talking of value addition and beneficiation.
They have come to set up the university in relation to polishing of diamonds. People from Manicaland have been be-mourning the fact that we are exporting raw diamonds. With engineering and the manufacturing that is going to be set up, I am sure the value addition and beneficiation will benefit Manicaland at large. With our children being admitted into those universities and engaging in polishing of diamonds, it will assist us.
We also know that tourism is quite important in Manicaland. If you want to refresh and rest, Nyanga is the right place to go, even the best hotels are in Nyanga. So we also want our children to train in becoming good managers. We want them to train and become good managers so that they can manage other areas. They also need to value what they have; they can only value it after they have been conscientised in schools.
The bananas were rotting and other produce in the valley. If our children are taught the value of all those things and are able to add to value and beneficiate these products, we will also alleviate the challenge of children roaming the streets. I want to thank you Minister and I urge you to expedite the process. I know we are facing challenges and in terms of education, our President since 1980 up until now, has put so much emphasis on education and the truth is that those from Manicaland were struggling that they had to spend 35 years in their province without a university. I thank you.
*HON. SEN MAVHUNGA: Thank you very much Mr. President
for the opportunity that you have given me to thank the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education for the proposal to establish the University of Mutare. I want to thank the multi-compass approach that he has come up with which will assist the students. In my own opinion it has selected areas that deal with what is happening in Mutare, for example tourism. What it means is that children in those areas, in terms of their practical, can access higher education in closer areas. It will also assist in the exchange of ideas and sharing of experiences. It will assist more children in the sense that they will be coming from their homes and will not be resident there and it will alleviate the issue of accommodation. I like the issue of the multi-compass approach. I thank you.
HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: Thank you Mr. President. I take this opportunity to thank the statement from the Minister and congratulate the Ministry in managing to facilitate and implement the university that will assist the children of Zimbabwe.
Minister, we are seeing a problem in these tertiary institutions. I remember sometime there were these parties by the children that they call the vuso parties and there were children who were prosecuted for organising these vuso parties because they take the advantage of being away from their homes and start to behave very wild. How far have you gone to make sure that this kind of wild behavior does not happen in these institutions as we open more institutions like these?
Again, the girl child and the sexual harassment, the poverty alleviation, I remember that a question was asked during the question and answer session about the sexual harassment but you did not fully explain the policy that will make us know that really these institutions are protected as far as that is concerned because the girl child really needs to be protected. Because of not having these grants, children come from different households and with different financial levels, at times they end up wanting to supplement for a few things that is required by the institutions. Again, the girl child when they have to rent rooms, what is the proper arrangements that are put in place in the opening of this new institution? What are you going to put in place to make sure that we do not witness the same thing that we see in the other institutions that the girl child is abused by the landlords? After failing to pay their rents, they have to succumb to arrangements that are not proper because the landlord wants to take advantage of this poor girl.
Again Minister, due to the poor services in our tourism sector you mentioned of Nyanga and Hon. Sen. Mutsvangwa also mentioned that it seems as if Nyanga is the only place that you can go and rest. We have Matobo and we can also go and rest there. The poor service delivery in the tourism sector now, as the service enablers Minister, you must ensure that when you open these institutions, you get people who come and train because they are going to be absorbed somewhere in the country’s sector.
I am concerned about tourism because the enablers, things like roads and police services are not making the department viable. So as we train more people in the tourism sector, we must also link with the concerned ministries that enable the tourism sector to flourish. So that at least there is enough work in the country by the time the graduates are able to work, because we have to ensure that after being absorbed by these institutions they are also absorbed by the sectors that employ them. Otherwise we will end up having millions of graduates selling airtime in the streets. I thank you.
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE (HON.
SEN. TAWENGWA): Order, order may we please stick to the issue of the establishment of the Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences per say. The other issues, I believe, will follow as the university will not be opened until and unless it has provided accommodation for the girl-child et cetera. We have to demand for those issues before it opens but for now, let us stick to the issue of the Bill itself, whether we are for the Bill or not.
*HON. SEN. MASHAVAKURE: Thank you Mr. President. I
want to thank the Minister for this Bill that is going to expand our education sector as so many people were waiting for the Bill. We are happy that this Bill has come because we had waited for it for a long time.
I hope that these universities that have the terms, applied sciences will train students who will be able to employ themselves and impart life skills to ensure that they have a source of livelihood and become employers and not for them to aspire to become employees. When it is termed ‘applied sciences’, it means that once a student goes through that, he should be equipped on how to use these applied sciences in having a source of livelihood for him or herself that is what is important.
In other countries, I remember meeting someone who said that in the United States of America, they do not want to be General Managers but want to be Managing Directors of their own companies as their aspiration. We also require our students to have the same aspirations. I think this is something that needs to be inculcated in our students and universities such as the Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences. It equips them to use their minds as well as their hands to come up with their own businesses. We need to encourage the same in other universities where there are no applied sciences.
It surprises me that in all the other university Bills that have come to this Senate, there is a lot that we talked about in terms of applied sciences. I think in Marondera there is one such university but we tend to forget one applied science which is medicine. I do not know, maybe it will be part of the Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences.
We once heard rumours that it will be at Midlands State University. I thought of it because there are times when I visited our hospitals here in Harare with patients and realised that especially after hours, the doctors are not available and you are dealing mostly with the nurses.
I think that it is an issue that the Government needs to consider that if other faculties are to be established in Manicaland, they should have the applied science called medicine in order to increase the number of medical doctors as this will enhance our medical services. We find minerals everywhere and also heard that there is a Pan African Minerals Faculty that will come to the University of Zimbabwe, for people to do mining and medicine is a bit difficult. So I think the Government should actually setup the Faculty of Medicine. I am sure that the manufacturing that was set up at the Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences will assist us.
Some of us use Braille, our paper for Braille was difficult to get and we could only get it from Manicaland as we used manila. Now it is difficult to get it and I have since resigned from the use of Braille but I believe my counterparts need this Manila to use Braille. I hope there will be a boost in the manufacture of Manila paper and they will be able to access this until they become of age like us. I thank you.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY
EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
(HON. DR. GANDAWA): Mr. President, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Tuesday, 3rd May, 2016.
On the motion of THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HIGHER
AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. GANDAWA), the Senate adjourned at
Eighteen Minutes past Four o’clock p.m. until Tuesday, 3rd May, 2016.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 5th April, 2016
The Senate met at Half-past Two o’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE
SENATE
INVITATION TO THE ZITF OFFICIAL OPENING
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: I have to inform
the Senate that the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair is inviting all
Senators to attend the ZITF Official Opening Ceremony on Friday 29th April, 2016. Hon. Senators are advised to either collect their invitation cards from the Public Relations Department Office No 2 on the Third
Floor, PAX House, or collect them from PR officials at the Members’
Dining Hall between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. during the course of this week.
INVITATION TO A TRAINING WORKSHOP ON THE NATIONAL
PEACE AND RECONCILIATION BILL
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: I also have to
inform the Senate that the National Transitional Justice Working Group, Zimbabwe; in collaboration with the Centre for Applied Legal Research and SAPST are inviting the Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Thematic Committee on Peace and Security and the Human Rights Committee to a one day training workshop on the National Peace and Reconciliation Bill to be held tomorrow,
Wednesday, 6th April 2016, at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Harare from 8 am to 1 pm.
MOTION
LEAVE TO MOVE RATIFICATION OF THE DOHA AMENDMENT
TO THE KYOTO PROTOCOL
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND
CLIMATE (HON. MUCHINGURI): Madam President, I seek leave
of the House to move that;
WHEREAS, Section 327(3) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides that any International Treaty which has been concluded or executed by the President or under the authority of the President does not bind Zimbabwe until it has been approved by Parliament;
AND WHEREAS, on 8th December 2012, the 18th Conference of the parties to the Kyoto Protocol adopted the Doha Amendment to the
Kyoto Protocol, establishing the Second Amendment period from 1st
January, 2013 to 31st December, 2020;
AND WHEREAS Zimbabwe is a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and is desirous of becoming a party to the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto
Protocol;
AND WHEREAS the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol has
not entered into force and shall enter into force on the nineteenth day after the date of receipt by the depository of an Instrument of
Acceptance, by at least three fourths of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol; NOW THEREFORE, In terms of Section 327(2) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, This House resolves that the Aforesaid Amendment be and is hereby approved.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
RATIFICATION OF THE DOHA AMENDMENT TO THE
KYOTO PROTOCOL
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND
CLIMATE (HON. MUCHINGURI): Madam President, I move that
WHEREAS, Section 327(3) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides that any International Treaty which has been concluded or executed by the President or under the authority of the President does not bind Zimbabwe until it has been approved by Parliament;
AND WHEREAS, on 8th December, 2012, the 18th Conference of the parties to the Kyoto Protocol adopted the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol, establishing the second commitment period from 1st
January, 2013 to 31st December, 2020;
AND WHEREAS, Zimbabwe is a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and is desirous of becoming a party to the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto
Protocol;
AND WHEREAS, the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol
has not entered into force and shall enter into force on the nineteenth day after the date of receipt by the depository of an instrument of acceptance by at least three fourths of the parties to the Kyoto Protocol;
NOW THEREFORE, in terms of Section 327 (2) of the
Constitution of Zimbabwe, this House resolves that the aforesaid amendment be and is hereby approved.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND
CLIMATE (HON. MUCHINGURI): Madam President, I move that
Order of the Day, Number 1 be stood over until the rest of the Order of the Day have been disposed of.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH: DEBATE ON ADDRESS
HON. SENATOR MAKWARIMBA: I would also want to add
my voice on the motion moved by Hon. Senator Tawengwa. Madam
President, with great appreciation of his vision, commitment and will to implement agreed policies, we are indeed honoured to proudly state that the National Prosecuting Authority Act and the Electoral Amendment Act, which were prioritised under the accelerated alignment of legislation as required under Section 324 of the Constitution are now operational. More-so, the General Laws Amendment Bill which will effect non-consequential changes to over 158 statutes, together with the Gender Commission and the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Amendment Bill which are already under consideration by Parliament will be implemented within his given timeframes. Mr. President, let us give thumbs up to His Excellency on his vision of bringing ways of doing business in our beloved nation. In this regard, the Companies Act and other pieces of legislation will be overhauled. Instead this Senate, within the context of his visionary leadership will have the Zimbabwe Investment Authority Amendment Bill which seeks to convert the authority into a true one-stop-shop investment centre tabled for consideration by this august Senate and everything will be properly executed for the benefit of the majority of the Zimbabwean people.
Mr. President, may I take this moment to convey my gratitude to our ever planning and thinking leader for the State Procurement
Amendment Bill that will be tabled before this Senate…
HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: On a point of order. Mr. President,
the Honourable Senator is reading.
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: It is
his maiden speech.
HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: He has spoken before. Yes, he has
asked questions before. So it is not his first time that he is speaking. It is not his maiden speech.
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: The
Honourable Senator, you can speak to your notes.
HON. SEN. MOHADI: On a point of order. No, Mr. President, he has not given his maiden speech. He has talked before and we agree but he has not given his maiden speech.
HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: What is a maiden speech?
HON. SEN. MOHADI: It is speech given for the first time.
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE:
Senator Makwarimba, you can continue but speak to your paper.
HON. SEN. MAKWARIMBA: It is my maiden speech Mr.
President Sir, so I have to read it.
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: You
can speak to your paper without reading it.
HON. SEN. MAKWARIMBA:….the Bill which seeks to
improve efficiency in the public procurement system provides for the conversion of the current State Procumrent Board into a non-executive standards setting and compliance monitoring body. This Bill, while decentralising the procurement function to ministries, public enterprises and local authorities will also seek to curb corruption and nepotism. Through his desire to promote exports, boost industrialisation and enhance skills and technology transfer, the Special Economic Zones Bill will be tabled during session. Moreover, the Banking Amendment Bill which not only seeks to strengthen the banking regulatory system but aims to promote the revival and growth of the local manufacturing sector hence action is being taken to limit importation of goods for which there is adequate local production capacity, thus we applaud the recent import ban on soap, cooking oil, milk et al.
Mr. President, the mining sector remains the heart of our economy; however, underutilisation remains our biggest challenge. In this regard, we have to engage in maximum utilisation, extensive exploration programmes and value addition and beneficiation, thus through our visionary leader. The Mineral Marketing Corporation Bill which aims to transform the Mineral Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe into a fully fledged mineral exploration corporation will be tabled before this Senate. This Bill also seeks to provide for a competitive and investment focused legislative framework. In light of this, we want to thank you for merging diamond companies under ZCDC as it is a step forward in our efforts to create transparency and high output of the precious gems. We want also to thank His Excellency on his utmost desire to replace the former Agricultural Land Board with a Land Commission. This is provided for in Section 296 of our Constitution. This commission which will carry out land audits is mandated to ensure accountability, fairness and transparency in the administration of all our agricultural land. Accordingly, the Land Commission Bill would be presented to
Parliament during the current session.
The President’s desire to promote consumer rights and fair business competition and marketing would be implemented soon as the Consumer Protection Bill will be tabled during the current session. This will see the Zimbabwe Standards Regulatory Authority being operationalised to ensure compliance with quality, health and safety and environmental standards for imports and exports. In the same vein, a Bill will be tabled in this Senate to repeal National Incomes and Pricing
Commissions Act and to establish the National Competitiveness Commission which will have the mandate to spearhead the improvement of the country’s business competitiveness.
Mr. President, His Excellency’s desire to improve the state of our infrastructure and clearing of all administrative bottlenecks at our border ports has led to the Border Ports Authority Bill that will be presented to this Senate during this current session. A model border post has already been developed and the selection of companies to construct such border posts is currently underway. All this is done to enhance free movement of tourists, investors and goods.
The President is on record championing the growth of small and medium enterprises as these provide employment and decent livelihoods for vast families. The sector has to be further grown thus an appropriate legal framework shall be introduced which will lead to a sustainable growth of this sector. The Cooperative Societies Act Amendment Bill shall incorporate the operations of savings and credit cooperate societies hence it will be brought before this august Senate as per the President’s vision.
Mr. President, we would like to thank His Excellency for the Local Authorities Bill that will be introduced during this session. The Bill will consolidate the current Urban Councils and Rural District Councils Act. It will establish a tribunal to deal with issues of the dismissal of discipline of councilors, mayors and chairpersons of local authorities. This Bill will in addition, spell out provisions under which the status of local authorities can be upgraded or downgraded on the basis of changed circumstances.
Mr. President, education always been His Excellency’s priority since 1980, thus it remains a key priority on the national development agenda. Work is underway on the Education Amendment Bill so as to align the Education Act of 2006 with the new Constitution. The entire Primary and Secondary Curriculum is being reviewed to render the country’s education system appropriate for the current and future development needs of our country. Government has come up with a policy framework to facilitate the provision of infrastructure at our institutions of learning within the context of public private joint venture partnerships as per the President’s vision.
Mr. President, the cornerstone of any nation is based on effective health care provision for the population’s well-being. Accordingly, this the Public Health Bill that seeks to among other things, address current public health challenges, issues of non-communicable diseases, maternal health, cross boarder risks as well as the involvement of non-state actors and communities in health care provision will be tabled in this House. More so, Regulatory Authorities for medical aid societies will also be enacted to provide the much needed recourse for improved governance and, to ensure clarity of roles between insurers and service providers.
Our children are our future, the future of this country and our future leaders, hence the President and this Government continues to prioritise the implementation of programmes and initiatives to empower the youth. In light of this, positive proposals and contributions that were brought by our youths need to be explored further. Therefore, extensive stakeholder consultations on issues affecting the children have been completed and the children’s Amendment Bill which will address issues pertaining to children’s welfare will be presented to this august House.
A Bill to combine War Veterans Act and Ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees Act into one Act, now incorporating the War Collaborators, will be tabled before Parliament during this Session. Furthermore, we applaud His Excellency for his unforgetful mind on both the living and late heroes of this proud nation. Efforts are underway to construct three Zimbabwe Liberation War Memorial Hospitals in Harare, Bulawayo and Victoria Falls through a joint venture partnership with a foreign contractor.
Let us give thumps up to His Excellency on his effort to fight corruption at all levels of our society. In light of this, Government will therefore improve its systems to effectively respond to the challenges of corruption. As part of this effort, a code of conduct will be put in place in which all high level public office holders will be required to disclose their assets upon assumption of office or to declare their interests on matters that may create scope for conflict of interest. A National Code of Corporate Governance Bill to bolster the fight against corruption will be brought before this House as per the President’s vision to fight corruption at all levels of society.
The President has always given emphasis and special treatment to all issues pertaining to State Security. This therefore, has led to the creation of the National Security Council Amendment Bill which provides for the establishment of a National Security Council to advise Government on National Security policy and strategies. This will be tabled in this House during this Session. The Zimbabwe National
Defence University has already been transformed into the National Defence University. This university will act as a national think-tank that will provide higher education and training in national policy and strategy formulation for military and civilian leaders.
Mr. President, as I conclude, may I thank His Excellency for his visionary ‘eyes’ which not only see today, but the future. It is only through his wise counsel and leadership that we will achieve all the said targets and objectives. May it be noted that through him, we will achieve
‘worthy’ leadership and become guided leaders in our own right. I thank you.
HON. SEN. TAWENGWA: Mr. President, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. MASUKU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 6th April, 2016.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE 133RD ASSEMBLY OF THE INTER-
PARLIAMENTARY UNION (IPU)
Third Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Zimbabwe Delegation Report on the 133rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
Question again proposed.
*HON. CHIMBUDZI: Thank you Mr. President for giving me this opportunity to make my contribution on the report which was moved by Chief Senator Siansali, seconded by the other Hon. Member on the meeting held in Switzerland, Geneva. This was a very good report showing the importance of the items which were pondered upon in that august Conference. We also thank the President of the Senate for attending and these delegates who were able to bring feedback from that meeting. In their introduction on 1.0, they discussed issues regarding the problems which they came across. Their delegation was under staffed and they looked at it. The problem was on the funding for this trip. Therefore, we wish Parliament could be adequately funded so that when we have delegates who are attending such conferences, they should travel with enough personnel so that they bring back enough information for the development of the country.
We are saying this because the few members could not attend all the conferences which were held simultaneously. If they had enough personnel, they could have been able to attend all the meetings.
However, in this case, a delegate was forced to attend two meetings at any opportune time. I really applaud them because they were able to cover that conference. I therefore call upon the responsible authorities to provide enough funding to Parliament so that Members are able to attend these conferences.
We were also told about point 311, where we have refugees running away from Africa into Europe in desperate journeys. People die in the seas because of the dangers involved. These refugees are caused by the turmoil which is either starvation or fighting. If delegates of
Zimbabwe attend those conferences, they will be able to prepare Zimbabwe for such disasters and prevent them from happening.
The delegates also discussed climate change. When they attend such meetings, they will have advanced knowledge on ways and strategies of withstanding the consequences of climate change. As we are experiencing, climate change is a reality. In this case El Nino has disturbed our agricultural seasons and other developmental projects in the country. We do not even know when this is going to end, but if you have delegates attending such conferences, we will gain more knowledge on climate change. We will be able to attain strategies of fighting climate change.
The report which was produced shows that climate change was impacting negatively on the rural population. This is a very important report which should be taken into account. When we are talking about the development of Zimbabwe, we need to incorporate such ideas from other countries.
During the conference, issues concerning women and the preservation of peace were also discussed. We know that Resolution 1325 provides for gender equality. This brings peace and harmonious cohabiting between women and men. I really want to applaud the delegation and I say, thank you for bringing us such important information. We hope that with time, our Parliament will have enough money so that your delegation will be adequate. Thank you Mr.
President.
HON. SEN. SANSOLE: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. MARAVA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 6th April, 2016.
MOTION
REHABILITATION OF WAR SHRINES AND RECOGNITION
OF DEPARTED WAR LIBERATORS
Fourth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion calling for rehabilitation and maintenance of War Shrines.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. MOHADI: Thank you Mr. President. I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 6th April, 2016.
MOTION
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE
PRESIDENT AS CHAIRMAN OF AFRICAN UNION
Fifth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion to congratulate His
Excellency, the President Cde. R. G. Mugabe and the Government of Zimbabwe on successfully leading the African Union (AU) and
Southern African Development Community (SADC) as Chairperson.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. TAWENGWA: I move that the debate do now
adjourn.
HON. SEN. MASUKU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 6th April, 2016.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE ZIMBABWE DELEGATION TO THE 38TH
PLENARY ASSEMBLY OF THE SADC PARLIAMENTARY
FORUM
Sixth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Zimbabwe Delegation Report on the 38th Plenary Assembly of the SADCParliamentary Forum.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. MOHADI: Thank you Mr. President. I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 6th April, 2016.
MOTION
TRADITIONAL CHIEFS MANDATE
*HON. SEN. CHIMBUDZI:Thank you Mr. President. I would like to make a contribution on the issue raised by Hon. Senator Mawire on the importance of traditional chiefs. It is true that our traditional chiefs should be respected and allowed to do their work.
We have also noted that in rural areas which have no traditional chiefs, there are problems which are faced by that community, especially in settling disputes within that area. People who have no chiefs are forced to take their disputes to neighbouring chiefs and this is a problem.
We are therefore advocating for the developmental support of our chiefs.
As Zimbabweans, we are also facing problems of looking down upon our chiefs. We are not giving them the authority and respect which is due to them. As Africans, we uphold our traditional chiefs, culture and tradition. From time immemorial, we have been living with our chiefs and they are the custodians of our culture. Chiefs try cases such as those which happen in the families. The chief is the first person we approach whenever we have cultural or traditional problems. That is why we are calling for the Government to support the progression and the upholding of the importance of traditional leaders in our country. If we do not support our chiefs, we will become morally decayed or people who are uncultured because we are borrowing foreign cultures and adopting them. That does not make us people who come from foreign countries; we still remain Zimbabweans.
If we look at the problems we are facing as a country, we should be settling some of the disputes through traditional chiefs. This can only be done if we give our chiefs the authority and prestige they deserve. We therefore, appeal to the chiefs that whenever there is anything to be shared amongst the chiefs, they should do so peacefully. We have heard of chiefs who are fighting for boundaries that separate their kingdoms. We are saying if chiefs subject themselves to such humiliating acts, that is when they lose respect from the public. They should learn to solve their problems amicably. As chiefs, we should uphold and support you.
Thank you Mr. President.
HON. SEN. MAWIRE: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. MAKONE: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 6th April, 2016.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE DELEGATION
TO THE 7TH WORLD WATER CONFERENCE
Eighth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report of the Parliament of Zimbabwe Delegation to the 7th World Water Conference.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: Mr. President, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. MARAVA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 6th April, 2016.
On the motion of HON. SENATOR TAWENGWA seconded by
HON. SENATOR MASUKU, the Senate adjourned at Twenty-Six
Minutes past Three O’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Thursday, 7th April, 2016
The Senate met at Half-past Two o’ clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
NON-ADVERSE REPORTS RECEIVED FROM THE
PARLIAMENTARY LEGAL COMMITTEE
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: I have to inform
the Senate that I have received non-adverse reports from the PLC on all but one Statutory Instrument published in the Government Gazette during the month of February, 2016.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
*HON. SEN MUMVURI: My question is directed to the
Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services. Recently, there have been reports of the Net One saga, which is impacting negatively on the Ministry. What is Government policy regarding this problem?
*THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (HON.
MANDIWANZIRA): Thank you for the question Hon Mumvuri. Let me explain that the on-going problem at Net One is an issue which was enunciated by His Excellency, Cde R. G Mugabe as he urged
Government to fight corruption to the end in parastatals. Even in his
Ten Point Plan, he highlighted that the biggest enemy in the Ten Point Plan is fighting corruption, therefore each Ministry has tasked to fight corruption in parastatals. As a result, we urged the Net One Board to investigate the problems in Net One.
What really worried us was that we have three cellular telephone companies in this country namely; Net One which is owned by Government; Econet, which is privately owned and Telecel which may soon be a parastatal in the next two months. When we compare the first two companies, the best performer is Econet with 8 million subscribers followed by Net One with 4 million subscribers. But when we look at the profits which are raised by these companies, Econet makes about $200m to $300m per year while Net One is making a loss and yet they are supposed to make half of what Econet is making. We therefore suggested that there be management restructuring. After the management restructuring, the board appointed a new Chief Finance
Officer. As a result of this restructuring, we have a new Chief Finance Officer and this Chief Finance Officer addressed the board showing that she had unearthed some potentially corrupt activities which had been happening at NetOne.
The corrupt activities included companies which were paid for some services which were never delivered to NetOne. Some finances were directed to different to companies in contrast to those which had been awarded the tender. We have companies that supplied fuel and were supposed to be paid without showing proof of delivery of the fuel.
Top executives were pursuing payment all the same. For instance where payment of US$187 000 was instance demanded, it was discovered that only US$83 000 was due. As a result, because of these problems the board called for a forensic audit at their board meeting in December 2015. As the mother Ministry, they asked whether we concur with the undertaking of a forensic audit and we agreed because we are fighting corruption together. Forensic audits have to be done in line with good corporate governance and in line with His Excellency, President R. G.
Mugabe’s 10 Point Plan for economic turnaround.
All financial problems facing Government and parastatals should be handed over to the Comptroller and Auditor General. The
Comptroller and Auditor General is now looking for forensic auditors to do the audit. As a ministry, we do not interfere with the work the board the Comptroller and Auditor General are doing. We do not want to be seen as interfering on what is going on at NetOne. We believe the Comptroller and Auditor General is going to unearth whatever was going to make all things clear within the results of the forensic audit. *HON. SENATOR CHIMHINI: I know we have heard of the
results of this audit which is going on. We only hope that when this has been done, the people who are responsible in these corrupt activities will be taken to court and tried because in the past, we have had such people just being arrested and no further action taken. As the people who are suffering from these corrupt activities, we need to know what steps will be taken to punish these people.
HON. MANDIWANZIRA: I will talk with regard to ICT, Postal and Courier Services regarding NetOne. We are not only talking of NetOne, but we have lots of companies which are under our Ministry. I would like to inform this august House and the public that when we have been given an audit report from the Comptroller and Auditor General, if there is somebody fingered as to having indulged in corrupt activities, we will take them to the police and ask for the arrest of the perpetrators. The monies which have been abused are public funds. Ways and means will have to be taken so that money is given back to the Government. If you accumulated some property, that property will be sold to refund Government.
Zimbabwe has suffered a lot because of corrupt activities. Madam President, when you look at what is happening in the Ministry, we have never said anything about it. It is the Auditor General’s Office and other officers. We are saying to those people who are discussing things which do not concern them, please be patient until an audited report has come out. We have heard people talking and quoting Ministers and even high offices, we are silent and we await the Comptroller and Auditor-General to come up with its report. As a Ministry, we are saying whoever has been fingered in corrupt activities is going to suffer the consequences. His Excellency, President Cde. R.G. Mugabe gave us a mandate to perform and we will perform to the expectations. We are not going to be side – tracked or intimidated.
HON. SENATOR CHIMHINI: My question is directed to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education. Minister, there is a new development where we are talking about the National School Pledge.
Have you really considered what it is all about? Have you consulted the parents or stakeholders so that you get their views because we do not want to have a situation where there is an imposition, people do not know exactly where it is coming from and what we want to achieve.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND
SECONDARY EDUCATION (HON. PROF. MAVIMA): Let me
thank Hon. Senator Chimhini for that important question about the National School Pledge. He asks basically two questions; have you considered where it is coming from and also have you consulted to make sure that everyone is on board with it. Madam President, the school pledge that we have adopted as a Ministry was crafted after our consultations for the new curriculum. Where it comes from is basically the Constitution of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
Here are some aspects of that pledge. It says, ‘Almighty God in whose hands our future lies’. If you listened to the Prayer before the business of the Senate started, there was reference to Almighty God in the same manner the school pledge refers to ‘Almighty God in whose hands our future lies’. There is a pledge that infants are going to recite. Infants mean ECD (A), ECD (B), Grade 1 and 2. This is a very simple pledge which talks about Almighty God in whose hands our future lies.
Then it goes, ‘I salute the National Flag’. Then it says, ‘I commit to the dignity of hard and honest work’. Those are the three lines that the pledge says. If you go to our Constitution, you will find those words actually being plucked from our Constitution.
Then there is a pledge that all the other learners are going to recite from Grade 3 all the way to Form 6. It starts with the same words,
‘Almighty God in whose hands our future lies’. Then it says one aspect, respecting the mothers and fathers who laid in the national liberation struggle, basically Chimurenga, imvukela. It then goes to say
‘acknowledging the richness of our natural resources. It also says, ‘also acknowledging the richness of our cultures and traditions. It goes on to say, ‘I salute the National Flag and I commit to the dignity of honesty and hard work.’
If you look at that pledge, it is building consciousness among our learners to love their country, to understand that they have a rich heritage of natural resources and culture and they are also committing to their country and saying ‘I respect the dignity of hard work. Basically, they are saying, we are not going to be corrupt but we are going to eat what comes from our hard work. Those are the aspects of the pledge and it is mainly coming from our Constitution.
The objective is to have learners who have patriotism and consciousness about their country and also say we are masters of our own destiny and will use our own natural resources through hard work to create value for ourselves. That is where the pledge is coming from. Have we consulted? The Constitution itself came about after a thorough consultation. Everyone here knows about the consultation that was associated with the constitution building. The fact that the pledge is getting its words from the Constitution says, in fact, there was consultation that built the Constitution.
As we did our outreach for the new curriculum, we consulted widely. The first consultation took place on November 28, 2014. Every school in this country became a venue for consultation, where we brought in the parents, leaders, other stakeholders like the School Development Committees (SDCs), the community leaders and any other organization within that community was invited to come and make their presentations about what kind of curriculum they wanted. Issues of the national pledge were also on the agenda, to say we now want to do a national pledge like other countries do. Do you support it? We consulted almost a million people through that process.
After that consultation we came back and did what we called the zero of the curriculum. In the zero draft, there is that pledge. We went back through a confirmatory process, back to the same stakeholders to say; this is what we have come up with in as far as the new curriculum is concerned. We had also included the verbiage of the national pledge and we consulted. Just two weeks ago, after the Cabinet’s approval of the zero draft, we went back to all our provinces talking about these issues and indicating that we are going to launch the national pledge on May, 3 as schools open for the second semester. There has been widespread consultation. I can assure you Hon. President that there is no question about the consultation process as far as the national pledge and our new curriculum are concerned.
We are quite happy that we did our part as far as consultation is concerned. We are sure that the entire nation had given their input into it. It is also coming mainly from our Constitution. There was prior consultation that took place during the Contitution building process.
Thank you Madam President.
HON. SEN. JUBA: Thank you Madam President. I just want to understand about what is happening in Matebeleland North. Our children speak Tonga, Nambya, Ndebele and other languages, but Shona is very hard. However, at the end of the day, you find out that the teachers you bring to Matebeleland North do not even speak the language, even to say salibonani…
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Order, order Hon.
Senator. I am addressing all Hon .Senators. When you stand up to pose a supplementary question, the question has to be related to the original question. So, yours is a new question and you are free to ask it as an independent question. It cannot qualify as a supplementary question.
HON. SEN. JUBA: Hon. Minister, we have a problem and our children are not learning because they do not understand the language. If you go there and talk to those teachers, they do not understand what you are talking about. However, my question is, how are the children going to learn if they do not understand the language. We are appealing to the Government to bring people who speak or try a little bit so that our children will be free. I have got the ECD ones, they cannot even write because they cannot speak Shona. I thank you Madam President.
THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATION (DR. DOKORA): Thank you Madam President and
thank you Hon. Senator for asking the question. I am sure the Hon.
Senator stands in the same shoes that we are standing in ourselves. We need a teacher supply that responds to the very issues she is raising. I am not a training ministry, I merely receive trained human resources and we do the best we can with them.
If the Hon. Senator could raise sufficient numbers from the constituencies, I am sure our counterpart, the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education will be very happy to train them and allow them to become teachers. I thank you.
*HON. MUMVURI: Thank you Madam President. My question is directed to the Ministry of Youth, Indigenisation and Economioc Empowerment. A few days ago, the Ministry went on an outreach programme in different areas. Mashonaland East was given hundreds of thousands of dollars for the youth projects. However, only US$1000 was paid as a revolving fund. What is the Ministry doing to recover that money and what are the plans regarding future programmes for the development of the youths in the country?
*THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF YOUTH, INDIGENISATION
AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT (HON. TONGOFA): Thank you Madam President for giving me the opportunity to respond to Hon.
Senator’s question. This is a headache to the Ministry because we are looking for ways of recovering the loans advanced to the youths. The youths who were given these loans have nothing to show that they were given monies. We visited provinces such as Mashonaland East with Hon. Mushowe and some of these youths indicated that they opened up some projects that they are operating but some did not start even a small project. We now have problems in recovering these loans. Some youths were given $1 000 and some were given $500. The cost of recovering the money will be more than the money advanced. Therefore, our strategy in the coming phase is the beneficiaries of such loans should be youths who have knowledge in the management of business. When they bring a project proposal, it should be a viable project.
Also, we have realised that in the past, the youths who obtained these loans all wanted to go into poultry farming but when the birds have reached the selling stage, they have no market. The birds are either eaten at home or are given out as credit to bad debtors. As a result, they fail to pay back the loans. As a Ministry, we are now proposing that these loans be given to a group. It will be easy to follow up because we will not be following up individuals. We have realised that tracking a loan for an individual is more expensive.
The other step we will take is that we will be working hand-inhand with traditional leaders, Members of Parliament or any organisations within that area who would have worked with the youths and help them look for viable project proposals. We have realised that in the past, when some youths were given loans, some would go for leisure activities such as beer drinking and some even buy cars or pay lobola.
Monies were coming from CABS and each province was given $10 million. The loans that were given out are $4.5 million and the only amount recovered was $1.5 million. We had meetings with CABS so that we can re-launch this project. We are now in the process of working on the modus operandi for this project to be a success. We will also be requesting guarantors who will be able to guarantee the loans advanced to these youths. The guarantors should be assured of the fact that should the youths fail to re-pay, properties will be attached from the guarantors. Therefore, we are saying guarantors should be told that this is what it involves. If you guarantee somebody, when they default, you will be held responsible for repayment of those loans.
When we launched this programme, we thought that it would be a revolving fund and when they pay back, monies will be advanced to other youths who want to go into projects. The youths should know that this is a loan and not a grant. Banks are working on the recovery of these loans and we are working together with the banks so that we tell them that we want those monies. Banks will go to the youths and the youths will say the money belongs to the Ministry and the Ministry will tell them that the money belongs to the banks. Hence, we are saying let us put our heads together and work as one. The youths should be told that these loans are a revolving fund. After you have benefited, your colleagues should also benefit. We have started on a new programme in order to help the youths. Let me emphasise and say youths need to be assisted and we should have a consistent supply of cash instead of having an ad hoc programme. We have a lot of youths who are coming from colleges, universities and Vocational Training Centres. They graduate into the streets and as a result, they need to have projects which are in concurrence with what they studied. We therefore need to put up a fund which is going to be used in funding youth projects. At the moment, we do not have a permanent fund but we depend on getting the funds from the banks that are facing financial difficulties.
We have a programme called LEAF, which is an economic empowerment facility and is going to assist the youths in financing. When we have been advanced these loans by the banks, we will give you the modus operandi of the coming fund. We also have an ILO programme which is going to assist. The programme they have is TREE, which is Training for Rural Economic Empowerment. We looked at this project and said it is a very good programme. The
Minister of Finance and Economic Development has promised us that he is going to assist with the funds so that we take over what has been done by the ILO.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF CHISUNGA: Thank you Madam President.
My question is directed to the Minister of Rural Development, and Preservation of Culture and Heritage. How far have you gone with the ethanol project where a Memorandum of Understanding was signed at a national level? This project is in Mbire in Mashonaland Central. What is the current position?
THE MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND
PRESERVATION OF CULTURE AND HERITAGE (HON. A.
NCUBE): Thank you Madam President. Unfortunately, I am not aware of the project and also I do not think that if falls within my Ministry. I hope that the question will be referred to the relevant Ministry. Thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF CHISUNGA: Madam President, I am not
really content by the response given.
*HON. SEN. MACHINGAIFA: Thank you Madam President.
My question is directed to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education. Minister, I am not racist or tribalist, but is it possible for parents to go to schools and train children traditional dances. In my constituency, children are being taught a dance called ‘chinyamusasure’ and they will be singing songs like dzinonwa munasave or other mhondoro music. All we know is that we have some other dances which belong to those areas. Children should be taught traditional dances which obtain in their constituencies. For instance in Hurungwe, there is for Chinyamusasure and Dzemhondoro and in other areas, there is mbakumba while in Mashonaland Central or Mhondoro, there is Jerusarema.
*THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATION (HON. DR. DOKORA): Let me start by thanking the Hon Senator who asked the question on the cultural dances which are performed in Zimbabwe. When we were looking at enhancing the education curriculum, this was accepted by Cabinet on 22nd September, 2015. There are two or three aspects which we may discuss in response to the question that has been posed. In the new curriculum, especially in infants to grade two, there is visual and performing arts or expressive arts. That is where the learners are taught music, traditional dances and playing of traditional instruments which are prevalent in their areas of residence. There is also art which is involved so that each school is able to teach these studies to the young learners. Whatever item is used in training these children is introduced by the trainers, be it the teachers who were trained to teach those subjects or the parents in those areas.
If you go to junior levels, there is life skills education and this strengthens the curriculum and our culture as mentioned by the Hon. Senator. Also looking at junior school, we have juniors performing arts which will be perfecting what will have been learnt in the lower grades. As we advance we now talk about heritage and the Constitution, which talks about the culture of the people of Zimbabwe. Be assured that we are now very advanced in our education curriculum.
*HON. SEN CHIFAMBA: I would also like to find out from Dr. Dokora about the parents who are against the pledge which you have made for their children. What it means is that children will also make a pledge which they will not be able to follow up because they do not know what it means. As far as the parents are concerned, the pledge should be done at secondary level when the pupils are advanced in their thinking capacity.
*THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATION (HON. DR. DOKORA): When I got into this House, my Deputy Minister was responding to a question which is similar to what has been asked and the question has already been answered.
HON. SEN. TIMVEOS: I would like to find out from the
Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier
Services about the Panama Scandal message that is circulating on
WhatsApp and Face book, about your involvement in corruption. As a Member of Parliament, I am concerned and you also have to be concerned because your name is all over the internet. Since you are in the Executive, I think Zimbabwe needs to know what is going on with this Panama scandal.
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Before the
Minister takes the floor, it is unfortunate you were not here but he has already addressed that question in detail. So you will get it from the Hansard.
+HON. SEN TIMVEOS: My apologies Madam President, I am
sorry I was late.
+HON. SEN MLOTSHWA: Hon Minister Ncube, when we look
at the Constitution, it says that Zimbabwe is a Christian country but we also have our culture which we have to preserve. When you look at the musical programmes on ZBC and Christians are performing and singing they tend to look down upon the work of traditional healers and call it diabolic, yet that is the culture of Zimbabwe. What is your Ministry doing to ensure that people know that practicing of traditional healing is part of our culture and should not view it as being diabolic.
+THE MINSTER RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND
PRESERVATION OF CULTURE AND HERITAGE (HON.
NCUBE): The Constitution of Zimbabwe says there is freedom of worship and if you want to follow the traditional type of worship, it is up to you. If you want to follow Christianity or any other religion, you are free to follow any religion that you want. If you choose to play drums or traditional cultural dances, it is entirely up to you. Zimbabwe is a democratic country and a free country which believes in the conscience of individuals. Thank you.
+HON. SEN MLOTSHWA: My issue was on co-existence. All I
wanted to know is what they are doing as a Ministry to ensure that those that are Christians and those that practice witchcraft co-exist because it is allowed.
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Hon. Senator, I
will not even call upon the Minister to respond to that.
+HON. SENATOR A. SIBANDA: I would also like to find out from Hon. Ncube about the sacred places in Zimbabwe such as we had, some certain fountains which were said to be sacred. We were not to do anything unholy in those areas. We had sacred mountains and caves, how much are we protecting these areas as Zimbabweans because we are not to do anything which is supposed to defile that place. We have some Christians such as the apostolic sects going to those holy springs and performing their rights, thus defiling our traditional places as defined by the chiefs. So my question is, are these places still as sacred as they were considered by our traditional leaders and culture?
+THE MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND
PRESERVATION OF CULTURE AND HERITAGE (HON. A.
NCUBE): Thank you Madam President for this question on sacred places which are being defiled by other religious sects. My Ministry as a department of culture, looks at the traditional beliefs of the people and also sacred places in Zimbabwe. According to our traditions and customs, these are sacred places. Therefore, no Government especially in the city in Harare, we cannot be able to look at what is happening at each individual places if it is being defiled. Therefore, if these sacred places are being defiled, people are supposed to go and report to the traditional leaders in that area that we have people who are defiling our sacred places. We have the traditional leaders, chiefs and kraal heads who will be able to go and talk to those people who are defiling our sacred places.
*HON. SENATOR MUMVURI: My question is directed to the
Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development. Before I ask my question, I would like to thank Hon. Gumbo for the work he is doing. He is really working hard and making personal visits to the places, making it a point that the job is done. I will talk of the National Railways of
Zimbabwe (NRZ). This on-going strike is now a pain in the nation of Zimbabwe and families are suffering. What is Government doing to solve the problem of these grieving workers? They have stayed for a long time without receiving their salaries. What is the policy of Government regarding the people who are suffering because of the job they did and were never paid for it?
*THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND
INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. GUMBO): I
thank the Hon. Member for the comment and character which he has taken in asking his question. We need to be aware of the people who are in problems. The National Railways of Zimbabwe has workers who are aggrieved and these play a very important part in the economy of the country. As we are talking now, these people are in a bad welfare. Madam President, these workers have not been paid their full or partial salaries for a period which is over a year. As a result, the management which has been there has come to the extent of cutting down some of the salaries and even those of the management. There was a flat fee which was given with the highest person being given $700 from the thousands they were earning and the lowest had a salary of $170.
Despite taking that step of cutting down on salaries, we have companies like ZISCO, ZIMASCO, Hwange and Tongaat Hulett which were giving NRZ lots of business and keeping it afloat, viably but these companies are no longer able to give business to the railways. Tongaat Hulett for example, is a sugar manufacturing which was paying $800
000 per month but that contract has since been abrogated since October 2015. The Hwange Colliery used to give railways business of carrying coal to different areas, ZIMASCO is no longer carrying the ore to those areas. Consequently, the NRZ no longer has such lucrative contracts which used to give it money. As a result, there is no money to pay the workers.
The NRZ had said it was going to keep the workers at a minimum level so that they can carry out the work but unfortunately, like I have stated, the companies which were giving NRZ money are no longer giving anything. So, what was happening was the amounts which had been obtained by NRZ were given in grades such that different grades were paid certain amounts or certain percentages of their salaries but it is now tough to make those pledges for payment. As management and the Ministry, we are now looking at people who owe NRZ lots of monies and we are now going to these companies and pleading with them to pay. We know that some of these companies are Government companies and we are pleading with the Treasury to use TBs which can be converted into cash and workers given a minimum amount of the cut pay so they have something to take home.
We are following up on our creditors. Yes, it is tough and people are on strike but as administration and the Ministry, we have managed to pay some of the workers. Up to yesterday, we had made some payment to those people because we have made follow ups on some of the companies such as ZPC which have given some monies which we are going to distribute to the workers. We are not going to fully pay them but we will just give them a little to take home and sustain their lives. It is quite a difficult job but that is the best we can do.
At the moment, Government is importing maize and the NRZ is an important aspect in the movement of this grain into the country. We are appealing to the workers to give us some breathing space so that we can pay these monies. However, we are now saying we are no longer going to do any job before payment. Any job which has to be done, has to be cash up front, no credit but we want to take care of the welfare of the workers.
We are also continuing with negotiations on the recapitalisation of NRZ so that we are able to move all the goods which are supposed to be moved. The people’s welfare is at its worst and we need to look for ways and means of alleviating these problems. Now that I have given you this explanation, I am sure as Hon. Members you now understand. You have given me the chance to explain the appalling situation with the welfare of the National Railways of Zimbabwe and you may go and tell them the steps which are being taken by Government.
+HON. SEN. B. SIBANDA. : Thank you Madam President. My
question to the Minister is; what is the Ministry’s policy when it comes to traditional leaders who are actively involved in politics, whether by choice or forced?
+THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
AND PRESERVATION OF CULTURE AND HERITAGE (HON.
- NCUBE): Thank you Madam President. My apologies, I find this question interesting. The traditional leaders who are involved in politics – I would like to know if he is speaking of chiefs or village heads, but what I want to say is that all traditional leaders are supposed to be apolitical. Looking at the issue of traditional leadership, I am not sure who amongst them is involved in politics. However, what I want them to do is to be apolitical and be just to all Zimbabweans without showing any kind of discrimination. It happens at times in different places as we live together as people, there is hatred and lying about each other. However, what we want is for traditional leaders to be fair to everyone and be apolitical. I thank you.
Questions Without Notice were interrupted by THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE in terms of Standing Order Number
62.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE
PLANS TO IMPROVE ADULT EDUCATION
- HON. SEN. MAVHUNGA: asked the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education whether there are plans to improve adult education in Zimbabwe.
THE MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY
EDUCATION (HON. DR. DOKORA): Thank you Madam President.
I thank the Hon. Senator for the question which helps us clarify the significance of the non-formal education sector or component in the Ministry.
The non-formal education sector complements and expands access to education services in the Republic. In March, 2015, the Ministry produced and launched an expanded National Non-Formal Education Policy. The policy requires that every school should establish a nonformal education classes. Previously, schools were required to apply for special status.
Further, the policy allows us to create and open distance learning opportunities at secondary school level. Previously, open and distance learning was available from the correspondence school only at primary school level. Independent colleges will form an association in accordance with the Statutory Instrument 371 of 1998. After the formation of the Independent Colleges Association, we will be constituting the College Advisory Council in compliance with the same Statutory Instrument.
Quality issues in non-formal education
Non-formal education classes will be handled by qualified teachers. Ordinarily, they are the same teachers who deliver classes in the full time component of the same schools. All independent colleges – this is a requirement, should be registered with the Ministry. Those that are not in compliance will be closed down.
Non-formal education learners will use the same learning materials prepared by our Curriculum Development and Technical Services division. These materials are by and large, the same materials used by the full time learners.
Education inspectors will supervise non-formal education programmes in the same way they supervise the full-time component of education delivery services. The two clear pathways of non-formal education relate to primary schools that offer basic literacy, simply young adults or adults who return to school because they want to be able to write and read numeracy figures and so on as they engage in various activities. So, basic literacy will be available, functional literacy and the Zimbabwe adult basic education programmes, where the target might be; they wish to cover two or three levels in one year. Like Grade one, two and three can be contracted and covered in one year and four and five can also be treated the same, depending on the entry point of the young adult or adults.
At the secondary school level, schools will offer part-time and continuing education, as well as open and distance learning programmes, where they can come back and say; ‘I want to deal with a specific discipline to gain a skill.’ That can be facilitated at each school. I want to thank you Hon. President.
ALLOCATION OF RESIDENTIAL STANDS BY VILLAGE
HEAD ZIN’ANGA UNDER CHIEF SEKE
- HON. SEN. CHIMHINI asked the Minister of Rural Development and Preservation of Culture and Heritage to:
- Clarify the correct position regarding allocation of residential stands by Village Head Zin’anga under Chief Seke since Manyame Rural District Council is claiming penalties of US$1000 per household for illegal settlement, despite the fact that they were alloc ated the stands by a substantive village head.
- To explain the import of Section 282(d) of the Zimbabwe Constitution, which refer to the functions of Traditional Leaders vis-àvis Section 276 of the same Constitution which refers to the functions of Local Authorities?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT
AND PRESERVATION OF CULTURE AND HERITAGE (HON.
- NCUBE): Thank you very much Madam President for the question raised by Hon. Sen. Chimhini in which he is requesting me to clarify the correct position regarding allocation of residential stands by Village
Head Zin’anga under Chief Seke since Manyame Rural District Council is claiming penalties of $1000 per household for illegal settlement, despite the fact that they were allocated the stands by substantive village heads. Madam President, I would like to thank the Hon. Senator for asking the question. However, it is pertinent to note that the said stands were allocated for residential purposes illegally by villagers within the village.
Most of the culprits have been convicted for illegal sale of communal land at the Magistrates’ Court. The majority of the beneficiaries are not bona fide descendants of the rural village in question but come from nearby urban centres, such as Harare and Chitungwiza. In addition, most of the beneficiaries were not looking for a stand to set up a rural homestead but residential urban stands and they form the bulk of the commuting public to surrounding urban centres.
Mr. President, the stands in question are not properly planned and have no appropriate amenities for an urban settlement. This august House may wish to know that the area in question is composed of 551 illegal households against a carrying capacity of 109 communal households. As such, the population has since surpassed the standard communal set up, complete with grazing land and agricultural fields. In addition, some of the stands are established on wetlands, under power lines, within road servitudes, on grazing lands and areas reserved for some other planned developments.
Given the above, Manyame Rural District Council was tasked by the Ministry to not only put an end to the illegal land allocations but also to re-plan the area appropriately. Mr. President, layout plans for the area in question were produced and approved by the Department of Physical Planning in 2015. Meanwhile, council is seized with a re-organisation exercise for the said area.
Mr. President, the Hon. Senator may want to know that the penalty being charged by Manyame Rural District Council is part contribution to the ultimate purchase of regularised stands and will go towards planning and development costs for the area.
The Hon. Senator has also asked that I should explain the import of
Section 282 (d) of the Zimbabwe Constitution, which refers to the functions of traditional leaders vis-à-vis Section 276 of the same
Constitution, which refers to the functions of the Local Authorities. Mr. President, the two sections of the Constitution show that both traditional leaders and Rural District Councils will play key roles vis-à-vis administration of communal land. The Ministry is working on the realignment of the different pieces of legislation to the Constitution. Detailed respective roles and functions of how the two will relate to each other in administering the land in question will be articulated through the alignment of the Traditional Leaders Act, Communal Lands Act and the Rural District Councils Act to the Constitution of Zimbabwe. I thank you.
HON. SEN. CHIMHINI: The first response where the Minister
talks about the numbers of people allocated, the question I raise is, if you are now talking of regularization, you are saying people have to pay $1000 as penalty and you regularise. I think you are throwing in confusion. Are people going to be removed or they will remain there?
Do they pay $1000, stands are regularised and they remain there? That part has not been explained.
HON. A. NCUBE: Thank you. It is Government policy that the land in a resettlement area must actually have a normal carrying capacity. When the Government enacted a law known as the Land Acquisition Act, it was mainly meant for agricultural purposes. This means agriculture entails mainly two aspects, that is, animal husbandry and cropping. Under normal circumstances, animal husbandry would always require enough grazing land for the livestock whilst cropping also requires enough land for cropping purposes. Once people overresettled or we start overgrazing livestock in those areas, it defeats the whole purpose of the land reform programme. I thank you.
STEPS TO REHABILITATE URBAN ROADS
- HON. SEN. CHIMHINI asked the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development to explain the concrete steps the Ministry has put in place to rehabilitate urban roads which are in a sorry state, given that the role of collection of vehicle licencing has been taken away from Local Authorities and has been given to the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructural Development through ZINARA, and no meaningful allocations are transferred to Local Authorities for road maintenance.
THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND
INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. J.M.
GUMBO): Thank you Mr. President. I would also want to thank Senator Chimhini for asking this question. The rehabilitation and maintenance of urban roads is the responsibility of Local Authorities. It has not been taken away from them except for regional, primary and secondary roads passing through cities and towns, which are maintained by the Department of Roads in my Ministry.
The collection of vehicle licencing fees by ZINARA is meant to ensure that funds collected are disbursed to Local Authorities and used for road maintenance when Local Authorities submit their acquittals to
ZINARA. It is also meant to ensure equity in that some Local
Authorities hardly have any cars registered within their jurisdictions.
Hence, would literally get nothing even though cars still pass through them. The collection of licence fees by ZINARA has helped Local Authorities to realise those collections because they are now guaranteed of receiving money. If Hon. Chimhini can ask the question next week, I can come back and give him and all other Members here present, the amounts that we have given to Local Authorities. This is the reason why when Hon Mumvuri spoke about me going around, I said it is because I know that the money that we are giving to Local Authorities is being misused and misdirected. I will then be able to give you of the figures that we disbursed to the local authority of your concern. Then you can see that they have never been able to collect the amount of monies that they are getting through ZINARA. The moment ZINARA disburses the money to your Local Authority and they use it for the purposes that the amount is meant for and acquittals are made, we again give them more money. If they do not work, it is because they have misdirected the funds.
So I would be very pleased to come back and give you a chronology of the monies that we have given to your Local Authority and even for all the 60 Local Authorities we have in the country, for the information of all the Members here present so that when you go home, you can question why things are not being done and where they are putting the money.
ISSUANCE OF DRIVERS’ LICENCES
- HON. SEN. SIBANDA asked the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development to state whether the Ministry is aware that driver’s licences are now corruptly issued at Vehicle Inspectorate Department (VID) test centres, at specific prices and not on the basis of driving competence of applicants. What are the Ministry’s plans to stop this?
THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND
INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT: (HON. DR. GUMBO):
The Ministry has a zero tolerance policy towards corruption, in line with the aspirations of ZIM ASSET. In this context, my Ministry has implemented the following proactive strategies to curb corruption at the
VID.
- VID depots are grouped into three categories that is: small, medium and big, for purposes of analyzing their performance. The strategy helps the Ministry to monitor performance per depot and be able to identify the existence of wayward behavior through the analysis of daily, weekly and monthly returns and reports. This strategy has demonstrated its effectiveness since its inception in 2009, resulting in 32 officers being fired when it surfaced from the analysis on the returns that corruption was taking place at 13 VID depots namely; Eastlea and Belvedere in Harare, Chitungwiza, Gweru, Mutare, Chiredzi, Bindura, Kadoma, Victoria Falls, Zvishavane, Nyamapanda, Chinhoi and Marondera who issued 199 driver’s licences to undeserving applicants and these were cancelled by the Ministry.
- We have erected conspicuous notice boards at all VID depots and on March 3, 2016, introduced three toll free numbers, which are (08013121-3), informing members of the public to phone the supplied numbers if they have been asked for a consideration or a bribe by VID officials in order to pass a certificate of fitness test or to obtain a driver’s licence. The toll free numbers are also displayed at the rear of all VID vehicles. So, in this instance we also ask the support of the public whenever they are approached to do these corrupt activities.
- All depots have suggestion boxes strategically positioned for Members of the Public to air their views on service delivery.
- In line with SADC Harmonisation of standards for testing drivers, we have constructed in all VID yards, SADC standard hill starts, three point turn facilities, parallel parking and reversing facilities to enhance transparency and fairness by ensuring that 80% of the test is done in the yard - in the full view of the public, thereby reducing corruption tendencies. The remaining 20% of the tests are done in town, where senior officials carry out random quality control checks to minimize corruption tendencies.
- With respect to vehicles inspected, senior officials carry out random, quick but thorough quality control on vehicles inspected
by subordinates; that is, the vehicle will be recalled for checks on five main systems of a vehicle.
- We will be introducing in the near future, a balling system on a pilot basis at VID Eastlea. The system entails that learner drivers who would have come for a road test pick a ball from a basket with an office number leading them to an examiner who will take them for the test. This strategy is envisaged to counter pre-arranged corrupt practices.
- We have a dedicated multi-skilling strategy for all our officers; that is, every officer is trained as both an examiner and an inspecting officer. This strategy helps to remove pre-arranged corrupt practices and predictability from officers on duty in that the manager at any given time can reshuffle officers from driving examinations to vehicle inspections or vice-versa.
- VID carries out 24hour vehicle checks blitz, as a strategy to remove un-roadworthy vehicles from the roads as well as carrying out due diligence on certificates of fitness that would have been issued by our officers. The strategy also helps to nab and prosecute motorists who are found using fake driver’s licences.
- We have a three year transfer policy which helps mitigate against over familiarization with members of the public, which may lead to corruption.
- Examiners/inspectors are strongly instructed to switch off their phones whilst carrying out driving test duties or vehicle inspections. This strategy helps to remove the illegal networking between the examiners and members of the public.
- In line with the advancements in the global village, VID as a learning organisation will, in the near future move towards automation of its services, which will help to reduce direct human interface thereby reducing corruption.
- It is from best practice that we monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the above strategies for continuous improvement. Any reported case of corruption is investigated in order to get to
the bottom of it and appropriate action is taken as indicated in Item (1) above. We have got those twelve strategies to try and mitigate corruption. We cannot deny that corruption is taking place, but who really are the ones that make this corruption to go unnoticed is actually the public. So if the public can support the efforts that we are putting in place, I think we can be able to control, but probably not to wipe out corruption, but to minimize it. I thank you.
HON. SENATOR B. SIBANDA: I want to thank the
Minister because I think it is an honest reply and a very frank and curt reply. It is not a question but a comment, the corruption Hon. Minister, starts with the driving schools, so the net may need to be widened.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN STATE, DDF AND COUNCIL
ROADS
- HON. SENATOR MASUKU on behalf of HON.
SENATOR MOHADI asked the Minister of Transport and
Infrastructural Development to clarify the difference between State, District Development Fund and Council roads and how these roads are maintained.
THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND
INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. GUMBO):
Mr. President, State roads are main road networks which are classified as regional, primary and secondary roads, most of which are surfaced and are maintained by the Department of Roads in my
Ministry. These are the roads like Beitbridge-Harare-Chirundu road, Beitbridge-Bulawayo-Victoria Falls road or Gweru, Kwekwe and so forth. Those are the major roads which are actually attended to by the Ministry. A few of these roads are still gravel roads. The District
Development Fund, commonly known as DDF and Rural District Councils (RDCs) share the rural road network. The greater portion being gravel and classified as tertiary roads. These provide access to service centres such as clinics, dip tanks and shopping centres to mention just but a few. Such roads are maintained by DDF and RDCs, and these are the roads that I did mention that if Hon. Senator
Chimhini can bring a question, I can be able to list out for you the monies that we have given to all our rural district councils so that you can see whether they have used the monies that we have given them to attend to such roads and also, when you come to our towns, the monies that we have given them so that they can attend to potholes that we see in our urban centres. I thank you.
MEASURES IN PLACE TO IMPROVE RADIO AND
TELEVISION SIGNAL IN REMOTE AREAS
- HON. SENATOR MASUKU on behalf of HON.
SENATOR MOHADI asked the Minister of Media Information and Broadcasting Services to state the measures the Ministry has in place to improve radio and television signal in remote areas situated at the borders with South Africa, Botswana and Mozambique.
THE MINISTER OF MEDIA INFORMATION AND
BROADCASTING SERVICES (HON. DR. MUSHOHWE): Mr.
President, Zimbabwe currently has some areas that are experiencing poor or no reception of broadcasting services due to underpowered and aged transmission equipment, most of which was installed as far back as 1972. The issue of radio and television inadequate coverage is however being addressed in the context of the Zimbabwe Digital Broadcasting Migration Project (ZDBMP) which is currently being implemented by the Ministry and is now slightly over 30% complete. I am sure the august House is aware that the whole world under the guidance of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), is migrating from analogue to digital broadcasting platforms and June,
2015 was the deadline.
Zimbabwe developed its own plan for migration which the Ministry is implementing. The plan includes expanding the 24 TV transmission sites to 48 throughout the country and replacing the old radio transmission equipment in the existing 24 sites so as to restore and improve the national coverage. When installation is completed, the new transmission infrastructure will change the television signal from analogue to digital ensuring availability of the television signal almost everywhere in the country as well as improving radio reach to over 90% of national coverage.
Any further coverage gaps beyond the completion of the digitalisation project will be addressed through the use of gap fillers to ensure a universal access to broadcasting services throughout the country. The completion of the project will ensure that most areas, including some along our borders, that are currently experiencing difficulties in receiving broadcast signal to begin receiving clear signals of both radio and television, heralding a new era in broadcasting in the country.
Mr. President, the ZDBMP (Digitilisation Project) which I said is now slightly over 30% complete is scheduled to be completed this year subject to availability of resources. There are other competing national priorities which have seen the amount of money being made available by Treasury to the project as per the original budget being drastically reduced. Consequently, the project is stalling, at times almost stopping, though the Ministry is pressing on. I am sure Mr. President, Hon. Senators would have seen me country trotting the past three weeks or so, having been to Binga, Kamativi, Lupane, Masvingo and Manicaland inspecting the installation programme that is underway on this migration project. If the country is to realize the full benefits that come with this project, we should, as a nation, strive to finish the project in a reasonable time frame.
Mr. Speaker, may I take this opportunity to explain to Hon. Sen. Mohadi and other Hon. Senators here present, that as part of the digitalization project, we carried out inspections as indicated, of existing broadcasting infrastructure throughout the country. The Beitbridge Tower was one of the numbers which was condemned for failing to meet acceptable engineering standards. As such, the Ministry, under the digitalization project, will erect a new tower at Beitbridge to replace the old one.
However, we will do it in a way that ensures minimum disruption of existing radio and television services by building the new tower whilst the old one is still in use. Mr. President, these are the efforts that the Government of Zimbabwe, through my Ministry, are making to ensure that there is universal coverage of both television and radio signal in the country. I thank you Mr. President.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (HON.
MANDIWANZIRA): Thank you Mr. President. I move that Orders of the Day Numbers 1 to 6 be stood over until Orders of the Day Number 7 and 8 have been disposed of.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
RATIFICATION OF THE LOAN AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE AND THE EXPORT-
IMPORT BANK OF CHINA
THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (HON.
MANDIWANZIRA): I move the motion standing in my name;
THAT WHEREAS Section 327(3) of the Constitution of
Zimbabwe provides that an agreement which is not an International Treaty, but has been concluded or executed by the President or under the
President’s authority with one or more foreign organisations or entities and imposes fiscal obligations on Zimbabwe, does not bind Zimbabwe until it has been approved by Parliament;
AND WHEREAS, the loan agreement between the Government of Zimbabwe and Export-Import Bank of China, relating to the Tel-One backbone Network and broadband access project being implemented by Tel-One (Priavate) Ltd was concluded on the 1st day of December, 2015, in Harare, Zimbabwe.
NOW THEREFORE, in terms of Section 327(3) of the
Constitution, this House resolves that the aforesaid agreement be and is hereby approved.
Mr. President, Tel-One (Private) Ltd is implementing a 116.8 million Backbone Fibre-Optic Transmission and Broadband Access Project, aimed at; replacing and upgrading and transforming its transmission backbone call and access network into a modern telecommunications infrastructure providing a wide range of voice data and video services.
To date, Tel-One has completed phase one of the project between 2010 and 2013 at a cost of US$18.2 million of which the Government contributed US$6.2 million and Tel-One, from its own resources, US$12 million. Phase One, comprising of the following routes; Harare-Mutare Fibre Optic Transmission, Harare-Bulawayo Optic Transmission and installation of the Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Internet Protocol Microwave Radio Link.
Phase Two of Tel-One Backbone Fibre Optic Transmission and
Broadband Access Project will focus on the following components;
Capacity upgrade in northern parts of the country, that is Mashonaland
Central and West Provinces, Bulawayo-Beitbridge Fibre Optic
Transmission Route, Bulawayo-Victoria Falls Fibre Optic Transmission Route, Gweru-Masvingo Fibre Optic Transmission Route and supply, installation and commissioning of internet protocol multi-media systems access and converged billing system.
The Project Financing and Loan Repayment
Mr. President, on 1 December, 2015, Government and the Export Import Bank of China, signed a Preferential Buyer Credit Loan
Agreement amounting to US$98.6 million for Tel-One Backbone and Broadband Access Phase Two Project. The loan represents 85% of the contract amount. The balance of 15% of the contract has already been implemented and works completed under Phase One as alluded to
earlier.
The US$98.6 million facility has the following terms;
- Interest rate of 2% per annum;
- Grace period of 5 years;
- Tenure, including grace period of 20 years;
- Management fees of 0.25%;
- Commitment fees of 0.25%;
Counterpart fund of 15%, which as mentioned before, has already been implemented under Phase One
Pursuant to signature of the loan agreement, an on-lending agreement will be signed between Government and Tel-One with the above terms. The proceeds due to Tel-One under the project will be ring-fenced into
Escrow account that will be jointly monitored by Government and China Exim Bank. The interest payment will be the first charge with the balance left for Tel-One to carry out its activities. The interest repayment will be based on the loan amount drawn down.
In the event the proceeds in the Escrow account are not sufficient to repay the interest and the principal of the loan, the loan agreement indicates that the extra revenues from Net One Escrow Account will be used to settle the Tel-One loan facility.
The expected benefits
Mr. President, the project is expected to yield the following results; Presents a platform where organisations can easily and readily access information across sectors;
- Provide cheaper, accessible marketing places as well as ease business transactions;
- Offer modern telecommunication services whereby clients can access data, voice, video services and information;
- Telecommunication gadgets will be used interchangeably with ease by the market, where a single number to use across either a land line or mobile device;
- Savings on calls made between landlines and mobile devices by providing alternative cheaper forms of communication like Viber and Skype;
- Local sub-contractors will be involved in the installation of equipment for the project;
- Contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) with downstream effects that come with the growth of the ICT Sector;
10% growth in ICTs will result in 1.4% contribution to GDP growth. These are statistics by the World Bank;
- Enhance access to online services in sectors of the economy such as Education and Health;
- Transform Tel-One to become the preferred one-stop telecommunication services provider offering a variety of valueadded services…
HON. MLOTSHWA: Point of Order, Mr. President. I think we have no quorum. How can we continue with business when we are less than the number required?
[Bells rung]
Notice having been taken that there being present fewer than 26 members, the bells were rung for Seven Minutes and a Quorum still not
being present, THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
adjourned the House without question put at Twenty-Six Minutes past
Four O’clock p.m. pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order Number
56.
NOTE: The following members were present when the House adjourned: Hon. Sen. Bhebhe M.; Hon. Sen. Carter M.N.; Hon. Sen.
Chimbudzi A.; Hon. Sen. Chimanikire A.; Hon. Sen. Chimhini, D.A.; Hon.
Sen. Chimutengwende C. C. C.; Hon. Sen. Chief Gwenzi; Hon. Machingaifa
T.; Hon. Sen. Makwarimba C.; Hon. Sen Makone T.; Hon. Sen. Mashavakure N.; Hon. Sen. Masuku A.; Hon. Sen. Mkhwebu A.; Hon. Sen. Mlotshwa S.;
Hon. Sen. Chief Mtshane.; Hon. Sen. Mumvuri D. D. E.; Hon. Sen. Chief Nebiri.; Hon. Sen. Ndhlovu J.; Hon. Sen. Nyathi R.; Hon. Sen. Sibanda B.;
Hon. Sen. Sibanda A.; and Hon. Sen. Tawengwa C.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Wednesday, 6th April, 2016
The Senate met at Half-past Two o’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE in the Chair)
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: I move that Order of the
Day No 1, be stood over until all the other Orders of the Day have been disposed of.
HON. SEN. MARAVA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH: DEBATE ON ADDRESS
Second Order read: Adjourned debate on motion in reply to the
Presidential Speech.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. TAWENGWA: I move that the debate be now adjourned.
HON. SEN. MARAVA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 7th April, 2016.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE 133RD ASSEMBLY OF THE
INTERPARLIAMENTARY UNION (IPU)
Third Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Zimbabwe Delegation Report on the 133rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. SIANSALI: I move that the debate be now adjourned.
HON. SEN. MARAVA: I second.
Motion put and agreed.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 7th April, 2016.
MOTION
REHABILITATION OF WAR SHRINES AND RECOGNITION
OF DEPARTED WAR LIBERATORS
Fourth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion calling for rehabilitation and maintenance of War Shrines.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: I move that the debate be now adjourned.
HON. SEN. TAWENGWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 7th April, 2016.
MOTION
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE
PRESIDENT AS CHAIRMAN OF AFRICAN UNION
Fifth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion to congratulate His
Excellency, the President, Cde. R.G. Mugabe and the Government of
Zimbabwe on successfully leading the African Union (AU) and
Southern African Development Community (SADC) as Chairperson.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: I move that the debate be now adjourned.
HON. SEN. MARAVA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 7th April, 2016.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE ZIMBABWE DELEGATION TO THE 38TH
PLENARY ASSEMBLY OF THE SADC PARLIAMENTARY
FORUM
Sixth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Zimbabwe
Delegation Report on the 38th Plenary Assembly of the SADC Parliamentary Forum.
Question again proposed.
HON. SENATOR CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: I move that the
debate do now adjourn.
HON. SENATOR TAWENGWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 7th April, 2016.
MOTION
TRADITIONAL CHIEFS MANDATE
Seventh Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the role of
traditional leaders.
Question again proposed.
*HON. SENATOR CHIEF CHISUNGA: Thank you Mr.
President, for giving me the opportunity to make my contribution to this motion and I also want to thank Hon. Senator Mawire for bringing this motion. This is an excellent motion which is talking of the restoration of the powers of the chiefs as the custodians of our culture. As a country, if we put everything into perspective there is going to be progress and peace in the country.
The most important aspect which is topical in the role of the traditional chiefs is that as traditional leaders, chiefs and headmen, our first and foremost highest role is that maybe at times people in the country may not understand our roles and functions. That is why people have this view that chieftainship is a department of convenience, especially when they want something and want to mobilise people, they call upon the chiefs to do so. We are saying this is one of those small, tiny roles of the chiefs. Hence, we are calling upon the upholding of chieftainship, giving it the respect which it deserves.
During the colonial era, the chiefs had some of their rights usurped. What I believe is that, if that had not been done we would be meeting somewhere and not in Parliament as chiefs. The settlers deprived the chiefs of their powers and were belittled to an extent that they became nonentities. What is now happening is that as chiefs, we are fighting for what is due to us and was deprived of us because we were told in this august House that if chiefs are empowered and given their roles and functions, they will be free from any influence from anyone because they are so important.
When we look at the Constitution, we are informed that chieftainship should be apolitical. Chiefs should not be involved in party politics. At times you find that chiefs are forced to get into politics because they want to benefit from the convenience and they feel if they do not belong to a particular party, they will be deprived of some right or privileges. We appeal to the Government to please uphold the custodian of chiefs because if they are put in their rightful place, there will not be any need to come to Parliament to make these political debates.
As chiefs, we are saying if these powers are restored the chiefs will stay in their areas or chiefdoms such that they will not be forced to attend rallies but let their subjects to go and partake in politics and do whatever it is they want to do. Chiefs will be apolitical. We feel chiefs are being used by politicians and held like a puppet on a string. These chiefs are denied of some of their privileges and rights. During the politicking towards elections, the chiefs are then given those things which were due to them because they are now being enticed into campaigning for the party.
Sometime back, chiefs would be given up to four tonnes of seed maize and agricultural inputs for drought relief because they wanted to use them during the election period. After the elections, the chiefs were set aside and now during the distribution of food or agricultural inputs, the chiefs are nowhere to be seen because they are no longer useful. We are saying, if we read Chapter 15 of the Constitution, we are told of the roles and functions of the chiefs. Many people do not even know the roles and functions of the chiefs and they wonder what chiefs are there for but there are lots of things which have to be done by the chiefs in their areas of jurisdiction.
Hon. Chief Charumbira, the President of the Chiefs Council has said again and again that the Chief’s Court is trusted more than the
Magistrate’s Court because going to that court is not very expensive. The chief’s judgment is instant, not delayed and justice is done. People would feel it right to be tried in the Chief’s Court. I wish we could go back to the COPAC document which led to the Constitution because people talked a lot on what they want these people to put on. As an example, people were saying the status of chiefs should be raised to that of a Minister and that the chiefs should wear gold crowns and labels.
When a chief has been given that treatment, he or she will not interfere with the political affairs of the country.
Therefore, we are appealing to you Hon. Members that chiefs should be empowered and be given what is due to them according to the Constitution and our culture. As chiefs, we should merely be observers in political activities and not be players and substitutes in the political game. A chief should be apolitical. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. KOMICHI: Thank you Honourable President of the Senate. Thank you Honourable Senator Mawire for raising this motion which is under debate. The Honourable Chief who has just delivered his speech, I support your speech 100%. We should give due respect to our chiefs. The chiefs should be given what is due them and again their status should be raised. Chiefs should not be threatened by officials from
Government who come into their areas as District Administrators, Provincial Administrators or politicians. Chiefs are above all those people.
As far as our culture is concerned, our chiefs should be living a lavish life. When we go to our history and look at our chiefs such as Munhumutapa, Lobengula and Mzilikazi, they were the highest people in the country in their jurisdiction and we also want our chiefs to take that status in the country. When we look at the history of the chiefs, they were tortured and humiliated by the Smith regime when he declared the Unilateral Declaration of Independence in 1965. The chiefs were humiliated and given rules which were against their chieftainship. When we had the War of Liberation, Ian Smith further aggravated the situation of the chiefs by dividing them. At the end of it all, the chiefs ran away from their areas of jurisdiction and went to seek refuge in the cities like
Harare, Bulawayo and others because of the cruelty of the Smith regime. The War of Liberation was fought to liberate everybody in this country - including the chiefs who were humiliated, tormented and tortured by Ian Smith. To support the speech given, chiefs should be given the role which they should play. Their status should be elevated.
They should be given what is due to them, their privileges and rights.
We should know that it is a sin against God to put our chiefs into
political manipulation. The chief has people who are under his chiefdom especially when you talk of the people who could be in the rural areas or in the cities, they belong to one chief or the other. So, when we are looking at the tenets of democracy, we see that the chiefs should be empowered so that they reinforce democracy in the country. The chiefs should be empowered to resolve the conflicts of the people in their jurisdiction in rural areas without any political affiliation.
We have noticed that when a Government is coming into power, the first people they subjugate and humiliate are the chiefs. The Chiefs Council should be an institution which is independent and apolitical. It should be an institution which is given its own Vote from the Treasury and these chiefs should employ their own secretariat which is not under the Public Service Commission. The chiefs should be running their institution according to the traditions and culture of their areas and hence the chiefs should have all the data on the chieftainship and culture of those people. All the people who belong to that chieftainship should have all the data at the Chiefs Council so that when people want to appoint a chief, it will be easy to make reference to the Chiefs Council.
But what is happening is that when a new Minister of Local Government and Public Works takes over the first idea that comes into that Minister’s head is to manipulate the chiefs so that they toe his line.
When we are watching the Nigerian soap operas, when they talk of an Igwe, they talk of somebody who is powerful. An Igwe is an Igwe but when we come to Zimbabwe, Honourable Senator Chief Charumbira is not given the power that is due him and yet you know that Chief Charumbira is the chief of chiefs and should be given that respect because of what belongs to him. Let us treasure and nurture that culture of holding our chiefs in high esteem. If we uphold the status of our chiefs, we will live in a peaceful and prosperous country. I believe in that and if chiefs are given whatever is due them, people will be envying their status because they will be saying, I want to be a chief because of the privileges which are due them like a good mansion with electricity, running water, flashing up toilet and borehole. A chief should not be subjected to drinking water from contaminated sources. A chief should be travelling in a Mercedes Benz or an off road vehicle so that when he is going to see his people, they should be a people of status. When chiefs are coming to Parliament, they should have a special place built for them like the public gallery which should be a raised platform where they can sit and look down at us as we debate in this august Senate. Chiefs, I love you. I adore you and it is my wish that you be given all the privileges and powers. I believe in that and should my party get into power, we will definitely make a change in your lives by raising your status so that you are the envy of your chieftainship. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. MACHINGAIFA: Thank you Mr. President for according me this opportunity to debate on the motion which was raised by Senator Mawire and seconded by Senator Manyeruke about the roles and functions of chiefs in Zimbabwe. As I stand to debate on this very important motion, when we say chief, we are talking of Zimbabwe as a country. The chiefs are the custodians of Zimbabwe as a country.
When I was growing up Mr. President, what I saw during that time and what is happening today, there is a huge difference. I do not know whether it is because we are all blacks, because a person referred to as a magistrate would leave his office and visit a chief in the rural area. He would spend days there till what he had travelled for is completed. These days you find that the chief is expected to travel by bus to visit the District Administrator. This is very disheartening Mr. President. When chiefs get into the bus, they are referred to as staff but if the bus is full, they are made to stand because they do not pay money. So, the chief is expected to stand and give his seat to those who are paying. This is not respecting a chief.
Mr. President, I remember the other year when my brother was a chief. He went to Chinhoyi for a meeting and there was an official at the meeting who told the chief that the DA is below him. When my brother came back, he told me that the DA left us behind because he was told that we are above him. The buses that day demanded bus fare from them. So, they had a terrible time. When we grew up, honour was given to chiefs, even in the mines and farms. I grew up in the Zisco Steel area. There were foreign chiefs by Mupezeni or Karindawara, but the big chief was Nyashanu. Even in the compound, they knew that there was a chief who would arbitrate between people so that they do not forget their culture. These days, there is nothing like that.
I do not know why it is dying because if I go back, our President bestowed great honour on the chiefs. During the times of pangolins, many people brought the pangolins to the President but he said these pangolins should not be given to him but to the chiefs. This other day when I went for a celebration in Zvimba, the chiefs were there. I saw a
Government official giving a hard time to the chiefs that he was drunk.
He said he wanted to remove the chief’s badge. So, I thought if he is a Government official, how could he say that he would remove the badge from the chief - simply because he is a Government worker. I was troubled by that.
During the COPAC Outreach, we dwelt much on the chiefs’ welfare that they should get the respect that they deserve. If it were possible, houses should be constructed for them that there should be an official house so that anyone who has the turn to rule, should leave their homes and stay in that official home which is electrified. Even where they come from, they should be electrified as well. You could distinguish a chief because they were big. If they were dark in complexion it was good, and those who were light, their complexion would also look very good, which was a sign of prosperity. That is how our chiefs were viewed.
Mr. President, we are appealing and it is an outcry. We do not know how to go about it because during one of our outreach programmes, the President of the chiefs was pleading that we should be given a Commissioner of chiefs who is a chief as well to lead us because he knows how chieftainship comes about, instead of having someone who is not a chief to lead us. We see that as we go further, there are people who are called for culture. What they have is more than what the chiefs have, but the culture that he is spearheading, is the culture of the chiefs. Instead of the chiefs being the director of chiefs because he is the custodian of the culture, we do not learn culture from universities. It is a traditional thing with different chieftainships. It is not like a soccer uniform. There are different cultures.
We are appealing that the powers or the respect which was removed from the chiefs, those who have the powers should return them so that we go forward. The other year when I was reading a booklet which was written by Mrs. Macleans from the Internal Affairs during the Smith Regime, she was saying those who know that they belong to the chieftainship, are the ones who should read this book so that they know about chiefs. It had 88 pages which meant that the person called a chief should know about the church, culture as well as politics because he is a leader. His politics are to show the way to his subordinates that wherever I point, it is in the right direction.
I appeal to that those who are withholding those powers. What we see on TVs is true. In Nigeria you can distinguish a chief from the house that he is staying, clothing of people surrounding him, you can see that they are really following their culture. This issue is very important. We seek the intervention of the Lord so that chiefs in this country should be respected and be given their respect, that they should not be troubled by these young people. Where I come from there are five chiefs, they arbitrated on one of them and barred him from entering the area, but that person is seen roaming in that area because chiefs do not have any powers. I think if we respect chiefs, if you see the powers that chiefs in Botswana and South Africa have, you will see that there is a difference as compared to Zimbabwe. Even how they are treated in Government, there is a difference - they do not get such benefits. Here in Zimbabwe, there is only a Chief’s Council, there are no committees headed by chiefs. Such things bring dishonor to them as chiefs.
A chief should not be respected simply because he has a degree. A chief should not be forced to go to school but should be respected as he is. What is of importance are traditional issues not educational qualifications. Thank you Mr. President.
*HON. SEN. MURONZI: Thank you Mr President, for giving me
the opportunity to make my contribution on the motion raised by Hon. Sen. Mawire. This is a very important motion. I also thank Hon. Sen. Manyeruke for seconding this motion. Hon. Sen. Mawire, when you raised this motion, it was because you realised what has happened in this country, the El Nino-induced drought, hence, you decided to raise this motion so that we can see the importance of chiefs in our lives and culture.
The chiefs are the rulers in this country. I also support the fact that the chiefs should be bestowed the powers which are due to them and the respect and aura they deserve. I also thank members who made contributions to this motion on the support which should be given to chiefs.
My husband’s family is that of chieftainship. He belongs to the Chief Mutumba clan. We went to the chief to ask for adjudication because our cattle had been driven out of the grazing land by other people. The chief told us openly that he had no jurisdiction, it was beyond his powers to try such. Therefore, as traditional leaders, we are appealing to the powers that be that chiefs should not be forced to participate in partisan politics.
Chiefs are very important and in their area of jurisdiction, they also have traditional and spiritual leaders. I have noticed that the chiefs are not divided; they are not very sure on whether to follow Christianity and ignore traditional cultures. I belong to the Mutoko clan and my father went to fetch firewood in a place which is sacred, the Dzimbahwe. He was taken to the chiefs’ court for trial and was fined two cattle because of defiling a sacred place.
I have had contributions in this House that we have people in the chief’s jurisdiction who are invading the sacred place and going there for picnic, they cannot be tried because the chiefs have no jurisdiction. I also believe that these chiefs are aware of the spiritual leaders in their areas of jurisdiction. They are the people who are consulted during times of problems.
During the war of liberation, we had a spiritual leader who was called Nyamhanga who said that none of my people will get into protected villages, called ‘Keeps’ during the colonial era. Even when that ‘Keep-holding cell’ was constructed in Mutoko, nobody was taken there because the spiritual leader had set that rule and nobody could abrogate it.
We are saying, as chiefs, whether you belong to a Christian community, you should be able to identify cultural beliefs and separate them from Christianity. You know some of the taboos which lead to starvation or shortage of rains in the area. You should abhor those cultural beliefs so that your area has the blessings from the Lord. I thank you very much.
HON. SEN. TAWENGWA: I move that the debate do now
adjourn.
HON. SEN. MARAVA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 7th April, 2016.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
DELEGATION TO THE 7TH WORLD WATER CONFERENCE
Eighth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report of the Parliament of Zimbabwe Delegation to the 7th World Water Conference.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: Thank you Mr. President for giving
me this opportunity. I think it is time for me to wind up this report. It is unfortunate if there are some Hon. Senators who still wanted to debate.
Through listening to the debates in response to this report, it showed that Hon. Senators realise and know that water is life. I wish the Minister could have responded to this motion because of its importance.
Hon. Senators raised fundamental points, but it is unfortunate that maybe, the Minister will not take on board what the members were saying in creating policies. Mr. President, I will not mention the names of Hon. Senators who contributed because I do not have all the records and I would not like to offend my fellow colleagues. However, I know that all that was said is on Parliamentary record.
Mr. President, I would like the Hon. Senators to revisit the report that was circulated, particularly on the launch of a help-desk and the objectives that it provides in the pigeon holes in order to read on 3.1.
The objectives of the Help desk are:
- To provide specialised technical services related to adoption, development and implementation of water legislation and budget allocation;
- Enable knowledge sharing between MPs and water legislation experts in different countries;
- Develop and present examples of best practices around water legislation.
Mr. President, I think this is very important and I also want to add information that for the Southern Africa, it was presented to us on that forum, that South Africa is the one that is holding the Help desk for the Southern Africa Water Forum. I wish to give information to my colleagues that if they google and want to understand everything about the Help desk, they might find out that South Africa is holding the position until the next Water Forum.
Mr. President, in the vein of Section 77 that I mentioned in the report, I also want to urge Members to look into the Constitution on exactly what it means. Every person has a right to safe, clean portable water and sufficient food. The State must take reasonable legislative and other measures within the limits of the resources available to it, to achieve the progressive realisation of this right. It seems to me that it is continuous. It has to continue in our lives, in our present Parliament and the next Parliament. Even if we are out of this Parliament, it must be remembered every time that the State must afford people clean water.
If you go back to my report, it says “overcoming challenges of water security in so far as harnessing rain water, ground water, river basins, water sheds and wetlands”. I thought it was important that I remind my fellow colleagues about what we discussed on this forum. Also, in the mining sector, the mining of river basins is disadvantaging people waiting for water on the other end. I got reports from many people who were saying that rivers are no longer bringing the water to where they are because of mining activities on the river banks, depriving people of the precious liquid. Mr. President, with these few words, I move for the adoption of the report: -
That this House takes note of the Report of the Parliament of Zimbabwe Delegation to the 7th Water Conference held in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea from 13th to 16th April, 2015.
Motion put and adopted.
On the motion of HON. SENATOR MASUKU seconded by HON. SENATOR MLOTSHWA, the Senate adjourned at Twenty Five
Minutes past Three o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Wednesday, 13th April, 2016
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE ACTING SPEAKER in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE ACTING SPEAKER
NON-ADVERSE REPORT RECEIVED FROM THE
PARLIAMENTARY LEGAL COMMITTEE
THE ACTING SPEAKER (HON. DZIVA): I have to inform the
House that I have received a Non-Adverse Report on all Statutory
Instruments published in the Gazette during the month of March 2016.
BILL RECEIVED FROM THE SENATE
THE ACTING SPEAKER: I also have to inform the House that in pursuant to the provisions of Part II, paragraph 5 (3) of the Schedule to the Constitution of Zimbabwe, I have received from the Senate, the General Laws Amendment Bill, (H. B. 3B, 2015) with amendments.
The Bill will be recommitted tomorrow.
HON. MAONDERA: On a point of order Madam Speaker.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: What is your point of order?
HON. MAONDERA: My point of order is that there is no quorum.
THE ACTING SPEAKER: I note your concern and as the procedure in Parliament, bells will be rung for seven minutes and we can check whether we would have formed quorum.
[Bells rung.]
Notice having been taken that there being present fewer than 70 members, the bells were rung for Seven Minutes and a Quorum still not being present, THE ACTING SPEAKER adjourned the House without question put at Twenty-Five Minutes past Two O’clock p.m. pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order Number 56.
NOTE: The following members were present when the House adjourned: Hon. Bhebhe A; Hon. Budha; Hon. Chamisa; Hon. Chasi; Hon. Chidakwa; Hon. Chigudu; Hon. Chigumba; Hon. Chikomba; Hon.
Chimwamurombe; Hon. Chinanzvavana; Hon. Chinotimba; Hon.
Chirisa; Hon. Chitembwe; Hon. Chitindi; Hon. Dziva; Hon. Gava; Hon.
Goche; Hon. Gwanongodza; Hon. Kachepa; Hon. Kadungure; Hon. Karoro; Hon. Labode; Hon. Machingura; Hon. Madubeko; Hon. Majaya; Hon. Maondera; Hon. Mapiki; Hon. Marumahoko; Hon. Masuku; Hon.
Mataruse; Hon. Matimba; Hon. Mavenyengwa; Hon. Mukwangwariwa; Hon. Munengami; Hon. Munochinzwa; Hon. Musabayana; Hon. Murai;
Hon. Musundire; Hon. Mutezo; Hon. Ncube G. M; Hon. Ncube H; Hon.
Ndlovu M. S; Hon. Nduna; Hon. Nleya; Hon. Phiri; Hon. Runesu; Hon.
Rungani; Hon. Seremwe; Hon. Shamu; Hon. Shava; Hon. Sindi; Hon.
Tshuma D; Hon. Tsomondo; and Hon. Zhou P.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 12th April, 2016
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
APPOINTMENT TO COMMITTEES
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I have to inform the House that Hon. Gangarahwe has been nominated to serve on the Portfolio Committees on Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment and Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.
INVITATION TO A MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR THE LATE HON.
ENG. CHIDAVAENZI
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I also have to inform the
House that the memorial service of the late Eng. Edgar Chidavaenzi will be held on 30th April, 2016 at 1000 hours at Vukwe Farm, Mvurwi. All
Hon. Members are invited to attend.
ZITF OFFICIAL OPENING
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I have to further inform the House that all Hon. Members who would be attending the official opening of the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair to be held on 29th
April, 2016 are required to register their attendance at the Parliament of Zimbabwe stand to enable them to claim their fuel from Parliament when the House resumes sitting.
HON. NDUNA: On a point of order Madam Speaker. On 7th
April, I moved a motion which was a Second Report of the Portfolio
Committee on Transport and Infrastructure on the operations of the NRZ. What is of particular note is that there was a seconder who stood up and seconded the motion. However, when the debate ensued, I presented the Report on NRZ, for want of adjournment of the House, the seconder did not then support the motion in terms of debate. Madam
Speaker, seeing that this Report is very important and the seconder did not get an opportunity to also debate the motion, I seek leave of the House that the seconder be given an opportunity of debating this motion as I and the Committee believe that this is a very crucial Report.....
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! We have not yet gotten to that motion. Also, the motion was seconded by someone and the seconder would be afforded a chance to debate the motion.
*HON. CHINOTIMBA: Madam Speaker, you have said Hon. Members who would want to attend the Trade Fair should come and collect fuel coupons – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – Can I finish? To register so that you will get your fuel coupons. That is what I wanted to ask.
*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I think you did not hear
correctly. You are supposed to go and register at the Parliament stand at the Trade Fair.
*HON. CHINOTIMBA: That is for fuel coupons. What about our accommodation as parliamentarians?
*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Members, that falls
under Administration. Can you please go and see the administration.
*HON. CHINOTIMBA: That is why I have asked.
HON. ENG. MUDZURI: On a point of order Madam Speaker.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Is it anything to do with the
Trade Fair?
HON. ENG. MUDZURI: Yes, but it is on the privileges.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: We are not taking anything to
do with the Trade Fair.
HON. ENG. MUDZURI: It is not a debate, it is a point of order.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yes, we are not taking
anything to do with the Trade Fair. That was only an announcement. I even explained to Hon. Chinotimba that he should go to the
Administration of Parliament for clarification.
HON. ENG. MUDZURI: A point of order Madam Speaker on privileges must be allowed.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: What is your point of order?
HON. ENG. MUDZURI: My point of order is in terms of
Parliamentary Privileges that this Parliament is invited to attend the Presidential Address at Trade Fair. Hence the preparations for accommodation and transport, if you are announcing must be clear in this Parliament so that there is no confusion. In the last Parliament, we were told to go and register and I went and registered twice on two trade fairs but I never got a coupon. So, I am saying, we want it to be clear on logistics so that you do not go there with your wife and sleep in the dump.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Hon. Members, let us
have order. I think I have explained that. The Administration is going to look into that. We cannot debate anything to do with Trade Fair in the House where administration is supposed to answer. He is not supposed to debate in this House. So, you have to understand the procedures of the House.
HON. P. D. SIBANDA: Madam Speaker, I personally appreciate that this is an administrative issue and I am quite sure that when you made the announcement of the need for members to go and register, that was also an administrative issue. But for you Madam Speaker to then refer a 400 Member House to go and queue into the administrative offices in order to hear about the Trade Fair. Madam Speaker, Parliament has got 400 members and to expect 400 members to individually go and find out how they are going to find a place to sleep in Bulawayo, I think it will be awkward.
Madam Speaker, my suggestion is that administration should make an announcement through your Chair on the arrangements they have made. We are aware that they have made their own arrangements. We should know what arrangements are in existence for the Hon. Members when they get to the Trade Fair.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: It may not be today.
Administration is here, but that will not be announced today and now.
They are going to look into that.
SECOND READING
MANICALAND STATE UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
BILL [H.B.8, 2015]
Second Order read: Second Reading: Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences Bill [H. B. 8, 2015].
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY
EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
(HON. DR. GANDAWA): The Ministry wishes to establish the
Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences through the Act of Parliament. The University will be launched with four inaugural faculties of Engineering, Tourism and Natural Resources, Horticulture and Environmental Sciences, Agriculture and Life Sciences.
JUSTIFICATION FOR ESTABLISHING THE UNIVERSITY
- Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences will have the niche area in applied sciences in order to proffer scientific and technological solutions to challenges that militate against socio-economic development of Zimbabwe.
- Manicaland Province has various economic activities which are a result of the diverse natural resources found in the Province. Therefore, they are in economic developments that will come with the establishment of a State University in a Province which has diverse agricultural and industrial activities.
- In addition, the Province posses scenic landscapes and other tourist attractions. Thus the proximity of the proposed State University campuses to these economic activities reduces the cost of research and site visits by lecturers and students, while positively influencing production levels through research skilled human capital development.
MULTI-CAMPUS LOCATIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY
It is proposed that the University will be established as a multicampus University, taking cognisance of the distribution pattern of the natural resources prevalent in the main centres of the Province.
Here are the proposed campuses and related programmes:
- Mutare – Shall be responsible for Engineering because of the manufacturing and mining activities in areas in and around the city of Mutare.
- Makoni – Shall be responsible for Agriculture because of high rainfall. This is traditionally a flue-cured Virginia tobacco, maize and wheat growing belt and is complemented by animal husbandry.
- Nyanga – Shall be responsible for Forestry, Tourism and
Hospitality, Wildlife, Horticulture, Fruit and Vegetables and Fisheries because of the obtaining pleasant and ideal climatic conditions.
- Chipinge – Shall be responsible for Horticulture and irrigation – supported agriculture, in particular wheat and cotton in Middle Sabi and Sugarcane cultivation for biofuels.
The recommended multi-campus approach will bring operational excellence to each of the campuses due to proximity to resources and related activities. The developments at these sites will be in phases. It is proposed that each site should have a Techno Park as part of the infrastructure and programmatic developments.
- FERN HILL FARM (MUTARE
CAMPUS)/HEADQUARTERS OF UNIVERSITY – Has been
proposed to house the Administrative Headquarters of the University due to its centrality as well as being located in the Central City of the Province of Manicaland.
Mutare has a comprehensive and robust infrastructure to support most of the needs of a modern University. The Fern Hill Farm Campus is envisaged to host the first Faculty of Engineering. There are several other institutions of higher learning in Mutare.
NICHE/OBJECTIVE OF THE UNIVERSITY
The key objectives for the university will be:
- Specialisation in applied sciences;
- Mineral sciences;
- Forestry sciences;
- Agricultural sciences;
- Wood technology; and
- Tourism and hospitality
Agriculture: because of high rainfall in areas such as Makoni - traditionally well known for growing flue-cured Virginia tobacco, maize and wheat and animal husbandry.
Forestry, Tourism and Hospitality, Wildlife, Horticulture, Fruit and Vegetable and Fisheries: have been proposed because of the obtaining present and ideal climatic conditions.
Horticulture and Irrigation: supported agriculture, in particular wheat and cotton in Middle Sabi, and sugarcane cultivation for biofuels.
Resource Mobilisation for the University
The Foundation Steering Committee, on the proposed State University was very positive about prospects for useful and successful fundraising activities for the proposed project. They confidently made it clear that there were business executives, bankers and local business persons who were eagerly waiting to trigger processes into operation on receiving Government notification granting the establishment of a State
University in Manicaland.
More importantly, the establishment of the Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences is in line with the Government policy to have a state university in each province of Zimbabwe. I thank you.
HON. DR. MATARUSE:
1. Introduction
1.1 The Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences is yet another commendable effort by Government to provide institutions of higher learning to prospective undergraduate and post graduate students. It is particularly important as it provides for the establishment of a State University in the Manicaland Province, which will complement the work of private institutions such as Africa University in Zimbabwe in absorbing growing number of A’ Level graduates who decide to enroll for university education. Following the gazetting of the Bill on 4
September, 2015 and reference to the Committee on Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, the Committee resolved to analyse the Bill in line with Parliament’s mandate of scrutinising legislation.
2.2 Methodology
2.2.1 In coming up with this report, the Committee devoted time to analysing the provisions of the Bill during its series of meetings. A
Public Hearing on the Bill was conducted in Mutare on 23 November,
- Input was also sought from stakeholders of the Bill. The Committee expresses its gratitude to those who attended the public hearing and those who made written submissions for consideration by the Committee.
3. Findings and Observations of the Committee
3.2 Clause 4, Objects and Powers of University
3.2.1 The residents of Manicaland were naturally excited about this development considering that the province was one of the few remaining provinces without s State University. They submitted to the Committee that it was their wish for the university to offer all academic fields as opposed to focusing on Applied Sciences. There was overwhelming support of the need to incorporate research and development that is aimed at coming up with solutions to the country’s political, economic and social problems.
3.3 Clause 8, Vice Chancellor
3.3.1 The stakeholders proposed that the Vice Chancellor should be an appointee from the Manicaland Province. They felt that if one is from the Province, he or she is likely to have vast knowledge of the area and is best placed to take care of the needs and aspirations of the local people. In addition to that, it was recommended that the Vice
Chancellor’s term of office should be a five-year term renewable for
another term based on good performance.
3.4 Clause 10, Council
3.4.1 Noting that the country is experiencing financial challenges, the stakeholders felt the proposed membership of the Council is too large and therefore, should be revised downwards. It was also contemplated that a smaller number would assist the Council in quickly arriving at decisions. It was proposed that members of the Council must declare their assets before assuming office as a safeguard to corruption through the embezzlement of public funds. For purposes of having an international appeal, it was suggested that there should be provision for the appointment of a distinguished person from the region who will assist in marketing the university regionally and internationally.
4.0 Other Issues
4.1 Stakeholders also proposed that the University adopts a multicampus concept that will see each district in the province hosting a campus specialising in one discipline. It was recommended that the authorities should consider appointing general staff from among the locals with serious consideration of ensuring gender equality.
5.0 Committee’s Observations and Recommendations
5.1 Having considered the provisions and contributions from the stakeholders, the Committee came up with the following observations and recommendations:
51.1 Whilst the Committee notes the objects of the university stated in the Bill, the development of the curriculum is a continuous process. The determination of programmes and courses to be offered should be left to the discretion of the university authorities who will be guided by, among other factors, demand for and ability of the institution to supply the requisite facilities and services.
5.1.2 The Committee fully supports the idea of having a Vice Chancellor of the University being someone from the Province. It also recommends that the term of office for the Vice Chancellor be limited to a maximum of two five-year terms.
5.1.3 The Committee observes that the proposed membership of the Council will be a financial burden to the university and recommends a revision of the membership to twenty (20) members.
The appointment of an individual from the region should be dependent upon the institution’s ability to pay him or her.
5.1.4 As recommended earlier on, the idea of a multi-campus institution and choice of a certain district for a specific discipline should be left to the university’s decision making body as such decisions fall within their purview.
6.0 Conclusion
6.1 The Committee congratulates the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development for bringing such a progressive Bill for consideration by Parliament. It is the
Committee’s request that the Minister of Finance and Economic Development apportion the university meaningful resources for the development of the institution and call upon the university authorities to be innovative, particularly in the area of resource mobilisation to complement Treasury allocations. The Committee, therefore, recommends the Bill for approval with the proposed amendments.
HON. CHASI: I rise to support the Bill that has been presented by the Minister. I also want to take this opportunity to congratulate Government for the continuous efforts in improving the education of our people. In particular, I would like to congratulate the team at the
Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development. In this respect Madam Speaker, this Bill concerns a university that relates to sciences. I want to submit that this is a very critical area, which hitherto, has not been adequately addressed and so, I believe this university is going to fill a vacuum that has existed in our education system.
However Madam Speaker, I have a number of concerns. I am concerned about the fund raising efforts that will be made. The
Minister’s presentation does not give me confidence that there is going to be in the immediate future, sufficient resources for this very important university to come up. I have seen that from the presentation, it is largely private actors that are going to be involved in efforts to fund raise for the university. I want to add my voice to Hon. Dr. Mataruse’s statement that Government will need to set aside sufficient resources to ensure that this university comes into existence.
My second point Madam Speaker, relates to the various campuses. I would have thought that the Bill would provide or rather the university would be based in a number of provinces because of all the areas that the Minister has mentioned, I am sure that almost every province has something to do with agriculture, tourism, et cetera. I think that it would be convenient for the students if a relevant campus, for example dealing with tourism could be in Victoria Falls, another one dealing with agriculture in another province so that we do not have people travelling from all over the country to one area when they could actually access some of these relevant areas in their own provinces. Otherwise, apart from that Madam Speaker, I want to say that the efforts to stematise the students and to have a university that is dealing with science and scientific matters is going to complement the efforts that Government has already done with respect to the STEM programme.
HON. CHAKONA: Thank you very much Madam Speaker for
giving me this opportunity to contribute towards this Bill. First of all, I want to thank the President and Chancellor of all universities for championing the establishment of the Manicaland State University of
Applied Sciences. Secondly, I also would like to thank the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, specifically the Minister and his staff for the numerous efforts that they have endeavoured to ensure the university is established.
Madam Speaker, I would like to support the establishment of the Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences for the following reasons. Currently, the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education,
Science and Technology Development launched the STEM Programme which is going to produce a number of students that actually have to be accommodated at different universities of science and technology, Manicaland University being one of them. I would like to applaud and thank the Ministry for this initiative.
In line with the ZIM ASSET Blueprint, the issue of infrastructure and also human resources development is key in that blueprint. In that regard Madam Speaker, the issue of training specific skills in agriculture, wood technology, tourism and wildlife becomes imperative and we would like to support that initiative.
An Hon. Member having passed between the Chair and the Hon
Member speaking.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Member.
HON. CHAKONA: Madam Speaker, the set up with Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences of a multi campus approach is very noble in the sense that the way they have designed the multi campus programme looks at the niche in each and every district in Manicaland. In that regard, whatever is happening in other regions will also be catered for. For example, the wood technology would be based in Mutasa District where there are vast tracts of woodland which makes it very attractive. Tourism and wildlife is in Nyanga where there are facilities and current business initiatives in that particular sector and I think that is what we need to see.
I also want to put my weight towards the establishment of the Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences in view of the number of students that are being produced from different high schools at ‘A” level who are struggling to find places to train in different skills and academic endeavours. In that regard the Manicaland State University will increase the number of students that have access to higher and tertiary education in Zimbabwe. In that regard Madam Speaker, I want to thank the Minister for bringing this Bill to this House for enactment.
Lastly I just want to emphasise the fact that Manicaland State University right now already has constructed infrastructure on site, which is applauded and we want to thank the leadership of that particular institution for what they have already done. I thank you
Madam Speaker.
HON. ENG. MUDZURI: Thank you Madam Speaker for giving
me this chance to add my voice to the establishment of Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences. I really want to appreciate that the Government is doing a good effort in bringing up new state universities.
The next item on the Order Paper is showing Gwanda State University. We have got Midlands State University and we have got the University of Zimbabwe.
My concern really is that it is very brilliant for the Government to add this university in line with STEM which they have also introduced to say we want to increase more science and technology personnel in the country. However, my worry is about infrastructure. Honourable Minister, the present institutions do not seem to have enough infrastructure. I am not sure whether we are doing a very good service to our people if we end up having them going to school half baked. I would urge you to make sure that the Government brings in enough resources to put enough state of the art infrastructure. We have examples of universities where students have nowhere to sleep. They have no proper campuses. You end up with people going to classes in makeshift places and they do not have accommodation.
We have examples of students who are going to universities and they get grants from the Government and when they finish their degrees, their certificates are held up by Government until they get employment when we know and are clear that there is not enough employment. So how are we helping these students when they have completed these science subject to go and exercise their expertise which they have just taken from the college? I am an engineer myself and if you have finished your degree, you need to practice. If you spend four years without practice you are almost redundant and no one will take you up. What is the plan of Government in making sure that while we have put these institutions we are going to have uptake of these college students?
I will give you an example of Midlands State University. The college is producing a lot local government students graduants and there is no one to absorb them in the country. Some of them have had grants from Government and they cannot get certificates to look for work anywhere. They have spent years and there is no employment in any of the city councils or in the rural district councils.
We also look at sponsorship. We are talking of hardships in Zimbabwe and I think you can see that banks are struggling and everyone is struggling. Once you see banks struggling you know there is a problem. We can talk of cash crisis but we think the economy is in trouble. When we look at these financial constraints, a lot of parents might not be able to pay. The Government has a duty to ensure that students go to school and as we create these universities, the big question is, is there enough preparation for students to get scholarships so that they go to these colleges without strain and Government ensures that the colleges are well utilised? We can also invite foreigners to come and join our universities as a resourcing gimmick but as long as they do not have enough infrastructure and we do not have enough local students, then they become foreign based institutions in our midst.
If we do not prepare for the future of the graduates that we are going to produce, we are going to create a bigger burden for ourselves. If you see why people end up going for family planning, it is not that they do not want children but they want to have children whom they can look after and make sure that they grow to be successful people. Our challenge is that we are not making ourselves a responsible Government by leaving students who have finished college doing nothing. Last time I asked the Honourable Minister about students who have finished their engineering degrees – I have got a list of Engineering students graduants who have more than two years unemployed. They are sitting around and they are looking for jobs. They are trained engineers of different sectors. So when we continue to produce these people and do nothing for them, we are creating an elite idle society; we must be able to help them. If we cannot export them, we must utilise them and let us find something for them.
It is the business of Government to ensure that everyone who has gone through school gets a reward. You are going to kill the incentive of going to school to the extent that people will not see the reason of going to universities and schools. They will think that going to school is a burden and it becomes a burden in that once you finish college, your expectations are different. Educated youths are expecting to be more elite, affluent and the like in society. Whereas if you do not go to school; you can do anything. Those who do not go to higher education might end up more relevant to the economy at the end of the day, especially with the informal sector we have today.
I thank you Madam Speaker but I would want to applaud the
Minister for the job he is doing in terms of creating new institutions but add a little more to make sure that there is consumption of the product.
HON. MANDIPAKA: I am tempted to debate on this Bill from
what Honourable Mudzuri has just said. It will be folly for any Government to think that it cannot empower its own citizens and students because at the end of the day there is no employment. We do not send students to schools and universities so that primarily they get employment. We do that so that they have knowledge – knowledge that will assist them to eke a living even when there is no employment in a country. It is very important for Honourable Mudzuri to take note of
that.
I come from Manicaland and I am so excited by this Bill from the point of view that as Manicaland, we welcome the establishment of such campuses or such universities for the sole reason of equipping our young men and women to be able to understand the scientific environment that we now live in. The abundance of resources in Manicaland cannot be overemphasised. We are all aware that we have diamonds and forests. So, the Ministry and the Government of Zimbabwe should be applauded for coming up with this idea of establishing various campuses in Manicaland province because of the resources that are readily available there.
I congratulate the Hon. Minister, the Government of Zimbabwe and the thinking by His Excellency that for any country to be rated viable and as a country that is developed, its human resource needs to be equipped with skills. This is what the Government of Zimbabwe is doing. I want to thank the Minister for presenting such a Bill and I urge
Parliament to adopt such a wonderful Bill. I thank you.
*HON. MACHINGURA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I come
from Manicaland and I would like to congratulate the Minister for introducing this Bill on the establishment of a university in Manicaland. I know it is coming late, but we say thank you for the coming of this institution. Let it be done sooner than later. As a member from Manicaland, we would want to see a different engineer emanating from Manicaland.
I remember one incident in Harare were there was some water gushing out of water pipes. This was clean water which was gushing out and going to waste, yet we have got a lot of engineers passing through that place and they have no conscience of stopping and repairing that broken pipe. Therefore, we want to create engineers who have a conscience and are patriotic. That is why we talk of food security and ZIM ASSET. We are saying to engineers who are going to study agriculture, should also partake irrigation.
We have seen children going to visit Birchenough Bridge to see the control of traffic moving on the Birchenough Bridge because that type of a bridge is not in their curricular or syllabus. Hence, we want our local engineers who will be prepared to repair such a bridge as the Birchenough Bridge which is a technical advancement. Therefore, when this university is established, let it be established and launched sooner than later. I thank you.
HON. P. D. SIBANDA: I do not come from Manicaland, but I want to share with the people of Manicaland the joy of having a college in that particular province, especially that I come from a province that does not have any college nor resident university. I therefore, sentimentally have a feeling of what the people of Manicaland are feeling when they see a Bill being put in place to give them a university. The most important thing Madam Speaker is that the presence of a university in Manicaland gives the people that sense of ownership and that sense of belonging to this country, that sense of being equal to other people in this country that have got universities in their provinces.
Therefore, I think it is a good idea. As I debate Madam Speaker, there are certain issues that have been raised during the debate like the fact that the Vice Chancellor should be an appointee from Manicaland. Personally I do not share that kind of thinking. In my view, the Vice Chancellor of a university should be someone that has got the requisite capacity and skill to run that university, so that that university can be a successful one. The problem of trying to patronise the position of Vice Chancellor and putting anybody because they come from that province is the fear that the university at the end of day, can be run down and be a university that produces poor quality.
So, it is my view that the Ministry should try by all means to make sure that the appointment of a Vice Chancellor considers the qualifications and the capacity of that person to take the university to dizzy heights because the people of Manicaland do not simply want a university, they want a university that produces quality output. As they come up with this Bill, I think it is important for us to emphasise this point to Government that we are having so many universities and it is quite good for purposes of accessibility of education to the majority of our population.
However, I think the Government has to take into consideration what is currently happening in the universities that are existing. One thing to note Madam Speaker is the remuneration for lecturers. If you go out around most of the universities, you find that our lecturers are paupers. They are very poor and they get little salary and irregular as well. The salaries rarely come. We are talking about...-[AN HON. MEMBER: Inaudible interjection]- Hauna zvaunoziva iwe nezveuniversity, nyarara mhani iwe. Haazi mabhazi mhani iwe.
What we are saying Madam Speaker is that lecturers play a critical role when it comes to the moulding of our human resource base, the people that we want to produce. If you are saying that the people that are supposed to mould those, people are going out without a salary, they are going out with a salary that ...
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: On a point of order Hon.
Member.
HON. J. CHUMA: Thank you Madam Speaker. Good afternoon
Madam Speaker.
It is not you who called for
the point of order.
HON. J. CHUMA: I am the one.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I am the one who called for
the point of order.
HON. MUPFUMI: He said he can put the point of order for me.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Ah, no, we do not do that Hon. Members. Order, can you please resume your seat? We are not joking Hon. Members, please resume your seat. Hon. Member, please proceed.
HON. P. D. SIBANDA: Thank you Madam Speaker...
HON. J. CHUMA: On a point of order Madam Speaker.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Would you please resume
your seat otherwise I will send someone out.
HON. J. CHUMA: But I have got a point of order.
No, I am refusing that point of
order because you cannot joke with the Chair.
HON. J. CHUMA: What did I say which is joke?
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, I said take
your seat.
HON. MANDIPAKA: On a point of order Madam Speaker.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: What is your point of order?
HON. MANDIPAKA: Madam Speaker, it is an event that might have skipped your mind. The Hon. Member was disrespectful of another member on the floor when he said iwe nyarara iwe, hapana chaunoziva nezvemauniversity during debate. Thank you.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Okay, I take that point of order. Hon. Member, would you please resume your debate?
HON. P. D. SIBANDA: Thank you Madam Speaker. The point that I want to emphasise is that the Government should ..
Order, Hon. Member, you are
talking too much.
HON. P. D. SIBANDA: My point of emphasis Madam Speaker is that Government should ensure that the current crop of lecturers that we have in universities are well remunerated and that their remuneration comes on time. That way, we can increase the probability of getting quality output out of our universities.
The other aspect that I want to indicate is that when we look at current universities for example a visit to NUST, will show you that we have got cranes that are decomposing right now. The infrastructure at that university is seriously deplorable. It is an eyesore when you get to that university, it creates a bad image about, not only the university itself but about the Government that is owning that university. My plea is that even as we are extending and expanding the number of universities in this country, it is important that Government gives priority to the construction of infrastructure. If you walk into a university like NUST today, it does not create confidence in you as a parent or as a student if
you want to go and acquire your qualification there. So, it is important that Government should invest sufficient resources in terms of infrastructure for universities.
As I speak about infrastructure in universities, Madam Speaker, I think you are already aware that in Matabeleland North, where I come from, we still have got a Lupane State University in Bulawayo. It is not there in Lupane and the reason why that university is not there in Lupane is primarily because of lack of infrastructure. It is primarily because the university is there on paper but not there on ground. So, the Government cannot afford to continue giving us pies in the sky. We need infrastructure to be existent on the ground. Otherwise, these universities will just be universities on paper without anything on the ground.
The other issue Madam Speaker is that Hon. Mudzuri has spoken about is that; it is important that we match the level of training output with the level of creation of opportunities for employment. There is no way we can continue to churn out graduates each and every year out of our universities and expect that we are going to export all of them. It is important that we create employment opportunities for them in this country so that these people can be able to get experience. Whenever they want to go outside the country, they will not go there to be some kind of labour which is paid low wages. It is important that as the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education creates opportunities for people to learn, the other Ministries should also be working hard to ensure that they create necessary opportunities for those people coming out of the universities to be employed and apply their theoretical knowledge unto practice. That is good for the development of the country as well.
The multi-campuses, I think in my view are good. I do not have any problems with them. That is the contemporary way that most colleges are operating these day. I think it is a welcome move for a number of advantages that I cannot start to articulate right now, but it is a good move.
Madam Speaker, I think it is important that our accessibility of education should be accompanied by affordability of that education. It does not make sense for us to create so many universities that will see foreign students coming into those universities when our own local students cannot afford to go to those universities. The cost of education in this country is still so high and it is highly unaffordable to the majority of our people, especially under the current economic situation that we are facing. It is important that the Ministry should come up with a method to ensure that our education becomes affordable to the majority of our people. That is the only way that education can permeate to the lowest men on the ground.
Finally, Madam Speaker, let me speak about the issue of quality. We cannot afford as a country to compromise the quality of our graduates that are coming out of the universities. It is important that the Ministry, as much as it increases the number of universities that we are having, it should continue to put so much emphasis on ensuring that the quality of our products is one that can compete with any other graduates in the whole world. We should not be a country that only produces for the vendors in the streets; we should be universities that produce for competition throughout the world. I thank you Madam Speaker for the opportunity that you gave me.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I would want to add my voice to the debate on the Manicaland Universities of Applied Sciences. First of all, I want to applaud and congratulate the Minister for bringing to Parliament, the Bill for the establishment of the same. However, Madam Speaker, having listened to those Hon. Members that spoke before me, I want to add my voice as follows, I in particular, want to emphasise as Hon. Chasi has alluded to, that we major on the majors. Where this Manicaland University of Applied Sciences is going to be established is Manicaland, which Manicaland part is endowed with natural resources, in particular, mineral resources and one comes up immediately, to mind is ngoda or the diamond – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] – Madam Speaker, the Minister spoke about the financing of the venture. Immediately, we see that we will have no want if we beneficiate or we immediately look at ways of beneficiating our diamond utilising our tertiary education system in that university so that:
- That university gets to be capacitated in terms of income;
- It does not only produce for itself but it also gets to sell its produce so that it can pay university fees for those that want to go through that same university but cannot afford to pay fees; and
- So that it can also create what is called safe landing for those graduates that are churned out of that university because this is the new normal, so that they can create their own employment and not create using old methodology of utilising the existing companies but create their own companies whilst they are still in university.
Madam Speaker, I want to continue to say this new normal should make sure that our universities, in particular this one, which is imbedded in a place that is endowed with diamonds does create employment industries now and for the future. These graduates that are going to be churned out there should during the time of their subsistence in that university be given opportune time to go and supervise their industries or to be employment heavens or safe landing zones of their future employment. They should be given that opportunity to go and manage and supervise employment based on the expertise that they would have learnt in terms of diamond polishing, cutting and processing.
Madam Speaker, I speak like that because it is where I believe we can utilise our engineering ability in that Manicaland sphere, utilising what we have to get what we want. This is the new normal. Madam Speaker, I beg to differ that if we use the methodology that I have spoken about, we will continue to churn out a lot of graduates that will not have any future or that are not going to be employed in the future because the new normal speaks to creation of employment, utilising the resources that we have. We should now go away from the normal way of doing things that was embedded and ingrained in our minds by the neo-colonialists that said, if you do not go through an education system and go to Barbours and get employed, you are not employed. Let us now formalise the informal sector, utilising first and foremost, the establishment of our universities. Let us start from there, go and build up from there to create our own industries utilising our own universities.
Madam Speaker, as I conclude, as a Committee of Transport and Infrastructure Development, we will also want to see how we can get benefits from our God given natural mineral resources by advocating for the establishment of a road rehabilitation tax. However, the university’s establishment of applied sciences can take a cue from this. As they are embedded in a place which is endowed with natural mineral resources, have from those mines that are in that area, an education empowerment tax so that they can only resource themselves in terms of finances and also, have a throughput of that mineral wealth beneficiated, create industries and then go after it to make sure that they create their own safe landing zones for them and for the future. Afterwards, what should happen for the lecturers that are there, they should go after their students who are now owners of the means of production and do what is called monitoring and evaluation of the methodology that they would have started. I thank you.
*HON. MAPIKI: Madam Speaker, I want to make my contribution on the establishment of the Manicaland University. We are saying we are not only interested in increasing the number of universities, but establishing of manpower. What we have noticed of late is that some of these graduates have skills which are surpassed by self made mechanics in home industries such as Siya So in Mbare. These people can make some good products because of the experience they have in life, but what happens with some of these graduates churned by our universities, you only know that he is an engineer because he uses that as a title for the sake of pompousness. Therefore, let us churn practical graduates, let us churn patriotic graduates.
Zimbabwe has a long way to go. When we compare engineers such as those from the countries of Israel, they manufactured irrigation equipment which will irrigate a very large area using very little water.
These are the kinds of engineers we want in Zimbabwe, using the little water that we have in the country, but irrigating a large piece of land.
Hence, we are calling for the development of such engineers.
Let me now turn to lecturers who will be offering education to these undergraduates. We have expectations that they should be people with life experiences, who have a track record which shows what they have done in life. We look at areas like ARDA. If we have a graduate from ARDA to come and train these students, they will not produce anything because ARDA is failing to develop the country because of the poor engineers who are there. We would not want them to come to such universities.
We want them to teach people to partake in value addition. That is what we want. Like the engineers in South Africa who have developed new products and taken part in value addition, what we need now are practical engineers. We are not interested in engineers who will only be there as engineers as a title but we want practical graduates.
Zimbabwe has a lot of minerals, some of which have not been exploited as yet and yet when we get them and add value the country will develop. We have lithium in our country which can be used, but unfortunately the kind of lecturer that we have at the moment in Zimbabwe is not a practical lecturer. He is someone who simply has a paper qualification and goes and trains other students. He will simply be training them seeking employment and yet they should be creating jobs. We need people who can create a programme of value addition and create employment in the country.
We also would like to engage the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Co-operative Development to be able to utilise these engineers and talk of practical subjects. We also talk of Ministries like the Ministry of State for Psychomotor Activities in Education. We should be able to assess the capability of a learner so that when they graduate, they will be able to carry out value addition and create products, but at the moment without all those exploitation, we are creating graduates who are moving around seeking employment instead of them creating employment. As far as I am concerned, the Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development should come in handy at the training of these engineers, so that they will be working on irrigation of crops in the country.
At the moment, we have machines which are coming from Brazil and China and we are using them in our country. We should create or emulate what was done by Japan. The Japanese went to other countries, borrowed knowledge and developed it in their own country and they are now leaders in technology. When we are talking of disk harrows, we need those people who can go to other countries and copy the way those disk harrows are made and make a value addition which suits the Zimbabwean climate and Zimbabwean technology. Those are the technicians we want and lecturers we want. I thank you.
HON. SARUWAKA: I also want to add my voice to the Bill on the establishment of the Manicaland University of Applied Sciences. It is a welcome Bill in as far as it has allowed the Province of Manicaland to at long last, have a university of its own. I must say, it has been a sad reality that Manicaland has been the centre of academic excellence in the country. If you look at the number of schools that have over the years, since time in memorial, produced high caliber students at the other universities, especially at the University of Zimbabwe, we have St Augustines Tsambe High School. It is famed all over the country and across the world for producing excellent results and we also have
Hartzell High School.
These are the schools that have been doing very well. We have Marist Brothers – the list is endless, but to realise that it has taken more than 30 years for that province which has been producing the highest number of tertiary students, to have its own university, I think was a sad thing. However, I am glad that the chance for Manicaland has now arrived and we must applaud the Ministry for doing that.
Let me also say that we have had efforts to establish universities in the country without the requisite funds. I think a number of speakers before me have raised that issue. I am happy that our Leader of the House is here now to probably listen to my proposal on areas where money can be raised or saved in our expenditure as a country.
I am worried Madam Speaker that our Government always tells us that they do not have enough money but we are at the present time carrying a whole ministry of people who, according to my own assessment, are not adding value to Government business. I am at this stage Madam Speaker, referring to the Ministry of Youth Affairs …
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Member, would
you please concentrate on debating on the issue of the university in Manicaland.
HON. SARUWAKA: My point is, our Government must have money. At the moment it is using the same money and in Manicaland we have got more than 1 300 youth officers that are being paid by this Government. I wanted to say, if they could disband that Ministry and take the money that they are using to pay the youth officers to put towards the infrastructure of this university …
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, has that got
anything to do with the university in Manicaland?
HON. SARUWAKA: Yes, it has in as far as raising funds.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Ah! no please.
HON. SARUWAKA: Because we are continuing to pour the resources away in a Ministry which is not serving any purpose. So, it is my submission Madam Speaker, that that money can be used to make sure that this university will be constructed …
HON. J. TSHUMA: My point of order is that I think we have rightly tried to correct the Hon. Member not to go back but he still goes back to the same issue. He has just mentioned it again. Please, could you ask him to stick to the debate that is being debated because he is wasting our time? We want to hear about the university and not about the
Ministry of Youth. We have nothing to do with that now.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you, could you please proceed Hon. Saruwaka.
HON. SARUWAKA: I am sure the Leader of Government Business has heard my point that we cannot continue to pour money elsewhere when we need to do serious business.
The other point I wanted to make Madam Speaker is, I just hope when the construction of this university starts, there is going to be a deliberate effort to make sure that any contractors, for the purpose of building the infrastructure, are companies and people from Manicaland. I say that because we had a very bad experience with the Chiadzwa diamond fields. The diamond fields are in Manicaland but it was sad that most of the people that took employment at the diamond fields were from other parts outside Manicaland. So, we do not want another case of having a university in our province but the service providers come from elsewhere. It then goes to further marginalise our people because they would see opportunities being taken away by other people.
Madam Speaker, it is sad that in Zimbabwe education is becoming very expensive and Manicaland used to be a very vibrant province. The policies of the Government have unfortunately led to a lot of company closures. The tragedy that I only fear is that because of the high unemployment rate in Manicaland, are we going to be able to get our students to go to that university? My proposal Madam Speaker is that when the university is up and running, -[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] …
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, Hon. Members. If I
call for order, even the one debating has to be in order. Hon. Members, I
think the Hon. Member is in order. He is talking about the recruitment of those who will be working on the building of the university.
HON. SARUWAKA: Thank you Madam Speaker for listening to
the debate. It is unfortunate that others come here under the influence of funny substances. My point Madam Speaker was that we must ensure that we do not continue to marginalise people in the provinces that we seem to want to promote. It will be very sad to have a university in an area and the people from that particular area fail to access education from that particular university.
Probably my last point Madam Speaker, is on the infrastructure, to say I have had an opportunity to study at Bindura University. It was very sad that the name is Bindura University of Science Education, but when
I went there from 2012 to 2015, we had some classes that were just basic classrooms without the use of projectors or modern technology to deliver education. We ended up renting space at Chipindura High School where we had to carry desks from one class to the other classroom.
So, I do not think we can say we have a university where the students have to move furniture from one class to the other, running after each other fighting for chairs to sit. I just want to say it will be very important that the Government must be able to put at least minimum standards before which they can allow a university to open. If the infrastructure is not ready, we must not force matters so that we can say we have this university operating yet the students that are attending school at that university are not getting quality education nor have substandard infrastructure.
Madam Speaker, my closing words would be to say, it is important that the province of Manicaland has been recognised at last. I just hope this particular university is going to be constructed and ready for use, maybe I am looking at least in the next 50 years it must be operating.
We do not want – [AN HON. MEMBER: 50 years?] – Yes, because we have had experiences where these universities take forever to be completed. Madam Speaker, can the Minister make sure that within the next 5 – 10 years, this university is fully operational, not that it goes forever trying to make it happen. Thank you.
*HON. MUKWENA: Thank you Madam Speaker for giving me
the opportunity to make my contribution on this motion that has been raised. Madam Speaker, this is a very good Bill and it has to be supported by all of us. I may not come from Manicaland, I come from Masvingo but we support this Bill because this is a Zimbabwean university. It is going to assist in the development of not only Zimbabwe but SADC countries and we are very grateful to the Minister for introducing such a Bill. In as far as I am concerned, universities are a blessing to the country. I have heard members of this august House complaining and admonishing Government for establishing universities saying, we have too many universities but as far as I am concerned universities are a blessing to the nation. I will talk about what was said by other Honourable Members regarding education. When I look at the primary schools in the past, we had primary schools which were there and we are still adding some more onto these existing ones. Secondary schools are also being increased and hence it should not be a surprise that we are calling for more universities. We are saying to the Honourable Minister, you are constructing a university in Manicaland and I am saying we have ten provinces and each of these provinces should have a state university. We should also be able to cater for high school leavers who should come to these universities.
My idea is that the universities should be commensurate with the school leavers in high school, which means that the President did a good job by appointing a Minister who is capable and has foresight in running the country. I am saying whosoever is the Minister given a ministry to run should work tirelessly to meet the obligation of the country.
When we talk of the university in Manicaland, this is a multi faceted institution and it is going to care of programmes which are outlined in ZIM ASSET where we talk about manpower development.
The university will enrol students from everywhere in Zimbabwe. These students should not be job seekers but job creators not only in Zimbabwe and SADC region but all over the world. Wherever you go in this world, you have Zimbabweans. In New Zealand we have Zimbabweans. In Honolulu, Denmark, Hawaii and Waikiki we have students from Zimbabwe and hence we support this Bill. Zimbabwe is a visionary country and has the development of human manpower at heart. That is why Zimbabweans are all over the world and performing well. Everywhere you go Zimbabweans are said to be hard workers and intelligent people.
When Zimbabwe gained its independence, we have seen the production of human capital being manifested in the introduction of these additional universities in the country. Madam Speaker, let me conclude my contribution by saying that this university which is going to be established in Manicaland is going to be of great assistance in value addition of products in Manicaland which has a lot of natural resources and hence we need this university for value addition in this area. My request to the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education is that we should look forward to the time when sanctions will be removed and hence we should establish a fund which is going to be used in assisting with fees of the children who will be attending these institutions of higher learning. I thank you.
+HON. G. M. NCUBE: Thank you Madam Speaker. I would also want to make my contribution on this Bill which has been introduced by the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education. I am going to make my contribution in Ndebele because the Minister is a linguist. I would like to thank the Government for affording the people of Zimbabwe access to education in the country so that any of our students who want to go for further education, should be able to acquire education within their vicinity or environment. When these learners get places at local institutions, they have no problems with accommodation because when Honourable Members were making contributions on this Bill, some have said that the Government has little funds to support such a programme. As a result when learners come from the locality, it would be easier for them to get accommodation. It will be easier for them when it comes to transport to the institution of learning.
I know we have a lot of universities in this country including private universities but what we want especially in areas like Manicaland, is a state university. Therefore, our request is that if we have learners or under graduates who want assistance from Government especially finance, they should be assisted by the Government. We have under graduates who are coming from Bulawayo and other parts of Matabeleland especially those who are studying medicine, they have difficulty in getting funding because they are no longer accessing grants which had been availed to them. Consequently, we are saying when these learners come for assistance, they should be assisted because we know that Zimbabwe is going through some economic downturn and therefore we need to fully utilise the little we have. Zimbabwe is under the burden of the illegal sanctions imposed by the West.
We have been shocked by some statements which have been issued that when you are talking of sanctions, we have some of us in this august House who are like ostriches which hide their heads in the sand and pretend that sanctions do not exist and yet sanctions are a reality. When we talk about the closure of companies, we have some of these feeling ashamed of themselves because some of the funds which are supposed to be coming to Zimbabwe are intercepted by these diabolic western countries who imposed these illegal sanctions and therefore Zimbabwe has no money.
I am, therefore, appealing to fellow Zimbabweans, that Zimbabwe is under the illegal sanctions and therefore we need to look for ways and means of developing our country just as the Government of Zimbabwe is thinking of introducing this Manicaland University. We know that the economy is not performing but Zimbabwe has to go on. As far as we are concerned nothing is going to stop us. We are going ahead and we are proud of ourselves. We are proud of our culture of hard work. I thank you.
*HON. SEREMWE: I stand to make my contribution on the motion raised on the establishment of the Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences. I am supporting this motion because you will realise that the early schools which were established in Zimbabwe which had very good results were from Manicaland. On the contrary when you look at the universities which were established, the eastern province which has such good passes, had no university and we think this is a letdown. We are lagging behind other provinces and we are also urging the Minister that when you are introducing this Bill and this motion, may you please introduce equity and equality especially on the gender balance so that we have an equitable distribution of access to education.
We have a saying which goes, “develop a woman and develop the nation” hence, the girl child should be given the opportunity to advance and show that Zimbabwe is a country of equal opportunities.
I am very pleased by the development of education in Zimbabwe. I know people are saying we have unemployed graduates, but we are saying better have an unemployed educated person because they can create their own jobs and they can develop themselves. That is why we have peace in Zimbabwe. Looking at what is currently prevailing, Zimbabwe is peaceful in comparison to other countries. This is simply because we have educated people. We have academics and thinkers. Minister, I say congratulations and thank you for establishing a university in Manicaland, a place endowed with natural resources such as the diamonds. My pleais that there should be value addition and beneficiation of these diamonds, putting our knowledge into practice because we have an institute of higher learning in Mutare.
Let me now concentrate on the education in Zimbabwe. Most students in Zimbabwe are very educated but we are now talking of exporting labour. For instance, I have my cousin who had to go for education in Cyprus. I was surprised and said why should that child go and get education in Cyprus? The reason was that they could not get space in their country. Now, I say thank you Minister for thinking deeply and you said, like what Jesus said to his disciples, please throw your net at the deep end and you will get enough fish. This is what the Minister has done. He has cast his net wide in Manicaland.
We have some plants which are found in Manicaland and not found anywhere in this country. We are looking forward for the beneficiation for the other type of potatoes which are found in Manicaland. We support this university fully and may you please establish this university as fast as you can. Yes, you have been slow in launching it, but we are saying now that you have launched this idea, please implement it as soon as you can. We are saying North, South, and
East and West, wherever you look in Zimbabwe, there is a university. Congratulations Minister.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY
EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
(HON. DR. GANDAWA): Thank you very much Madam Speaker. I
want to thank Hon. Members for their support of the Bill. Firstly, I want to thank the Chairman of the Portfolio Committee on Higher and
Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Hon. Dr. Mataruse for the support. It is sure that indeed all universities are meant to offer a variety of programmes, but they have a niche that they specialise in, and then they have other programmes that they offer. So, we take note of that. It is also a good recommendation that a five year term for the Vice Chancellor, we will consider doing this five year term that is renewable to be put in the Act.
I agree with you that currently the number of Councillors is at 42 and due to constraints, there is need to reduce the number of council members. It is an issue that is welcome. I am happy to note that he indicated that the stakeholders applauded the multi campus approach which is the best practice even internationally, that universities must be close to the people that they serve. The university has to be innovative. We are encouraging all universities to be innovative so that they produce grounded graduates that will benefit the country. So, we will look into the areas that they have recommended amendments.
I want to thank Hon. Chasi for his contribution and support. He raised concern on the funding mechanism. It is a fact that the economy is not performing well and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development is doing much to try and assist us in establishing the universities. It is a challenge that we have all of us as a Government, but we need to take congnisance of the fact that we must use the few resources that we have to make sure that at least we start, rather than being stagnant. We need to start as soon as possible. At FirnValley, we already have blocks that have been constructed by the little resources
that we have, that we are very positive that they will be able to kick start the programmes.
We already have two programmes that are currently running there. With this multi campus approach, we are very positive that in the areas that the four campuses that we have selected, there is at least infrastructure that is there that we can use whilst we construct other facilities for the university. Hon. Chasi also mentioned that we must not only give Manicaland a State University to do agriculture. The correct position is that all universities offer agriculture but there are specific areas depending with the region that they are.
So, agriculture is going to be offered in Manicaland, Marondera, Chinhoyi and even the University of Zimbabwe. The correct position is that all universities have agricultural programmes that are based with the region that they are situated in. We all know that in Manicaland, there is need for agriculture because that is where we get our tanganda tea from and many other agricultural produce that come from there. So, having specialities, experts being trained in that area, will have access to areas to practice in, rather than forcing them to be in other areas where there is no productive agriculture that is being practiced.
I want to thank Hon. Chakona for the support and he belaboured to try to explain and support the multi campus system. I want to thank you for that. Hon. Engineer Mudzuri raised pertinent points and the need to have appropriate infrastructure in our universities. He specifically mentioned the issue of accommodation. As a Government and you will notice Hon. Members that when the Hon. Minister of Finance and Economic Development presented his budget, he included the infrastructural bond. The infrastructural bond processing is now at an advanced stage where we are very positive that we will be able to alleviate the problem of accommodation in all our universities. This process has been taken up and we are now consulting with the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development as well as the Reserve Bank so that they help us in facilitating and rolling out the programme.
He also mentioned that there is a problem with students that are being funded by the Government in cadetship and they are not getting access to their certificates after completion of the programmes hence, they are not able to look for employment. The correct Government position is that the debt that is being owed on cadetship is a Government debt and the Ministry of Finance and our Ministry have engaged and we have agreed. Institutions of higher learning, be it polytechnics, teachers’ colleges and universities have been directed to make sure that they give access to the results transcripts, photocopies, certified copies of the results so that they are able to look for employment anywhere they wish to look for employment. When the policy was put in place, the environment then was alright and we thought everyone was going to get employment here. The system was, everybody was supposed to work in the country but we have since relaxed that policy to say people are allowed to even go out of the country and we will authenticate the qualifications so that our students at least get access to employment.
I agree with Engineer Mudzuri that we need to plan for the future. As a Government, we are making efforts to make sure that we are planning for the future. Even when we are training these students, we are training for the future. Always, when a person gets into a university, they are going to start to be productive after three to four years.
Government is already seized with the matter and we are very positive.
We are making strides in that area.
I want to thank Hon. Mandipaka for his support and contribution. He indeed mentioned it correctly to say Manicaland has abundance of resources. It will always be prudent. We are very sure the people from Manicaland will be able to mobilise resources - in the abundance of resources to make sure that the infrastructure is put in place for the university.
I want to thank Hon. Machingura for the support. He mentioned the need to produce special engineers. I would like to say yes – indeed, our institutions of higher learning must produce grounded engineers that are able to solve local problems using their skills rather than us getting expertise or consultancy from abroad. I agree and every university or institutions of higher learning and tertiary education must produce grounded graduates for the country as well as for the region. If we have special expertise, then our graduates must be able to be hired by the region or internationally and bring in foreign currency and revenue.
I want to thank Hon. Sibanda for his support and contribution. I agree with him that it is not in the best interest of the country to specifically say we want a Vice Chancellor of the Manicaland University to come from Manicaland. These appointments are based on merit and they are state universities. As long as it is a state university, we should cast our net wide in employment; whether the person comes from Matabeleland or Mashonaland, if they have the qualifications, they must be able to be employed there rather than saying we want a person from the province.
The other aspect that he mentioned which is very critical is remuneration for our lecturers. It is very pertinent that as a Government, I agree that we need to give priority to our lecturers so that we are able to retain them. If we do not remunerate them properly and pay their salaries on time, they will always go across the Limpopo. I agree with you that we need to remunerate our lecturers.
We are always engaging. We have a cordial relationship with the Ministry of Finance. The fiscal space is tight but they always try by all means to make sure that our lecturers get their salaries. We agree that sometimes they are not paid on the actual date but they eventually will get their salaries. This is a temporary thing in the country. It is not going to perpetuate to be like this. They need to hold on, when our economy improves, definitely they will get the priority. As a Ministry responsible for universities, we really sympathise with them. That is why I agree with what you are saying.
You also mentioned that the library at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) has been stagnant for a very long time; indeed I agree with you and we have now put in mechanisms in place.
You will start seeing work in progress at NUST.
You mentioned that we must not have universities on paper and you cited the example of Lupane University who are operating from Bulawayo instead of Lupane. I want to assure you that by May, students will relocate from Bulawayo to Lupane. We have given them US$1.9 million to finalise the accommodation for students and lecturers so that we allow them to move to Lupane –[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear]-
Accessibility should be accompanied by affordability; I agree with you. While you note that our fees are affordable in the country, the problem has been the salaries that our people are getting. If you compare our fees with the regional fees, you will realise that our fees are cheap. But you need to note that we need the universities to run. If we reduce the fees from where they are now, you will start to see problems in the universities in terms of the teaching aids and the teaching materials.
While we sympathise with the population that the fees seem to be a little bit tight because of the income that we are getting, I think when things improve, we will see progress and improvement in our people.
Affordability will not become an issue.
As you mentioned Hon. Sibanda, the quality of our education is paramount and we have always emphasised to our Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE) to make sure that they do not compromise on the quality of the graduate that we produce. They always inspect our universities and recommend changes in areas that they feel are lacking.
I want to thank Hon. Nduna for his support and I want to inform this House that we already; because people think that the university has not started operating – we already have two programmes currently running at the university. They are being surrogated by the Midlands State University. He mentioned that we need to have a mining degree there. There are twenty two students that are already doing mining engineering at Fern Valley Campus in Mutare. The university will become - because every university has a niche and we envisage this university becoming a centre of excellence in value addition and beneficiation.
Like I mentioned before, I agree with Hon. Members who raised concerns that we need to produce grounded graduates for employment. I am not sure that Hon. Nduna proposed an education empowerment policy. I am not sure that we really need to go this way because we already have the ZIMDEF fund which is 1% of levy collected from the industry. We are very positive that the industry is already contributing into higher and tertiary education and should we need to mobilise other resources, we need to find other mechanisms of funding so that we do not strain our industry.
*I would like to thank Hon Mapiki for his contribution whereby he said that graduates from such universities lack creativity and innovation. Some of the people you see at these home industries are artisans who will have come from such institutions but they are not employed and prefer creating employment.
When we are talking engineering graduates, you find them in these home industries. Instead of seeking employment, they are creating employment. When we look at them as Government, we are proud of them and we say they are doing a great job. They may not be graduates from universities but they come from vocational colleges.
The Hon. Member also spoke about irrigation and encouraged us to work with the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Psychomotor and the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises; we are already doing that. This enables us to share the needs and development of the country. Now that the Hon. Member has mentioned it, it will encourage us to strengthen our relations.
The Hon. Member also talked about the importation of tractors from Brazil and we will continue importing these agricultural machines. However, let us come and borrow the technology when we have imported some piece of machine, let us break it down and study how it was constructed and in the process introduce our own equipment which is suitable to the needs of our country. We will be able to say we have a Zimbabwean tractor and a Zimbabwean generator because we would have been creative and innovative with value addition and beneficiation.
I want to thank Hon. Saruwaka for his contribution and he has emphasised the need for critical funding for universities. I agree with him, we need to make sure that we fund our universities. He went on to say the Ministry of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment, must not be funded and so on, which I disagree with because if you note, our catchment area or our stakeholder in universities and tertiary education are the youth. So, I am very positive that the Ministry of Youth is a very critical Ministry that we must work together to make sure that we create employment, we educate the youth and we make sure that we find employment for them. So I am very positive that the Ministry of Youth is a critical Ministry and it is the one that feeds into our Ministry and the general populace of Zimbabwe, 63% are youths.
So, a Ministry that caters for the youth is very vital in a Government. I agree with you when you say the locals should be employed in Manicaland or in any other part. We want the locals to benefit when the construction is being done but leave room for special expertise that might be required, that we might not have in that particular province. It is a State University, if we feel there is expertise that we require from any other part of the country, we should be able to allow that to happen. In principle, I agree the people in the community must benefit, we want to see may people, the local people benefiting from the construction of this university.
I also agree with you that there is need to put modern equipment in our universities so that the graduate that we produce is competitive globally. The university has already started and we feel we must be pushing so hard to make sure that other basic minimum requirements are put in place so that we see things happening in Manicaland.
I want to thank the other Hon. Member; unfortunately I could not pick his name, who mentioned that there is need for all provinces to have universities. You will note that on the Order Paper, the next Bill is Gwanda in Matabeleland South, which completes the policy for Government to have a university per every province. He also mentioned the need to assist students in terms of funding, it is an issue that we are seized with and a matter that we feel we should be able to break.
I would like to thank Hon. Malaba; he mentioned a specific issue that we should give assistance to undergraduates who are studying medicine at the University of Zimbabwe. As a government we are prepared to look for ways and means of alleviating the problems faced by these students.
I would like to thank Hon. Zemura who mentioned the issue of gender and equality. We will always uphold the Constitution of Zimbabwe. It requires us to be gender sensitive and make sure that we have gender equality. So I want to thank Hon. Zemura for that contribution to just alert us so that we take cognisance of the fact that in most cases the institutions are dominated by one side of the gender. We will take note of that.
Otherwise, I want to thank all Hon. Members for the support they have given on this Bill. I now 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
MANICALAND STATE UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED
SCIENCES BILL [H.B.8, 2015]
House in Committee.
Clauses 1 to 34 and Schedule put and agreed to.
House resumed.
Bill reported without amendments.
Third Reading: With leave, forthwith.
THIRD READING
MANICALAND STATE UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES
BILL [H.B. 8, 2015]
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY
EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
(HON. DR. GANDAWA): 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
GWANDA STATE UNIVERSITY BILL [H.B. 9, 2015]
Second Order read: Second Reading: Gwanda State University Bill [H.B. 9, 2015].
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY
EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
(HON. DR. GANDAWA): Mr. Speaker Sir, the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development seeks for the approval for the establishment of Gwanda State University through an Act of Parliament and provides for matters provided therewith or incidental to the establishment of the Gwanda State University is in fulfillment of the Government policy to have a State university in each province of Zimbabwe.
BACKGROUND
There is no State University in Matabeleland South Province. To address this deficiency and pursuant to the stated policy in 2006, a Foundation Steering Committee to spearhead the establishment of a
State University in Matabeleland South Province was appointed.
FINDINGS OF THE STEERING COMMITTEE
The Foundation Steering Committee held several meetings between
2007 and 2009 and made the following recommendations:-
- That the agreed university be located in Gwanda, the town being the provincial capital of Matabeleland South.
- The site is an eight hectare piece of land adjacent to J. M. Nkomo Polytechnic to the south, and to the Gwanda-Beit Bridge road to the east. It is located on a hill that will require landscaping for the construction of the buildings. Adjacent to the University site is a farm that has been reserved for the University. The site is easily serviceable with respect to water and electricity and Gwanda has so much water that it even supplies Bulawayo.
The incubation site will be the National University of Science and Technology and at the disused Epoch Mine which is under refurbishment by NUST. The University administration will initially be accommodated in Gwanda town at buildings offered by the Ministry of Local Government and National Housing.
JUSTIFICATION/RATIONAL FOR ESTABLISHING THE
UNIVERSITY
- The policy to establish a State University in every province is one of the ways to broaden access to university education in
Zimbabwe. While this policy was mooted before the ZIM ASSET blueprint, it resonates with ZIM ASSET objectives under the Social Services and Poverty Eradication Cluster.
- Matabeleland South agricultural and mineral economic activities need to be fully exploited. Human capital development and technology are key success factors for the socio-economic development of the province. Therefore, a state university in the province would facilitate and enhance such development.
A state university in Matabeleland South would also help reduce the current migration of high school graduates and youths to South Africa and Botswana for menial jobs. Such youths presently are the role models for children in Matabeleland South province as they come back seeming to be well-up and impress the young generation. Thus Zimbabwe takes seriously the obligation to empower the youths with education and skills for the formal market and self-employment. Therefore, this new institution will contribute in this respect and not only to the province but to the nation as a whole.
- Gwanda State University, like any other university will run community projects for the local people, and create and expose knowledge about the rich heritage and resources in the province.
NICHE/OBJECTIVES OF THE UNIVERSITY
The key objectives for the university will be;
- animal and Veterinary Sciences,
Irrigation Engineering and Management,
- Mining Engineering; and
- Environmental Engineering and Eco-system Restoration.
The Animal and Veterinary Sciences and Mining Engineering
are proposed to be the initial programme’s of the university. However, other programmes would be subsequently included since the aim is to create a comprehensive state university without compromising the niche
areas.
Irrigation Engineering is important for attaining food security and self sufficiency in the region. Thus through irrigation Matebeleland South can be transformed to a thriving, productive region and selfsufficient in food.
Mining Engineering is also a major activity in the province, hence the need to train experts in this field in areas of geometrics, surveying, metallurgy, environment engineering among other relevant disciplines.
Meteorology is one other relevant subject to the environment since the region is prone to incessant droughts. Therefore, it is imperative to establish research and early warning systems to equip farmers for the purposes of food security and poverty eradication planners.
Zimbabwe is rated as one of the leading nations in Africa in education in general as well as higher education. It is not only desirable, but more importantly, imperative for Zimbabwe to maintain this position. The establishment of Gwanda State University in Matabeleland South is one of the ways to ensure access to university education in Zimbabwe. I thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
HON. MATARUSE: Thank you Hon. Speaker. Mr. Speaker Sir,
the Gwanda State University Bill, which provides for the establishment of a State University, is another milestone in the country’s education sectors. It fulfills Government’s resolution to establish a State
University in each of the country’s provinces. As such, the Committee on Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development welcomes the introduction of the Bill since such a development is likely to ensure that the country maintains its high ranking in the region and the continent in terms of high standards of education.
1.2. Soon after the gazzeting of the Bill on 9th September 2015 and the Bill standing was referred to the Committee on Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, the Committee resolved to analyse the Bill in line with Parliament’s mandate of scrutinizing legislation.
2.0. METHODOLODY
2.1. This report is a culmination of the Committee’s meeting devoted to the analysis of the provisions of the Bill. In addition to the meetings, the Committee benefited from the oral and written submissions made by stakeholders and members of the public as provided for by Section 141(2), which requires that members of the public be consulted on Bills before Parliament. Oral submissions were made during hearings conducted in Bulawayo and Gwanda on 24th November, 2015. The Committee is grateful to all the people whose input has been considered in compiling this report.
3.0. FINDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE
3.1. Clause 4, Objects and Powers of University
3.1.1. The residents of Bulawayo and Gwanda welcomed the Bill and hoped that the University will start operating in the near future and ease the burden of the National University of Science and Technology and Lupane State University, two other universities in the Matabeleland region. Participants at both hearings submitted to the Committee that the university should be general and open to other academic fields and not only focusing on sciences. They recommended the adoption of a multi-campus concept that links a discipline to a particular area that has something in common with it.
3.2. Clause 8, Vice-Chancellor
3.2.1. The stakeholders in Bulawayo and Gwanda were emphatic in their demand for a Vice-Chancellor for the university to be an individual that comes from the province. It was their conviction that such an appointee will be familiar with the area and will necessarily drive the institution to great heights by taking the needs and the people of the province. A five-year term renewable for another term was recommended as the term of office for the Vice-Chancellor. The extension of one’s appointment for a second five year term would be based on one’s good performance during the first term.
3.3. Clause 10, Council
3.3.1. Stakeholder were concerned by the costs of running the institutions in particular the payment of allowances and benefits for Councilors. It was proposed that the membership be revised to some manageable number and that serious consideration should be made in terms of appointing individuals who come from the province. However, they felt there is need to include someone from outside the province even from the Southern African region with expertise and knowledge to bring to the Council and give the university an international appeal. In running the affairs of the university the Council was expected to adhere to the good corporate governance and ensure transparency and accountability in their actions.
3.4. Other issues
3.4.1. Sentiments were expressed that a lot of the unemployed people in Matabeleland South should be considered for employment as general staff at the university as a matter of policy. With regards to lecturers, stakeholders expressed their opposition to the employment of persons who are not fluent in all the local languages, who may require the services of interpreters. It was recommended that the authorities should consider appointing general staff from among the locals with serious consideration of gender equality.
4.0. COMMITTEE’S OBSERVATIONS AND
RECOMMNEDATIONS
4.1. Having considered the provisions of the Bill and the contributions from the stakeholders, the Committee came up with the following observations and recommendations:
4.1.1. The choice of programmes and courses should be the responsibility of the university. The Vice Chancellor and other membes of the Senate should be left to choose these progressively.
4.1.2. The Committee concurs with the public on the term of office for the Vice Chancellor. A five year term will give an individual time to prove ones worth and if one proves to be good he or she will deserve more term before another Vice Chancellor is appointed. The proposal to have a Vice Chancellor from the province is also a noble idea which the Committee recommends.
4.1.3. The Committee recommends that the membership of the Council be reduced to twenty (20) members. The appointment of an individual from the region should be dependent upon the institution’s ability to pay him or her.
4.1.4. Although the stakeholders submitted that lecturers must be fluent in local languages especially Ndebele, it is the Committees’ observations that lectures are conducted in English and therefore the stakeholders’ recommendations cannot be sustained.
5.0. CONCLUSION
5.1. The Committee congratulates the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development for brining the Gwanda University Bill before Parliament for consideration. There is need for Treasury to support the establishment of the university by allocating the project adequate funding for its development. University authorities should also find ways of complimenting Government efforts by raising some funds independently. The Committee recommends the Bill for approval with the proposed amendments.
HON. MANDIPAKA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, having heard
what the Hon. Minister has presented and having heard as well what the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee has presented. I want to add my voice by actually commending the Government of the day led by His Excellency, the President of the Republic, Cde. R. G. Mugabe for being a responsible Government. Not only responsible Mr. Speaker Sir but there is an attempt to live to its billing. Why do I say so? The Minister has correctly put it that it is Government policy to ensure that we have universities in our various provinces throughout the country.
We know how constrained our Government is, but it has made tireless efforts to ensure that such universities are established. So it is a pat on the back of Government and a pat on the back of the responsible Ministry to be able to fulfil this ambition. From some political quotas, we normally hear that this Government is not responsible but I would want to challenge those political circles to say this is clear evidence of what a responsible Government is all about. Therefore, a pat on the back to the Ministry and the Government of Zimbabwe.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I would also want to mention that in coming up with this Bill, there has been something that striking my mind which has to be commended by this Parliament. The manner in which the Bills are crafted, to the extent that the Ministry has been able to identify certain resources that are peculiar to a given area, that has also necessitated the choice of programmes. That is brilliance at its best. We have been looking at Manicaland State University and we are now looking at Gwanda State University. What the Government and the Ministry have been able to do is to identify those things that are found in these respective areas or provinces and they have tailor made relevant programmes for the relevant provinces. That should be applauded in the
Bill.
I was also, Mr. Speaker Sir, impressed by the fact that in Matabeleland South, more so in Gwanda, we have had stories of young people, girls and boys migrating from those areas to South Africa, perhaps for greener pastures, so they say or for employment. The establishment of a university in Gwanda, like the Minister has rightly pointed out, will curtail the migration of our youngsters from Gwanda from Matabeleland South to South Africa. When these universities are established, when the university is fully fledged, our youngsters, both male and female, are going to be absorbed by these universities.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I would want to add my voice and implore Hon. Members of Parliament to support this noble Bill, a Bill that seeks to empower our human resources, not only for the betterment of the current generation but for the betterment of generations to come. What a responsible Government we have, what a responsible Ministry we have. We would want to congratulate the Minister for bringing in this Bill at the right hour. I thank you.
HON. M. KHUMALO: I also rise to add my voice and also to express my joy on such a noble development that has happened to my rural home province, Matabeleland South. That is where I come from, Gwanda. I am very pleased that His Excellency, the President, through his wisdom, seeks to bring education right to the grassroots level and this has finally reached my doorstep, at my own house.
Mr. Speaker Sir, let also thank the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education for coming up with this noble idea to bring such a relevant university to my home town, Gwanda in Matabeleland South province. Gwanda and part of Matabeleland has always been known for having a lot of gold including Filabusi and others. Bringing such a university that will come to teach our kith and kin how to mine properly and how to beneficiate the minerals in our province, I think our province will be a better province than before.
As the Ministry is coming up with such an important Bill, I was thinking to myself right now that I hope the other part of the Executive will now look seriously into the issue of formalising the artisanal miners so that they become proper miners in order for this whole chain of events to be a very successful and meaningful process. Mr. Speaker Sir, I say so because if you look at Gwanda, 90 percent of employment comes from the so called makorokozas, the artisanal miners. That is where the money comes from. If we have a university, they will be taught how to do the mining properly. This means that subsequently, we are going to have a proper structure and proper employment. The two million jobs that we were talking about shall be contributed from
Gwanda through that university. So, it is a very noble move indeed.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I would also want to thank the Ministry for thinking about the meteorological department as well. As you know
Matabeleland South is always drought prone. If we now have a school that will now be able to predict accurately our climate system, we might be able to come up with measures to avert the starving situation that we have in Matabeleland South. I hope the curricular that the Ministry is going to put across will ensure that they teach our people things like cloud seeding. In the agricultural sector, they must teach them how to plant drought resistant crops so that Matabeleland South will have something to benefit from such a noble idea that was brought in by the Government.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I do not want to take much of your time but I just want to say that, if we continue in that route of such a revolutionary and visionary leadership of our President, Cde. R. G. Mugabe, we will never get lost. Matabeleland South is now a province. I stand here as an Member of Parliament from Matabeleland very proud to be associated with such a great man, very proud to be associated with such a Ministry led by these two gentlemen, Hon. Professor Moyo and Hon. Dr. Gandawa. You make us happy indeed. We are now able to go back to our constituents and tell them that the Government is thinking about you and it is doing something for you. Here is the evidence. Well done and keep it up. Ngiyabonga.
HON. ZINDI: Thank you Mr. Speaker for recognising me. I want to also add my voice and concern in supporting the motion that has just been moved by Hon. Dr. Gandawa and also the Report by Hon. Dr. Mataruse. As much as I got here a bit late in terms of contributing, particularly on the Manicaland State University but nonetheless, the Bill on the Gwanda State University as well is coming from the same concept or school of thought in terms of setting up State Universities in both Gwanda and Manicaland.
Mr. Speaker, I will not say much but my emphasis, the zeal and interest that I had in terms of making my contributions is mainly being driven by the fact that beneficiation is of utmost importance. You know Africa is what it is today because of our failure to extract natural resources and processing them into final products.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MARUMAHOKO):
Order Hon. Members. Vehicle Ford ACY3316, is blocking other vehicles. If the owner is in this Chamber, could you please go and remove your vehicle.
HON. ZINDI: Mr. Speaker, I was just mentioning the idea that Africa is what it is today - so impoverished we cannot account for our natural resources. As much as we are endowed with natural resources, those natural resources are not benefiting us as Africans, but instead those natural resources have become a curse for Africa as a whole. I can name the countries, the list is endless, but of importance to Africa, DRC is one of the countries where it is endowed with so many different natural resources, but those natural resources have become a curse.
In Zimbabwe, we have over 67 different kinds of mineral resources and these are not mineral resources of poor quality. We are talking of Uranium, Platinum, Copper and Gold. We are talking of timber in Manicaland and it is through that State University in Manicaland that we need to see an extractive processing of timber.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, Hon. Zindi. We are talking of Gwanda University and not Manicaland.
HON. ZINDI: Mr. Speaker, I was only making reference and giving an example because remember, the Gwanda University offers studies on agriculture and mining and in Manicaland we have agriculture and mining too. So really, there is a very thin line in terms of how we can relate and debate on Gwanda because what is happening in Gwanda is to focus on those natural resources and processing, which is exactly what I am saying. It should apply in Manicaland, where we have timber because that is one of our major agricultural produce which is being imported by foreign companies as far as China and Korea. We then go to Dubai to buy the furniture or the same timber that has been extracted from Manicaland, transported all the way by sea to Dubai and China. It is being imported by Zimbabweans as furniture. As you see all these furniture shops which are written Lifestyle and what have you, that is our timber.
What I am simply trying to express here, Mr. Speaker, is that we want to see universities of practicality in the sense of having to really focus on having to actually come up with finished products, which is beneficiation. I know this has been on the AU agenda, but to what extent because the AU agenda, and these have been charted by heads of states and governments, is now the responsibility of the Executive to implement in terms of now insuring that beneficiation is being done.
We are extracting our natural resources.
Mr. Speaker, it is painful, painful in the sense that we are as poor as we are. I was reading this morning and I came across a statement which was saying the first world economies would want to make sure that Africa, as having the least developed countries, should remain the way it is. Why? Simply because of being a base for natural resources which are to be extracted and exported in the raw form they are to the First World in order to keep their companies running. The money that we borrow or the money that is being channeled to us as Africans in the form of aid, we are having to pay twice with the interest before we can even start talking of repaying the debt.
From 1990 to 2008, it was a staggering figure of US$419 billion from Africa through natural resources. I think it is high time our leadership, the Executive, which is the policy implementer and policy maker, they should come up with policies which focus on having to beneficiate all our resources to benefit us Africans. Let me mention this Mr. Speaker, we must also promote intra trade amongst ourselves. Most of the products, we are having to import from the developed economies.
Two weeks ago, Mr. Speaker, Zimbabwe, through the Statistics Office, was saying just in the first quarter, we have spent close to US$15 million importing vegetables. You can imagine vegetables and these universities are coming in handy in terms of improving our agriculture. They are coming in handy at the right time. So, instead of just focusing on theory to say what is the model on seed germination rate, students having to cram something of that sort about models and theories and what have you, we need practical subjects.
For example in Manicaland, as I have said, we need to restore the African foods – njera, rukweza. We need to restore the madumbe, magogoya. In Gwanda, I do not know exactly in terms of agriculture what they produce – macimbi. Let us can these macimbi. Let us create our niche market where we will have macimbi canned in piri piri, the way we like them, fried and well preserved. This is what we want and let these universities focus on that. Let us have canned madhumbe and the different types of hohwa (like nhedzi) which we have in Manicaland.
Let us restore our traditional food. Our traditional food is liked by everybody who, at least if you introduce this traditional food like mhunga, rukweza, hohwa, mancimbi, I am sure there is nothing that can stop us having to create our mark on the world market and export those things. Through tourism, we have food marketing tourism that can actually be launched annually or something of that sort. We see these things happening in other countries. Why do we not have that kind of tourism where we just say, it is about African Zimbabwean food.
Right now if you ask a Zimbabwean what is really our staple food. It is sadza, beef (nyama) and vegetables mixed, period. We no longer have anything else that used to be there like mufushwa une dovi and all those kinds of things. We need to be promoting all that. Those are the practical and practicalities that I am talking about Minister, which I am saying the curriculum should be actually tailor-made or you should tailor make in terms of really beneficiating the natural resources. We have plenty of these natural resources but we have to continuously export in their raw form. Canning maavocado, I just want to give you a picture. In Manicaland, we have plenty of avocados, bananas which are being thrown away, mangoes, apples and all these citrus fruits or fruits which you normally get in summer like peaches, plums, apples, mangoes, guava and so on. We need them canned and juiced.
That is the area that is of concern to me and I am speaking right from the bottom of my heart because I know what it is and how many jobs you could create. On my farm, I should be able to can. On his or her farm he/she should be able to can. Why should we just say this should be done by the mzungu? Why should it just be a preserve of the mzungus? In Gwanda, with the cattle we are talking about, we want to see them establish abattoirs and then process the meat by smoking or the so many varieties of how we can preserve meat which can be sold locally.
Chimukuyu, if you look at most of the zvimukuyus, they are being done by the mzungus which has always remained the white traditional extractive market. Mr. Speaker, through you I am appealing to the Minister to really take heed of what I am saying. I am saying this right from the bottom of my heart. Thank you.
HON. CHAKONA: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker for giving me this opportunity to add my weight to the Minister’s presentation. The Gwanda State University will be specialising in agriculture and mining engineering in its curriculum. As we all know, Gwanda falls under region V and VI in our geographical classification in terms of its climate. In that regard, the introduction of agriculture in Matebeleland South is critical in the sense that the type of agriculture that will be taught will be very specific to that region that ensures food security under ZIM ASSET.
At the same time, the university will also specialise in certain areas that are not being taught in other universities. I think you will recall that almost every university in Zimbabwe has a faculty of agriculture. I suppose the Gwanda State University will specialise in the type of agriculture that is suitable for that particular region. So, I want to applaud the Ministry for bringing this Bill for debate.
In the same vein Mr. Speaker, Matebeleland South is endowed with minerals of different types from gold to even diamonds. In that regard, we believe the consummation of Gwanda State University will give rise to specific mining methods and technology that is appropriate for those minerals in that part of the region. Also, in collaboration with that I believe this is going to be a national university which will, amongst its curriculum, include every other type of mineral mined in this country.
Mr. Speaker, I just want to highlight that the migration of youths and even adults to South Africa, especially from Matebeleland South is rampant. The introduction of this university will incite our youths to also participate in academia in this country. We want to wake up to the xenophobic attacks that happened in neighbouring South Africa recently on foreign nationals. I would want to even reiterate that currently, a lot of our youths, especially from my constituency, last week we buried one who was killed in South Africa through murder and this is happening almost on a monthly basis.
I, therefore, believe that when we create more learning institutions in our nations, it will incite our youths to pursue their education and careers in Zimbabwe, develop themselves in this country and stay away from going to neighbouring countries where they are vulnerable to attacks by the nationals of those countries. Mr. Speaker, if you go to South Africa and Botswana, I would want to say there is a little bit of tribal and regional segregation that is taking place on our nationals. To a greater extent, we want to discourage our youths from actually migrating to those countries and focus on developing themselves in this country.
I also want to say Mr. Speaker, Bulawayo is well-known for its industrial development but at the moment, the utilisation of industries in Bulawayo is close to 10% and most of the industries have been closed. I suppose the introduction of this university will obviously produce graduates that will go and resuscitate these industries in line with our
ZIM ASSET. When we went through the consultation phase in Matebeleland South, one of the issues that were raised was that, most of the schools in Matebeleland South are not teaching science subjects. I hope the Minister will address that issue because the statistics they might have got from that area in terms of their STEM programme should indicate that there were very few youngsters that enrolled for the STEM programme.
One other thing that we also discovered was that most of the schools do not even have the infrastructure to teach science subjects and hence they were actually reiterating that again most of the places would be taken up by students from other provinces. I therefore, call upon the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education to seriously look at improving the facilities at most of these schools so that they can also offer science, technology, engineering and mathematics at high school as a request.
The other observation that we also made when we went for consultation in Gwanda is that whilst Manicaland State University already has infrastructure on site where the university is going to be built, in Matabeleland South, they have a very beautiful site with beautiful flora and fauna around that place, but there is no infrastructure. There is virtually nothing. I therefore, call upon the responsible authorities to start doing something. Whilst we appreciate that there is no money and waiting for something but to just sit and wait until Government releases funds may not be that noble. They need to do something. Manicaland has already done something and they have not done something.
Another thing that we also saw was that there is a lot of negativity with whatever Government is doing. I believe at this stage the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education has to do something like the previous speaker was saying to show that Government is serious about investment in Matabeleland South. I think it is imperative that people see action on the ground in terms of whatever Government is trying to do in that particular province.
Lastly, I want to say the Bill that seeks to establish the Gwanda
State University is also another channel of harnessing a lot of students that are coming onto the higher and tertiary education stream looking for places to train in different skills and experience in different faculties and so forth. I want to thank the Minister for bringing the Bill and I also want to thank the Chancellor of our universities, His Excellency, the President and Head of State for the continuous effort to improve on higher and tertiary education. I thank you.
+HON. D. M. NDLOVU: I would like to thank the Minister of
Higher and Tertiary Education, Honourable Gandawa and the
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Higher and Tertiary Education, Honourable Mataruse who have introduced this Bill. I want to say thank you for opening this university because as far as we are concerned it has already been launched. What we now want is for you to make some visible improvements because at the moment the students are studying from NUST and some of them would like to go and learn at Epoch Mine which is a dilapidated mine which lacks the necessary facilities such as electricity and water.
Whilst we are happy that the university has been launched we are saying we need the infrastructure. Talking as representatives of the people in Matabeleland South, this is a cattle ranching area. We have a very high breed of cattle. We also have our all year river which has supply of water like Mtshabezi which has a lot of water. As a result of this we have a lot of caterpillars which are now digging underground because nobody is able to harness them. This is a natural treasure which is going to waste.
Matabeleland South is also endowed with cement. This is a very essential developmental aspect. Cement is mined in Matabeleland South but it is developed in some other areas. If only this university had been long established we should be beneficiating and adding value to the cement in our area.
Let me now turn to gold. When we talk of artisanal miners, we are talking of Matabeleland South because Gwanda is a world of gold and it is the small scale miners who are taking part in this process. These are educated youngsters but they lack the necessary university education so that they can be taught on how they can be creative, innovative and be able to exploit profitably the natural resources of this area.
We also have people who are accusing us of letting our children cross illegally into neighbouring countries such as South Africa and Botswana but it is not their fault and the parents fault because when they have successfully gone through their high school they have to go to universities at Midlands State University or Africa University. This involves a lot of expenses in both travel and accommodation and hence we are very grateful that a university has come at our doorstep. Our children will not suffer from accommodation and transport crisis.
My plea is that when this university has been launched, these children should be taught about practical subjects which they can utilise and become innovative and exploit the resources. If they only do theory, they end up selling airtime cards on the streets or become vendors. What I am saying is that when cement in mined in our area it should be fully value added and beneficiated because we see lorries taking this resource away from our areas and we end up with children illegally crossing into South Africa, Botswana and other neighbouring countries. I urge you to speed up the process of launching this university.
The previous speaker talked about the lack of science subjects in Gwanda schools, we plead with the Ministry to introduce science and technical subjects because when the STEM programme was launched only a few were accepted into this programme because of non teaching of science subjects.
HON. E. GUMBO: Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity to add my voice to the debate on the Gwanda State University. First and foremost, I would like to applaud the President for fulfilling the national scope of a university in every province. In an effort and in support of the Gwanda University Bill, I urge all Honourable Members to support it because this is very critical for a lot of reasons be they economic, social and otherwise for the development of Matabeleland South.
Gwanda State University will specialise in mining and agriculture.
These two areas dominate the economy of Matabeleland South.
Matabeleland South has been alluded to by the last speaker as contributing more gold than any province. Since January 2016, about
42% of all the gold that has been sent to Fidelity Refiners has come from Matabeleland South. That is really a commendable issue. We need to look after our assets.
A mining university will empower the people with necessary knowledge and skills to fully participate in the mining sector. We are mostly looking at artisanal miners that will be given the right knowledge and skills to do their mining safely. I am talking about practical issues like blasting, shaft sinking, dewatering of the small scale mines which is what they are doing and they will be good entrepreneurs and employers.
We are also looking at the fulfillment of the indigenisation plan and ZIM ASSET. We are talking of 51% and 49%. We expect this university to churn geologists, metallurgists, people who can go out and set their own companies and contribute to the mining and see the cause for indigenisation, the wealth transferred into the hands of the indigenous people. I am the MP for Gwanda Central. I had to do mining.
At the time I had to do it myself, it was so horrible. I had to go somewhere in a foreign land and do a lot of things. Syllabuses were not even appropriate to my country, just to get a mining skill.
I had to come back, readdress myself to the local environment. I am hoping my university would be so appropriate, that is taking the local requirement for the local people and that is appropriately structured. We are looking at practical skills and research into the areas such as beneficiation. How best we can use our gold. We are expecting to see a few streams of jewellers setting up in Gwanda at Gwanda University to support jewellery production as part of the university research.
We also have people who are working in the mines, some older people who are very skilled in practical knowledge without a qualification, who cannot impact this knowledge freely because they lack academic qualification. We expect the university to have block release classes that those people already with skills in the mining field, can acquire technical skill so that they can go and qualify to go and teach and impart the skills to others. So, block release would be one of those modules that we advocate for so that the university must have block releases so that people at work, in the mines in Matabeleland South can be released on part time basis and acquire the necessary skills, both to develop themselves and to teach practical aspects of mining to the upcoming youngsters.
In Matabeleland we have got two key inputs for agriculture which are cattle that we are famous for. We are also cattle for mancimbi, the mopani worms. I am hoping that everybody says you sell them. I do not think it is value addition. I would like to work on a process, ready to research how to extract the proteins from those and we add it as naturally protein addictives. Those are some of the value addition that we are looking at.
On the cattle side, we are known for producing good cattle, big ones as you know, but we can endeavour to go even more and point out that it is not just big cattle and all that. The grass in Matabeleland South, the soils make the best quality of beef. Hence in the past, there was the largest factory at West Nicholson that used to carry beef for the whole world. It was not just a factory which was established there for no reason. It was there because the quality of meat, even the taste, you should ask those who live there and taste that nice meat from
Matabeleland South. I will tell you that that is the best quality of meat.
We are not only endowed with the cattle but also sweet grass and the soil in that grass produce the best quality of beef. The world knew about the produce at West Nicholson because of that quality. We are pleased that the university has come at last at Gwanda. Therefore, I feel that I am a typical testimony; I have worked 30 years in the mining industry and my hope in coming to Parliament was to persuade that somebody recognise that miners can even come and contribute in
Parliament when there is a cause.
I would like to thank the President very much. It is a gift to me as the MP of Gwanda Central that a mining school has been opened. We have been working with the foreigners from Wits University and they are mainly whites. The system there was only for whites. They have dominated positions in all of the Gwanda Mines because they were preferentially admitted to Wits University where mining was done in South Africa, the closest place, and they came to do it. I had to go to England just to make a feel with my counterparts back in the 80s. Now with our own university, I am so proud that our children, Zimbabweans, black Zimbabweans as well can take meaningful positions.
We have been disadvantaged because the universities that were there were predominantly training whites and the mining industry in
Gwanda as I talk, is dominated by whites. I think I worked for mines and I was the only black manager employee there and the rest were all whites. I used to ask why I could not promote my own fellow blacks. They would always say a degree from Wits or equivalent university with so many years experience, and that left a lot of our people out.
Now that we can get a degree from the University of Gwanda, may be we will say a degree from the University Gwanda, appropriate for Matabeleland South is what we require for the qualification. Foremost, I must also thank the Minister and those who moved this Bill for the good foresight. The people of Matabeleland South, particularly the Gwanda Constituency that I represent, we would like to say thank you.
Siyabonga.
THE DEPUTY MNISTER OF HIGHER AND TERTIARY
EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
(HON. DR. GANDAWA): Thank you very much Mr. Speaker. I want to thank Hon. Members for their contributions. Mostly I want to mention that people are crying that the Gwanda State University must start. Two programmes have already started at NUST. As of today, we have just given them the US$293 000 they required to refurbish the Epoch Mine for the water and electricity so that the students can work from the Epoch Mine. There is a fantastic facility but there was the problem of water and electricity.
The appointment of the Vice Chancellor is on merit. We would not strictly say we want to employ someone from Matabeleland only, but if there is a candidate from Matabeleland who has applied and they qualify and they pass the interview, they will be appointed. I want to thank Hon.
Mandipaka for his comments and appreciation. I also want to thank Hon.
Khumalo for the comments and appreciation and the formalisation of the artisanal miners. I want to thank Hon. Chuma for his comment on the formalisation of artisanal miners. I am very positive that the Ministry of Mines should take up this because they will contribute to the economic activity of the area and the province at large. He also emphasised the need for training in meteorology because we know in that area he mentioned seed clouding which is definitely part of the programme that is going to be taught there.
I want to thank Hon. Zindi for the comments although I noted that she was really emphasising on Manicaland which she missed in contribution. But, I agree with what she was saying that we need practical subjects, technical subjects that focuses on beneficiation and the restoration she used, the term restoration of traditional foods which we would cover under the indigenous knowledge systems in terms of the training.
I want to thank Hon. Chakona for the support and the emphasis that the agriculture that must be taught in Gwanda must be related to the agricultural activities in the area. I want to assure him that we hope that the graduates that will come there must be able to resuscitate the industries if they are given the skills that are necessary. We are serious about the development of Matabeleland. As a Ministry, we do not select how we apportion resources because of the location of the province. So, it is an issue that we are assisting and we are very positive that every university must get a share so that they kick start.
*I would like to thank Hon. Ndlovu for his contribution. We are going to support with the water so that we can have more water and we want Epoch mine to have more water and also electricity. We are saying, we would want this university to be moved to Gwanda, but we are now utilising the existing facilities such as NUST, but we would like to move this university from Epoch Mine and then move to Gwanda like J. N. Nkomo. We want the Government to mobilise more funds so that we will have more construction on this site. I spoke during your absence that we have given this institution US$290 000 so that they can work on sanitary facilities including water and electricity.
He spoke about youths who cross illegally into neighboring South Africa but now that we have launched this university, it means they will be able to go school and institutions will be established there. Our children will then be able to get employment in Matabeleland South. Our wish as Government is that people from Matabeleland will be self sustaining, innovative and creative in their own style.
I would also want to thank Hon. Edson Gumbo with the contribution he has made about the university which must empower people there to participate in the mining sector. He empasised the need to train our people in order for them to be practical geologists and engineers who are also entrepreneurs. This is the wish that we also have as a Ministry to produce graduates that are capable to produce and reengineer our own products from the country. I am pleased that he mentioned issues to do with research and he has alluded to specific areas of research in which he emphasised the extraction of protein from mopane worms. I am very positive this area is a very good area of research and our researchers must take it up.
He also mentioned the need to research more in mining and value addition and beneficiation. He also emphasised the need for us to be able to do research in cattle production which I am very positive we have a lot of specialists and lecturers who are capable of doing this.
He also said there is need for us to be able to allow the university to have part time tutorials for the people that are working who will then contribute to the university in terms of the skills because they have got the practical work.
With these contributions, I really want to thank all Hon. Members for their contributions and support. I now move that the Gwanda State
University Bill [H.B. 9, 2015] be now read a second time.
Motion put and agreed to.
Bill read a second time.
Committee Stage: Wednesday, 13th April, 2016.
On the motion of THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HIGHER
AND TERTIARY EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. GANDAWA), the House adjourned at
Twenty Nine Minutes past Five o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Thursday, 7th April, 2016
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. SPEAKER in the Chair)
THE HON. SPEAKER’S RULING
HON. P. D. SIBANDA’S POINT OF ORDER ON WHETHER
PARLIAMENT HAS OVERSIGHT ROLE OVER THE OFFICE OF
THE PRESIDENT AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF STANDING
ORDER NUMBER 93 (1) (b)
THE HON. SPEAKER: On the 10th February, 2016, Hon. P. D. Sibanda rose on a point of order in terms of Standing Order Number 69 of the Standing Rules and Orders of the National Assembly, seeking guidance on whether Parliament has oversight over the Office of the
President and further, whether reference to the use of the name of the President in the House goes against protecting the integrity and the name of the Office of the President.
Oversight of the Office of the President
Parliament exercises oversight on the Executive in line with the provision of the Constitution and its Standing Rules and Orders. Section
119 (2) and (3) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe states that –
“(2) Parliament has power to ensure that the provisions of this Constitution are upheld and that the State and all its institutions and agencies of Government at every level act constitutionally and in the national interest”.
(3)For the purposes of subsection (2), all institutions and agencies of State and Government at every level are accountable to Parliament”. Section 299 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe further amplifies the oversight role of Parliament over all institutions and agencies of the State in respect of State revenues and expenditures.
Standing Order No. 20 (d) of the National Assembly states that a
Portfolio Committee must:
“Monitor, investigate, inquire into and make recommendations relating to any aspect of the legislative programme, budget policy or any other matter it may consider relevant to the Government department falling within the category of affairs assigned to it.”
Further, individual Members of Parliament can raise questions on any matter of public policy through the Question Time during sittings. They can also move motions that relate to areas of their interest that require responses from a Vice President or a relevant Government Minister or Deputy Minister.
The term “every level” in Section 119 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, therefore, encompasses the office of the President as he exercises his executive authority through Cabinet as provided for in Section 88 (2) of the Constitution. The Cabinet includes the VicePresidents and Ministers, who under Section 107 (2) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, are accountable to Parliament and must attend Parliament to answer questions. Furthermore, Section 141(3) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe states that “the President may attend Parliament to answer questions on any issue as may be provided in the Standing Orders”. Therefore, the Constitution envisages that the President may come before Parliament to answer questions relating to his office.
Use of the Name of the President in Debate.
Standing Order No. 93(1) (b) of the Standing Rules and Orders of the National Assembly states that:
“No member shall, while speaking to a question use the name of the President irreverently in debates or for the purpose of influencing the House in its deliberations.”
There are two essential elements in that Standing Order that I will address, namely ‘use of the name of the President irreverently’ and ‘use of the name of the President for the purposes of influencing the House in its deliberations’. Irreverently means in a manner not showing respect to something or somebody that other people usually respect. The expectation in this regard is that Hon. Members in their debates should not use the name of the President in a discourteous or disrespectful manner. Use of the name of the President in a courteous and respectful manner is, therefore, tolerated.
In respect to the use of the name of the President to influence the
House, I will quote the celebrated writer Erskine May in “Treatise on The Law, Privileges, Proceedings and Usage of Parliament” who indicated that in England, the use of the Queen’s name to influence debate is:
“unconstitutional in principle and inconsistent with the independence of Parliament and any attempt to use her name in debate to influence the judgment of Parliament is immediately checked and censured”
“It is unparliamentary and inconsistent with the independence of a legislative body to refer to the name of the Executive in order to influence the vote”.
The above positions are premised on the fact that there are authorised ways for bringing the Executive and, in our case, the
President’s messages to Parliament through his appointees, the Cabinet Ministers. However, the above limitation does not apply to statements of facts by Ministers or Members of Parliament. What is sanctioned is the attempt to use the name of the President to influence unduly the decisions by Parliament.
Ruling by the Chair stands as follows :-
Accordingly, the Chair hereby rules that –
- The Office of the President is subject to oversight by
Parliament in terms of the procedures aforementioned above.
- Reference to the name of the President in debate is allowed, provided that it is done fairly, respectful courteously to the High Office of the President.
- A reference to the name of the President of Zimbabwe in order to influence deliberations in the House or decisions is inconsistent with Standing Orders 93 (1) and will not be tolerated in view of the fact that the President is the Head of
State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces of Zimbabwe.
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE HON. SPEAKER
PETITION FROM THE PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH
INSTITUTE OF ZIMBABWE AND ITS PARTNERS IN
CIVIL SOCIETY
THE HON. SPEAKER: I have to advise the House that on the
25th of February, 2016, Parliament of Zimbabwe received a petition from the Public Policy Research Institute of Zimbabwe and its partners in civil society beseeching Parliament to ensure that relevant Government Ministries and department implement Chapter 14 of the Constitution. The petition has since been referred to the Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE MINISTER OF SMALL AND MEDIUM
ENTERPRISES AND CO-OPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT (HON.
NYONI): I move that Orders of the Day Numbers 1 to 43 be stood over until Order Number 44 is disposed of.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
FIRST REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON SMALL
AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES AND CO-OPERATIVES
DEVELOPMENT ON THE ROLE, MANAGEMENT AND
IMPACT OF HOUSING CO-OPERATIVES ON THE DELIVERY
OF NATIONAL HOUSING IN ZIMBABWE
Forty fourth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the First Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small and Medium Enterprises and Co-operatives Development on the Role of Housing Co-operatives in the delivery of National Housing in Zimbabwe.
Question again proposed.
THE MINISTER OF SMALL AND MEDIUM
ENTERPRISES AND CO-OPERATIVE DEVELOPMENT (HON.
NYONI): Mr. Speaker Sir, I rise to thank the Committee and I want to also add my voice to that report. Although co-operatives have been in existence in Zimbabwe since 1950s, especially in the white farming community, it was not until 1989 that the first housing co-operative Kugarika Kushinga came into being. Since then, the co-operative sector has outstripped all other sectors in the co-operative movement in Zimbabwe, consisting of 83% of all registered societies today.
The reason for these leaps and bounds in the growth of housing cooperatives is too pronged. Firstly, the low income earners saw housing co-operatives as the only viable option open for them to own houses as opposed to be on local authority’s waiting list into perpetuity. Secondly, there is evidence that housing co-operatives work,they worked and they still work. People who would never have dreamed of owning houses were becoming and continue to become home owners. The local authorities and any other authorities tasked with the provision of
national housing to low income earners were at this point finding their mandate very difficult.
The local authorities could not even manage to service residential stands, let alone construct houses for the poor people in Zimbabwe. This is the void which housing co-operative moved to fill. They became housing providers by default and they continue to do so for the low income people of this nation.
In the Housing delivery process, the most expensive component is servicing the stands. This is what the local authorities demanded that local housing co-operatives undertake first in full and to very stringent standards before embarking on housing construction. After they had sunk all their meager savings in servicing stands, the housing cooperatives would now struggle to build their own houses. The local authority says housing co-operatives are dysfunctional and they are projects take forever to complete.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the reasons are that they have to be working from their meager savings. These are people at the bottom of the social economic ladder who have been accomplishing what an institution like Harare City Council or any other local authority has been failing to do for decades. Mr. Speaker Sir, let me give you success stories of the housing co-operatives in this country.
Mr. Speaker Sir, 94 840 houses were built between 2010 and 2015 throughout the country. During the same period 46 267 houses were under construction at various stages. This is according to the National Housing Co-operative Federation.
- Various cooperatives have received title deeds. Meaning very poor people at the economic pyramid now own title deeds and they can move from here to borrow money to move into other economic activities. These include Hatfield Extension Cooperative,
Mupedzahondo Cooperative in Glen Norah; Three Stars Cooperative in
Glenview, Kambuzuma Cooperative in Kambuzuma, Mufakose
Cooperative, Sunshine Cooperative in Crowborough, Rutendo Housing
Cooperative in Budiriro and New Generation Housing Cooperatives in Dzivarasekwa. Next week, I will be handing over title deeds to a cooperative in the City of Bulawayo.
- Over 500 housing cooperatives in Harare through use of their own resources are undertaking land development starting from the initial stages of doing Topo surveys, road drawings and clearance, sewerage and water reticulation, together with road construction up to tarmac level. A good example is Hopely B Housing Cooperative Union which has constructed state of the art septic tanks to cater for the community of about 2 400 families. This is despite being made up of low income earners.
Zimbabwe is ranked as number one in housing cooperative development in Africa. Having over 4 000 registered housing cooperatives with over 500 000 members nationwide. This is according to the International Cooperative Alliance in 2015. Other countries such as South Africa, Malawi and Uganda have visited Zimbabwe to learn from us and our experience. – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] –
These successes have been made possible by the strength that housing cooperatives enjoy as a vehicle for low income housing delivery. These strengths include the following:- cooperatives have power to organise members;
- cooperatives have power to organise beneficiaries;
- cooperatives enjoy power in membership through mobilising resources; ownership of properties by its members;
- there is power of social cohesion in cooperatives;
- they are administered under a regulatory framework Cooperative Society Act, Chapter 24 that sets out that rules and regulations on forming, operating and winding up of housing cooperatives should be thus: -
- By-laws: rules and regulations that guide the conduct of the
Cooperative members;
- Cooperative development Policy of 2005 to be read in conjunction with the Act and
- Cooperatives also have the definite principles which guide their operations.
Challenges experienced by the housing cooperatives in
Zimbabwe
Mr. Speaker Sir, despite these successes cooperatives face a myriad of challenges:-
- High cost of land servicing, considering that the cooperatives are composed of members from the low income earners, they have assumed the roles of local authorities. By this I mean Topo survey, pegging and actual servicing of the land. This has prolonged the period taken to finish up their projects within expected periods.
- Political interference through various political statements from politicians influencing members not to adhere to the provisions of the Act. For example, sometime in October 2013, members were encouraged not to pay which is illegal according to the Cooperative Act.
- Unilateral land allocation to Cooperatives, local authorities sometimes allocating land to some individuals in the name of cooperatives. For example in Chitungwiza, United We Stand Multipurpose Cooperative was allocated thousands of housing stands when in actual fact United We Stand was not a housing cooperative. In Dzivarasekwa Extension, Nehanda Housing Cooperative was allocating a whole farm when the membership at registration of the cooperative was 30. This tendency has created land barons.
- Allocation of land to cooperatives that has not been legally acquired. For example Leopold Takawira Housing Cooperative, Ushewokunze and cooperatives in Caledonia were allocated land that was not yet fully acquired. This has made meaningful development fail to take place in these areas. Due to lack of resources
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order, I have identified three members on my left who are very disruptive against the Standing Orders
- Please revise your Standing Orders and behave accordingly, Hon.
Minister.
HON. NYONI: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir,
- Due to lack of resources, there has been lack of comprehensive monitoring of all registered housing cooperatives.
- Of late, there has been unlawful issuing of individual leases to cooperative members by certain authorities which is against the spirit of cooperatives. This has resulted in unnecessary disputes between members and has however prolonged period of servicing the land since members efforts will end up being concentrated on unnecessary legal fights and creating uncertainty on development of the project. For example is the Zvakatanga Sekuseka and Sally Mugabe Cooperatives.
- Imposition of land developers on cooperatives. The Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises and Co-Operative Development has witnessed the imposition of disreputable land developers in recent years. These land developers in most cases do not have the capacity to develop land and have ended up fleecing money from the cooperators without bringing any development at all. Examples of these cooperatives which have developers imposed on them are Pungwe, Chimurenga in Harare South where the developer sold 700 stands belonging to the society and did nothing on the ground. More than 100 cooperatives in Harare North had a land developer imposed on them but until now, there is no development to talk about.
- Formation of Housing Consortium by local authorities.
This has made it impossible for the Registrar of Cooperatives which resides in my Ministry to monitor activities in these consortiums. Formation of housing consortiums is outside the ambit of the Cooperatives Societies Act. Primary registered co-operatives have been forced by local authorities to form consortiums upon being allocated residential stands. Consortiums are not registered under the Act of Parliament. Corruption tendencies have manifested in these institutions as there is no regulatory framework that compels them to comply with tenets of good corporate governance.
Lastly, Mr. Speaker Sir, some cooperatives have invaded municipality land and this has been largely necessitated by failure of council to come up with clear procedures on how they allocate land to various cooperatives, e.g. Mushamukuru Housing Cooperative in Harare where the city authorities were accused of allocating land to other cooperatives living out Mushamukuru Housing Cooperative that had used its own resources to process the plan for the area; the plan number is given.
Conclusion and Recommendation
- We need to establish a functional Inter-Ministerial Committee that investigates challenges of Housing Co-operatives in and around Harare. Let me emphasise that other areas are doing very well. Most of the problems that are associated with co-operatives are found in our capital city, so let us bear in mind that the rest of the country is doing a fantastic job.
- Local authorities should allocate stands to cooperatives according to their membership registers. Ministries should liaise on allocation of stands.
- Ministries should focus on their official mandates and not encroach on other Ministries mandates as this will result in undermining each other and presenting a confused stance by Government operations, e.g.
Administration of the cooperatives is under the Ministry of Small and
Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development. The land Development is under the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing. Those two mandates should be kept separate.
- Local Authorities should not impose land developers to cooperatives, instead they should engage developers that have capacity to service the land and then sell them to the cooperatives.
- The Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National
Housing should actually complement the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development by making good corporate governance a condition of continued occupation of land by housing cooperatives; they should not make it easy for corruption to creep in. Any housing cooperative which does not have any books audited and convene an annual general meeting will have its offer letter invoked.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I would like to thank the Portfolio Committee. In their report, they made very good recommendations. Let me assure the Committee and this House, that my Ministry has started implementing those recommendations and would like to thank them for their good work. I thank you.
HON. MANGAMI: May I also take this opportunity to thank the Minister for responding to our Committee Report. We are very much happy that truly some of the implementations of the recommendations have been taken note of especially taking the Kenyan model. I want to thank Hon. Members who have contributed to this motion. Many Hon. Members contributed to this motion. It is unfortunate that I was not aware of the date which the Minister was going to respond but however, I cannot mention everyone by name but only a few whom I still remember, Hon. Zemura who seconded my motion and Hon. Maridadi.
Hon. Speaker, we actually want the Ministry to speed up the improvement of the Cooperative Act so that it has got teeth to bite in order for those cooperatives which are defaulting to be taken to account. Those which are not registered should be registered as you have said. It is a good idea that the nation should continue having cooperatives but
we should advocate for proper building double storeys so that we do not have houses mushrooming everywhere. If we have these, we are going to accommodate so many people because at the moment land is being exhausted by building small houses. In other countries, they are building double storey and 100 square meters can accommodate about 2 000 people. It is high time we stop approving buildings that do not accommodate many people because we no longer have the land.
Lastly Mr. Speaker Sir, may I ask for the adoption of the report on the
Portfolio Committee for Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperative Development. I thank you.
Motion that: This House takes note of the First Report of the Portfolio Committee on Small and Medium Enterprises and Cooperatives Development on the Role, Management, and Impact of
Housing Co-operatives on the delivery of National Housing in Zimbabwe.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. TOFFA: I move that all Orders of the Day be stood over until Order of the Day, Number 11 has been disposed of.
HON. DR. MUKANDURI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE 38TH PLENARY ASSEMBLY OF THE SADC
PARLIAMENTARY FORUM
HON. TOFFA: I move the motion standing in my name that;
This House takes note of the Report of the 38th Plenary Assembly of the
SADC-Parliamentary Forum, held at Sea Side Hotel and SPA in Swakopmund, Namibia, from the 17th to the 25th November, 2015.
HON. DR. MUKANDURI: I second.
HON. TOFFA: 1.0 Introduction
1.1 The 38th Plenary Assembly of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) was held at the Sea Side Hotel and Spa in
Swakopmund, Namibia from 17 to 25 November 2015. The Plenary
Session drew participation from Presiding Officers, Members of
Parliament and Officers from 12 SADC Member states including
Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Mauritius,
Mozambique, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and
Zimbabwe. Hon. Advocate Jacob Francis Mudenda, Speaker of the National Assembly, led a Parliamentary Delegation comprising the following Members and Officers of Parliament to the Plenary
Assembly:-
Hon. Monica Mutsvangwa, Member of Parliament and Deputy
Minister of Macro Economic Planning and Investment Promotion;
Hon. Dr. Samson Mukanduri, Member of Parliament;
Hon. Tambudzani Mohadi, Member of Parliament;
Hon. Innocent Gonese, Member of Parliament;
Hon. Jasmine Toffa, Member of Parliament;
Mr. Kennedy M.Chokuda, Clerk of Parliament;
Mr. Ndamuka Marimo, Director in the Clerk’s Office;
Mr. Frank Nyamahowa, Director in the Speaker's Office;
Ms. R. Chisango, Principal External Relations Officer and
Secretary to the Delegation; and
Mr. Robert Sibanda, Security – Aide to the Speaker.
2.0 Theme of the 38th Plenary Session of the SADC
Parliamentary Forum
2.1 The 38th Plenary Assembly of the SADC PF was held under the general theme “From Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Towards a Greater Parliamentary Role in the Development Agenda”.
3.0 MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
3.1 The Executive Committee met on 18 November 2015 to consider various issues and resolved as follows:
3.2 The SADC PF flag
An official handover ceremony of the SADC PF Flags to Member
Parliaments represented by Presiding Officers be held during the 38th
Plenary Assembly Session. For those Member Parliaments whose Presiding Officers were absent, the Secretary General would find costeffective ways of delivering the flags. However, the handover ceremony did not take place as the flags were not delivered during the Plenary.
3.3 The Transformation of the SADC PF into a Regional
Parliament
In view of the rejection by the Council of Ministers of the request by the SADC Parliamentary Forum for the transformation of the Forum into a SADC Parliament, the matter deferred for further discussion at the
Speakers’ Conference to be held in Mauritius from 16 to 17 December 2015 with a view to adopting a resolution on the matter.
3.4 Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage and
Protecting Children Already in Marriage
That the Draft Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting Those Already in Marriage be tabled before the 38th Plenary Assembly for noting.
3.5 Meetings of Standing Committees outside the Plenary
Assembly Session
To task the Forum Secretariat to engage development partners to raise the requisite funds to cover the costs of holding Standing
Committee meetings twice a year outside Plenary Assembly Sessions. In the event that these fundraising efforts were unsuccessful, then all Standing Committees would meet during the Plenary Assembly sessions and National Parliaments would cover the cost of their Members’ participation. This will entail extending the Plenary Assembly Sessions by two or three extra days to accommodate Standing Committees.
3.6 Alignment of National Legislations and Policies on
Mineral Resources
To endorse the recommendation to engage a team of legal experts in mining legislation from the SADC region to develop a model law on resource exploration, exploitation, utilisation, governance and management for use by SADC countries.
3.7 SADC-PF Parliamentary Studies Institute
To endorse, in principle, the establishment of the SADC-PF
Parliamentary Studies Institute (PSI) and welcomed the offer by Zimbabwe to host the Institute in Zimbabwe in the event that Namibia is unable to do so.
3.8 Payment of Secretariat and Logistics Costs for Election
Observation
That it would be prudent for all Member Parliaments to make a once-off annual payment of USD 16 342.93 for secretariat and logistical costs for election observation missions. The meeting further endorsed the inclusion of this cost in the budget for the 2016/2017 financial year.
The Executive Committee further granted its approval for the Secretariat to raise funds to meet the costs of election observation missions by training MPs and Parliamentary staff on the same at a cost.
3.9 Top up for sponsored activities and upgrading of air tickets for nominated MPs
To appeal to MPs to consider travelling in economy class where their National Parliaments cannot upgrade their tickets or provide additional allowances.
3.10 Increasing SADC PF MPs per Country from 6 to 7
Agreed with the proposal by the Secretary General to increase the number of MPs per country to a maximum of seven (7), subject to approval by the Plenary Assembly.
3.11Update on the Role of Parliamentarians in ClimateChange Adaptation and Mitigation in the SADC Region
The Executive Committee took note of a Regional Conference on Climate Change, Adaptation and Mitigation for SADC MPs that was organised by the SADC PF Secretariat with support from the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP-Regional Service Centre for Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia). The conference which was held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, from 23 to 24 September 2015 also reiterated the need to mobilise domestic resources to mitigate the effects of
Climate Change.
4.0 MEETING OF THE REGIONAL WOMEN
PARLIAMENTARY CAUCUS
The Regional Women Parliamentary Caucus (RWPC) convened a meeting ahead of the 38th Plenary Assembly of the SADC Parliamentary Forum on Friday, 20 November 2015. The meeting was attended by
Chairpersons of National Women Parliamentary Caucuses (NWPC),
Women Members of Parliament and staff from Angola, Botswana, the
Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mozambique,
Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Dr. Esau Chiviya, Secretary General of the SADC PF gave the welcome remarks while Hon. Dr. Becky, R.K. Ndojoze-Ojo, Namibian Member of Parliament and Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Training and
Innovation was the Guest Speaker.
4.1 In his opening remarks, Dr Chiviya gave a brief background of the establishment of the RWPC and outlined the core business of the RWPC. He noted the successes realised by the RWPC, in particular, in lobbying various SADC member States to sign the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development and lobbying for the equitable representation of women in political, administrative and decision making positions.
4.2 In her keynote address, Hon. Dr. Becky Ndjoze-Ojo, gave an inspiring rendition of the academic, social and political experiences that had shaped her into the woman she is. Dr. Becky urged women Parliamentarians to put in place effective strategies to ensure an increase in women in politics and decision making positions, including, but not limited to involvement of Speakers of Parliament, in particular, when embarking on all activities aimed towards uplifting women including mentorship and capacity building programmes.
4.3 The meeting took note of the status quo of gender inequality in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with respect to women representation in politics and decision making positions particularly as the country approaches its general election scheduled for November 2016.
The Meeting adopted the following resolutions for adoption by the Plenary:-
- To undertake a lobbying and advocacy mission by all National
Women’s Parliamentary Caucus Chairpersons and women speakers to the DRC, targeting all DRC political parties registered for the up-coming general elections.
- Each Election Observation Mission should reflect gender balance. This should be done by ensuring that selection of election observers is done in consultation with the Chairperson of the
National Women’s Parliamentary Caucus. Women Members participating in such missions would, in turn, report to the RWPC through their NWPC.
- With regards to SADC PF’s Project on “Sexual Reproductive
Health and Rights (SRHR), HIV and AIDS and Governance
funded by the Swedish Government in partnership with the RWPC, the meeting resolved that the RWPC, the NWPC and SADC PF should agree on proper terms of reference with the intention of promoting ownership of the project by all stakeholders as well as transference of skills.
- National Parliaments should plan and budget for exchange visits between National Women Parliamentary Caucuses to promote experience sharing and the adoption of best practices in the gender agenda.
5.0 THE OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY
The Official Opening Ceremony of the 38th Plenary Assembly of the SADC Parliamentary Forum was held on the 21st of November 2015 at the Swakopmund Plaza Hotel, in the presence of Hon. Cleophas
Mutjavikua, Governor of the Erongo Region, who gave the Opening
Address and Hon. Dr. Itah Kandjii-Murangi, Minister of Higher
Education, Training and Innovation who gave a Statement during the
Ceremony. The SADC PF Statement was presented by Hon. Joseph Njobvuyalema, Vice President of the SADC PF while Hon. Francisca Domingos Tomas also made a statement on the need to enhance SADC PF’s mandate.
5.1 In his remarks to the Plenary, Dr. Esau Chiviya, Secretary General of the SADC PF, gave a historical background of the SADC PF and introduced the theme of the Plenary which he described as timely given that the SDGs were unanimously adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 25 September 2015. He emphasized the need not only to popularise the SDGs and but also to work towards their implementation.
5.2 Hon. Mutjavikua, in his keynote address applauded the theme of the Plenary and reiterated the assertion by the Secretary General that the consultative process prior to the adoption of the SDGs was inclusive as opposed to the MDGs. In closing, Hon. Mutjavikua underscored Namibia’s commitment towards the promotion of regional integration as evidenced by the country’s hosting of the SADC-PF.
5.3 In his remarks, Hon. Njobvuyalema the Vice President of SADC – PF lamented the failure by the SADC PF to realize its ultimate goal of transforming into a SADC Parliament eighteen (18) years after its establishment. He noted that the failure to transform had negatively affected regional integration as there is need to have a people-centered process involving legislators in their representative role.
5.4 Hon. Francisca Domingos Tomas, the RWPC Chairperson underscored the role played by women in the liberation struggle. She recognised the positive steps some countries had taken towards achieving gender parity, specifically Namibia which had adopted the Zebra System and Zimbabwe which had enshrined the quota system in its Constitution. She called on all SADC Member States to follow the example of Zimbabwe and lobby for legislation of gender quotas in their respective Constitutions by 2020.
5.5 In her address to the delegates, Hon. Dr Kandji-Murangi, the Minister of Higher Education, Training and Innovation noted the importance of consulting on issues of mutual interest as the region works towards regional integration. She called on the SADC PF to facilitate and accelerate, through national Parliaments and local institutions, the implementation of ratified SADC Protocols by Member States.
5.6 In his welcome address, Hon. Prof. Katjavivi, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Namibia acknowledged the need for Member Parliaments to cooperate on issues of mutual interest to develop the region as well as to achieve regional integration. He noted the need for unity of purpose as the region moves to implement the SDGs.
6.0 SYMPOSIUM ON THE THEME “FROM MDGS TO
SDGS: TOWARDS A GREATER PARLIAMENTARY ROLE IN
THE DEVELOPMENT AGENDA”
A Symposium on the Plenary Theme was organized to sensitise the
Members on how they can support the Sustainable Development Goals.
Mr. Neil Boyer, Senior Advisor, UNRC/UNDP Namibia, Mr.
Nandiuasora Mazeingo, National Development Advisor, National Planning Commission of Namibia and Hon. John Corrie, Member of the
AWEPA Governing Council made presentations on the theme.
6.1 Mr. Boyer’s presentation assessed progress in Africa towards the MDGs. He noted that while some African countries had done well in attaining the MDGs in the areas of education, promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women, other countries were facing challenges due to poverty and maternal health among other issues.
6.2 In his presentation, Mr. Mazeingo outlined the African Common Position (the CAP) articulated during the consultation process in the formulation of the SDGs. Mr. Maziengo presented an overview of the seventeen (17) SDGs. Of note is that the SDGs are anchored on the
5 “P’s Agenda, that is People, Prosperity, Planet, Peace and Partnership.
6.3 Hon. Corrie articulated AWEPAs Mission which is to strengthen Parliamentary dialogue between Africa and Europe. Accordingly, AWEPA had been actively involved in capacity building programmes for Parliamentarians as well as engaging Parliaments towards achieving the MDGs.
6.4 In the ensuing deliberations, Hon. Members called for all stakeholders, particularly Parliamentarians, to work towards achieving the SDGs. The delegates agreed that Parliamentarians had a pivotal role to play in the attainment of the SDGs by:
- overseeing the Executive’s implementation of the SDGs;
- raising awareness among their constituents of the benefits of the SDGs;
- leading public opinion and debate on the SDGs; and
- ensuring that sufficient resources are allocated towards the achievement of the SDGs in their respective countries’ budgets.
Delegates also raised concern over the lack of representation of Africa on the United Nations Security Council. Accordingly, the developmental hopes and aspirations of Africa were not being articulated in the Security Council. In essence, this entailed that the developmental agenda of the majority of the world’s population which resided in Africa was being determined by a minority. The delegates further noted with concern the absence of a goal that specifically targeted youths.
7.0 PLENARY ASSEMBLY
7.1 The Plenary Assembly of the SADC Parliamentary Forum met on 22, 23 and 24 November 2015. The Plenary considered, took note of and adopted motions as follows:
7.2 Motion for the Adoption of the Report of the Joint
Session of SADC PF Standing Committees and the RWPC and
Consideration of the Draft Model Law on Eradicating Child
Marriage and Protecting Those Already in Marriage
The motion was moved by Hon. Roubina Jadoo-Jaunbocus of
Mauritius and seconded by Hon. Innocent Gonese of Zimbabwe.
- The Model Law is expected to provide a framework for adoption of best practices in legislating on child marriages and those already in marriage. The Plenary took note of the report which will be forwarded to legal experts for their input before it
is presented at the 39th Plenary Assembly for adoption.
7.3 Motion on Criminalisation of HIV Transmission,
Exposure and Non-Disclosure in SADC Member States
The motion was moved by Hon. Duma Boko of Botswana and seconded by Hon. Dr. Emamam Immam of South Africa. Members expressed concern that specific laws on HIV transmission, exposure and non-disclosure may not only be harmful to successful HIV prevention and care but may infringe on human rights as well. The motion therefore:-
- Reaffirmed the obligations on SADC Member States to respect, protect, fulfill and promote human rights in all endeavours undertaken for the prevention and treatment of HIV;
- Reiterated the critical role of Parliamentarians in enacting laws that support evidence- based HIV prevention and treatment interventions that conform with regional and international human rights frameworks;
- Called on Member States to consider rescinding and reviewing punitive laws specific to the prosecution of HIV transmission, exposure and non-disclosure; and
The motion was unanimously adopted.
7.4 Motion on Legislation for Gender Quotas As A Strategy to Accelerate Gender Equality in Line with the SADC Protocol on
Gender Development
The motion was moved by Hon. Monica Mutsvangwa of
Zimbabwe and seconded by Hon. Siphosezwe Masango of South Africa. The mover raised concern over the continued marginalisation of women in the region despite 12 SADC States having signed the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development. In the ensuing deliberations, Zimbabwe was commended for the good practice of enshrining the quota system into the country’s Constitution which had resulted in the increase of women in Parliament and other decision making bodies such as
Independent Constitutional Commissions. The motion called for:- 1. SADC Member States to adopt legislation for gender quotas
as a strategy to accelerate gender equality in line with the SADC
Protocol on Gender and Development;
- Endorsed the United Nation’s 59th Commission on the Status of Women Resolution extending the deadline for women empowerment and gender equity to 2030;
- Affirmed the inclusion and retaining of Article 12 (1) and Article 13 in the revised SADC Protocol on Gender and Development which provides for 50/50 representation between men and women in political and decision making positions in the public and private sectors;
- Called for National Parliaments to prioritise the ratification, domestication and monitoring of the implementation of relevant regional, continental and international instruments in order to ensure the development of legislative reforms, policies and programmes that promote and protect women’s rights in the home, community and workplace.
The motion was duly adopted by the Plenary.
7.5 Motion on the Adoption of the Report of the Standing
Committee on Gender Equality, Women Advancement and Youth
Development
The motion was moved by Hon. Monica Mutsvangwa of
Zimbabwe and seconded by Hon. Sikhumbuzo Ndlovu of Swaziland.
The Committee had held a two day dialogue in Johannesburg, South Africa on 31 August and 1 September 2015 whose objective was to make inputs to the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development. The Committee reaffirmed its commitment to the 50/50 gender parity goal and made the following proposals for inclusion in the revised SADC Protocol on Gender and Development:
The Committee presented their resolutions as follows:
- Member states should budget for all activities for the implementation of the SADC Protocol on Gender and
Development.
- National Parliaments should establish a system which enables SADC PF Parliamentarians to report back on progress made by the SADC PF and resolutions that need each National Parliament’s follow up action.
7.6 Motion for the Adoption of the Report of the Regional
Women’s Parliamentary Caucus on the Roundtable on Early and Unintended Pregnancy.
The motion was moved by Hon. Francisca Domingos Tomas of Mozambique and seconded by Hon. Thulisile Dladla of Swaziland. The purpose of the roundtable was to review existing evidence and information on adolescent pregnancies in the SADC countries in order to come up with recommendations aimed at ending adolescent pregnancies while protecting the girls’ human and reproductive rights. The report recommended that the 38th Plenary Session urges SADC governments to take expeditious actions aimed at ending the scourge of early and unintended pregnancy in the region, particularly:
- To ensure that specific legal provisions are made under domestic laws regarding the setting of a minimum age for sexual consent, marriage and the possibility of medical treatment without parental consent;
- To align education policies and practices with the ESA Ministerial Commitment to effectively address early and unintended pregnancy in the SADC region;
- To undertake special measures to ensure that the sexual education provided within the education system is comprehensive;
- To take measures aimed at dealing effectively with serious stigma and discrimination towards pregnant or child bearing girls in schools and communities;
- To ensure inclusion of Parliamentary representation in National delegations to major international Summits and meetings on SRHR, HIV and AIDS so as to avert the current information gap which limits Parliamentarians’ capacity to monitor and hold the Executive to account with regards to various international commitments.
- SADC PF Member Parliaments to debate and pass resolutions aimed at urging governments to harmonise laws and policies dealing with the above issues and implement such laws without undue delay.
- Called on Members to take a proactive leadership role in the implementation of SDGs.
The report was adopted by the Plenary in its entirety.
7.7 Motion for the Adoption of the Interim Statement by the
SADC PF Election Observation Mission to the United Republic of
Tanzania General Elections of 25 October 2015
The motion was moved by Hon. Agnes Limbo of Namibia and seconded by Hon. Samson Mukanduri of Zimbabwe. The Election Observation Mission was comprised of Members and Staff of Parliament from Angola, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. The Mission was satisfied that the elections were held in a peaceful and conducive manner. However, during the debate Members raised their concern over the lack of gender balance and urged National Parliaments to ensure that there is gender balance when nominating Members for such missions in the future. The report was adopted.
7.8 Motion for Adoption of the Report of the Standing
Committee on Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources
The motion was moved by Hon. Stevens Mokgalapa of South
Africa and seconded by Hon. HRH Senator Phumelele Dlamini of
Swaziland. The report made reference to the outcomes of the Regional
Conference on Mobilising Domestic Resources for Climate Change Conference held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe whose overall objective was to enhance the capacity of the legislative systems of the SADC region to facilitate the mobilisation of domestic resources towards climate change. The Committee proposed the following resolutions for adoption:
- The SADC PF should advocate for the expeditious finalisation, adoption and domestication of the SADC Strategy and
Action Plan on Climate Change.
- That Member States must be urged to consider the feasibility of establishing a Regional Implementing entity for accreditation from the UNFCCC to enable direct access to international funding under the Financial Mechanism.
- There is need to establish a Regional emissions trading platform, linked with other global trading platforms.
- Parliaments should ensure that appropriate legal and institutional frameworks are in place to establish enabling environments to stimulate private sector investments and public sector spending for climate change responses.
- Parliaments should enhance working relationships with civil society, the media and vulnerable groups of society regarding climate change responses.
- Parliaments should be encouraged to monitor the domestication of, and compliance with key international and regional instruments in particular those dealing with climate change and emission.
The motion was adopted.
7.9 Motion for the Adoption of the Report on the High Level
Seminar on Peace, Security and Sustainable Development: The Role of African and European Parliaments in Tackling the Root Causes and Consequences of Violent Extremism and Terrorism:
The Seminar which was held in Brussels, Belgium, identified causes of violent extremism and terrorism and explored their impact on socio- economic development. The Report acknowledged that violent extremism and terrorism are not widespread in the SADC region, rather challenges such as limited employment and educational opportunities for the youth could undermine peace, security and development. Parliaments, thus have a role to play in tackling the root causes and consequences of terrorism and radical extremism through their legislative, oversight and representation mandates by ensuring that systems and structures of Government are inclusive and responsive. In this regard, Parliaments should play an active role in ensuring that governments are inclusive and responsive to the needs of the people in order to safe guard peace, security and development.
The report was adopted by the Plenary.
7.10 Motion for the Adoption of the Report of the Regional
Women Parliamentary Caucus:
The Report of the Women Parliamentary Caucus as noted on 5.0 of this report was presented and adopted by the Plenary.
7.11 Motion for the Adoption of the Report of the Executive Committee:
The report was tabled by Hon. Garry Nkombo of Zambia who is also the Treasurer of SADC PF. The report is as noted on 4.0 of this report. The Treasurer’s report raised concerns on the issue of reverting to the United States Dollar in view of the depreciation of the South African Rand. After extensive debate on the issue, the Plenary resolved to continue using the South African rand for all its transactions. Other resolutions contained in the Executive Committee Report as outlined on
4.0 were adopted by the Plenary.
8.0 Recommendations
8.1 There is need for the Parliament to take follow up action on resolutions passed by the Plenary and report back to the SADC PF on
Zimbabwe’s position or status as the case may be. In this regard, the tabulated resolutions require Parliaments attention:
RESOLUTION | ACTION | |
1. | Model Law on
Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting Children Already in Marriage |
SADC PF Members to present the
Model Law in Parliament for debate. |
2. | Increasing the number of MPs per country to a maximum of seven | The political and administrative leadership of Parliament to engage Treasury over the issue in view of the budgetary constraints the country is
facing. |
3. | Ensuring that there is | The political and administrative |
gender balance in
SADC PF Election Observer Missions |
leadership of Parliament to ensure that
nominated Members to election observation missions reflect the gender composition of Parliament. |
||
4. | Hosting of a SADC
Parliamentary Studies Institute |
The political leadership of Parliament must engage the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education to kick-start the preparatory process in view of the commitment to host the Institute in Zimbabwe. The hosting of the Institute may require financial support in terms of construction, rentals or purchase of the facility as the case may be. | |
5. | Implementation of
SDGs |
SADC PF Members to take the lead in debate on the SDGs in Parliament and to
advocate for oversight on the implementation of the relevant SDGs by |
|
the Executive in their respective
Committees |
|||
6. | Rescinding and Reviewing punitive laws specific to the prosecution of HIV transmission, exposure and nondisclosure. | SADC PF Members may wish to bring the debate before Parliament if there is consensus that the existing laws should be reviewed. | |
9.2 Furthermore, it is recommended that resolutions on specific thematic issues contained on item 9 of the report be referred to the relevant Portfolio and Thematic Committees for action.
10.0 Conclusion
10.1 The delegation to the 38th Plenary Assembly of the SADC PF wishes to express its gratitude for the opportunity to represent our Parliament at the 38th Plenary Assembly. I thank you.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT (HON. CHINAMASA): I move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Tuesday 12th April, 2016.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT (HON. CHINAMASA): Mr. Speaker Sir, I move
that the august House reverts to Order of the Day, Number 3, Second Reading of the Special Economic Zones Bill.
Motion put and agreed to.
SECOND READING
SPECIAL ECONOMIC ZONES BILL [H. B.15, 2015]
Third Order read: Second Reading: Special Economic Zones Bill (H. B. 15, 2015).
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT (HON. CHINAMASA): Thank you Mr. Speaker, it
is my singular honour to move that the Special Economic Zones Bill [H. B. 15, 2015] be read a second time.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are an important pillar of Zimbabwe’s development strategy as we enunciated in the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic
Transformation (ZIM ASSET). The successful development of SEZs will contribute to Zimbabwe’s development goals whilst facilitating the utilisation of resources in the most efficient and cost effective way.
The Special Economic Zones Bill seeks to create an enabling environment for the development of all aspects of Special Economic
Zones including:-
- Development of infrastructural facilities;
- Creation of incentives for economic and business activities in
Special Economic Zones;
- Removal of barriers that negatively affect operations in areas designated as Special Economic Zones;
- The regulation and administration of activities within the
Special Economic Zones, and
- Transparency and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Key Provisions of the Bill
Mr. Speaker Sir, I now outline the key aspects of the Special
Economic Zones Bill as follows:- The Institutional framework Clause 3 creates an institutional framework in terms of which the
Zimbabwe Special Economic Zones Authority is established, whose operations shall be controlled and managed by a board consisting of men and women with diverse skills and experience from both the private and public sectors in line with Clause 5.
- Clauses 6 to 17 deal with various procedural matters relating to
Board members, including vacation of office by a member, meetings and procedures of meetings and disclosure of interest of members of the board.
- Clause 18 sets out the functions of the Authority which shall include the establishment of SEZs in which export-oriented industrial activities will take place whether by way of manufacturing, processing or assembling of goods or providing services for the purpose of selling domestically or exporting such goods and services.
- To attract foreign direct investment into SEZs;
- To grant investment licences for investment in Special Economic Zones;
- The Authority will also have function to grant permits to developers of Special Economic Zones areas for infrastructure development including road works, information and communication technology works, water and electricity works;
- The Authority will also create or be enabled to create a single institution through which applications for the approval of investment in Special Economic Zones shall be made and through all necessary approvals, licences and permits may be granted or issued in respect of approved investments;
- The Authority will also have the function to monitor and evaluate the implementation of approved investments in Special Economic Zones.
Establishment of Special Economic Zones
Mr. Speaker Sir, with respect to establishment of Special Economic Zones, in terms of Clause 20, the Authority may declare any area or premises to be a Special Economic Zone.
Application for investment licences or developers permits
With respect to applications for investment licences or developers permits, any person who wishes to obtain approval to invest in a SEZ or for his or her business to be approved as an activity in a SEZ, shall submit an application to the Authority in accordance with Clause 23.
Equally, any person who wishes to obtain approval to develop an area as a SEZ in which licenced investors will establish and conduct their operations, shall submit an application to the Authority in accordance with Clause 24.
Consideration of applications for investment licences
Mr. Speaker Sir, with respect to consideration of applications for investment licences, Clause 25 provides that in considering an application, the Authority shall, amongst other things, have regard to:
- The extent to which the proposed investment will lead to creation of employment opportunities and the development of human resources;
- The degree of export-orientation or import substitution of the project;
- The impact of the proposed investment on the environment;
- The extent to which the proposed investment will result in transfer of technology as well as managerial and other critical skills;
- The extent to which the proposed investment will establish linkages with the domestic economy, value addition and beneficiation of local raw material and industrialisation of the domestic economy.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the Authority shall, within five working days be required to approve or refuse to approve any application for an investment licence in line with Clause 26.
The Authority shall also be required to keep a register of all investment licences according to Clause 29.
Power to visit premises and inspect documents
Mr. Speaker Sir, with respect to the power of the Authority to visit and inspect documents, to ensure compliance, the Authority may, in terms of Clause 32, visit and inspect any premises having any connection with the investment or proposed investment referred to in the licence.
Funds of the Authority
The Authority should minimise dependency on budgetary support. Therefore, the Bill in Clause 46 provides for the Authority to levy some fees that will help finance its operations.
Incentives Package
Mr. Speaker Sir, with respect to package of incentives, the Bill provides for general fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to licenced investors operating in an SEZ to be prescribed in accordance with Clause 58.
Regulations
The Bill makes provision for the Minister after consultation with the Authority, to make regulations under the Act. These regulations will include matters relating to the following, among others:-
- Fees payable for any application for a licence or permit or other service provided by the Authority, or charges levied by the Unit;
- Special incentive
Mr. Speaker Sir, I now move that the Special Economic Zones
Bill be now read a second time.
HON. CROSS: Mr. Speaker Sir, this Bill will be the subject over public hearings next week throughout the country and we are proposing from the Committee, that the debate be held over until the 3rd of May,
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT (HON. CHINAMASA): I move that the debate do now adjourn and I do so reluctantly. This Bill has been on the Order
Paper for a long time.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: 3rd May, 2016.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. SAMUKANGE: Mr. Speaker, Order Number 5, had been
stood over. I move that it be adjourned to the 5th May, 2016.
HON. CROSS: I second.
Motion put and agreed to
FIRST READING
PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT AMENDMENT BILL [HB 14,
2015]
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. CHINAMASA) with leave of the House, presented the Public Finance Management Amendment Bill [HB 14,
2015].
Bill read the first time.
Bill referred to the Legal Parliamentary Committee.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. NDUNA: I move that Orders of the Day, Numbers 1 to 7 be stood over until Order of the Day, Number 8 has been disposed of.
HON CHIRISA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
SECOND REPORT OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON
TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT ON THE
OPERATIONS OF THE NATIONAL RAILWAYS OF ZIMBABWE
HON. NDUNA: Mr. Speaker, I move the motion standing in my name; That this House takes note of the Second Report of the Portfolio
Committee on Transport and Infrastructure Development on the
Operations of the National Railways of Zimbabwe.
HON. MLILO: I second
HON. NDUNA: Introduction
1.1 The Portfolio Committee on Transport and Infrastructure
Development conducted an inquiry into the operations of the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) to get an appreciation of the operational challenges faced by the organization. The Committee also sought to be appraised of the overall functions of NRZ and efforts in place to resuscitate the railway system. NRZ is a corporate body established in terms of the Railways Act [Chapter 13:09]. It is a company wholly owned by the Government and is mandated to provide, operate and maintain an efficient system of public transportation of goods and passengers by rail.
1.2 The mission of NRZ is to provide rail and road transport services in an efficient, reliable, cost-effective manner and safe bulk transportation of goods and passengers in the country. NRZ’s vision is to be the dominant transporter of bulk goods and passengers in Zimbabwe by 2016.The question to ask is, will NRZ achieve its vision by 2016 considering the operational and financial challenges being faced by the organisation. Dilapidation of rail infrastructure has seen the transfer of bulk transportation to road transporters and this has a negative impact on the road infrastructure which is not meant for heavy loads.
2. Methodology
2.1 The Committee received oral evidence from NRZ’s
Management, the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development and Zimbabwe Railways Artisans’ Union. The Committee also conducted familiarisation tours of NRZ’s headquarters where it met with the Board and management of NRZ. The purpose of the visit was to enable members to have an appreciation of the operations of the parastatal.
30 Committee’s Findings
3.1. The Committee noted that NRZ has had an Acting General Manager since the death of Rtd Air Commodore Karakadzai. The
General Manager is supported by five directors who are Director Corporate Services, who doubles as the company secretary and also looks after all the legal issues for the company, there is the Director of Finance, Director Operations, Director Marketing and Director
Technical Services. Below those directors, there are functional heads.
On the management architecture, the Zimbabwe Railways Artisans’ Union felt that NRZ had too many managers. They argued that in 1999 when NRZ was transporting 12.3 million tonnes of freight, there were about ten thousand employees headed by the General Manager and four
assistants.
NRZ workers cited that now that the business volumes have decreased in terms of tonnage and NRZ has less than six thousand employees, the number of senior management should have been reduced to reflect this reality. The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development informed the Committee that currently, NRZ has a staff complement of 6500 which was said to be too high for the current business volumes. The Zimbabwe Railways Trade Union however felt that NRZ was not overstaffed and argued that maybe what is needed was to transfer some members of staff between and amongst departments.
3.2 The Acting General Manager explained that NRZ’s bulk business comes from cargo and freight. Specifically, 93% of NRZ’s revenue comes from freight. Passenger service contributes 4% of the revenues. NRZ has a small real estate portfolio that contributes 3% of the NRZ revenue. In terms of cargo and freight, the bulk of revenue comes from energy and mining commodities like coal, chrome ore, granite, phosphate rock, fuel, coal among others.
Transportation of such commodities contributes 50% of NRZ revenue. Agriculture contributes 19% in the transportation of maize, wheat and other crops. Industrial commodities contribute 20%. These are fertilizers, cement, slag, steel, ferrochrome and sugar. Transit traffic from outside the country contributes 11% of NRZ’s revenue. In terms of investments, NRZ has a company called Road Motor Services (RMS) (Pvt) limited but the RMS is having financial problems. RMS used to be a department in the railways before it was incorporated into a private company which is 100% owned by NRZ.
3.3 In terms of investment, NRZ has a merged railway property company. This company was set up between NRZ and Zambia railways to manage the joint assets that used to be under Rhodesia railways when it was Northern and Southern Rhodesia. The assets like the wagons and locomotives were shared but two assets remain that are jointly managed, that is, the Victoria Falls Bridge and the Victoria Falls Hotel.
3.4 The Committee was further informed that over and above that,
NRZ jointly owns a company called Pan African Mining Development. The railways inherited some mineral rights in South Africa. The idea of setting up this railway was for its development to be supported by exploitation of those rights during colonial era.NRZ inherited the mineral rights and together with Zambia railways and now South
African Government is also involved making it a tripartite ownership. The Committee was informed that NRZ has not yet exploited the mineral rights and were looking at ways of raising finance to exploit the rights.
The Acting General Manager highlighted the challenges faced by the parastatal. The challenges were attributed to deterioration in the state of infrastructure due to lack of proper maintenance. It was argued that NRZ is responsible for the maintenance of its infrastructure unlike the roads that motorists use but are repaired by the Ministry through funds collected by ZINARA.
3.6 The Committee was informed that the track on which locomotives and wagons move is characterised by speed restrictions. These speed restrictions accumulated over a number of years and stand at 60 covering 292 km. The speed restrictions should be repaired within a period of two weeks or less but because of financial constraints over the years, NRZ has not been able to repair the infrastructure. NRZ feels that maintenance of rail infrastructure should be the responsibility of the Government just like in the road network.
3.7 The Committee learnt that NRZ used to have a centralised trains control system. It was an electronic system which displays the status of the system throughout the country on a board and see which trains were moving. The system could detect where the trains were and the movement of the trains were controlled. It was an efficient system and also very safe in that, a lot of the controls were computer based and chances of human error were limited. Over the years, the system has been vandalised and a lot of the equipment that was in the field that was made of copper was stolen. The transmission lines were copper based and again they were vandalised. The Committee was informed that NRZ had started to move to microwave means of communication but due to lack of funding, again these programmes have not been implemented. This has compromised the efficiency with which NRZ can move the trains and also the safety standards. Similarly, the electrified section between Gweru and Harare was completely vandalized between 2006 to 2009. NRZ had to decommission the electrified section because of vandalism. NRZ is of the view that in the medium to long term, there is need to restore that system because the rest of the world is moving towards electrified movement of trains due to a number of environmental issues. A lot of the equipment like the sub-stations that supply power is still intact. What was taken is the copper wire but NRZ still feels that even if the copper wire is to be restored, it would still be vandalised. NRZ said they have started looking at options of using alternative technology that could be less prone to vandalism. For example, using steel coated with aluminum but it is a project that would require funding outside what NRZ can generate.
3.8 It was submitted that NRZ lost its capacity and business from year 2000. The number of locomotives, wagons and coaches declined due to lack of capitalization and credit lines. Locomotives decline from
101 to 80, wagons from 9019 to 5824. Locomotive’s age currently stand at 32 years to 50 years compared to a lifespan of 25 years and wagons range from 45 to 60 years against a lifespan of 40 years. In NRZ’s view, part of the challenge was because NRZ is responsible for maintenance of rail infrastructure. This makes it difficult for NRZ to generate surplus revenue to cater for both infrastructure, locomotives and wagons. They argued that they did what they can but their own self-generated funds are not enough to meet all the requirements. The Committee was informed that what is needed is a complete overhaul to the passenger coaches in order to restore them to a decent state. Whilst the numbers have come down, the conditions have also deteriorated. There was need for NRZ to have a phased replacement programme whereby, every five years NRZ buys new a fleet of equipment to gradually replace the old fleet. This has not been possible because of limited resources.
3.9 The Committee learnt that in 2000 NRZ was moving 9.5 million tonnes per annum and by 2009 the tonnage had reduced to 2.6 million tonnes per annum. NRZ Officials informed the Committee that they have been gradually increasing the volumes and in 2013, NRZ moved 3.6 million tonnes. NRZ had targeted to carry 6 million tonnes per year, but the market could only avail 4.3 million tonnes because of the challenges that the various sectors of the economy are also facing. To break even, NRZ targets to move over 400 000 tonnes per month. As of July 2014 the average tonnage was 297 000 tonnes and was below the targeted breakeven point. To sum it up business increased from 2.6 million tonnes in 2009 to 3.8 million tonnes in 2014.
3.10 The reduction in tonnage from 2000 to 2009 was attributed to two factors. The first being decline in NRZ’s capacity to carry loads due to poor state of the wagons and locomotives. The other factor was the decline in the business that NRZ could move. NRZ as a bulk carrier depended on companies like Hwange Colliery, ZISCO Steel, Zimbabwe Alloys, and Bindura Nickel Mine among others. These were the companies that needed bulk transport to move goods but are now facing operational challenges. NRZ is now competing with haulage trucks in carrying what used to be carried by rail and NRZ finds itself failing to compete with haulage trucks because they are faster and they can deliver door to door. This is worsened by the condition of NRZ’s equipment which has outlived its lifespan and is very unreliable.
3.11 The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Hon Mpofu informed the Committee that NRZ accumulated a salary backlog of $68.5 million, its creditors $230.3 million and $10.5 million for debtors as of 18 May 2015. The Committee was informed that revenue generated by NRZ was not enough to pay salaries and meet other operational obligations. NRZ Acting General Manager also said NRZ was unable to pay fully its statutory obligations to statutory bodies like ZIMRA, NSSA and ZIMDEF among others. NRZ has engaged these bodies and agreed on payment plans.
3.12 The Committee was informed that a lot of NRZ’s efforts have been supported by the Government Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP). NRZ managed to repair damaged concrete slippers through PSIP. In 2010 there was 422 km of track that was damaged and this has been reduced to 292 km. NRZ also managed to install
UHF/VHF on Victoria Falls-Bulawayo, Bulawayo Gweru and DabukaChicualacuala corridors and microwave radio on Dabuka-Harare corridor, a wagon tracking system, standby generators on all communication backbone sites and procured a welding plant and wheel lathes. NRZ has installed a computerised system at various control points that tracks the movement of wagons. The system entailed putting local area network and wide area network for the entire system and this is an ongoing project of which most major cities have been done.
3.13 The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Hon Mpofu informed the Committee that NRZ had approached the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) to source $653 million of the $653 million; $388 million will be used for track infrastructure and $265 million for rolling stock. He emphasized the need to engage a technical partner who will use their balance sheet to support the borrowing. The technical partner will jointly carry out the rehabilitation with NRZ and participate in a profit sharing arrangement with the organization. The Committee leant that prior to engaging DBSA, NRZ had consulted numerous Chinese companies but the major challenge faced with the Chinese projects was failure to access credit facilities.
3.14 NRZ management appealed for the implementation of the
Railways Amendment Act. The Railways Amendment Act was said to have two key provisions that NRZ believed could assist in their operational challenges. The first is that the responsibility for the maintenance of railway infrastructure be passed to the Central
Government. The second issue NRZ wish to be address was to do with passenger trains. They indicated that passenger trains only contribute 3% to 4% of NRZ revenue. Currently it was submitted that passenger trains were running at a loss. The Committee learnt that every single train that NRZ ran, even during the best of the days when the trains were running on time and were full, they were still making a loss. It was pointed out that very few railways in the world make profit because of the nature of passenger trains. They said the Railway Amendment Act provided that for the loss that NRZ makes on the passenger trains, the Government would pay provided it is clear NRZ was operating properly and efficiently. Up to date they said Treasury has not been able to pay for the loss.
3.15 The Committee sought to know from NRZ whether they had approached Afro Chine Company in order to carry chrome from their plant site in Chegutu to Mozambique. The chrome is currently carried by road. NRZ said that they have engaged the company and negotiating are in progress. The Acting General Manager said the problem was that
Afro Chine does not have a private siding. They are located after Selous and the nearest NRZ siding is in Selous. NRZ had initially proposed that Afro Chine use Selous as a siding but it means double handling in that they would load at site then transport to NRZ wagons thereby inflating the cost.
3.16 NRZ was also asked to explain how they were benefitting from its mineral rights. The Committee was told that NRZ had not yet exploited that avenue. NRZ needs funds to explore and specify exactly what deposits are available. This is being tackled by the three Governments that are Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa. NRZ said they have indicated to government that they have no capacity to carry out the exercise and the issue is being handled at Government level.
When the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development, Hon Mpofu was asked about the mineral rights and properties owned by NRZ outside the country, he said NRZ has massive properties outside this country, especially in the UK. He said NRZ’s properties run into millions of dollars but these are for pension funds, the Rhodesia Pension Fund. The Committee was informed by Minister Mpofu that he has engaged the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Hon Chinamasa about the need to benefit from the properties. The issue was referred to a Resource Mobilisation Committee and that Committee will be reporting on the progress.
3.17 The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure also informed the Committee that NRZ has mining claims in South Africa running into millions if not billions dollars under Pan African Minerals Development Company (PAMDC) but it is owned by Zimbabwe and Zambia. It was owned by Zimbabwe and Zambia through the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. South Africa was invited into this arrangement and is now part of the PAMDC. South Africa argued that the mineral rights were on its land and felt that it should not be left out. The mines involved have minerals ranging from diamonds, gold, manganese among others. NRZ stands guided by Government of Zimbabwe on how they should deal with the issue and unlock a lot of value.
3.18 The Committee observed that Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway
Limited (BBR) last paid NRZ a dividend in 2006. Prior to 2006, they were paying dividends in Z$. After 2006, they also started operating at a loss and are unable to pay a dividend. The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Development represents NRZ on the Board of BBR. NRZ earns approximately a gross amount of $120 000 per month from the lease of the Victoria Falls Hotel and the bungee jumping activities that take place at the Victoria Falls Bridge. This money is used for maintenance of the bridge. After the costs NRZ gets about $60 000 per month from the hotel and the bridge.
3.19 Zimbabwe Railways Artisans’ Union stated that in the past NRZ used to flourish but these days there is more traffic on the road than on the railway. They appealed to Government to protect NRZ in terms of business as it used to do in the past so that coal is moved by NRZ only. They also alleged that a directive was given to the Chief Executive Officer of Hwange Colliery to give first preference to carry coal to haulage than to NRZ.
3.20 The Artisans also alleged some of the challenges faced by the parastatal were as a result of having an Acting General Manager for 2 years. They said since the death of Rtd Air Commodore Karakadzai, NRZ Board has failed to appoint a substantive General Manager. Workers felt that there is need for a substantive General Manager who can make decisions for the good of the company. They also alleged that the management has been reluctant in implementing some strategic measures put forward by workers.
3.21 The Artisans said in 2013 NRZ management cut workers’ salaries by 50% citing that it was meant to restore predictability in the payment of salaries. However, despite the slashing of salaries by management, workers’ salaries were still in arrears by 13 months.
3.22 The workers also complained that BBR is a competitor to the railways and what puzzles them is that the Acting General Manager, Engineer Mukwada sits on the BBR Board. The workers felt that this was bad ethics for corporate governance. They also alleged that a former employee of NRZ who was a director was recently hired by BBR to be their Director of Operations. They also intimated that there are some
Public Private Partnership that were entered into by NRZ with Strauss
Logistics and Sakunda which are not beneficial to the organisation. They cited that agreements with organisations such as New Limpopo Projects Investments and BBR were not benefitting NRZ and workers urged government not to renew the agreements when the agreements expire.
They argued that the contracts that have been awarded to New Limpopo Project Investments and BBR should have been awarded to NRZ so that
NRZ benefits.
3.22 NRZ Trade Unions informed the committee that they advocated for the Auditor General to do an audit of NRZ but the report was never shared with them. They also alleged that tender procedures are never followed and also wondered why a company like NRZ needs a third party when procuring fuel. Workers felt that a lot of operations were not done according to procedure and requested that a forensic audit for NRZ be conducted.
3.24 The Committee had a meeting with NRZ Board of Directors on 3 July 2015. According to the Board Chairperson, the dialogue with the committee came at an opportune time when there were so many pertinent issues affecting the parastatal. The current Board completed one year in June 2015 and held meetings every week to try and come up with a way forward concerning the problems plaguing the parastatal. It also emerged that NRZ was going through a tough time and that the last industrial action was justified as NRZ was unable to provide basic needs for its employees.
3.25 ZIMRA, pensions and PAYE funds had not been remitted for a while hence NRZ was borrowing some bridging funds from NSSA in the interim. There had been a large exodus of key personnel. Due to this sad state of affairs, it was pointed out that recapitalization of the NRZ could foster a new start. The Board Chairperson reiterated the need for a long term recapitalization scheme and the need to identify appropriate investors.
3.26 It was pointed out that NRZ wanted to decongest service rail lines by removing all scrap locomotives and ancillary equipment in order to realize a return. The Committee was informed that the value of the scrap metal could contribute to the efficiency of the NRZ operations.NRZ had hoped to realize ten million dollars from the deal but now the value had fallen to three million dollars and the person who was awarded the tender is still failing to pay that much.
3.27 The Committee asked the Board of Directors to explain why retrenched NRZ workers were evicted from NRZ houses. The Committee was informed that 425 security personnel for NRZ are housed in containment areas, for ease of deployment. Over the years most of these people were fired, went on pension or retired and were supposed to move out of the NRZ houses but they did not. All these employees were paid their dues hence there was no need for them to keep on staying in the NRZ houses.
3.28 The Board Chairperson also informed the Committee that the long term solution on salary arrears lied squarely with NRZ, however, currently priority was given to fuel and current salaries and the board was striving to pay workers a certain percentage of arrears each month. The Committee was informed that there were continuous consultations between the Board and the unions and they came to an agreement that when schools open, more cash is availed in terms of salaries for workers to pay school fees for their children.
4.0 Committee’s Observations
4.1 The Committee observed that NRZ has become a liability to the government and noted the need for the shareholder to recapitalise
NRZ either from the fiscus, investors or accessing a loan.
4.2 The Committee observed that although the current state at NRZ is attributed to the economic hardships experienced throughout the country, there is need for a self- introspection by the management and all involved in the management of the parastatal to have a holistic approach to the problems that led to the current situation otherwise a lot of money might be injected and the same situation prevails.
4.3 The Committee noted that the absence of a substantive qualified and experienced General Manager might worsen the situation at NRZ. The Committee is of the view that when someone is in acting position he/she has some limitations when it comes to decision making.
4.4 The Committee noted that the parastatal is in dire need of rescue in terms of acquiring new equipment, payment of salary arrears and rehabilitation of infrastructure. Even if NRZ was to get the tonnage that it used to carry in 2000, the parastatal has no capacity to deliver at the moment.
4.5 The Committee noted the need for government to regulate the loads that should be carried by rail only so as to protect the road network and at the same time protecting NRZ from unnecessary competition from haulage trucks. This can only be possible after all the operational challenges faced by NRZ have been solved and the parastatal starts operating professionally and deliver on time to its clients.
4.6 If NRZ is paid its dues, the Committee feels that some of its financial problems can be solved.
5.0 Recommendations
The Committee therefore recommends the following:-
5.1 That a forensic audit be carried out at NRZ before the end of
December 2015. This will assist the evaluation of viability of NRZ and how it can be saved from the present state.The results of the study should be used to come up with NRZ’s strategic plan to resuscitate the parastatal.
5.2 It is also recommended that the government should urgently resuscitate RMS so that it augments the operations of NRZ.
5.3 Government should also consider the exploitation of mineral rights owned by NRZ outside the country as a matter of urgency.
5.4 The Public Private Partnerships that were entered into between NRZ and Strauss Logistics and Sakunda should be reviewed urgently so that they are beneficial to NRZ.
5.5 The Acting General Manager of NRZ should be removed from
BBR Board to avoid conflict of interest.
5.6 It is further recommended that in the 2015 National Budget, Government must recapitalize NRZ to ensure that NRZ maintains the railway lines and retain the Central Control System between Gweru and
Harare that was vandalised.
5.7 NRZ should also urgently identify a strategic partner to fund the rehabilitation of its infrastructure and the rolling stock to add to what
Treasury is currently able to allocate to NRZ.
5.8 By the end of 2016, there is need to engage external port authorities by NRZ in order for it to link with ports like Dar es Salaam, Beira, Durban and Walvis Bay thereby creating business opportunities.
5.9 There is need for NRZ to comply with the SADC Protocol on Transport, Communications and Meteorology to ensure that all railway lines are of the same dimensions so that cross boarder movement is not hindered.
5.10 NRZ needs to improve security of the railway lines to protect them from vandalism.
5.11 There is need, before the end of 2015, for NRZ to revive the intercity transportation with a fixed time table for passengers.
5.12 Government should urgently gazette a Statutory Instrument that stipulates that all bulk transportation of coal, chrome ore and other bulk goods should be carried by rail only. Considering that government has lifted the ban on the export of chrome ore to the tune of 30 million tonnes and the recent expansion at Hwange Colliery Mine, NRZ can generate a lot of revenue by carrying these loads. US$2,1 can be raised from chrome ore also.
5.13 Treasury should immediately use the offset principle to settle moneys owed to NRZ by other government departments or parastatals for example Grain Marketing Board. The offsets should be used to settle
NRZ’s statutory obligations.
HON. NDUNA: I thank you.
THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION, MEDIA AND BROADCASTING SERVICES (HON. DR. MUSHOHWE): Mr.
Speaker, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Tuesday, 12th April, 2016.
On the motion of THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION, MEDIA AND BROADCASTING SERVICES, the House adjourned
at Twenty-six Minutes to Five o’clock p.m. until Tuesday, 12th April,
2016.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Wednesday, 6th April, 2016
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
SWEARING IN OF A NEW MEMBER
THE HON. SPEAKER: On 1st April, 2016, Parliament of Zimbabwe received communication from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) on the election of the following member of ZANU PF party as Member of the National Assembly –[HON. MEMBER: Hear, hear.]- with effect from 6th
March, 2016 Hon. George Gangarahwe representing Mhondoro- Mubaira
Constituency, Order Hon. Members. –[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]Order! Order Hon. Members. Can we have Order in the House? Hon.
Members, I am appealing to all Hon. Members disturb this process please!
Section 128 (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides that before a Member of Parliament takes his or her seat in Parliament, the member must take the Oath of a Member of Parliament in the form set out in the Third Schedule. Section 128 (2) states that the oath must be taken before the Clerk of Parliament. Hon. Member. Order! Let us have Order please! There is no need for excitement.
NEW MEMBER SWORN
HON. GEORGE GANGARAHWE subscribed to the Oath of Loyalty as required by the Law and took his seat – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Mutseyami, behave yourself
please! Order! Order in the House!
PETITION FROM CONCERNED GROUPS
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I wish to advise the House that on the 23rd of March, 2016, the Parliament of Zimbabwe received a petition from the Centre for Community Development in Zimbabwe (CCDZ), Harare
Residents Trust (HRT), Chitungwiza Resident Trust (CHITREST) and the Zimbabwe Residents Association (ZIRA) beseeching Parliament to enact the necessary legislation to operationalise Chapter 14 of the Constitution and to align Local Governance laws with the Constitution. The petition has been referred to the Portfolio Committee on Local Government, Public Works and
National Housing and Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.
POSTPONEMENT OF THE
SEMINAR ON THE EASE OF DOING BUSINESS
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I also wish to advise the House that the Seminar on the ease of doing business in Zimbabwe which was scheduled for 7th to 10th April 2016, has been postponed to the 14th to 17th April 2016, at
Holiday Inn Hotel, Bulawayo.
NON ADVERSE REPORT RECEIVED FROM THE
PARLIAMENTARY LEGAL COMMITTEE
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I have to inform the House that I have received a Non-Adverse Report from the Parliamentary Legal Committee on all Statutory Instruments published in the Gazette during the month of February, 2016.
ADVERSE REPORT RECEIVED FROM THE PARLIAMENTARY
LEGAL COMMITTEE
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I also have to inform the
House that I have received an Adverse Report from the Parliamentary
Legal Committee on Statutory Instrument No. 24 of 2016 Insurance (Amendment) Regulations, 2016 (No.18).
HON. MUDZURI: Thank you Madam Speaker. My point of
Order is on …
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I was asking those with
Notices of Motions. Hon. Member, resume your seat please!
HON. MUDZURI: Thank Hon. Speaker Maam. My point of Order is on a matter of privileges of Parliament. You have just read a petition from residents on a situation where they are requesting us to operationalise the law which is in the Constitution. I want to ask you Hon. Speaker whether, we are still relevant, two and a half to three years in Parliament without operationalisation of the Constitution. We are disabusing the Constitution. What is Parliament doing to ensure that we operationalise the laws in line with the Constitution and when are going to do that?
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, there is no
need to put it as a point of order. We are going to have Ministers to answer that; I think the Minister of Justice will be here soon.
HON. P. D. SIBANDA: Thank you Madam Speaker. My point of order is based on Standing Order Number 205 of the National Assembly
Standing Rules and Orders which provides that, “Members of Parliament are entitled to address Parliament in any one of the official languages that are provided in this country in terms of the Constitution”. In terms of the Constitution, Madam Speaker, Section 6 provides that the following languages namely; Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Koisan, Nambia, Ndau, Ndebele, Shangani, Shona, Sign language, Sotho, Tonga, Tswana, Venda and Xhosa are the officially recognised languages of Zimbabwe.
Now, I believe that in terms of the provision of this Standing Order, I as a Member of Parliament and other Hon. Members who speak these other languages, are entitled to address the House in any one of the official languages as stipulated in Section 6 of the Constitution. The Speaker is obligated in terms of the Standing Order to facilitate the presence of an interpreter to ensure that those languages can be spoken in the House. It is now three years since this Parliament came into being; I have always cherished my colleagues who speak Shona, Ndebele and Ndau as they articulate issues in their mother tongue. It has made me and I am sure with others who speak Venda, Kalanga, Sotho, Xhosa and so on, to look like we are aliens in this House. We have been made to feel like we are immigrants in a country of our own forefathers.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Member I think your
point of order is heard.
HON. P. D. SIBANDA: I am coming to the point, the question is – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] - Madam Speaker, I feel quite offended when I hear Hon. Members who are usually privileged to speak in their mother languages trying to drown me. It is not that I am not good in speaking English – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] -
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order! Order, Hon. Members,
order please! Members who are on my right, please let us have order.
Hon P. D. Sibanda spoke in Nambia.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Member, you are
now addressing the House. I said your point of order has been heard and I am about to answer you but you keep on addressing the House. I think your point of order is taken, so I recognise it. I have been advised by the Administration that the challenge we have here is the resources. We have only three channels, that is English, Shona and Ndebele. The administration is working very hard so that we have interpreters of those languages you are referring to.
HON. MARIDADI: I rise on a point of order in terms of Section 67 (d) relating to question of order or a matter of privilege, read in conjunction with Section 69 (a), “a motion referred to in a Standing Order Number 67 (d) concerning a matter privilege must take precedence over other motions as well as Orders of the Day.”
Madam Speaker, every Wednesdays ZTV beams proceedings of Parliament live but today there are not here and no explanation has been given. We want … – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] -
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Members, I am waiting for you so that you calm down. Proceed Hon. Member.
HON. MARIDADI: Thank you Madam Speaker. Members of the
public, those that we represent in this House, have a right to follow proceedings because some of them are not able to come here because they live in far off areas. Their participation in Parliament is through television and radio and that facility has been withdrawn … – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] –
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Members, I think
we have to at least behave ourselves because the time we are taking making a lot of noise will not help anyone. – [HON. MEMBERS:
Inaudible interjections] - Hon. Members, can we hear what the Hon.
Member is saying please.
HON. MARIDADI: Now, Madam Speaker, if we withdraw
television, it means members of the public, those that we represent in this House are not able to follow proceedings. No notice has been given; we want to know who has ordered that ZBC should not cover this
Parliament live. A motion was moved and it was a resolution of this Parliament. It must be respected, the reason being that there are questions that are so important to our constituents like for example people in Mabvuku/Tafara have asked me to come and ask Hon. Mandiwanzira why he is texting members of Bopela Company asking for money. Does he deserve the money or is it a bribe or pure corruption? Members of Mabvuku/Tafara are waiting to hear from Hon. Mandiwanzira. They are actually sitting in front of their television sets so that Hon. Mandiwanzira is able to explain and clear himself if he may? They want to know why a Minister would send a text message to a company…
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order, Hon. Maridadi.
HON. MARIDADI: I am not yet finished, I am about to finish.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: If you are addressing
Members of Parliament you are supposed to address the Chair.
HON. MARIDADI: Thank you. I am saying members of Mabvuku/Tafara have asked me to ask a specific question...
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: You are repeating that
question.
HON. MARIDADI: Okay. They want Hon. Mandiwanzira to explain his communication with Bopela, why he is demanding money US$700 000 from Bopela.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: What is that now?
HON. MARIDADI: It is a question that they want Hon.
Mandiwanzira to...
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Member please sit down.
HON. MARIDADI: Thank you Madam Speaker.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Members. Let us
have order in the House. While I take your point of order Hon. Maridadi - really ZTV has endeavored to cover Question Time every Wednesday, however, we have not received any advise today in respect – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjection] -
HON. MUNENGAMI: On a point of order Madam Speaker.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: What is your point of order?
Hon. Munengami, can you please stand up and explain to me what you are saying.
HON. MUNENGAMI: Thank you Madam Speaker. Today is
Wednesday and Hon. Maridadi raised a question whereby the very same Minister who is supposed to answer the question is actually running away from the House of Parliament.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, let us have order. Hon. Members we have procedures in the House. That point of order was not supposed to be answered by the Minister; it is supposed to be answered by the Chair. Now I am in the process of answering you and you are talking to the Minister. You have to follow the procedures Hon. Members, what is wrong with you? But why, you are senior Members of Parliament? Let us have order and proceed.
We have not been advised today in respect of their failure to cover the proceedings today. We will engage them so that they explain to us why. Meanwhile, I think all proceedings will be covered by the radio HON. MARIDADI: On a point of order Madam Speaker.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: What is your point of order?
HON. MARIDADI: Madam Speaker, Section 69(a) which I read
in conjunction with Section 68(d) says, “A motion referred to in
Standing Order Number 67(d)”, which I refer to, “concerning a matter of privilege must take precedence over other motions as well as Orders of the Day”. What I am saying is that this motion that I presented must be debated over and above any other motion of the day. That is what the Constitution says – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]- It is said in this Constitution and we cannot run foul of the Constitution whether you are G40 or Lacoste you cannot run foul of the Constitution.
We must follow the Constitution to the letter spirit.
HON. CHAMISA: On a point of order Madam Speaker.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I have referred you to the
Clerk please.
HON. CHAMISA: But the Clerk is wrong.
HON. HOLDER: Thank you Madam Speaker.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: No more point of orders at
the moment.
HON. HOLDER: Madam Speaker. I am asking for your
protection from these people before I call the war veterans for them. Thank you Madam Speaker for giving me this opportunity, my question is directed to the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] - Madam I think I need your protection they are being disrespectful to me.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Holder, there is a
point of order.
HON. MAONDERA: On a point of order Madam Speaker.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: What is your point of order?
HON. MAONDERA: Thank you Madam Speaker. My point of
order is that every week it has become the norm that as Members of Parliament we are concerned about the attendance, especially of this session, by Ministers.
*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order. Hon.
Members, we have now taken about 40 minutes without doing anything. Let us get down to business - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections].
HON. MAONDERA: So, secondly as Members of Parliament we
are gravely concerned that the Leader of the House promised to inform the House of the Acting Leader of the House in his absence. Today we have not been told who the Acting Leader of the House.
Thirdly Madam Speaker, last time we were told that Deputy Ministers do not sit in Cabinet. Some of them were struggling to answer questions until we were told that the substantive Minister is the one who is supposed to answer the questions. The other ….
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, please resume
your seat, I have given you the chance to say what you want. According to the issue of Ministers, I know we have been complaining every now and then, I understand that. Those who want to direct their questions to Ministers present, can do so – [HON. MUNENGAMI: Who is the
Leader of the House?] – Is there any problem in having no Leader of the
House, no! – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – Hon.
Munengami, can you please stand up.
HON. MUNENGAMI: Thank you Madam Speaker, the problem
which we have is if you can tell us the Acting Leader of the House.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: As you can see on the front
bench, the Leader of the House is not in the House, it is not the Chair that appoints a Leader of the House. I think you can keep that question until the Leader of the House comes in – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – Order, order, Hon. Chinotimba. On the front bench, at my right, we see Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers. The definition of a Minister includes also a Deputy Minister. So, if someone has a question to do with a Minister or Deputy Minister present, we can proceed for those who want to ask.
HON. HOLDER: My question is directed to the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development. Can the Deputy Minister please update this House about the change of ownership of Murowa Diamonds Mine to foreign owned people? Can the Deputy Minister update us on this change of ownership and did Government benefit anything from that? – [AN HON. MEMBER: Is that a policy question?] – Yes, it is a policy question. The problem with Hon. Members is that we need to respect each other; respect is earned and not imposed. Thank you.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I just want to remind the
Hon. Member that it is the Chair who is presiding over this House, it is not your duty to ask the Hon. Member whether it is a policy question or not. I preside over this House.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MINES AND MINING
DEVELOPMENT (HON. F. MOYO): Thank you Madam Speaker,
ownership of mines changeover; depending with where the mine that the Hon. Member is asking about - the shares were actually held offshore. I would have liked the question, if it is acceptable that is put in writing because we are still investigating to verify the manner in which the shares changed hands outside the country. So, I am not able at the moment to give details. Thank you.
HON. P. D. SIBANDA: My question is directed to the Deputy Minister of Primary and Secondary Education. What is the basis of the policy for the introduction of the so called national pledge in schools?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND
SECONDARY EDUCATION (HON. PROF. MAVIMA): The
national pledge is part of the heritage studies that the new curriculum is going to introduce. It is designed to build on the commitment that our learners have to their country. It is not unique to Zimbabwe. Many countries have similar pledges and in some countries even legislators, before they start their business, start with a pledge to their country. It is designed to build on patriotism and commitment to one’s country, that is the basis of the new national pledge. I thank you.
HON. P. D. SIBANDA: I appreciate that it is a national pledge but my question Hon. Speaker, is that a national pledge should carry a national consensus. Therefore, my question to the Hon. Deputy Minister is, where did you draw that consensus for you to come up with the nature and content of the national pledge?
HON. PROF. MAVIMA: Hon. Speaker, there are two
foundations for the so called consensus. The first is the fact that virtually all the words for the national pledge are coming from our Constitution. If you recall, that Constitution was crafted based on a very elaborate and extensive national consultation.
The second basis of that consensus is that the new curriculum of which the national pledge is a part was done after consultations that took place at every school in this country… - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections] - That consultation at the schools involved parents and all stakeholders … - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] –
That consultation also took place with members of this House at various levels…- [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – When we did the initial outreach, we invited members to make contributions. After that, when we did the draft, we also asked members to make a contribution. So, there is no question about whether there was national consensus or not… - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – We made sure that there was consultation and national consensus.
I thank you.
HON. P. D. SIBANDA: On a point of order Madam Speaker.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Another point of order again
Hon. Member? What is the point of order Hon. Member, you were asking a supplementary question, the Minister was explaining and you were making a lot of noise. How do you understand him when he is talking?
HON. P. D. SIBANDA: Madam Speaker, I never made any noise.
I asked this question because it is of utmost interest to me and my constituency.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Yes.
HON. P. D. SIBANDA: My point of order is that I believe we might not be able to exhaust the questions pertaining to this issue through supplementary questions. Is it possible for us to ask the Hon. Minister to present a Ministerial Statement on the national pledge so that members can get adequate platform to debate the issue? – [HON.
MEMBERS: Hear, hear] –
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order, I do not think
there is any problem with that, this is why the Ministers are here.
*HON. CHINOTIMBA: My supplementary question is that Hon.
Minister, you did very well. Where can we air our views? We have children that would want to learn about this country, when will they start learning? At what level and which schools? We want our children to pursue their education, which is the lowest grade? Those that are not interested should remove their children from school and let our children continue learning.
*HON. PROF. MAVIMA: Thank you Hon. Deputy Speaker, I
would want the august House to know that the Ministry of Primary and
Secondary Education is launching the national pledge on the 3rd May, 2016 in all schools nationwide.
Furthermore, the studies on heritage that we are talking about should start at ECD level up to Advanced level. Our new curriculum will consist of heritage patriotism subjects from the time the child goes to ECD up until they reach Advanced level.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order, I rule out any
more supplementary questions on this one. May we please proceed with other Oral Answers to Questions Without Notice.
*HON. MAKONI: My question is directed to the Minister of
Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development. What is
Government policy as regards winter wheat crop?
*THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, MECHANISATION AND IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. MADE): I want
to thank the Hon. Member for posing the question. Government’s policy is that we have crops, amongst them wheat, barley and horticulture.
These are crops that are grown during winter, that is my response.
*THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order, Hon. Minister,
the Hon. Member who posed the question did not hear your response.
May you please raise your voice, I plead with you Hon. Minister.
*HON. DR. MADE: Madam Speaker, I stated that we have programmes for winter crops and that amongst these crops, we have barley, wheat and horticulture. That is what Government’s policy is is all about.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Have you been fully answered Hon. Member?
HON. DR. MADE: If she wants to know details, she can submit a written question.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Maybe she wants to know
what you have put in place, what plans you have for winter crops?
HON. DR. MADE: That is not a policy issue, it is technical detail that she wants and I have asked her to put it in writing. Thank you.
HON. S. CHIDHAKWA: My question is directed to the Minister of Indigenisation, Youth and Economic Empowerment. Recently, the President was in Japan trying to lure some investors but back home here, your Ministry was busy threatening companies, and cancelling those companies which were not complying. It looks like your Ministry was not in agreement with the Ministry of Finance and Economic
Development because we heard you were attacking Hon. Chinamasa and the RBZ Governor, to say they were giving a wrong interpretation on the banks. What is the position, is it not an inconsistency of policies?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF YOUTH, INDIGENISATION AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT (HON. TONGOFA): I want
to thank the Hon. Member for asking that very important question, but the Hon. Member should know that the indigenisation policy started more than five years ago. The companies were supposed to be compliant within the period of five years and those are the companies which we are saying should have been compliant by now.
The issues of inconsistency which you have talked about; we do not see any inconsistency with regard to indigenisation. We apply the law as it is. The law is there and you should be aware of the law, we are only enforcing it. Unless the law is repealed, our job as Ministers is to enforce it. So, the law is there and it is clear. It says the companies should ensure that they comply with the Indigenisation Act. Those companies were supposed to be compliant by early this year but most of them are not. So, what we are only doing is to make them comply with the law. I do not see where he is saying there is inconsistency.
HON. S. CHIDHAKWA: Thank you Hon. Chair. Hon. Minister, could you update this House – yes the law that you are referring to is there; how many companies have so far complied and how many are failing to comply? - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! I think that one is too specific. The Hon. Minister might need to go out and search for those statistics. Can we have a different supplementary question?
HON. MUNENGAMI: Thank you Hon. Speaker. This is the reason why we always want to ask, especially the Leader of the House. The Deputy Minister said that there is no inconsistency in as far as the indigenisation policy is concerned but there were two adverts; one from the Minister of Finance and Economic Development and the other one from the Minister of Indigenisation, Youth and Economic Development which were totally different. So, the inconsistency is there. Honestly, how can you say that when there were two adverts? The Deputy Minister is actually lying before this House and under oath?
HON. TONGOFA: Thank you Madam Speaker. The Hon.
Member should bring that advert so that I can see the inconsistency –
[HON. MURAI: Haa iwe!]-
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! Who said iwe?
Hon. Murai, please stand up and withdraw that or otherwise…
HON. MURAI: Thank you Hon. Speaker. For the sake of progress, let me withdraw –[Laughter]- I withdraw, though I am not the one.
HON. TONGOFA: I said the Hon. Member should bring those two adverts because we are not aware that there are two contrasting adverts.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Maybe, the Minister is
requesting that the Hon. Member brings the two adverts so that he sees them, maybe he did not have sight of those two adverts.
HON. S. CHIDHAKWA: Hon. Minister, you cannot talk of bringing two adverts when in the newspaper…
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order! Hon Members, a
statement is different from a supplementary question. Can you please give your supplementary question to the Minister?
HON. S. CHIDHAKWA: Hon. Patrick Chinamasa said the banks have complied but your Ministry is insisting that the banks have not complied. What is the position, is that not a policy inconsistency?
HON. TONGOFA: Thank you Madam Speaker. We do not work
with statements in the press. The Cabinet issued a directive that the results of this exercise will be issued after the Cabinet Committee on Indigenisation have looked at all these issues. Currently, the processes of indigenisation are done by line Ministries, so we are waiting for a comprehensive position from the various Ministries which will be chaired by the Minister of Indigenisation. Until we get that, we cannot say this one is that – we are waiting for that comprehensive decision.
HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: I said no more supplementary
question on this one. I gave a ruling to all.
HON. MUCHENJE: Thank you.
HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Members!
HON. MUCHENJE: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question is
directed to the Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services. Hon. Minister, I am kindly requesting an update on the progress made so far in relation to sustaining the policy of infrastructural sharing amongst network service providers. I thank you.
THE MINISTER OF INFORMATION COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY, POSTAL AND COURIER SERVICES (HON. MANDIWANZIRA): Madam Speaker, let me thank the Hon. Member
for asking the question. The issue of infrastructure sharing is extremely critical in terms of the telecommunications industry n the country. What has happened so far is that all the telecommunications companies under the direction of the regulator which is POTRAZ have had consultations in coming up with a framework for infrastructure sharing. That framework which has been agreed to by all operators in the country has now given birth to regulations which are now being looked at by the legal department in the Ministry in consultation with the Attorney
General. As soon as they have gone through them and confirm that they are in line with the parent Act as well as that they are Constitutional and they do not undermine any provisions of the Constitution, they will then be gazzeted to insist and ensure that there is infrastructure sharing among the telecommunication companies in the country. I thank you. –
[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]-
HON. P. D. SIBANDA: Thank you Madam Chair. Hon. Minister
in the mean time whilst you are still waiting for the legal department to deal with the agreement, we are all aware that commercial players have got certain places where they cannot install network boosters because of lack of viability. What policy position is there to ensure that POTRAZ installs network boosters in those areas where commercial players find it not viable to install the boosters? I thank you.
HON. MANDIWANZIRA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to
thank the Hon. Member for a very important question. The policy position on infrastructure in areas that mobile networks do not consider commercially viable is very clear. We have what we call the Universal
Services Fund (USF) …
THE HON DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Members you are
making a lot of noise. Those who are behind the room would like to hear what the Minister is saying. It will be very important to you to go in the Constituency and explain what is taking place. This is why we ask. Even yourselves are making a lot of noise. Order!
HON. MANDIWANZIRA: Thank you once again Madam
Speaker. The USF falls under the POTRAZ. For every charge to every telecommunication service 1.5% of that amount goes into USF. Part of this USF is then directed towards building infrastructure in under serviced areas. Therefore, there is a plan that most areas that do not have telecommunications infrastructure should have the USF building mobile base stations there that are shared by all the networks. The existing three and perhaps others in the future to provide service in those under serviced areas. There is a program currently underway to build about 11 within the next few months. We are mobilising more resources through PROTRAZ and USF to build significant universal service infrastructure across the whole country to address the concern that that the Hon.
Member has raised and the concern that most of our people, especially in the rural areas are complaining about, that there is no telecommunication service in those areas.
*HON. CHAMISA: Thank you Hon. Speaker. Hon.
Mandiwanzira as an Hon. Minister has explained and has done justice to the technical aspect of the question as regards to information dissemination. What I would want to explain as a supplementary question is that there will be infrastructure sharing amongst telecommunication companies. When are Government companies going to start doing this? I am asking this with a view to NetOne, Transmedia, Zarnet and others. They could have put their technology expertise together so that Government can deliver the service to those in the rural areas, which is not the practice. What is going to happen? How is this vision going to be done? We learn from others the best practice.
Are you performing in order of the best practice? I thank you.
*HON. MANDIWANZIRA: I would like to thank Hon. Chamisa
for this question. I would want to explain that what he asked is already
in practice. He may have misdirected himself by stating that Government companies are not doing that. Parastatals in as far as information sharing is concerned this is now in practice. Go all over Zimbabwe-we have 226 Post Offices. Each of these Post Offices can transact anything for NetOne. You can also withdraw money at these Post Offices through EcoCash even TeleCash, but they will be using Government Post Offices. We also look at the issue of airwaves-if we look at Government Companies, Star FM, which is a radio broadcasting station is not building up its own towers but it is using towers from Transmedia. So this is infrastructure sharing in practice and Zi FM is also using Transmedia infrastructure. So the Hon. Member had not clearly stated this but this is what is in practice.
Two weeks ago as the relevant Minister I summoned all parastatals which fall under my ambit and encouraged them to start to work together in terms of infrastructure sharing so that TelOne and NetOne would not be investing into structures that are already in existence and vice versa. Further, the two should collaborate and that the ZESA Power Tel, a subsidiary of ZESA is working with the Government. Government came up with a policy that all Government companies or parastatals should coordinate and use the infrastructures together, including PowerTel and all the other parastatals that are under ICT.
*HON. CHAMISA: The Minister spoke about ZIFM belonging to
Government, what I want to find out is, does ZIFM belong to you or to Government?
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order, Hon. Member,
resume your seat.
HON. MASHONGANYIKA: Thank you Madam Speaker. My
question is directed the Minister responsible for our culture. Minister, we are suffering because of child abuse and human trafficking because of problems emanating from technology such as television versus our culture.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order Hon. Member, may you
please address the chair?
*HON. MASHONGANYIKA: Do you have any plans to ensure
that you preserve our culture because we are now losing a lot of things that used to be done in private are now being done openly. Father and mother are indulging in viewing pornographic material during the presence of the children. I do not know how best this could be alleviated. Is that acceptable in our culture which now has detrimental effects on our population and behaviour? There is claim that there is moral decadency and that our children are indulging in sex before they become of age. What have you put in place, are there any measures that you are looking at in terms of policy?
THE MINISTER OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND
PRESERVATION OF CULTURE AND HERITAGE (HON. A.
NCUBE): Thank you Madam Speaker for the question raised by the Hon. Member. It is quite a long question, may I therefore ask the Hon.
Member to put it in writing so that I can bring the answer.
* HON. TOFFA: Thank you Madam Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment with regards the indigenization. This Ministry is meant to create empowerment and employment but what is happening is, it is doing the reverse. Has your Ministry considered that and is the complying of indigenisation more important than the employment of Zimbabweans?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF YOUTH, INDIGENISATION AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT (HON. TONGOFA): I want
to thank the Hon. Member for asking this question. This piece of legislation is there to provide opportunities for the indigenous people, to correct the imbalances which where there before the attainment of independence. The law does not really close companies. It is very flexible in terms of its application. However, we are facing problems with the companies in terms of compliance. Since the promulgation of the law, companies which came with their own plans to indigenise, they did not follow the plans which they submitted themselves to the
Ministry.
I said earlier on, the law is there and it is there for the companies to follow so that the indigenous people participate in the development of this country by owning the shares and managing the companies. The intention of the law is not …
*HON. CHINOTIMBA: On a point of order Madam Speaker. My
point of order is that the Minister is not responding to the question that has been asked. The Minister has been asked what is important, for companies to bring money or to create employment for the Zimbabwean that is the question.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, where is the noise coming from.
HON. TONGOFA: Thank you Madam Speaker. Let me say the indigenisation and economic empowerment has two components. There is the indigenisation and the economic empowerment component. In application of the law, we apply the indigenisation in terms of share holding but in the process we also consider the empowerment of our people. There is flexibility in the law where it allows companies to also have credits, provide the desirable social and economical projects for the indigenous Zimbabweans. I do not see where the law is forcing the companies to only seed shares. The law is there to empower our people to participate, that is the indigenisation element and in so doing the indigenous people will also be empowered and be participating in the economy.
According to the law Hon. Speaker, there is Nefund. The Nefund was supposed to be capitalised within the Indigenisation Act. That Nefund is supposed to empower our people with the provision of fund which the Hon. Member of Parliament was referring to. The intention of the law is to empower our people…
HON. TOFFA: Point of order Mr. Speaker Sir. The Deputy
Minister is not answering my question, he is buying time…
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MARUMAHOKO):
Order, Hon. Member. Order, order please. Can you just resume your seat? Order at the back. Hon. Members, can we have order in this House please. I repeat - can we have order in this House! – [AN HON.
MEMBER: Supplementary] - Hon. Member, let the member finish and then you can come up with supplementary questions. If you are not clear, you have chances to ask him again.
HON. TONGOFA: Thank you Hon. Speaker. I was saying the law is there to empower our people. In so doing, our people will be actually empowered to participate within the economy and on the question of closing companies – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections] -
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order at the back. Hon.
Members at the back, do not force me to ask you to leave the House. If you continue making noise in this House, I will do it. May we have order in the House please? Minister, can you please continue.
HON. TONGOFA: Thank you Hon. Speaker, I was saying to the Hon. Member, the Indigenisation Act is there to empower our people, it is divided into several sections. We have got the indigenisation of the resource based sectors and we have indigenisation of the non-resource based sectors. We have got the reserved sector within the indigenisation. So, the reserved sector allows our people to participate in areas like retailing, fuel, selling and other areas. The non-resource based sector which involves banking and other sectors which are nonresource based, there is flexibility in their application which allows our people to participate in there. The resource based sector is done in a way which will allow Community Share Ownership Trusts to participate and those trusts are there to allow our people to benefit from the natural based resources within their areas.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order Minister, please resume
your seat. Hon. Minister, the question was straight forward, I do not know why you are going zig-zag and all that – [HON. MEMBERS:
Deputy Minister] – Order please! Who does not know he is a Deputy Minister? Who are you telling that? The question is straight forward; he wants to know what is important, the closure of the company or to let the company continue to employ people? What is important between the two that is the question?
HON. TONGOFA: What is important Hon. Speaker is to empower our people. So, we want the companies to operate and empower our people and that is what is important.
HON. P. D. SIBANDA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. Hon. Deputy Minister, I think we need to clear the air, I will ask you in very simple terms. Your Ministry is being viewed as a stubborn child in the country. Now, what is the real policy thrust in your Ministry? Is it to attract investment into the economy or it is to make the people of Zimbabwe share the bushes and the rocks that are embedded on our earth, what is the real policy thrust in your Ministry? I thank you.
HON. TONGOFA: Thank you Hon. Speaker. I think I said earlier on that the ultimate goal is to empower our people. That is the thrust of the Ministry.
HON. SARUWAKA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My question is directed to the Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Services, Hon. Matangaidze. In light of the debilitating hunger in the country, I wanted to ask the Hon. Minister to update the House on the measures that the Government has taken so far in feeding the people specifically referring to the measures they are taking to ensure that the food is not being politicised. I am making this particular point because in different districts, we are receiving reports that councillors and Members of Parliament are not being allowed to participate whereas in other districts, the same programme is allowing councillors and Members of Parliament to participate. I wanted to understand the policy position whether there is involvement of Members of Parliament, councillors and other stakeholders in ensuring that there is no politicisation of the food?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL SERVICES (HON. ENG. MATANGAIDZE): Thank
you Mr. Speaker Sir. Thank you for that question Hon. Saruwaka. I need to emphasize from the outset that the drought relief Committees which we set to oversee the distribution of food are established in an impartial way. The Committee is comprised of leadership at district level. We have chiefs representing on those Committees; we have the Social Welfare officers those Committees; local leadership, the councillors and everybody else on those Committees. At district level, we have the district administrator involved as well. So from that, it is important to say that, that is an impartial structure.
Going on to the next part of your question; from the outset, the Ministry is tasked to provide food relief to the vulnerable sector and normally that will be child headed families. That will be families where there are people with disabilities and other vulnerable sectors. We have since said that, because of the drought-induced El Nino, a lot more families have been subjected to food insecurity. The Ministry is coming up with a programme right now where we are saying this might be able- bodied families but they have now succumbed to the effects of drought. So there is a need to say, bring in a food for work programme where able-bodied people can help in developing their communities and in turn, get grain for that. Right now, we have asked DDF to come up with programmes initially targeting road maintenance that can now be linked to this drought relief programme. We will, in a short time, be giving
out details on how this food for work programme will be brought to the people. I thank you.
HON. SARUWAKA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My
supplementary question to the Minister is, can he please make a specific pronouncement as far as the participation of councillors and Members of Parliament – I am saying this because in our district, the district administrator actually made an announcement that he did not want to see any councillor elected Member of Parliament being involved. I understand everywhere else in the country, elected officials are allowed to participate. Can you make a pronouncement on that matter so that the elected councillors of Mutasa can also participate in this programme.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MARUMAHOKO):
Order, order, I think that is a specific question you are asking. The Minister needs to go and investigate and then come back to you Hon.
Member.
Questions Without Notice were interrupted by THE
TEMPORARY SPEAKER in terms of Standing Order No. 64.
HON. MARIDADI: On a point of order Mr. Speaker. I move that time for Questions Without Notice be extended by 15 minutes.
HON. BHUDHA: I second.
HON. MUKWANGWARIWA: I object.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE
HON. MARIDADI: On a point of order Mr. Speaker. When we
ask these questions, it is not a matter of routine. We ask these questions because we want answers from the Executive. Hon. Cross’s question has appeared on this Order Paper for a very long time. This is a time specific question which should have been answered and follow-ups should have been made.
He was asking about the First Lady’s expenditure in the provinces and that is time specific because when he asked this question, the First Lady was going around distributing tractors and so forth. So now two months later, people must have forgotten and we cannot have the
Minister of Finance and Economic Development not coming here to answer this question and we keep it on the Order Paper. We do not ask questions as a matter of routine. Questions must be answered, we have a lot of Ministers here and I think one of the Ministers should have been asked to come and provide that answer to this House. Thank you.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Point taken, the Minister of
Finance and Economic Development will be available next week to answer that question.
POLICY REGARDING VACCINATION OF SMALL STOCKS
- HON BUDHA asked the Minister of Agriculture,
Mechanisation and Irrigation Development to explain the policy regarding vaccination of small stocks.
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, MECHANISATION AND IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. MADE): Thank
you Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the Hon. Member for asking the question. There are no major outbreaks of diseases in small stock that are a threat to food and nutrition security. The Ministry is currently focusing on vaccination programmes against anthrax and foot and mouth disease in cattle and rabies in dogs. Where it involves small stock, it is generally new castle that we deal with as a notifiable disease.
DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION IN THE
AGRICULTURAL SECTOR
- HON BUDHA asked the Minister of Agriculture,
Mechanisation and Irrigation Development to inform the House on the channels that are being used by the Ministry to disseminate information in the agricultural sector to the grass root level considering that the
Agritex officers who used to provide this service are no longer available.
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, MECHANISATION AND IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. MADE): I want
to thank the Hon. Member for asking the question. Agritex officers are available up to ward level and information dissemination through literature, meetings, training sessions, field days, seed fairs and agricultural shows including radio and television are also being provided. Thank you.
FINALISATION OF THE DRAFT AGRICULTURAL POLICIES
- HON BUDHA asked the Minister of Agriculture,
Mechanisation and Irrigation Development to state plans in place to finalise the draft Agricultural Policies.
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, MECHANISATION AND IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT ( HON. DR. MADE): I want
to thank the Hon. Member for raising the question. The documents relating to relevant policies are going through relevant Government approval processes, in particular Cabinet. Currently, is the livestock policy document that is under consideration.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SMALL GRAINS POLICY
- BUDHA asked the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development to:
- State the measures the Ministry has put in place to implement the small grains policy.
- State whether there are any awareness campaigns being undertaken by the Ministry to inform the various communities in all provinces of the advantages of growing small grains and also educate them about their correct cultivation processes.
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, MECHANISATION AND IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. MADE): I want
to thank the Hon. Member for raising this question. The Ministry encourages farmers in arid and drier regions of the country to produce small grains and supports research and development of new varieties suitable for the drier regions.
Awareness campaigns on the advantages of producing small grains are being done from the ward level through dissemination of literature, meetings, training sessions, field days, seed fairs and agricultural shows by agricultural extension officers. That includes the National
Agriculture Show that is undertaken in August as well as the Trade Fair in Bulawayo. In actual fact, at the Bulawayo Trade Fair, there are several halls that house the importance of small grains and the value of that particular food.
HON. GABBUZA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. On the information
dissemination, is it within the Ministry’s plans to increase Arex officers so that wards which are so big have a higher number of officers to disseminate that information?
HON. DR. MADE: Mr. Speaker, I want to answer that supplementary question by saying, obviously when we increase staff there are constraints related to the fiscal space to do that. However, we will take a combination approach where we are developing irrigation schemes. We are going to increase the participation of extension staff in order to increase productivity. We are also going to look at other technologies that enable extension staff to be able to disseminate information without necessarily increasing the number of personnel including also improving their mobility. One of the biggest issues and challenges to extension is the mobility aspect in terms of the extension workers being mobile, but also producing more materials including the media usage.
HON. NDUNA: My supplementary question to the Minister is, we are aware that the El Nino phenomenon is here with us to stay and also aware that the issue of small grains in its form is able to reverse the drought problem that is currently bedeviling our agricultural system.
Has there been any marked improvement or progress in terms of the uptake of small grain cultivation and also subsequently the output of the same from the communal and large scale farmers?
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, MECHANISATION AND IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. MADE): Mr.
Speaker, unfortunately with small grains, generally speaking the small grains we refer to are open-pollinated. Small grains are also subject to the El Nino factor, it is the capacity of the farmers to multiply the small grains in terms of that material being open pollinated.
Government’s position is to increase the utilisation of water that is reserved in the water bodies. For example, when you make reference to El Nino, El Nino is the extreme in relationship to either excess moisture or drought. As we look at this particular season, it started late with very little moisture, but towards the end of the season, the moisture that has been accumulated is almost equal to a normal rainfall season but the pattern of distribution is very poor.
So, it is not as simple as the Hon. Member might be suggesting. What is critical is for us to develop the capacity to harness water and apply it at a critical stage to deal with both the normal crops that are maize as well as the small grains. There has got to be a balance in terms of enhancing moisture utilisation and moisture harvesting technologies which have included even in some cases cloud seeding as well.
FUNDING OF YOUTH PROJECTS IN CHIMANIMANI
- HON CHIKUNI asked the Minister of Youth, Indigenisation and Empowerment to inform the House whether there are plans to fund youth projects in Chimanimani.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF YOUTH, INDIGENISATION
AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT (HON. TONGOFA): Mr.
Speaker Sir, the Ministry of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic
Empowerment has a number of initiatives aimed at uplifting the lives of young people in Chimanimani and the country at large through various funding mechanisms. The initiatives being carried out by the Ministry include Training for Rural Economic Empowerment. Where the Ministry, with support from the International Labour Organisation embarked on a pilot programme called Training for Rural Economic
Empowerment. The programme’s main thrust was aimed at harnessing resources found within particular localities. In 2015, the programme came to a successful close. In a bid to capitalize on the lessons learnt from the model, the Ministry engaged the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development with a view of rolling out the programme
nationally.
The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development has since committed US$75 000.00 per district for the expanded programme. In this regard, youths from Chimanimani through our local offices will be able to access funding under this programme. The Ministry is finalising the modalities of implementing the programme and once Treasury releases the funds, an announcement will be made.
We also have US$10 million funding mechanism which has been availed by the Ministry. The particular funding window will be available to all youths who have successfully repaid their loans under previous funding schemes. The facility will be a revolving fund and funding under this scheme is going to be constituency based. The
Ministry is finalising the implementation modalities with the RBZ (Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe) and participating banks. A certain portion of the fund will also be reserved for new applicants.
We also have the Kurera /Ukondla Youth Fund. In 2016, the
Ministry will be accelerating the implementation of the Kurera/Ukondla Youth Fund. The fund will be disbursing a total of US$1.7 million. The money is sourced from the repayments that have been made by young entrepreneurs and will be made available for disbursement. Young people can approach the Ministry through respective offices on how to access the funds. CABS under the Old Mutual stable is the participating bank.
The Ministry runs a separate fund from the above initiatives. The fund has been capitalised with US$100 000.00 this financial year, which has been shared equally amongst the ten provinces. As such, youths can access funding of up to US$10 000.00 based on the strength of their project proposals. Youths can get in touch with the Ministry through our respective district and provincial offices. The fund will target group projects in order to widen coverage. Participating groups will be required to submit proposals and that the most suitable will be identified in a transparent manner before receiving funding.
Overall, the focus of these programmes is to enhance productivity through entrepreneurship participation by our young people. The programmes complement efforts by other Ministries in pursuit of the implementation of ZIM ASSET by the Government, with the ultimate aim being the development of an integrated economic development model with strong local roots. Therefore, hon. Members are enjoined to view youth development programmes in this light and especially to understand that the Ministry is disbursing business development loans whose repayment shall be vigorously enforced. We want to develop a productive and responsible youth population. I thank you.
HON. TOFFA: My supplementary question to the Minister is
yes, I have heard that the strength of the projects is what is going to qualify them for the loan. In most cases, you will find youths are being asked for collateral, is this going to be the case or not?
HON. TONGOFA: There is no collateral required to access the funds.
HON. HOLDER: On a point of order Mr. Speaker, I note that there is no quorum in the House.
[Bells Rung]
[Quorum formed]
FUNDING OF YOUTH PROJECTS IN CHIMANIMANI
- HON. NDUNA asked the Minister of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment to disclose the uptake of the Localised
Empowerment Accelerated Fund (LEAF) by the youth.
HON. MUTSEYAMI: On a point of order! Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. In terms of the Standing Rules, an Hon. Member is entitled to ask four Written Questions; in this case Hon. Nduna has got more than 70 questions. I do not know how you will address this bearing in mind that he has got more than 70 questions.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, it is only Oral
Questions where a Member asks one question per Minister, then for
Written Questions it is all in order for him to ask all those questions
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF YOUTH, INDIGENISATION AND ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT (HON. TONGOFA): Thank
you Mr. Speaker Sir. The Ministry of Youth, Indeginisation and
Economic Empowerment in partnership with the Reserve Bank of
Zimbabwe and other financial institutions implementing the national Economic Empowerment strategy, have established the localized empowerment acceleration facility.
The primary objective of the facility is to enhance economic participation by local communities for increased domestic production.
The facility will effectively contribute to the achievement of ZIM
ASSET’s vision of Towards an Empowered Society and a Growing
Economy. The facility is a mechanism for ‘accelerating economic empowerment by localising the Ten Point Plan’ that was outlined by His Excellency, President R.G Mugabe in his State of the Nation Address of
25 August 2015, and adopted by the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
The facility is aimed at empowering youths and indigenous citizens by supporting their enterprises and encouraging repayment of all loans granted to the youths under our youth empowerment facilities, thereby restoring confidence of financial service providers in doing business with youths. The facility will start with a loan cover of $10 million granted by the RBZ for supporting youth projects in the productive sectors of the economy. The loans granted will go towards working capital and capital expenditure purposes. The facility will operate through participating financial institutions in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment.
To date, there has not been any uptake of funds from LEAF, as the Reserve bank of Zimbabwe and the Ministry are finalising the funding mechanisms with the participating banks. This process is expected to be completed by end of April, 2016. The participating financial institutions are POSB, CABS and CBZ. Once the mechanisms are in place, the participating financial institutions will call for applications.
Once the disbursements commence, Hon. Members will be regularly updated on the uptake of the facility as requested by Hon. Nduna. I should also emphasise that since the funds will be equitably allocated to the 210 Constituencies, Hon Members will play a critical role in disseminating information about the facility, recommending some of the beneficiaries and also encouraging beneficiaries to repay the loans. Hon members will also be expected to mentor some of the LEAF beneficiaries. With this support, Hon. Members will assist in furthering the economic empowerment agenda. I thank you.
HON. NDUNA: On a point of order Mr. Speaker Sir, earlier you made a ruling that there were no Ministers to answer certain questions but I notice that the Minister of Local Government is now in the House. Is it possible Mr. Speaker, with your indulgence to go back to the questions so that they can be disposed of?
HARNESSING OF MINERAL RESOURCES FROM ARTISANAL
MINERS
- HON. NDUNA asked the Minister of Mines and Mining Development to explain the measures Government is taking to harness mineral resources, particularly gold, from artisanal miners who contribute significantly to the country’s mineral output, in view of the fact that gold deliveries from small scale miners to Fidelity increased from 1.7 tonnes in 2014 to 5.9 tonnes in 2015.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MINES AND MINING
DEVELOPMENT (HON. MOYO): The Ministry is taking different
measures to ensure gold reaches Fidelity Printers and Refineries. These measures include:
- Gold Mobilization Programme – which is being done through monitoring and surveillance exercises. The Monitoring and surveillance exercise has personnel from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Republic Police Minerals Unit and Ministry of Mines and Mining Development. These officials were recently in the field for a period of two weeks, from 6th to 19th March 2016. The programme has been running for over a year now.
- Gold Centres – These are based on a loan facility from a Chinese company that will see Small Scale Miners getting equipment to improve their capacity and productivity. The loan amount is $5 million and is part of the $100 million loan. The fund will establish a total of 32 centres around the country with a capacity to produce 1.8 tons of gold per year or $60 million in value. The programme will start on 1st July 2016.
- Review of Mining Fees – The Ministry has reviewed mining fees downwards to ensure that more small scale miners are able to enter into business and deliver more gold to FPR. For example, an ordinary prospecting licence was reduced from $350 to $200.
- Information Dissemination – The Ministry has embarked on an awareness campaign to inform the miners that Fidelity Printers and Refineries (FPR) are buying gold from small scale miners and paying cash upon delivery to facilitate their operations. The Ministry will continue to implement measures and ways of making it easy for small scale miners to sell to FPR.
- The Mining Industry Loan Fund (MILF) – The Ministry continues to look for resources to fund the MILF. The MILF is a revolving fund that is funded by the Government and aims to increase the productivity of small scale miners. These miners apply in their respective provinces and subject to availability of funding, they get assistance in the form of mining equipment.
- Gold Buyers – A number of our citizens have been given gold buying licences to mop up all gold that is produced in remote areas of the country. The buyers are however experiencing liquidity challenges at the moment. As an overall comment, Government is working to finalise its thoughts on the gold policy. That is, Government must decide
whether it buys and produces gold targetted to build the national reserve or it is there to create value in the sense of profits to Fidelity. This policy will decide on whether the gold flows largely to Government or it is intercepted into the illicit trade. Thank you.
HON. NDUNA: Mr. Speaker, aware that these artisanal miners we are talking about and the small scale miners, some of them are not licenced, is the Ministry making any effort to make sure that they do not arrest these artisanal miners that are bringing this gold to Fidelity? Is the Ministry making any plans to that effect to make sure that they decriminalise these artisanal miners who have increased this inflow into Fidelity?
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: With due respect Hon. Nduna,
you are here as an Hon. Member to make laws and those laws must be adhered to. So, I do not see the relevance of your question here.
HON. M. KHUMALO: May the Minister explain in view of the indigenous miners who were given special grants to mine or explore methane gas, particularly in the Matebeleland North Province. These miners have failed to start mining, particularly Discovery Mine, Liberation Mine and China-Africa Company. Can the Minister explain because we understand these are special grant permits which are short term which they were given by the President? Can you explain what the Ministry’s policy on those grants is?
HON. F. MOYO: The question is referring to coal deposits. Coal deposits are applied for, in the first instance, to get an exploration licence. When one has received the exploration licence, they must make returns to the Ministry every six months to show progress on their exploration activities. If they are satisfied and want to move on to investment, then they must convert that exploration licence into a mining lease. Once the mining lease is approved they can then go into mining.
The companies that are mentioned, some are holding exploration licences and some are due to apply for mining leases. I think at the moment, the onus is actually on those companies to comply with the requirements of the various licences that they hold and they can execute their business plan.
HON. MUTSEYAMI: My supplementary question to the Hon.
Minister is to do with your earlier presentation before the supplementary question from the fellow Hon. Member. Bearing in mind that in this country we are having an economic challenge and in most cases, especially in areas where we have gold, we have this mining activity which is happening from the artisanal miners; there is this element that there is no law or policy towards decriminalisation of the activity that is being done by artisanal miners. What policy are you crafting so that we make the responsibility as a country to move with the times, with regard to artisanal miners who are doing the mining across the country so that they bring this gold to Fidelity? Henceforth, the
Government will benefit. What is it that we are doing Hon. Minister?
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Minister, it is almost similar to the question that was raised by Hon. Nduna – [HON.
MUTSEYAMI: It was put wrongly, so I rephrased it] – [Laughter].
HON. F. MOYO: I thank the Hon. Member and I think the question asked will assist to cast more light on what is going on. The Government or Executive has taken a position to say, we cannot wish away artisanal miners. We must decriminalise and formalise them. It is actually an international challenge but before we move on to formalise these miners and bring our proposals to Parliament, we must understand what is going on. The Ministry, for the last 12 months or so, has actually carried out two exercises. We have worked in two areas; initially we did Shurugwi and Kadoma and then we moved on to cover the whole country. We had a workshop two weeks ago to get the final presentation of our studies given to the Ministry. We wanted to understand the people who are involved in this mining activity, what drives them to go into this mining activity, how they do it, what resources they use, how they get paid, how they bargain with claim holders and so on. We are currently going through the two studies’ reports. As soon as we are through with those, the policy formulation will then be informed and we should then be able to progress the issue of formalising.
HON. MLILO: My supplementary to the Minister is, as much as we appreciate the good that is coming from the ground underneath through mining and as much as we would like to promote artisanal miners, what is your Ministry doing with regard to resuscitating the environment that is being degraded? Yes, we do need so much gold, emeralds and the other minerals but we need to have control mechanisms to set back the land to where it is and to a better state environmentally.
HON.F. MOYO: The findings that we have worked on at the moment touch on social, environmental, security, legal and financing. So, we do have environmental issues covered. What is a challenge however, are the legacy issues that are behind us. There are legacy issues, not only created by artisanal or small scale miners but in some instances created by big mines as well. That is an issue that we are going to grapple with but the laws that provide for the protection of the environment are in place. They probably were just not followed through to be enforced but it is something that we are working on at the moment.
We hope that as we go forward, once we have formalised, we can then put a stop to the damages that have been taking place and will only be left with dealing with historical issues. We believe that is achievable.
Thank you.
PROGRESS ON ESTABLISHMENT AND
OPERATIONALISATION OF THE ZIMBABWE DIAMOND
MINING CORPORATION
- HON. NDUNA asked the Minister of Mines and Mining
Development to inform the House on the extent to which Government has progressed in the establishment and operationalisation of the Zimbabwe Diamond Mining Corporation in order to plug leakages in the diamond mining sector.
THE MINISTER OF MINES AND MINING
DEVELOPMENT (HON. F. MOYO): Hon. Speaker, the Ministry has now registered the Zimbabwe Diamond Mining Corporation which is now in operation legally. In addition to this registration of the company, the Ministry has also issued the same company with mining title over the same company with mining title over the current diamond areas. The Ministry has also put a board in place to supervise the activities of the company. Recruitment of personnel into the various posts to resource the company structure are ongoing and interviews are being conducted at the moment. The companies that are in ZCDC at the moment, that is, those that have joined the consolidated company are
Marange, Gye Nyame and Kusena Diamond Mining Companies. Those are the three that currently constitute Zimbabwe Diamond Mining Corporation.
HON. GABBUZA: Could the Minister shed some more light, given that there are others that have not joined and are still an issue before the courts. Is the Ministry still open to take them in as and when they feel they would want to be part and parcel?
HON. F. MOYO: Thank you Hon. Speaker. While I cannot
comment on the specifics of where the court issues are, I should mention that the matters are in court because the companies indicated that they were not prepared to consolidate.
HON. PHIRI: Thank you Hon. Speaker. My question is, what is going to happen with women in diamond mining who had not mined a dime out of the whole thing?
HON. F. MOYO: Hon. Speaker, the issue of women in mining is obviously a case for a special group of our society. Having said that, I should also add that there are a number of companies that had been formed by groups such as youths, male adults and women. They have not quite gone into mining. We also have a number of our citizens who are holding diamond claims that they are still waiting to go into exploration with. So, the area of those who were holding claims and how we are going to treat that matter, I think is an issue that we still have to attend to. The focus at the moment has been on those companies that are in operation in the sense of trading. I guess we will have to report back and inform the House as we deal with issues of those that were holding ground but are not yet operational.
HON. G.M. NCUBE: Of late, the Marange Community were
complaining that they have not benefited anything since the mining in Marange took place. We remember that during the intervening period, there was a programme of the Community Share Scheme, which was meant to benefit the community in Marange. May the Minister please explain to the House exactly what is going on in the Marange Community? At the same time, how do towns like Bulawayo benefit from the royalties of the mines that are around them? For example, there is a big mine in Bulawayo that is doing mining there. Of late, we have not heard anything as to how the town benefits in royalties. Thank you.
HON. F. MOYO: Thank you Hon. Speaker. The first part of the question I think is best left for the Ministry of Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment. The issue of benefiting or empowering communities falls in the ambit of that Ministry. I also see that the Portfolio Committee responsible for that area of activity is actually on the ground, so I think the question is best answered by those two institutions.
On the second question, the revenue that flows to Government from mining comes in more than one form. There is revenue that flows indirectly to communities through our community schemes and there is revenue that flows in as revenue to Government in the form of taxes and royalties. The revenue that goes to Treasury obviously must be redistributed to the rest of the country and that really is done through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. I think they will be the best to answer. Our role is to attract investment and make sure that the mines pay taxes according to the laws of the country. The distribution of those tax revenues are the domain of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. Thank you Hon. Speaker.
HON. MARIDADI: Thank you Hon. Speaker. The Government
has gone ahead to form this company and you are saying there are other companies in diamond mining that are not part of this and their case is still with the courts. You have gone ahead to form a company, so what happens if they win their case at the courts? Secondly, they still have their equipment at the mining sites, what have you done with the equipment? Thank you.
HON. F. MOYO: Hon. Speaker, the first part of the question I think becomes straightforward. If cases are won in court, obviously the Government must respect the court rulings. That is quite clear. The second question where the Hon. Member is talking of equipment that is on the ground, we were looking at this matter as late as yesterday. Some of the equipment belongs to the companies that were in joint venture with the ZMDC and those companies must deal with the issue of the equipment. It is really owned by two parties who were in cooperation.
There is however equipment that was being contracted to these companies either through contract companies or hire purchase to these companies from financial institutions. We are dealing with that matter because if there was a contractor on the ground whose equipment is genuinely confirmed to belong to them, you cannot tie that equipment to the issue of mine ownership. Once we get clarity on the form the equipment is sitting at the mine, we should be able to assist the owners of the equipment to have possession.
HON. MARIDADI: Hon. Minister, it must be put on record that a Member of Parliament once said it in this House. The way you are going about it is chaotic and I do not think it is the best way forward – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] – I am representing people and you are not the Speaker. The way you are doing it is chaotic!
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order! Hon. Maridadi. Order please. Hon. Members, when I call for order please respect the Chair. Hon. Maridadi what was your supplementary question?
HON. MARIDADI: My supplementary question was that are you sure what you are doing is the best you can do for this country? My question is, we do not want to get into a situation where two years later, the Government is going to backtrack on what they are doing now and come up with something else totally different and then tell us money has been stolen again. Minister, are you sure this is the best Government could come up with, with all the brain power you have in Cabinet? I thank you.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MINES AND MINING
DEVELOPMENT (HON. F. MOYO): Thank you Hon. Speaker.
All I can say really, is that the Ministry examined the matter to the best of their technical abilities and the matter was presented to Government and Government made a decision to act in the way that we are acting now. I am unable to obviously comment on the collective decision by Government but let us see the results of what we are doing.
Questions with Notice were interrupted by THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER in terms of Standing Order Number 64.
On the motion of THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE,
MECHANISATION AND IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. MADE), the House adjourned at Thirteen Minutes to
Five o’ clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 5th March, 2016
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. SPEAKER in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE HON. SPEAKER
DEATH OF A MEMBER
THE HON. SPEAKER: It is with profound sorrow that I have to inform the House of the death on Thursday, 17th of March 2016, of the Member of Parliament for Mazowe North Constituency, Hon. Edgar Chidavaenzi. I invite Hon. Members to rise and observe a minute of silence in respect of the late Hon. Member.
INVITATION TO THE ZITF OFFICIAL OPENING
THE HON. SPEAKER: I have to inform the House that the
Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Company is inviting all Hon.
Members to attend the ZITF official opening ceremony on Friday, 29th
April 2016. Hon. Members should collect their invitation cards from the
Public Relations Department, Office Number 2, PAX House, Third Floor. Alternatively, Hon. Members can collect their cards from officials at the Members Dining Hall between 1400 hours and 1600 hours during the course of this week.
NON ADVERSE REPORT RECEIVED FROM THE
PARLIAMENTARY LEGAL COMMITTEE
THE HON SPEAKER: I also have to inform the House that I have received a Non-Adverse Report from the Parliamentary Legal Committee on the Special Economic Zones Bill, [H.B. 15, 2015].
INVITATION TO A TRAINING WORKSHOP ON THE NATIONAL
PEACE AND RECONCILIATION BILL
THE HON. SPEAKER: I further have to inform the House that the National Transitional Working Group in Zimbabwe in collaboration with the Centre for Applied Legal Research and the Southern African Parliamentary Support Trust are inviting the Portfolio Committee on Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs to a one day training workshop on the National Peace and Reconciliation Bill to be held on Wednesday,
6th April 2016, at the Holiday Inn Hotel, Harare from 0800 hours to 1300 hours.
*HON. MUNENGAMI: On a point of order. The respect that we accord to each other in this House is valued and I think we should also do the same when we pass on. When Hon. Chidavaenzi passed away, as Hon. Members, we were unable to attend the funeral or even know about the funeral arrangements for his burial. We only saw condolence messages in the press. I am pleading with you Mr. Speaker, that we be provided with transport to attend our colleague’s funeral -[HON.
MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]
Parliament did not give us anything. We need the institute’s assistance to this effect. I do not think I will say much because the support that I have received from this House shows that this matter affects all of us. As Members of Parliament, we are supposed to do something when one of our colleagues passes away. I hope this will not fall on deaf ears. I thank you Hon. Speaker -[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]
HON. ZINDI: Thank you Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker…
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, I have not recognised you.
HON. ZINDI: I saw you looking at me and I thought that was recognition -[Laughter]-
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order, order. Normally, a point of order raised by an Hon. Member does not raise a debate. It is incumbent upon the Chair to then make a ruling unless Hon. Zindi has something different –[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-
Hon. Chinotimba having stood up to debate.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order. I recognised Hon. Zindi and there is only one Hon. Zindi.
HON. ZINDI: I am afraid you may also make a ruling and ask me to sit down. Thank you for having recognised me and also to just add that this issue raised by Hon. Munengami was once raised on the passing on of Hon. Tsogorani. It is receiving overwhelming support from Members of Parliament who are making reference to Hon. Members who have passed on. That is what I wanted to make note of.
*HON. CHINOTIMBA: Mr. Speaker, on the issue of making a ruling, I do not know when a ruling is going to be made. I once raised this point of order and I thought that by now, you would have made the ruling. All of us are going to die and you continue telling us that you are going to make a ruling without ruling. My request is that the ruling be made now.
THE HON. SPEAKER: As head of Parliament, I take full responsibility for whatever arrangements that ought to have been put in place. I will discuss this issue with the Clerk of Parliament so that in future, arrangements are made and Hon. Members are advised accordingly so that we can make a befitting send-off to our colleagues who would have passed on. Not only is it correct, but it is also humane and very African to do so. I take responsibility and I assure you that this will not happen again in future.-[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]- MOTION
RATIFICATION OF THE LOAN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE
GOVERNMENT OF ZIMBABWE AND EXPORT-IMPORT BANK
OF CHINA
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT (HON. CHINAMASA): I move the motion
standing in my name that whereas, Subsection (3) of Section 327 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides that an Agreement which is not an international treaty but which has been concluded or executed by the
President or under the President’s authority with one or more foreign organisations or entities and imposes fiscal obligations on Zimbabwe, does not bind Zimbabwe until it has been approved by Parliament;
AND WHEREAS, the Loan Agreement between the Government of Zimbabwe and Export-Import Bank of China, relating to Tel-One Backbone Network and Broadband Access Project being implemented by Tel-One (Private) Ltd. was concluded on the 1st day of December,
2015 in Harare, Zimbabwe; and
NOW THEREFORE, in terms of Section 327(3) of the
Constitution, this House resolves that the aforesaid Agreement be and is hereby approved.
INTRODUCTION
- Tel-One Private Limited (Tel-One) is implementing a US$116.8 million backbone fibre optic transmission and broadband access project aimed at replacing, upgrading and transforming its transmission backbone, core and access network into a modern telecommunication infrastructure providing a wide range of voice, data and video services.
- To date, Tel-One has completed the Phase 1 of the project (20102013) at a cost of US$18.2 million, of which Government contributed US$6.2 million and Tel-One US$12 million of its own resources.
- Phase 1 comprising of the following routes:- Harare – Mutare fibre optic transmission;
- Harare – Bulawayo fibre optic transmission; and
- Installation of the Bulawayo – Victoria Falls internet protocol microwave radio link.
- Phase II of Tel*One backbone fibre optic transmission and broadband access project, will focus on the following components:-
- Capacity upgrade in the northen parts of the country
(Mashonaland Central and West Provinces);
- Bulawayo – Beitbridge fibre optic transmission route;
- Bulawayo – Victoria Falls fibre optic transmission route;
- Gweru – Masvingo fibre optic transmission route; and
- Supply, installation and commissioning of Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) access and converged billing system.
Project Financing and Loan Repayment
- On 1 December 2015 Government and the Export-Import Bank
of China (China Exim Bank) signed a Preferential Buyer Credit Loan
Agreement amounting to US$98.6 million for Tel-One Backbone and Broadband Access Phase II Project. The loan represents 85% of the contract amount.
- The balance of 15% of the contract has already been implemented and works completed under Phase I as I alluded earlier.
- The US$98.6 million loan facility had the following terms:-
- Interest rate 2% per annum
- Grace period 5 years
- Tenor (including grace period) 20 years
- Management fees 25%
- Commitment fees 25%
- Counterpart fund 15% (implemented under
Phase I resourced from Treasury as well as from own resources of Tel One)
- Pursuant to signature of the Loan Agreement, an On-lending
Agreement will be signed between Government and Tel-One with the above terms.
- The proceeds due to Tel-One under the project will be ring fenced in an escrow account that will be jointly monitored by Government and China Exim Bank. The interest payment will be the first charge, with the balance left for Tel-One to carry out its activities.
The interest repayment will be based on the loan amount drawn down.
- In the event that the proceeds in the escrow account are not sufficient to repay the interest and the principal of the loan, the Loan Agreement indicates that the extra revenues from the Net*One Escrow Account will be used to settle the Tel-One loan facility.
Expected Benefits
- The project is expected to yield the following results:- Presents a platform where organisations can easily and readily access information across sectors;
- Provides cheaper accessible marketing places, as well as ease business transacting;
- Offer modern telecommunication services whereby clients can access data, voice, video services and information;
- Telecommunication gadgets will be used interchangeably with ease by the market whereby a single number to use across either landline or mobile devices;
- Savings on calls made between landlines and mobile devices by providing alternative cheaper forms of communications like Viber, Skype;
- Local subcontractors will be involved in the installation of equipment for the project;
- Contribution to Gross Domestic Product with the downstream effects that comes with the growth in the ICT.
(10% growth in ICTs will result in 1.4% contribution to
GDP growth);
- Enhance access to online services in sectors of the economy, such as education and health;
- Transform Tel-One to become the preferred one stop telecommunication services provider offering a variety of
Value Added Services;
- Enhance Tel-One’s competitiveness and visibility in the
market;
- Enhance Tel-One’s capability to collect revenues through
prepaid converged billing; and
- Improve the cash flow of TelOne.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR TELONE BACKBONE
AND BROADBAND ACCESS PROJECT
Lender | Export – Import Bank of China (China Exim Bank) |
Borrower | Government of Zimbabwe (To on-lend to Tel-One) |
Contract amount | US$116.8 million |
Loan amount | US$98.6 million representing 85% of the contract price. |
TelOne
(Counterpart Fund) |
US$18.2 million (15% of the contract already paid to the contractor) |
Loan type | Preferential Buyer Credit |
End User | Tel-One Private Limited |
Main contractor | Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. |
Interest rate | 2% per annum |
Management fee | 0.25% on loan amount (Once-off payment)[US$246 500] |
Commitment fee | 0.25% on undrawn drawn loan amount |
Repayment period | 20 years (including grace period) [principal and interest] |
Grace period | 5 years [interest repayment only) |
Project implementation period | 2 years |
I therefore plead with the august House to approve the Loan
Agreement that I entered into with China Exim Bank last year for US$98.6 million. I thank you Mr. Speaker.
HON. MARIDADI: Mr. Speaker, thank you for this opportunity; US$98.6 million is a lot of money and I am actually surprised that the Minister would come here to talk about this amount of money whose terms are fantastic, grace period of five years, interest rate of 2% and management fees of 0.25%, that is very cheap money. The tenure is 20 years and all the other ancillaries that are to do with this loan. What worries me Mr. Speaker though is that you talk of Tel-One and Net-One, the level of corruption at Net-One is shocking. The Minister cannot come to this House with a straight face and talk about money that should be injected into Tel-One and expect Net-One to be assisting in paying that loan in the event that Tel-One is not able to pay that loan.
Mr. Speaker Sir, we have a Minister of this Government who has the arrogance and audacity to sent a text message to a supplier of goods and services to say, ‘I facilitated this and that tender for you and you are yet to give me my kickback of US$700 000’, in an economy like this. The Minister of Finance comes to this Parliament with a straight face to say please approve this loan so that we can put money into Tel-One knowing very well that becomes feeding trough for his colleague Ministers. Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Finance should first of all come to this House and say how they have cleaned up the mess at Tel-One, how they have cleaned up corruption at Net-One, only then can a reasonable House that is representing the people of Harare, approve the loan. The tenure and everything else to do with the loan is fantastic but the corruption in this Government and the Minister of Finance and Economic Development will be the first to vouch for me.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order, this House does not
represent Harare, it represents Zimbabwe.
HON. MARIDADI: I am sorry about that. The House represents the people of Zimbabwe, Mr. Speaker, I think the Minister needs to engage us further because I want to bring evidence of the corruption at Net-One and ask the Minister what the Government, the Executive is doing to clean up the mess at Net-One. If that has not been made clear to this House, if it has not been clear to this nation, then I think the Hon.
Minister, you cannot come into this House and honestly ask us to approve a loan so that you put money into parastatals so that your colleagues can feed on that money. We cannot allow that Minister.
HON. CHASI: I want to start by congratulating the Hon. Minister for entering into this loan arrangement. I think that the loan is in a very important area of our economy which will ensure that we meet world standards when we carry out trade. I am certain that it will create employment as is required by this country.
Mr. Speaker I share the concerns by Hon. Maridadi – [HON. MUTSEYAMI: Wakaregererwa wani] -….
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order please, if you want to
speak, you will stand up at the appropriate time.
HON. CHASI: Mr. Speaker, I was saying that I share the concerns that have been raised by Hon. Maridadi concerning what we hear to be happening at Net-One. It is completely unpalatable and it is ironic that the loan that has been abused at Net-One is very similar to what the Minister has brought to us. However, I think we need to separate issues. I believe that some work is being done at Net-One which is how we have come to know about what has been going on there. What I would suggest to the Minister is that, definitely, I support that the implementation of this loan but I do think that we need to sharpen our monitoring tools to ensure that what has happened at NetOne does not happen in this case. I thank you.
HON. MUDARIKWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Let me start by thanking the Minister of Finance and Economic Development for securing a loan with low interest rates for the benefit of communication in Zimbabwe. Let me raise a concern, my constituency Uzumba, and our District Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe Zvataida Rural District Council is not benefiting from activities of Net-One and Tel-One in as far as this fiber optic is concerned. We want to join the ICT revolution but it is very difficult for us to do so because we seem to be sidelined. Can we just remind Tel-One that UMP is also part of Zimbabwe? Their activities are very welcome in our constituencies so that we can develop together as a nation.
The issue that has been raised about corruption by Hon. Maridadi, it is the responsibility of this House to deal with corruption, not to ask the Minister of Finance and Economic Development to deal with corruption. We have different Committees, Sub Committees,
Parliamentary Committees that have the responsibility of oversight of
Tel-One, they are not doing their job, they must go there to Tel-One,
Net-One and wherever there is corruption. The Minister of Finance and Economic Development is a hunter, he has given you food, you cannot start saying you must put salt, garlic and so forth, it is the responsibility of this House to make sure that the meat has enough salt and garlic.
Mr. Speaker Sir, we must not fail in our responsibilities as Parliament. The problems this country is facing all rest in this House because we think we have been elected to get new vehicles. We have been elected to run the economy of this country. When the economy is not performing well, there is corruption, when the economy is not performing we then do not get our sitting allowances. So, every Committee must wake up and take the responsibility to deal with corruption. Thank you Mr. Speaker – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear]-
HON. CHAKONA: First of all I want to thank the Minister of
Finance and Economic Development for bringing this motion before this
House of the loan that was facilitated through the Chinese Exim Bank.
Mr. Speaker, Tel-One is a company that came out of the Posts and Telecommunications Corporation and it is a standalone company. In that regard, it has got a number of legacy issues that are associated with the organisation that have caused the company not to expand its network, let alone also to renew the equipment.
Mr. Speaker, there is desperation for Tel-One to reequip and to progress beyond what it is today. Mr. Speaker, since Tel-One was disbanded from the PTC it has never had any financial injection since then. This is the first loan facility that is going towards infrastructure development of the organisation. Mr. Speaker, when we look at the terms of this loan facility, I can support the Minister that these are very attractive terms which no normal business person can turn down, let alone this august House.
Mr. Speaker, a loan of US$98.6 million at an interest rate of 2% cannot be found anywhere and also tenure of twenty years. The issue of number portability is an important integral part of the development of the ICT sector in this country. The equipment that is going to come into this country or implemented after this loan facility will allow number portability. In that regard, it will reduce the cost of doing business of communication as alluded to, as one of the major key benefits of this loan facility.
Mr. Speaker, the transformation of Tel-One is critical in so far as the financial benefits that will accrue to this loan facility are concerned. Members of Parliament will recall that Tel-One is one of the parastatals that posted a profit in 2015, if I am not mistaken, they reported a $400
000.00 profit in the period ending 2015. In that regard, this US$98.6million loan facility will enable Tel-One to increase its profitability going forward.
This economy is desperate for anything that will drive the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increase in this country. The loan facility as has been reported, will contribute in excess of 10% to the GDP. In that regard, I think we need to embrace this innovation that has come from the management, our Government, combined to try and ensure that TelOne is re-equipped and retooled.
The roll-out of fibre network is not critical to Zimbabwe alone. Most countries in the region have already finished the roll-out of fibre internet and Zimbabwe is lagging behind, as can be testified by the quality of our calls and data connection that are sub-standard as a result of lack of proper infrastructure.
I can draw you to what is happening in the sub-Saharan region. As we speak, the ICT sector in the sub-Sahara is growing at more than 7% per annum. Unfortunately, in Zimbabwe our ICT sector is in retraction. I can safely say that according to the Econet financial report of 31st August, 2015 their revenue went down by 23% and overall profitability by 17.7%. That actually shows that the ICT sector is in retraction instead of progressing. I, therefore, call upon this House to understand the importance of infrastructure development in the ICT sector particularly Tel-One which is building the backbone that will drive the ICT sector going forward.
The issue of competitiveness of Tel-One is something that we cannot down-play in this House as Tel-One has to be competitive in this highly competitive industry where there are serious competitors and TelOne has to be found on the right side of the competition. I therefore, call upon this House to embrace this loan facility …
HON. MARIDADI: On a point of order, the Hon. Member is reading yet it is not his maiden speech. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] –
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order! The Chair has four eyes and I have been looking at the Hon. Member presenting, he was referring to some notes and not reading.
HON. CHAKONA: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker for that
protection. I was saying that the issue that is at stake right now is to build the backbone that allows the ICT sector to develop and the roll-out of fibre network is a critical infrastructure development that we need to embrace with both our hands and feet.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the Minister for bringing this loan facility for ratification by this House and call upon members to embrace it. I thank you.
HON. GABBUZA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I heard the Minister
saying that the implementation of phase one took about three years. I just want to raise some issues that I feel the Minister, as they negotiate or implement the loan agreement, must be wary of. There are certain things that are very critical.
In telecommunication technology, the rate of change of technology is very fast. If you are going to take three years to just implement phase one, by the time you get to phase two, all that you have implemented will be obsolete. I am raising this because in 1982, Binga and other districts received telephone exchanges, brown buildings with a lot of analogue equipment that was donated by the United Kingdom. I remember Mr. Speaker, that you officiated at the opening of that function.
All that equipment only worked for two years, third year it was giving problems. Fourth and fifth years as we speak, there is nothing worth talking about – there are just buildings standing there. Fortunately, we are advised that the equipment was just a donation, so we may not have lost much as a country. As we speak, the equipment is obsolete.
The other issue that I wish the Minister to consider is the issue of upgrading, in line with what I just said. I think that within that agreement, there must be a clause because definitely these people are not going to allow us to source equipment. They will supply the equipment - that is the nature of these loans when you have no money, they also provide the equipment. As they provide the equipment, I think we must agree with them that they must upgrade the equipment as they supply because if we do not do that, they will put what they no longer need in their countries and two years down the line, the equipment is no longer working.
The third thing, I did not hear the scope of works involved and the areas of operation of that phase one. Chances are that the fibre optic is being put in areas where Net-One, Econet, Telecel, Power-Tel are already putting fibre optics and there is a lot of duplication. If it is possible, I would wish and persuade the Government to concentrate on those areas where the private sector is not already involved. If you travel along Bulawayo-Harare road, I think there are about three fibre optics running parallel to that road and the worst thing Hon. Minister, is the fact that we are doing road expansion. The fibre optics are just dug a metre or two from the road and one wonders what is going to happen when we expand our roads. Are we going to uproot those things because we cannot have them under our tarred roads?
I wish the Minister could relook at this together with the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development. The way these fibre optics are laid, there is no thinking of future expansion of the roads as they are so close to the road and very duplicated. It is something that I wish the Minister would seriously consider.
The last thing, currently Tel-One is suffering from lack of skilled manpower - why? The people that will be trained together with the new equipment, unless the loan caters for the retention of that staff, chances are that soon after installation of the new equipment, all the workers will disappear to South Africa or are taken by Econet and other private companies. So, in the end we will have the equipment but no staff to run the equipment.
I think some of these things must be incorporated into the loan. If it means the suppliers running with the equipment for some years until the hand over and we have a programme of making sure the artisans who will be manning these things are not able to leave the organisations until that equipment becomes obsolete. Unless we do that, we are likely to find ourselves with brand new equipment but no people to man them, they would have left. So, I just wish the Minister could consider those few things. Thank you.
*HON. SHAMU: I want to thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, for the opportunity that you have given me to add my voice in congratulating and thanking the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Hon.
Patrick Chinamasa, for successfully negotiating the Loan Agreement. What the Minister has done, bringing the Loan Agreement for ratification by Parliament reflects his character, brutally frank and diligent. He is someone who does not come with false promises. He is honest in his dealings whether you agree with him or not. I say this Mr. Speaker, because of the fact that he has come to this august House to apprise the Hon. Members on the Loan Agreement that we have made as a country with China in supporting Tel One. So as Legislators who are for the development of this country hear about it and approve or not approve. Personally, I whole heartedly approve of this Loan Agreement.
Mr. Speaker Sir, as Hon. Chinamasa was tabling the motion, I could not help but conclude that we are implementing the ZIM ASSET economic blue print. ZIM ASSET calls for the expansion of
Information Communication Technology in an effort to improve our economy. Hon. Chinamasa, we applaud your efforts. We will be able to deploy better information communication technology services. The backbone fibre to Beitbridge programme will be fulfilled and lead to reduction of costs of internet as well as better access of telecom services throughout Zimbabwe, leading to a better life for everyone.
Again Mr. Speaker Sir, I also want to say that once we take this route. We will have strengthened our farmers. The backbone of our economy is agriculture. The farmers also want to do e-farming; they would want to be informed on climate change. They need to communicate with financial institutions using modern technologies. We have new farmers who were resettled following our land reform programme. Our farmers will be able to expand their farming initiatives through ICT.
I also want to thank the Minister, for proving to the world that
Zimbabwe is credit worthy. The loan from China if proof that Zimbabweans, through their parastatals are on the road to economic recovery. Tel One is a parastatal that was burdened with a huge debt when Posts and Telecommunications were unbundled. Today, Tel
One’s balance sheet is indicative of positive results. We applaud the efforts of Hon. Chinamasa, the Minister who is responsible for ICT, Hon. Supa Mandiwanziwa, and Mrs. Chipo Mutasa who has provided excellent leadership to Tel One.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the loan to Tel One will positively impact on education through VISAT. This will assist in networking schools both in rural and urban areas and it enables them to access the internet. VISAT, which used to cost US$1 500 to install will be accessible for only US$15. This reflects the cost reduction needed for economic recovery. This therefore justifies for funding of companies such as Tel One. Mr. Speaker Sir, the Loan Agreement will enable Tel One to operate an efficient single gateway that will bring sanity in inflow and outflow of traffic, monitor charges and contribute to national security. POTRAZ will be able to perform its regulatory duties and engage all telecommunication companies should there be need and thus avoid conflicts amongst players.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I want to thank Hon Chinamasa for supporting TelOne companies such as NetOne, Telecel and Econet will be provided with a firm foundation for infrastructure sharing. Why do I say so? We had installed the Mazowe Satellite station during the period of the late
Dr. Nathan Shamuyarira. The technology was only for voice. Now with TelOne, we are moving on to data and video. We should progress from the Mazowe Satellite era and embrace modern technology so that
Zimbabwe moves with the times, acknowledging that we live in a Global Village. We cannot exist as an island. We need to communicate with all other countries in the world. Let us develop our country and not be retrogressive. I thank you. –[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
*THE HON. SPEAKER: Order! I am recognising some Home Hon. Members who are busy with their cellphones, hiding them behind some papers and I believe sending some messages. In terms of Standing
Order Number 82 (2) we are prohibited from doing that. So do not invite the Chair to name you and ask you to leave the House by so violating Standing Number 82 (2).
HON. CHAMISA: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir. I appreciate your
indulgence upon the request. I want to appreciate again the presentation made by Hon. Chinamasa, once again coming to seek the approval of Parliament on this very important player in our country. I have already raised this point Mr. Speaker Sir with the Hon. Minister, that Government must learn to follow the Constitution, Section 300 (3) is very clear.
We are supposed to have been favoured with the gazzetting of the terms exactly, 60 days after the signing of the agreement. That was not done and that leaves MPs in a very invidious position Hon. Speaker Sir, because we come here without the full understanding and knowledge of the terms, dictates, parameters and province of the loan. It makes life difficult for us because what we want to do in our exercising of the oversight role is to know what to approve and what not to approve. So that is a worrisome element. Government takes Parliament for granted, and also takes Parliamentarians for granted by choosing to ignore the
Constitution –[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]- So the appeal is, let the Constitution be respected. Let all Ministers be guided by the statutes and the laws of our country.
You would find that most the loans that have been approved in terms of Section 300 (4) (a) are supposed to come to Parliament at least twice a year to give us an update on how the loans are performing. You would find that most of the loans are not coming here. What comes here is the noise of consumption of those loans by certain actors. What comes here is the noise of abuse and raiding of coffers in the parastatals and that is a worrisome development. Inasmuch as I would want to support the expanding and capitalisation of TelOne, there are challenges we have and we have confront them. That is the first point.
The second point Mr. Speaker Sir, we to deal with the capacity of TelOne. Government departments owe TelOne to the tune of $80 million, $40 million by Government departments within government then $40 million by parastatals or State enterprises, so there is a debt there. Government departments are in the habit of just using the phone as if they are expending confetti and no, we cannot just come and approve when there is no capacity within Government to exercise discipline.
Even if we are going to put this loan, we are simply going to abuse the loan because Government is in the habit of abusing the resources that they have. They are refusing to pay their debts, and what they have used and that is a problem Hon Speaker Sir. There is $80 million and the loan that he requires is $98 million; linked with that we have $350 million - the legacy debt on the books of TelOne. So now what we are now having is a debt upon debt. Now why should we continue to pile debt upon debt when there is no understanding of how we are going to resuscitate this ailing institution? It does not make sense. You cannot be on a frolic of borrowing. You cannot become a professional borrower, particularly when you are borrowing- and that is what we have become.
We have developed an industry of borrowing.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Address the Chair! [Laughter]
HON. CHAMISA: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir. So this aspect Hon, Minister is very difficult inasmuch as we would want to support you, these are some of the nagging factors that you have to correct [HON. CHINAMASA: You said you will support me.]- we have to support you when you have corrected certain things. We have a Minister who is in charge of the Ministry. If this Parliament was progressive, we would agree across the political party divide to say until the Minister has been brought to account on certain shady deals and dirty hands, we cannot proceed to approve this loan –[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]- the Minister has to account for the resources that have disappeared and he has to account for resources that have problems. – [HON.
CHINAMASA: I am not the one.] You know the line Minister in charge Hon. Minister and you are aware of the circumstances around certain resources that have been abused. If you are not aware we may need to help you. This matter has to investigated and until it has been investigated it becomes very difficult to continue approving loans under these circumstances. I must say Hon. Speaker Sir, fully aware that we have a problem of a policy mix that is rickety and that is perforated. It is as it is, there is duplication….
Hon. Chamisa having debated facing Hon. Members.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Please address the Chair.
HON. CHAMISA: Alright Mr. Speaker. I realise that you are so fond of my attention and I will gladly give it to you. It is appreciated.
THE HON. SPEAKER: You are the author of Standing Orders.
HON. CHAMISA: Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir. In terms of the point I was making; the convergence of infrastructure is a very important element. Why should we continue borrowing just to have duplication of infrastructure? It is a waste of resources. We need to deploy our resources strategically and economically and we are not doing that. That is an area that requires and merits real investigation. We need to have one comprehensive ICT master plan and then we fund it as Government without unnecessary duplication.
That said and done, it is clear that the horse has already bolted. I mentioned this because we want to put our Government to check on things that they are doing that are unconstitutional and untoward and they need to correct this. It is very important for us to invest in ICT. We need to invest in ICT particularly in having these things sorted out, there is Tel One having a national footprint particularly in the rural areas. Our people are lagging behind.
We need e-Government services in the rural areas and make sure that people in the rural areas have access to ICT services. That can only be done once we have rationalized infrastructure and once we have dealt with all this duplication issues and all the issues I have cited for Minister Chinamasa to deal with.
We also need to make sure that we ride on the legacy infrastructure that we have. I looked at the problem that Tel One has. They are being cheated by other operators in terms of interconnection because they do not have machinery and equipment to know how much they are entitled to in terms of termination of calls. That has to be dealt with though the Minister did not include this. This is why I would go out of my way to appreciate where the Minister is coming from but with the understanding that they will correct the issues that we have raised.
HON. MISIHAIRABWI-MUSHONGA: Thank you Mr.
Speaker Sir and thank you for acknowledging that the other gender needs to speak on this particular issue.
I will not repeat the issues that have been raised by others except to just raise two issues. The first one is to agree with Hon. Chasi in saying that there is need for us to separate the two issues that we are dealing with. In separating those two issues, I think it is important for us to raise the other issues that are in tandem with this particular issue. We notice that the loan clearly like what others have said has very good terms and makes business sense.
However, that the terms make good sense does not necessarily translate to the fact that everybody in Zimbabwe will benefit in this process. I think that is the point I want to raise more seriously. Let me just give you an example of the Matabeleland South Constituency where I come from. Up to now, even with the amount of work that has been done around issues of telecommunications, this constituency does not have the level of penetration on issues around ICT like we have in other parts of the area. I raise that because it is unfair to be asking other people to contribute and pay for a service to which they do not benefit.
It links up very well with the issue that if this very issue, if it had come to the House in a proper manner, it would have allowed communities to be able to feed into this process and speak to it. There are so many things that other people who are not necessarily on this other side of the country have benefited from. We, who are coming from the other side have paid for those services. It is unfair and it is not right.
If we are going to bring a loan such as this, I think Hon. Chamisa spoke to it; what we want to hear and what we need to understand is that given the penetration levels that have happened before – what is going to be happening with the movement around ICT in those areas that have not benefited before. That would persuade myself but also the constituency to believe that this is going to be something that they are going into; which is why the issue of consultation is important.
I would proffer that in the circumstance such as this, you would then hear the kind of voices that are coming from Matabeleland and people will think that these people are being cessationists. That is when they come back and say if you have a loan such as this and this loan is going to benefit a particular part of the country, let those that are in that part of the country bear the cost of paying back that loan and do not give it to us and our generations because it makes no sense.
I am a bit disappointed because I have a soft spot for Hon. Chinamasa and I have problems fighting against some of the proposals that he brings to the House. This is why I am a bit split around this particular issue and not quite clear on where to go.
However, I would still insist that if we do agree as a House and approve this loan, firstly, it should be the last time that we are asked to approve something without letting the Portfolio Committee go the consultations that are necessary.
Secondly, we should only approve a loan such as this under circumstances where we know where the money is going to go to and who is going to benefit. This second point is critical and important even when we have signed. It is important that he understands that we have approved this one on good faith and on the understanding that it is going to be distributed in a fair and just manner.
Therefore, he has an obligation as the Minister to come back to this House and say that the amount of money that we have borrowed is so much and this is where it is going to go to. That, in my opinion will give me some safety net in going back to a Constituency and say this is what we have approved.
The last point is to do with the issue of debt. I was thinking that the Hon. Minister being the person who is dealing and is in the vortex of the debt issue-given all the Lima issues and so forth, he would at least have given us a briefing of what this means in terms of our debt. Are we continuing to increase our debt even when we have not yet come up with a proper solution of dealing with the debt that we already have? How is this going to help us in beginning to create the revenue that is necessary and that will allow us to be able to pay our debt? From a lay person’s point of view, I do not want to believe that if I have a problem with debt, I am continuously going to borrow so that I add it on the other debt that I have. I was thinking that this would have been an opportunity for him to speak a little bit more on this particular issue. I understand that given his many other pressures and the Politburo tomorrow, it may have been a bit difficult for him to go into the details that are coming in. I thank you.
HON. MAJOME: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir for according me this opportunity to lend my voice to debate about this loan that our Government has concluded on our behalf with the China Export-Import Bank.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I wish to make two points. My first point being to carry on the thread of our responsibility as a nation, that we must have a conglomeration of infrastructure. Right now we have borrowed for NetOne, Power Tel, Zarnet and we may need to borrow for Transmedia. We are borrowing for TelOne, we need to streamline ICT services in this country so that we have one infrastructure hub where we are investing. Right now we are abusing resources, as Parliament, the Executive, other branches of Government and all citizens to comply with the Constitution as was said by Hon. Chamisa. Mr. Speaker Sir, while it is positive development for us to expand access to communication and internet services and so on; I want to specifically draw the august House’s attention to the very rules of the august House that we made in this House in order to bring our rules in line with the Constitution.
I want to speak in a very specific manner I want to remind the
Hon. Minister, through you Mr. Speaker, of Parliament’s right to actually seriously consider all those important matters of State, particularly in loans and agreements. In the debate of the new Standing Rules and Orders, this august House noted the very unfortunate missing link that was there between the business of entering into loan agreements and international agreements and Parliament’s role. In order to remedy that failure, we specifically amended Rule No. 20 and I remember it because I debated on this.
In Rule No. 20 of our Standing Rules and Orders that we ourselves in this House made for ourselves and actually amended in order for us to be more serious about issues that are coming before us and to save ourselves from being a rubber stamp, we amended Rule No. 20 and specifically added a very specific clause relating to how this august House should deal with treaties and agreements. Among the terms of reference of Portfolio Committees, it says that, ‘the Portfolio Committees must..’ and it is not an optional issue, it is a peremptory term. It says, “Portfolio Committees must in paragraph E, consider or deal with all, international treaties, conventions and agreements relevant to it, which are from time to time negotiated, entered into and agreed upon.”
Mr. Speaker Sir, I raise this in order to remind ourselves as the august House, even as we are placing possible motions on the Order
Paper, to go through those checks to see whether we are following our very own rules. If we as Parliament dispense with our own rules that we have made for ourselves; if we do not take ourselves seriously then nobody will do so. I can forgive the Executive for just doing it because they can see that maybe Parliament is not paying attention to its own rules. As Parliament, we have a duty to, not only respect our own rules but we do this for the sake of the people of Zimbabwe.
It would have been very good if there was a relevant Portfolio Committee because it has time to actually examine issues and go with them. I am saying this so that in future this august House seriously pays attention to the things that we do so that we do justice to the hard work that the Minister is doing to acquire funding on behalf of the
Government. If Parliament is to serve its purpose, then we must indeed act and behave seriously.
The second issue that I want to raise which also relates to the
Constitution is that; I note that clearly the money is coming from the China Export-Import Bank. I want to say that this loan is likely to be approved because Zimbabweans do require to be up to date with the rest of the world. I note with concern that this loan is coming from the Republic of China. I was listening to the media just a few days ago; I understand that His Excellency our President made remarks to the effect that is considering learning from China about how China monitors and looks at internet access and internet communications with a view to learning how possibly internet communication and electronic communication in Zimbabwe can be strictly monitored.
As I say this, I am hoping that while it is good for us to borrow money from China and it is good for us to borrow technology. While we do so, I stand here in trepidation worrying if I might indeed be supporting the borrowing of the loan that will result in the clamping down of fundamental freedoms that are expressed in our very own Constitution in terms of the right to freedom of expression, access to information that clearly spells out that every Zimbabwean has a right to freedom of information, expression and of the media particularly
Sections 61 and 62. As we debate this loan, my entreaty to the Hon.
Minister is that as we borrow this loan, let us borrow the money and indeed the technology but by no means, let us not borrow and import habits that are from a different society than ours. We must use this loan only for the purpose of increasing access and expanding access of information technology to our citizens and not then use this loan in order to stifle and unduly interfere with information and access to information and privacy. If we were to approve a loan that would then do that, we would also be breaching our own Constitution that is the substance of my contribution Mr. Speaker Sir. I thank you.
*HON. CHINOTIMBA: Thank you Mr. Speaker, I thought I
would not manage to debate because I have a terrible headache. On my own behalf, I want to thank Hon. Gabbuza. If you listened to the way he debated, he does not speak as if he is opposition but he talked of facts that build this nation. If all of us could emulate the way he speaks then our country would develop. I only stood up to commend Hon. Gabbuza.
If you look at some of the telephones that we were given that had aerials like that of televisions, they did not stay for long and they are not working. My comment is, did you hear the way Hon. Gabbuza debated, a man amongst men and a Member of Parliament? I think he should move from being a member of the Opposition to come to the right side of the House. I stood up just to thank him for that and also from what Hon. Chinamasa is doing - if it is true that the interest is 2% then we implore him to go and look for some more money especially to fund agriculture. As war veterans, we need that money to purchase assets so that our war veterans can do their projects.
There is nowhere we can get an interest rate of 2%, I think China was just embarrassed to tell us that they are giving us a loan with no interest. So, I want to thank the Minister of Finance and implore that this money should not only be for ICT or Tel One or Ministry of Agriculture and other ministries but we should continue borrowing from there. What is needed is for us to use that money in a proper way. We always give these funds to places like Harare, Mutare, and Bulawayo but we also want this money to be used in rural areas. Those monies should be used in Buhera and they should be channeled to areas mentioned by Hon. Misihairabwi-Mushonga, not in Gwanda town but in the rural areas. That is where we want these monies to be channeled to so that they are also ICT compliant.
If we only talk of urban centres, that is when you end up taking us as laughing stock, us the Chinotimbas because we do not know about ICT as we reside in rural areas. You are busy developing and putting all technology in the urban centres where there are thieves and dealers but for the farmers in the rural areas, there is no ICT.
I want to agree with those who spoke before me – I think this money has been delayed. It should be expedited so that it assists people in Buhera South and other areas as pointed out by the previous speakers. So, I want to give my support to Hon. Chinamasa that he should acquire the loan with clear conscience. I also want to say that once we get a loan, yes, conflict is there and people misuse the funds. We do not want to take the criminal activities of other people and heap them on another person. There is the ZRP and the Anti-Corruption Commission, instead of taking those issues to the Anti-Corruption Commission; we bring them here in this House which is the wrong forum. That is failure to reason. So, if we think there is abuse of funds, let us report to the ZRP so that they take up the issues. That is my request and that should be done. Also my support for the loan – [AN HON MEMBER: Chigara
pasi!] – I will sit down yes, but my point is that I support this loan. For those who do not want to pass this loan, the majority is there and I am one of those in the majority, I thank you.
HON. MLILO: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir, for giving me this opportunity to pencil in my thoughts. I am of the idea that Hon. Chinamasa deserves a round of applause because this loan came at such a critical time. If you appreciate and understand ICT and telecommunications, you will realise that the technologies that are currently in place at Tel-One have been fast overtaken by events and new technologies as well. So their asking for this loan and utilising it for infrastructure means a lot. I think the Hon. Minister has done a wonderful job and we concur with his thoughts. But of note there are issues that previous speakers did not obviously cover.
I remember Hon. Gabbuza was saying part of this technology is going to be overtaken. No, he is wrong in that aspect. What they are merely doing is laying what is called underlining network. When they are laying underlining network, they are not dealing with any termination on the network yet. So, they are creating a base for transporting data on the network. The previous base that was there was copper driven and was suffering from attenuation, signal laws and because of that, you realise that the quality of service was quite very poor and the charges were very high as well.
So, what has since happened is TelOne is fast spreading its veins of the network, not only intercity but also within the Metropolitan
Provinces of Zimbabwe that are there and as well as I believe small towns and rural areas. I do understand and appreciate that there are other players that have already laid their infrastructure down between cities, that is Harare to Bulawayo; for example Liquideep by Econet which people where complaining about that is dug underground but not everything is dug underground because even the Power-Tel infrastructure is actually overhead on the pillows that supply electricity between cities.
So, what we now need to understand and appreciate is this, whoever service provider will lay down a network, it is just creating veins like an ordinary man to cover each of their access points that are popularly known as points of presence. So, TelOne competitively, was going backwards because of the current networks that they were using but in the advent of the optic fibre they are using which I think I am at a better point to stress that optic fibre currently is the mother of all technologies, nothing is going to change very soon. It is here to stay, it cannot be overtaken by events.
Yes, you talk about mobile technology, you look at wireless technology but wireless technology has got a vast number of disadvantages. Some are affected by weather, when there is too much rains and winds, there is too much signal laws, it is almost like attenuation in signal laws in copper cables. There is something called backhauling, technically meaning there is a limit to amount of data that you can propagate in our wireless network but with regards to optic fibre networks, the sky is the limit, downloads and uploads are very high. So, this gives TelOne a competitive advantage because what will happen now at TelOne is, you realise that there is going to be an increase in quality of service. Gone are the days when the quality of ordinary phone calls in the TelOne network was very bad because of this advent of optic
fibre.
What they have since done now is even in urban areas where they use to have their distribution boxes backbone by copper, that is no more. All those distribution boxes are now backbone by optic fibre meaning that there are now higher speeds. Higher speeds means there is higher bandwidth and higher bandwidth means this kind of network right now is actually a threshold, it is actually very small. So, the capabilities of this network are awesome, they are out of this world. They are not easily definable.
So I would like to applaud the Minister of Finance and Economic
Development for going out and the President as well for facilitating that Tel-One gets this loan. My hope is that we are going to see even new jobs being created because what is happening now is that this is just infrastructure, the baseline network. There is going to be a transport layer. Transport layer, we are basically dealing with how we are going to be transporting data on that network, how is that data going to be terminated, what are the technologies that we are going to be using. So, with new technologies that are going to be used, obviously new skills are going to be created and new jobs are going to be created as well.
Mr. Speaker, of note, earlier today I went to Tele-Contract to visit an old friend, and they are currently right now in the process of creating an application that is going to be a VoIP application almost similar to the WhatsApp, Twitters, Skype but this one is going to be basically for VoIP, so meaning that application can only work in a three G or better network. Optic fibre creates that opportunity. So, this in turn is going to create a level playing field for both programmers in the country or outside the country. What we are going to see is people are going to come up with a lot of applications which is one thing that we need.
Currently, the applications that are being run on Zimbabwe networks and globally are from Europe which is popularly known as the ‘over the top services’. European companies are benefiting from that but with this, it is going to give birth to Zimbabwean brain child, innovating and benefiting the country as a whole.
I think it is a good move and it is actually going to benefit the ICT sector in the country. I short, I would like to say a round of applause to Hon. Chinamasa for a job well done and hopefully, Tel-One is going to properly run this and compete with other networks in a very high note and the technologies are going to improve our life.
One thing that we have to understand with ICT is that it is actually there to cut down on costs, increase quality and with that in mind, this is what Tel-One is doing. It is going to increase that quality of service and even the products that they have are going to increase. They are going to be European class and we need that in the country. Currently, things that are happening with ICT in Zimbabwe are in their threshold. We have not even begun, we are where Europe was ten years from today.
So, I think this is giving birth to creating innovations in the world of ICT and creating a competitive advantage for Tel-One and that is increasing obviously their share of the cake in ICT in the country. Thank you very much Hon. Chinamasa. Let us hope you will continue doing such a marvelous job. I thank you –[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear].
*HON. MUTSEYAMI: Thank you Mr. Speaker for giving me
this opportunity. I am not going to say a lot as most of the issues have already been debated.
Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Hon. Minister for sourcing this loan. Hon. Minister, yes, you may have programmes for the development of the nation through sourcing of loans but when these loans are disbursed to the ministries, they will not go a long way as they end up being misused and a lot of money is lost through corruption. This loan will end up bringing up issues of factions and people awarding contracts to each other based on relationships with certain factions and nothing is done. At a rally, they are given first preference to take the floor yet they will have abused and misused these loans.
Mr. Speaker, I want to say to the Hon. Minister, last year you came to this august House and brought a loan proposal that you were requesting the House to approve to Net-One. We debated and stated that the Net-One that you were giving the loan to, I was one of the members who debated. We advised you that the employees at Net-One are corrupt. We looked at the mismanagement that was happening in Net-
One since the late 1990s yet today you are giving them more money. Hon. Minister, you promised us that this time the loan would be managed well but the same money that we approved in this House has reflected that the boosters that were put are now being removed, they initially cost US$19 000.00 and now cost US$42 000.00.
These are the monies that they are now talking about and sending text messages to each other that, ‘the loan has passed but you have not given me my kick-back of US$700 000.00’. We come to this House and debate, as a Government that represents the country, we clap our hands and approve such loans to an organisation where the previous loan was misused. Hon. Minister, why did you not interrogate them on the money that was availed to them before to see how it was used? If there was any misuse then it meant heads were going to roll and people should have been fired.
What do we do if we bankroll more money to them yet it is the same management? What guarantee is there that that they will not misuse and abuse the money as they did in the past? Hon. Speaker, my request to Hon. Minister Chinamasa is that, you came with a loan proposal for us to build infrastructure in our schools. We debated this issue and requested that the loan for infrastructural development of schools which was US$21million is allocated throughout the country and you come up with a programme of how the money was going to be disbursed without any loopholes for corruption. After that, bring it back to Parliament and advise the House on how the loan was allocated for example $200 000.00 to say, we have taken $70 000.00 to Checheche and $20 000.00 to Lupane but that is not happening.
Now we realise Minister Dokora is going into the provinces and says he has built a number of schools. If we are to look into the ways that this is being done in these areas, you will realise that it is all on the basis on factionalism at other times. Hon. Speaker, I do not have much to say but I am requesting Hon. Chinamasa to reflect and ask himself when he is sourcing for all this money. I understand and feel pity for him because he has too much pressure…
HON. HOLDER: On a point of order Mr. Speaker. The Hon. Member keeps referring to factions and I am beginning to wonder what he is talking about, may he please define that. – [HON. MEMBERS:
Inaudible interjections] –
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order, I thought you had finished.
HON. HOLDER: Can the Hon. Member define the meaning of factions, what is he trying to say? – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – I am trying to understand because he keeps making reference to factions. May the Hon. Member please define what he means by factions because as far as I am concerned, there is ZANU PF and MDC, I do not know what he is talking about? – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] –
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order, Hon. Member may you be
clearer on your factions.
*HON. MUTSEYAMI: Sorry Mr. Speaker, for me to explain the
factions, Hon. Member, I did not stand here to talk of factions. It is like you, Hon. Holder can you drive the same vehicle as Hon. Matangaidze?
That is what I am talking about.
I want to talk about the loan and I was about to finish. Hon. Minister, on the issue of the loan, through you Mr. Speaker, this money that is coming in will be a challenge for our descendants as they will struggle with these loans. Is it going to develop our nation when considering the fact that our descendants will repay the loan? We should do things that ensure that our decisions today will not be shot down in future.
Let us assist each other in sourcing funds. At the same time, we even have money as the President said that as Zimbabwe, we can actually lend money to other countries. We have US$15 billion so why should we borrow $15 to $20 million yet the President is aware of the fact that someone stole $15 billion? When that $15 billion is recovered, we should take over buildings and properties of the people that stole the money. If they have properties in Europe and Swiss bank accounts, we should recover those monies and fund outstanding projects. US$15 billion is a lot of money that should be in your office, yet you are now cracking your head with $20 million loan that you are acquiring from China.
I thank you Mr. Speaker for the opportunity that you have given me. Most of the issues have already been debated. I implore Hon. Chinamasa to look into how the loan that we approved in this House was used. It is there in the social media and in the text messages. I think you need to investigate these issues of kick backs that were mentioned. With these few words, I thank you.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I also want to add my
voice to the issue of the fibre optic roll-out loan of US$98, 6 million from the China Exim Bank. I ask the Minister of Finance to complement that effort of this cheap loan by decreasing the taxes on ICT gadgets. Mr. Speaker Sir, ICT has got the power to finance the whole budget of US$4, 2 million Zimbabwe annual budget, if it is optimally utilised.
Each household with more than five gadgets, talking about cell phones using Wi-Fi, which also is fibre optic, you can easily get a lot of money if each handset uses about $5 or $3 per day. This can only come about if we have a number of those gadgets embedded in those families.
However, that cannot happen if the tax on ICT gadgets, including cell phones is not reduced, so I ask the Minister of Finance to complement his efforts or the effort of the US$98, 6 million by reducing taxes on ICT gadgets.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the issue of urban to rural migration in the term of supporting agriculture and the rural population utilising ICT, I am quite sure has been well ventilated. However, I will add my voice in the following manner; in Chegutu West Constituency in particular, and Zimbabwe in general, there are more than seven water bodies that can optimally utilise ICT for the betterment of food security in this nation.
These are John Binya, Becksly, Pool Dam, Mupfure river, Surisuri river and Surisuri Dam, just to mention the six out of the seven. if we make sure that we follow where the population has gone and optimally utilise water bodies to enhance our food and agricultural security, we will be doing ourselves a lot of good service utilising this ICT loan.
There are other Hon. Members who have stood up and spoken about a number of holes within our road servitude. As the Chairperson of the Transport and Infrastructure Development Portfolio Committee, the days are numbered for those who do not rehabilitate the road servitude diggings that they would have undertaken. We would want them to rehabilitate that road servitude and leave it in the same original state that it was. How can this be optimally done? By infrastructure sharing, as you dig and bury the fibre optic cables, they are digging way too deep just for a little number of cables to be embedded in that earth. I call-in the implementation of these projects, to ask the Minister of Finance and Economic Development to ask the network providers, including Tel One - to be embedded in the same whole with other
service providers so that we can rehabilitate our infrastructure on the road network. So, infrastructure sharing is very key. I heard he spoke to that as well and alludes to the fact that they could even be network sharing because of that infrastructure sharing.
The most important is the issue of utilising ICT to formalise our informal sector. Mr. Speaker, a lot has been said about making sure that we centralise our communication systems using fibre optic invention and ICT. Let us use what we have to get what we want. These loans are fine the way they come but it is not easy to get them as a country that is under debilitating sanctions. We would want to make sure that we optimally utilize what we have, chako ndechawadya chirimusango mutoro waMambo.
Let us make sure that we complement the efforts of the RBZ Governor. In his monetary statement, he alluded to the fact that the bulk of the money that is coming in terms of gold is coming in from the informal sector, the small scale miners and the artisanal miners. Let us have an opportunity that whilst the artisanal miners are underground, they are able to communicate to each other. Mr. Speaker Sir, some are of a thought that 80% of our population is not employed; I am of a different notion. I say 80% of our population is now employed in other means of employment. That 80% of our population, when we come here, we are not speaking about that population. We still leave them in the fringes and in the margins of our economic benefit of this nation. This is the time that we should now follow where the money is. We cannot continue to marginalize our small scale miners and our artisanal miners - including those programmes that are modern such as the programme that is being brought here before Parliament. They are still utilizing two way radio communications, sometimes if the battery goes out pamunzwa zvichinzi mugodhi wadonha, there will also be a shut down in the mugwavavas’ Mr. Speaker Sir, because there is lack of communication.
I ask Mr. Speaker Sir that we also bring in our small scale miners in this form of communication. What does it do – where they were not engaged in modernizing our economy by buying state of the art WiFi oriented and Fibre oriented machinery.
We will witness have an increase in the purchases in that department, thereby increasing our economic capabilities of this nation. We cannot continue to receive from this constituency of people who 80% of the population criminalise them utilising the other hand. We cannot continue to receive for the betterment of this economy from that informal sector and continue to leave them unmodernised using moribund, archaic and historic equipment. We cannot continue that route Mr. Speaker.
As I wind up, let us develop an industry that speaks to the majority of this nation. This is the formally marginalised black majority. What we need to come here and speak to, is not only the urban to rural migration because of the agrarian reform programme. It is also the majority of this nation which is now in the agricultural sector which is because of such entities like David Whitehead Textiles which have now closed down, and have gone into the informal sector where they have not many overheads. They have gone and formed family units Mr. Speaker. We cannot continue to ignore this informal sector.
So, in distribution of this loan, it should be noted by the Minister of Finance and Economic Development that this is the modus operandi in terms of the distribution of this loan. It should not be skewed towards automobile purchases for the top heavy directors who are going to be presiding over this loan. That should be a thing of the past. It should be bottom heavy as opposed. This should be the apex where we get the loan and it should be broad based like a pyramid, and this I borrowed from the contribution from the motor industry that came into our committee yesterday. There should not be any usage of that money at the top. It should come down to where it should be utilised and where it is optimally utilised the majority of our population.
Mr. Speaker Sir, using this loan, let us formalise the informal sector. Let us get the opportunity to make sure that we are a Government for the people, with the people and by the people, utilising Section 117 of the Constitution which says, let us make laws for the good governance and order of the people of Zimbabwe. I thank you.
*HON. TSOMONDO: I want to join my colleagues who applauded the Minister for acquiring this loan between our Government and the Bank of China. This will assist us in achieving ZIM ASSET because when there is no money we cannot implement ZIM ASSET. It will help us in terms of infrastructural development. If we look at the Mazowe satellite, it is lying idle right now. If we get money, this satellite can be upgraded and become functional. Cyber crimes are a major problem world-wide these days. Zimbabwe is not an exception.
With the absence of machines and other equipment to detect crime, we cannot prevent cyber crimes. If we manage to get money to buy the machinery that we need, it will assist us in guarding against cyber crime. We might think that some of these things are issues that are happening in other countries and do not affect us but it will eventually affect us because we are in a global village. So such equipment should be acquired in order to secure our nation from such crime, which I think is a big issue that can be addressed by this machinery. I thank you.
*HON. CHIRISA: I want to add my voice by saying to Hon. Chinamasa, our Minister of Finance and Economic Development that when he comes to this august House with such motions on monetary issues, he should know that he is coming to another arm of the State. I am saying so because we have the power as the Legislature or Members of Parliament to agree or disagree. He should carefully analyse what is happening in these ministries because they can push you to come to Parliament and tell you it will pass and no one will say anything.
I feel that we need to be respected as the Legislature. I say that because we have not received any reports from those ministries on the loans that we approved in this House. Maybe the reports came and I was absent but from what I know, no report has come. What comes are just requests to acquire these loans and we are here to just rubber stamp. We are sick and tired of this Mr. Speaker. They should respect us and acknowledge that we are the third arm of the State. It is unfortunate we are not united in this House, otherwise as a House we could disapprove these loans and request for reports of the loans that we have approved before.
So, what I request Hon. Minister, is that next time you should come with a report on the use of this loan. I hope you will advise your counterparts that now we cannot just go with loans, but they want a report of how the money was used. Thank you.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT (HON. CHINAMASA): I would like to thank all the Honourable Members who have made their contribution on this debate. The support for the loan is overwhelming and I want to thank those who have contributed to that support. Let me say that the ICT sector in other countries is a cash cow. It is not yet so in Zimbabwe because we have not yet made the investments that we should make into this sector, which is why this contribution through a loan, is essentially to turn this sector into a cash cow for the fiscus. I hope that a time will come when these investments start bearing fruits that we can indeed look at it as a cash cow. I also want to admit right from the outset that there has been duplication of infrastructure especially of fibre optic network. We have three or four companies which are all doing fibre optic and some of the fibres they lay are parallel, going in the same direction where only one such fibre optic has the capacity to do the work of all four. This is a matter that the Minister responsible is attending to. In the first instances, he is seeking to consolidate and that decision has already been taken by Cabinet to consolidate all the fibre optic infrastructure belonging to parastatals. This includes NetOne and TelOne.
Let me now come to specific responses. Honourable Maridadi, I do not know why he is seeking to link this loan by Government and will onlend at no cost to TelOne. I do not know the Honourable Member is seeking to link this to any alleged corruption against NetOne. There is no nexus between the two and I would want to make that very clear. What is linked here is using the NetOne balance sheet as further collateral to the loan that is going to be on-lend to TelOne. This is arising from the US$220m loan that we also negotiated with China
Exim-Bank to beef up the network capacity of NetOne. We are merely using the balance sheet. Even then we have incorporated in this loan sufficient safeguards to ensure that the loan will be used for the purpose for which it is intended and any revenue accruing to the investment will go into an escrow account in order to service the loan.
I want also to emphasise from the outset that we are not borrowing from consumption. This borrowing is to establish infrastructure which will generate cash flows from which we can service the loan. As Government, we do not think that there is risk in the borrowing that we are doing and on-lending to TelOne. I need also to point out that TelOne over recent years has come into the hands of good sound management. I think that Honourable Members who have looked into the work of TelOne will confirm that the management there is now reasonably sound in order to deliver on the loan that we are handing over to them.
Honourable Chasi, I thank him for his contribution in support of the loan but importantly for the fact that he also saw clearly that there was no nexus between this loan and any alleged corruption against NetOne. In any event, as far as the public is concerned, the matter of alleged allegations of corruption are being investigated and I am sure in the course of time we should know the result.
Honourable Mudarikwa, you make a very good point and the point you make is of course that, who is benefiting from this investment? You mentioned of course that there is no benefit accruing to UzumbaMaramba-Pfungwe. Initially yes and not directly but this network is a backbone. We are putting a backbone and eventually, there will have to be networks coming from the backbone to supply the outlying areas and TelOne is better positioned to achieve the greater networking of the country.
By the way, TelOne is the only company that has investments or shareholding in an underground ocean network cable linking us to other continents. It is only TelOne that has got shareholding in such a company. The capacity of TelOne needs to be enhanced for the purpose that in fact we have already spoken.
With respect to where it is going, I have already outlined in my presentation. Phase 2, we are talking about upgrading the capacity in the northern parts of the country, that is, Mashonaland West and
Mashonaland Central provinces. We are talking about Bulawayo-
Beitbridge fibre optic transmission route. We are talking about Bulawayo-Victoria Falls, Gweru-Masvingo, and the supply installation and commissioning of internet protocol multimedia sub system.
Honourable Chakona, thank you very much and I did not know that you are a former PTC employee because your knowledge was very deep and you were very knowledgeable about the subject. I thank you for the education especially that if we make the right investments, the contributions from ICT are almost quick wins and immediate in terms of their contribution to GDP as well as to the revenue of the country. You are quite right that our fibre optic is lagging behind and we cannot afford to wait.
Honourable Gabbuza, about technology changing quickly - yes you are right but not in this situation, I think you got the reply from Honourable Mlilo. We are putting here fibre optic backbone which does not change overnight. In fact, from what I know this could be for generations. The only thing that will make it not obsolete but lag behind is the capacity. As I was mentioning the capacity of any one of this fibre optic whether laid by Econet, Africom, PowerTel, Telecel and TelOne - the capacity of each of those companies’ fibre is enough to cater for everybody. Similarly, this is also the situation with the masts that you see. You see three or so of those masts where only one mast is necessary and will carry the volume of traffic for all three. These are issues that are being attended to.
Honourable Shamu, I thank you for your support and in particular raising the issues which I am aware are also being attended to over time. The issue of the need for a single gateway to channel traffic in and out of the country as well as the issue of consolidation of the fibre optic infrastructure. What we are doing here is that with this investment, as I have pointed out Mr. Speaker Sir, it will help bring state-of-the-art infrastructure to enhance data, voice, video services and information at the speed that is much faster than we are currently accustomed to. Hon. Chamisa raised some procedural issues. I take note of those procedural issues and we will certainly take those into account in the future. On the whole, he was a reluctant supporter for political reasons. He raised the issue of the legacy debt. That is also being looked into with a view to sorting out that problem.
I responded to the issue that was raised by Hon. Misihairabwi-
Mushonga when we were outside Parliament and I will not take
Parliament’s time to repeat what I have already said. I liked the issue about you having a soft spot for me. –[HON. MEMBERS: Laughter]- Long live the soft spot. Hon. majome supports the loan agreement and also raised issues to do with constitutional requirements, monitoring and the need to make sure that we do not breach or violate the human rights that are enshrined in our Constitution. Let me say to you that all countries have laws which allow monitoring of Telecomms. The more sophisticated the countries are, the more comprehensive the monitoring and the more clamping down they do on the Telecomms.
I would like to thank Hon. Chinotimba. I want to say that eventually, we will get to Buhera but in the first instance, we are going to put in a backbone fibre optic and this backbone, there will be branches coming out of the backbone to schools and clinics, but that will in phases yet to come. Tel One being a public parastatal is best placed to do that outreach programme in terms of connectivity. Currently, most of the commercial entities are only interested in making money which is why the explanation that they only go to places which have concentrated population. This is to maximise their revenues and to enhance viability.
Hon. Mutseyami, there is no link between the allegations you are making whether against Net One or against any Minister; there is no link with this loan. The borrower of this loan is Government and will on lend to Tel One. Net One loan was approved last year by this Parliament and is already being implemented. The allegations you raised are being investigated. I do not think there is any problem but you make a valid point about over-pricing of Telecomm services. That is an issue which will come, but it is largely because of the duplication. All of them,
where it only one fibre optic should do, there are seven. So, it is not only costly to individual company, but also to the country as a whole because at the end of the day, all this investment is through loan financing. None from own resources whether we are talking about Econet or Telecel, it is all through loans externally etc. So, it is important as we go forward that we should not allow this duplication for ever to continue.
Hon. Nduna, thank you for supporting the loan and I want to say, but I could be wrong, I am not aware that there is tax on ICT products. You make the point that we should reduce the tax on ICT, but I will check for you and communicate that information. Not being a technologically minded person, I was not sure the relevance of water bodies to ICT, but I stand to be corrected. You make a valid point about servitudes that sometimes they are too close and they do not allow future expansion of the road which would also mean that those companies which put those cables near the road when it is expanded, they will have to incur the extra cost and it will be an additional cost which they could have avoided.
Thank you Hon. Tsomondo for the support of the loan agreement and I take note of the point you make about cyber crime and obvsiouly, these are matters that the technologists will look into to see how we can fight against it. Thank you Hon. Chirisa for supporting the loan and I also take note of the points that you have raised.
So, Mr. Speaker Sir, I conclude by thanking all Hon. Members for their contribution, but more importantly for the overwhelming support that they have given to this loan. I accordingly move that the motion be adopted and approved. I thank you.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
LEAVE TO MOVE RATIFICATION OF THE DOHA AMENDMENT
TO THE KYOTO PROTOCOL
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND CLIMATE (HON. MUCHINGURI): Thank you Mr. Speaker. I seek
leave of the House to move that;
WHEREAS, Section 327(3) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides that any International Treaty which has been concluded or executed by the President or under the authority of the President does not bind Zimbabwe until it has been approved by Parliament;
AND WHEREAS, on 8th December 2012, the 18th Conference of the parties to the Kyoto Protocol adopted the Doha Amendment to the
Kyoto Protocol, establishing the Second Amendment period from 1st
January, 2013 to 31st December, 2020;
AND WHEREAS Zimbabwe is a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and is desirous of becoming a party to the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto
Protocol;
AND WHEREAS the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol has
not entered into force and shall enter into force on the nineteenth day after the date of receipt by the depository of an Instrument of
Acceptance, by at least three fourths of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol; NOW THEREFORE, In terms of Section 327(2) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, This House resolves that the Aforesaid Amendment be and is hereby approved. I thank you Mr. Speaker.
Motion put and agreed to.
MOTION
RATIFICATION OF THE DOHA AMENDMENT TO THE
KYOTO PROTOCOL
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND
CLIMATE (HON. MUCHINGURI): Mr. Speaker Sir, I move that
WHEREAS, Section 327(3) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe provides that any International Treaty which has been concluded or executed by the President or under the authority of the President does not bind
Zimbabwe until it has been approved by Parliament; AND WHEREAS, on 8th December, 2012, the 18th Conference of the parties to the Kyoto
Protocol adopted the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol, establishing the second commitment period from 1st January, 2013 to
31st December, 2020;
AND WHEREAS, Zimbabwe is a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and is desirous of becoming a party to the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto
Protocol;
AND WHEREAS, the Doha Amendment to the Kyoto Protocol
has not entered into force and shall enter into force on the nineteenth day after the date of receipt by the depository of an instrument of acceptance by at least three fourths of the parties to the Kyoto Protocol;
NOW THEREFORE, in terms of Section 327 (2) of the
Constitution of Zimbabwe, this House resolves that the aforesaid amendment be and is hereby approved.
Mr. Speaker Sir, the Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change placed the obligation of reducing current greenhouse gas emissions that are responsible for climate change on developed countries on the understanding that they are historically responsible for the current levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. A commitment period of 2008 to 2012 was agreed upon within which the developed countries were to meet their obligations by reducing their overall emissions of such gases by at least 5% and by supporting such initiatives in developing countries. However, most developed countries failed to meet their obligations in full within that first commitment period of 2008 to 2012 hence the agreement by State parties to give the developed countries more time by extending the period to 2020, thereby establishing the second commitment period of 1st January, 2013 to 31st December 2020.
Meanwhile, Zimbabwe participated in the COP21 Paris Agreement negotiations and adoption in December, 2015. The Paris Agreement is the successor to the Kyoto Protocol, which seeks to take the climate change management agenda beyond 2020 when the lifespan of the
Kyoto Protocol comes to an end. The Agreement opens for signature on
22nd April, 2016 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. It is vital therefore that Zimbabwe accepts the Doha Amendment prior to the signing of the Paris Agreement. The Doha Amendment will go a long way in facilitating access to funds that will finance Zimbabwe’s efforts towards mitigating and adapting to the effects of climate change, which in fact include the current severe drought. Developed countries have an obligation to finance clean energy technologies in developing countries that target the combating of climate change and the second commitment period is a vehicle through which such finances will be channeled. Hence, the need to accept the Doha hence the need to accept the Doha Amendment before this House. I thank you Mr. Speaker.
HON. CROSS: Mr. Speaker Sir, I will not take the House very long but I just wanted to say that Zimbabwe is going to be one of the countries in the world that is going to be worst affected by climate change. I think all the scientific evidence points to that and we have got to acknowledge that unless we take the lead on issues such as this issue today, we will do the international community an injustice. I am delighted that the Minister has brought this to us and I think it is vitally important for us to adopt this today. I am very pleased she has done so timeously.
Mr. Speaker Sir, I cannot think of another issue that is as vital as this for us as a nation. I think this absolutely overrides all other matters that are confronting us as a nation and it is time that we demand that the international community takes this absolutely serious because the future of our country depends on it.
HON. GABBUZA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I wish to support
the Minister in that regard because these are international agreements, international arrangements and we cannot be seen to be left out. However, I am supporting with a heavy heart. I think as Africans, we are not doing ourselves a favour. Our scientists are letting us down. African scientists are letting us down and Zimbabwean scientists are letting us down Mr. Speaker. When our Ministers go to these conferences to sign these protocols, the scientific evidence is based not on the African scientist researches. In my view, I find it difficult to really believe if
Africa is contributing to this climate change because all the researches are not empirically evidenced in Africa or in Zimbabwe. It is things that we are told are happening.
Why I am raising this Mr. Speaker Sir? I think we have a tendency of getting carried away as Africans. If we go back to history; when we grew up we were told that if you eat one egg a day, one pint of milk, that is body building and it is healthy and is a balanced diet. Of late, we are being told if you eat eggs and a pint of milk, that is a lot of cholesterol and is unhealthy-do not eat that. Now, we are not sure. Where was this research? How are things suddenly turning around because we do not have our own through research?
Recently, we were running around with jatropha Mr. Speaker Sir, that there is a lot of diesel in jatropha, clean energy, a lot of farms changed into jatropha and I am sure at Mount Hampden, there was a refinery plant built by the RBZ to start working. I do not remember that thing working and right now nobody talks about jatropha. You wonder where were our scientists to tell us that these things do not work.
Currently, everybody is running around with what they call and it is a favourite with Hon. Eddie Cross-people are cultivating and we call it garichopo in the rural areas. People are not supposed to till, you put some pits and drop in things that they do not do in Europe.
We are told this has high harvest and it is for vulnerable groups but there is no evidence to that effect. Some of us in the rural areas have tried those things and they do not work. These are things that we are told, I researched by external scientists male circumcision reduces AIDS but we do not have our own research to prove that. They do not even do it their own countries and that is why I am a bit concerned Mr. Speaker
Sir.
How do you, for example, agree that there is climate change in Zimbabwe when current serious records of weather only started in the late 19th Century, because to say there is climate change you must have a consistent long record of weather elements recordings. Our weather stations only started recording in the late 19th Century because we must not mistake climate change to climatic weather changes. Weather phenomenon change here and there but that is not necessarily climate change.
I am a bit concerned about that Mr. Speaker because if we are to look at our own weather stations, how many are they just in Harare? Every day the weather man report says-Harare 400 mm of rain fell but which Harare? It could have been at the airport and it did not rain in
Chitungwiza and in the city centre. Our weather station is just at Belvedere. If it rains in Belvedere it might not here. So which Harare are we recording? Our weather station densities are so terrible. I think during the regime in every farm there was a small weather station and records would be sent. At least if we have that high density of weather stations and then we record over a long period, then we will be able to say okay, there is climate change.
If you research on this climate change subject, the evidence which is there, they will tell you if you look at fossil trees, old trees that were buried; when you look at the rings it shows that some time ago there was heavy rainfall. If you look at the eyes age, the levels of the ocean, there was a record of the movement of the ocean. So that means in ancient times there was a lot of rainfall. So now there is little rainfall which means there is climate change.
Honestly Mr. Speaker Sir, well I do not want to say there is climate change but I do not want to say there is climate change because we do not have records for that. There could be a climate change in Europe, but in Zimbabwe here and in Africa records are simply not there. During the times of Lobengula, there were no weather stations. During the times until recently in the 60s, that is when we started recording the weather elements and the first weather elements were recorded in Chiredzi around Triangle in the late 40s. So as we talk about this climate change, I would implore the Minister of Environment to start thinking of having as many weather stations as possible and with consistent records so that after 40 to 50 years in the next few generations, we can now compare the recording that we have. Lastly, Mr. Speaker, why are we blamed for not having fulfilled our commitment as Africans yet our industry commitment for reducing carbon emissions, 90% are currently down.
What has happened to the carbon emission? There is a reduction. Why are we not given that credit? We have our forests all over which are carbon sinks, they are taking up all the carbon from industries because we are told plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Those are carbon sinks and those are areas where carbon emissions are being reduced by Africans, so it has the largest forest, why do we not get credit for those ventures?
I am looking at the issue of industries, the reduction, and the amount of emissions because we do not have industries. We have planted a lot of forests, we are agro-based and all the farms are reducing carbon emissions. Why not get carbon credits Hon. Minister, for that effort? Instead we are being told we have not yet done our commitment to reduce. I strongly believe that we have done excellently well because without measuring, maybe the Minister can also assist me. Who really does the measurement of carbon emissions? I have not seen a station or a scientist going around measuring - where are they measured these carbon emissions? Do we have equipment as Zimbabweans or as Africa or we are just told satellite images have just shown that there is a bit of carbon.
We have not seen those serious efforts to try and measure carbon emission, not even EMA itself. I do not know if there is enough equipment to measure industrial emissions. If the equipment is there, how about the general atmospheric measurements because there must be a balance. Whatever is emitted must be absorbed by the large forest that we have. So, Mr. Speaker, I really need to implore upon our Government officials to make these things through investigations, otherwise we will be continuously blamed for the things that we have not done. We do not have industries like they do in Europe. I thank you Mr. Speaker.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Mr. Speaker [HON. MEMBERS:
Inaudible interjections] –
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order. Hon. Members, if you have nothing to say, allow those who want to debate to do so. I have been waiting on my right to see Hon. Members standing up to debate on this very important motion.
HON. NDUNA: Thank you Mr. Speaker for your protection. I might not have had anything to say but after the last speaker has contributed, I felt motivated. I need for us as a nation to call upon the Hon. Minister, to say we need to stand on the shoulders of those that have in particular in the United Nations and in such fora where I know the United States is engaged in terms of litigation, prosecuting VW Golf as an automobile industry in terms of their carbon emission that they actually did not disclose.
They actually put in a machine to make sure that the reading in terms of the carbon emission on that automobile was falsified. They are taking that automobile industry to court; the benefit should not only accrue to those that have the power to take VW Automobile to court. It should also accrue to us as Zimbabwe in particular, and Africa and everybody else in general. So, we need to go to that fora and stand on the shoulders of those that have got the capacity to prosecute those that are currently falsifying information when it comes to carbon emission as has been alluded to by Hon. Gabbuza, that as a nation we have done
quite well if at all.
We have reduced carbon emission, we are about to remove from circulation those trays we use when we were buying take away and I hear also baby pampers are going to come out of circulation. So, we have done well as a nation of 14 million people in terms of our part, reducing carbon emission and to reduce the El Nino phenomenon and the skewed weather patterns. I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity to also give my word and also to lend my support to signing of these agreements, however with those variations. I thank you.
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND CLIMATE (HON. MUCHINGURI): Thank you Mr. Speaker. Let me
take this opportunity to thank the three Members of Parliament who have contributed to this debate before the House and indeed, supported the approval to amend the Doha Protocol. Let me turn to the issues that were raised by Hon. Cross regarding the significance that this Doha Amendment has to our situation here in Zimbabwe, given the current challenges of climate change that we are experiencing. The reason why we have brought this to this august House is because of the seriousness that Zimbabwe attaches to the issue of Kyoto Protocol Agreement.
I am sure you appreciate that it is important, the fact that the developed countries that were given the responsibility for all the problems that we are facing the world-over failed to meet their obligations and both ‘the group of 77 also Africa’ voiced on the need that they should have an extension from the five percent which was imposed. I am happy that the EU have even taken this important issue further and imposed a 30 percent to themselves. Island also imposed 20 percent and Norway imposed 40 percent. So we are very happy that they are taking this Doha Amendment seriously to say yes, we are responsible for damaging the climate and also the ozone layer. So, we are very happy that Zimbabwe is joining other countries to say these developed countries that were responsible must meet those obligations.
I want to thank you for supporting this amendment.
Let me also thank Hon. Gabbuza for supporting this amendment before the House, but let me emphasize that Zimbabwe has a record of having changed the illiteracy rate from 25 percent and our standing now is at 95 percent. We are number one in Africa. I want to say that in most of these international organisations, we do have Zimbabwean scientists who are at the helm, championing all these issues of climate change. I want to assure the Hon. Member that as we speak, the Hon. Minister Prof. Moyo is investing in science and mathematics courses to make sure that we continue and keep our very good record in Zimbabwe to ensure that at all levels, Zimbabwe remains the leader.
I am sure you will agree with me that even in SADC most of the developmental agencies are also being manned by Zimbabweans, if you go to South Africa or Botswana, that cannot be disputed. I want to say that we are in the process now of coming up with a climate policy. Prof. Murwira at the University of Zimbabwe is leading a team which has brought together all stakeholders that have an interest in the issues of
Climate Change.
When you are talking about climate change it is real to Zimbabwe.
Lack of rainfall this year, Mr. Speaker Sir, EL Nino itself is a result of Climate Change. For my Hon. Member to say we do not have a problem in Zimbabwe is really underestimating the challenges. I want to refer to also to a situation that we had last year of Tokwe-Murkosi where we had floods that displaced a number of villagers in Masvingo province and that was a cost to Zimbabwe in terms of financial commitments which we had not planned for.
I want to point to the Hon. Member that as we cut more trees here in Zimbabwe, this also affects our rainfall patterns. That is why we are investing in cloud seeding because we cannot generate the moisture that is required. I agree with you that we need to grow as many trees as possible because as we breath out carbon dioxide and the old cars on our roads which emit a lot of fossil fuels, gas which is carbon monoxide- we need the trees to be able to absorb that whilst we get oxygen in return.
I agree with the Hon. Members that we need to plant as many trees as possible. One of our parastatals which is the Forestry Commission this year has plans to plant almost 15 million trees. I want to share with the Hon. Members that we have already presented our claim for those carbon credits. So, we do have other companies like Sable Chemicals who have also submitted their requirements from the Carbon Credits Funds. So, we have gone quite some strides to address and put in place all the measures to make sure that we meet the obligations as Third World and developing countries.
I want to share with the Hon. Member that Zimbabwe has already submitted its own nationally determined contributions before the United Nations. As Zimbabwe, we identified the area of agriculture because according to the research which was undertaken by Prof. Murwira that our yields for maize has gone down, he was tracing the yields that we were getting from 1962 and it is disappointing to say that that has been reduced to about 20%, the yields that we are getting now and this is a result of Climate Change.
So, we need to start thinking about taking seriously the issue of Climate
Change. As Government, we are putting together a policy which we hope that will be mainstreamed in all sectors of development. For example, in agriculture, we need to harness water as much as possible. All the green water, which is rainfall water, we need to harness that so that we use it for the future purposes. But we need to pat ourselves on the back because Zimbabwe has already invested in almost 10 000 dams. We hope that the relevant Ministries will be able to utilise that water to make sure that we address the issue of food security which comes with Climate Change. So, that is very critical for Zimbabwe.
I also want to mention that because we have tampered with the environment, we are seeing a lot of stream bank cultivation because people are now trying to get moisture from the streams. That has caused serious siltation problems to our rivers and that siltation ends up in our dams. As we speak, ZINWA is coming up with a programme to make sure that we avoid this siltation. So, it is expensive, people should take the issue of climate change seriously either by planting trees along the rivers and also ensuring that we plant not only gum trees because they
do draw a lot of underground water which is the blue water which is also depleting.
I want to assure the Hon. Member that we are engaging in research with UNESCO to make sure that we do not deplete underground reservoirs because we need it for drinking water and also to replenish some of our dams in areas where we have serious shortages of water.
So we are trying by all means to make sure we address these issues. On cutting down of trees, we are saying let us promote renewable energy. We were struggling last year with electricity shortages that we were experiencing as a result of Kariba dam whose water level has gone down. We cannot continue to rely on rainfall water, given the challenges of Climate Change. So, we need now to resort to other means of renewable energy which is solar and wind.
Apparently, in Zimbabwe, wind is a problem but we are saying let us introduce biogas for the tobacco farmers. We need now to introduce new strategies which are environmentally friendly. We have gone quite some length to make sure that we prepare ourselves for any eventuality because Climate Change is here to stay. We used to have ten-year’s drought cycles but now we are witnessing recurrences. I hope that this Parliament will take the issue of Climate Change seriously and start educating our own communities and constituents to make sure that this issue now becomes quite important on our agenda.
The issue of not recording the weather, yes, you are correct but now we have invested to ensure that we have more stations around the country. We received a donation from the Chinese Government and in two weeks we will be receiving engineers from China and hope that every ward in the country will be able to have a station because we are falling short … - [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] –
Yes, but he needs to also appreciate that we have a high performance computer that is placed at the University of Zimbabwe and we share information with other relevant meteorological organisations within the region. So, whilst it is important to put up stations, we have gone a step further in terms of technology to ensure that we have advanced technology. Just last week, the same Met Office which you are underestimating, was able to measure an earthquake that happened in the Kariba and Chipinge areas.
We should be celebrating some of these very important skills that are within Zimbabwe and we are called upon, from time to time, to even advise other countries in the region. So, let us not underestimate what our own Zimbabwean citizens are able to do.
Carbon credits, I have already addressed them but I want to also say that on measuring carbon emissions, we went into an arrangement with UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme). They extended us a facility to purchase the appropriate equipment which will measure the amount of carbon emissions that are emitted by our cars. So, this is just the first machine that we are testing and when we succeed after a period of time, we should be able to extend this to all our provinces.
This is being done by our parastatal EMA (Environmental Management Agency) so we need also to celebrate that we are quite advanced and trendy in terms of catching up on Kyoto Protocol requirements.
Hon. Nduna, the issue of VW, we celebrate that other people were able to take VW to court and they represent all of us. But we will also from our own side monitor what is happening. As I have already alluded to, we have already started measuring these emissions whether it is VW or any other car, we are going to continue monitoring.
We are pleased, although it is not part of climate change but it affects the ozone layer, we were able to ban the use of methal bromite in tobacco production. There are seven items that we have to observe and we will continue monitoring that as a Ministry but for us the DOHA Amendment is very critical. We need to benefit also from the finances that have been put together and unless we sign this DOHA Amendment, we will not be able to benefit. I thank you.
Motion put and agreed to.
On the motion of THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND CLIMATE (HON. MUCHINGURI), the House
adjourned at Twenty-six Minutes to Six o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 1st March, 2016
The Senate met at Half-past Two o’ clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
INVITATION TO A CATHOLIC SERVICE
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: I wish to inform
the Senate that there will be a Catholic Church Service, tomorrow 2nd March 2016 at 1200 hours in the Senate Chamber, all Members are invited. Non- Catholic Members are also welcome.
SECOND READING
GENERAL LAWS AMENDMENT BILL [H.B. 2A, 2015] First order read: Adjourned debate on Second Reading of the
General Laws Amendment Bill [H.B. 2A, 2015].
Question again proposed.
HON. SENATOR MARAVA: Thank you Madam President. I
would like to thank the Minister for bringing this Bill to this House. I noticed one thing that is not well with this Bill and in terms of age of consent which is 16 years today and the legal age of marriage which is
18 years. Madam President, the girl child cannot do two things at once. What I notice is that we should have one age for both marriage and age of consent. Can we re-align our law to fall in that bracket? I thank you.
HON. SENATOR NYAMBUYA: Thank you Madam President.
I would like to present a report by the Thematic Committee on Human Rights on the submissions from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission in relation to the General Laws Amendment….
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Order, Hon.
Senator. Are you debating the Bill?
HON. SENATOR NYAMBUYA: Yes Madam President.
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Oh! You are
welcome to do so.
HON. SENATOR NYAMBUYA: The Thematic Committee on
Human Rights has gone through submissions from the Zimbabwe
Electoral Commission (ZEC) on the proposed amendments to the Electoral Act, through the General Laws Amendment Bill herein referred to as the ‘Bill’.
- Pursuant to Section 157 (4) of the Constitution which states that; No amendments may be made to the Electoral Law, or any subsidiary legislation made under that law, unless the Zimbabwe Electoral
Commission has been consulted and any recommendations made by the Commission have been duly considered. There was full compliance with the requirements of the Constitution.
- The Committee noted that the Ministry of Justice, Legal and
Parliamentary Affairs, through the Attorney General’s Office, engaged in consultations with ZEC before the electoral amendments in the
General Laws Amendment Bill were affected.
- The following proposals from ZEC were effected in the Bill:
- Section 239 of the Constitution makes ZEC responsible for registering voters, compiling voters rolls and registers, and ensuring their proper custody and maintenance – all functions which the Electoral Act vests in the Registrar-General of Voters and his officials. The Section also empowers ZEC to give instructions to persons employed by the State and local authorities to ensure the efficient, free fair, proper and transparent conduct of elections and referendums. The Bill seeks to achieve compliance with the Constitution on this score by replacing Sections 18 and 19 of the Electoral Act, which currently establish the offices of Registrar-General of Voters, constituency registrars and other officers working under the Registrar-General’s direction. The new Sections 18 and 19 now confer the functions of the Registrar-General and his officials on ZEC and its officers.
- The Bill will require Voters’ Rolls and voters’ registration certificates to record voters’ sex as well as their names, age and other particulars. Although the point is not mentioned in the memorandum to the Bill, the sex of voters is a useful statistic to analyse results of elections and any gender bias in voter registration.
- The Bill will amend Section 110 of the Electoral Act which
states that a presidential candidate assumes office forty-eight hours after being declared elected. The amended section will state that, in accordance with the Constitution, a person elected as President assumes office when he or she swears the oath of office.
- The Committee, however, notes that as stated by ZEC, the amendments still fall short of fully aligning the Electoral Laws to the Constitution, an issue that the Committee hopes will be addressed in further and more substantial amendments to the Electoral Act. I thank you.
HON. SENATOR KHUMALO: Thank you Madam President. I
would like us to look at page ix, where it describes the issue that the death penalty can be given under aggravating circumstances. I am saying that aggravating circumstances depend on the then judge or magistrate. We need to have the spelling out of the aggravating circumstance so that a magistrate does not give a ruling according to his observation. That is my issue on the death penalty.
HON. SENATOR CARTER: Thank you Madam President for
giving me this opportunity to speak on the General Laws Amendment Bill. I speak on the amendments necessary to align the Electoral Act to the Constitution. In the General Laws Amendment Bill (GLA), responsibility for voters’ education and the voters’ roll will be transferred to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), which is progressive but there are other alignment issues which the GLA has failed to address. The GLA Bill does nothing to change the Act which effectively denies the vote to certain citizens because it is silent on the mechanisms of how they can go about voting. The citizens I am referring to are Zimbabweans in the diaspora, prisoners and hospital patients.
For all three categories, there is no possibility of postal vote. So they are denied that right to vote. Other countries as far as the diaspora go, make provision for their citizens to vote at embassies and consulates abroad but we do not.
Moving on to another aspect, the electoral court is staffed by High Court Judges, whereas Section 183 of the Constitution states that judges cannot be appointed to sit in more than one court.
Further, the independency of ZEC is compromised by Section 12 of the Electoral Act which requires ZEC to seek approval before accepting a donation. That approval must be sought from the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. It is compromised in its independence in this regard and the independency of ZEC is guaranteed in the Constitution. It is very important that these things are addressed. We speak of the Constitution as being the Bible and we need to amend our laws so that they fall in line with it and where it is not being done, it is in breach of the Constitution. With regards to governance, democracy and investor perceptions, these are very important things. I thank you.
*HON. SENATOR CHIEF CHISUNGA: Thank you Madam
President. I rise to give submissions and concerns as chiefs. Under the amendments to the Traditional Leaders Act No. 25, 1998, there is a section which says in the event that the Parliament is dissolved by the
President, the Chief’s Council will also be dissolved. What we represent in the Chief’s Council is different from what we represent in Parliament.
So it will be unfair for the chiefs to have the chief’s council dissolved. It might not be known that if ever at any given time the President dissolves Parliament, it can take four years before it is reconstituted. Several countries have gone through such periods. Our chiefs can also go through that same period without representatives. A case in point is whereby this year; we have spent three months without our allowances.
It is through Senator Chief Charumbira’s effort who tried to push responsible Government ministers so that the chiefs get their allowances. We were appealing that, when the Parliament is dissolved, it is only us in here who are dissolved together with Parliament but as Members of the Chief’s Council, there is need for us to remain as members of the chief’s council so that we continue to represent chiefs. I thank you.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MEDIA, INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES (HON. SEN. MATHUTHU):
Madam President, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 2nd March, 2016.
SECOND READING
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE AND EVIDENCE AMENDMENT
BILL, 2015 [H.B. 2B, 2015]
Second order read: Adjourned debate on Second Reading of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Amendment Bill (H.B. 2B, 2015) Question again proposed.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MEDIA, INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES (HON. SEN. MATHUTHU):
Madam President, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 2nd March, 2016.
MOTION
REHABILITATION OF WAR SHRINES AND RECOGNITION
OF DEPARTED WAR LIBERATORS
HON. SEN. MOHADI: Madam President, I move the motion
standing in my name That this House—
NOTING with pride the immense sacrifice, courage and commitment made by the freedom fighters in their quest to liberate
Zimbabwe;
ACKNOWLEDGING that the liberation of our country came at a heavy cost and needs to be selflessly and jealously guarded;
DISTURBED by the utter neglect and dilapidation and continued deterioration of War Shrines in neighbouring countries despite the fact that Government identified and made efforts to rehabilitate war shrines in Nyadzonia, Tembwe, Doroie; Chibawawa and Nyango in Mozambique as well as Freedom Camp, Nyampundiwe, Mulungushi,
Mkushi and Kavalamaya in Zambia;
CONCERNED that rehabilitation works have not been undertaken at Kabanga, Sinde, Solwezi in Zambia and other sites in Tanzania and
Botswana;
FUTHER CONCERNED that to this day the bullet riddled home of His Excellency, the President and the home of the late Joshua Nkomo our founding Fathers have not been declared National Heritage Sites:
NOW, THEREFORE, this House calls upon Government to
address the rehabilitation of our war shrines and to give due recognition to our departed brave sons and daughters of the liberation struggle.
HON. SEN. MASUKU: I second.
HON. SEN. MOHADI: Thank you Madam President. Let me begin by noting with pride the sacrifice, courage and commitment with which our freedom fighters conducted the liberation struggle for the independence of Zimbabwe.
Madam President, it was not an easy war as the enemy was brutal and cunning leading to human losses and displacements. However, the price was high for the liberation of our country. We eventually liberated our country and attained the independence that we enjoy today.
My heart bleeds for the brave sons and daughters of this country who gave lives and limbs for the freedom that we are enjoying today. When I look at the obvious state of neglect in which the burial sites of these gallant fighters both locally and in the neighbouring countries, I get depressed. If what I witnessed at Freedom Camp in Zambia is what is obtaining at Chibawawa in Mozambique, Selibe Phekwe in Botswana, Mgagao in Tanzania then we neither have love nor memory that we profess for these gallant fighters.
The preamble to our Constitution states, “We the people of
Zimbabwe,… Exalting and extolling the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives during the Chimurenga/Umvukela and national liberation struggles, hereby make this Constitution and commit ourselves to it as the fundamental law of our beloved land.”
Madam President, it is my view that the derelict and dilapidated state of our external liberation war sites does not demonstrate our commitment to the fundamental laws of the land in terms of exalting and extolling those who sacrificed their lives for our independence. Thousands of liberation war fighters and refugees were buried in various mass graves after they were cowardly massacred by Rhodesian forces during their liberation struggle. The intensity of the struggle was felt towards the end of war that is the period between 1976 and 1979. As we enjoy the peace and tranquility that we now have, let us not forget our liberation war heroes who lost their lives in neighbouring countries.
Madam President, Section 3 of our Constitution outlines the
Founding values and principles, on which this great country is based.
Specifically Section 3, “(i) recognition of and respect for the liberation struggle.” I cannot help but question whether the state of our external liberation war burial sites is a reflection of the level of respect and recognition we accord to the selfless spirit of our fallen heroes.
It is incumbent upon us as Zimbabweans to rise in unison in support of the rehabilitation and maintenance of our external liberation war shrines. It is only then we can ensure our appreciation for the sacrifice of our fallen heroes. Further, we are what we are today because of them.
I am acutely aware of the fact that Cecil John Rhodes, the symbol of colonialism in Zimbabwe is buried in an immaculate grave in Matopos. This contrasts to our own gallant sons and daughters who lay buried in indecent and shapeless mounds of the earth. This is disheartening and if ever we visited these shrines outside the countries, our fallen heroes are not resting in peace due to the state of the shrines.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has been mandated to identify and rehabilitate the war shrines in neighbouring countries where our comrades fell. The National Museums and Monuments of Zimbabwe embarked on the project to upgrade the country’s national liberation war monuments that are situated in neighbouring countries. Zimbabwe has more than 20 liberation war monuments in Mozambique and Zambia from where the country’s liberation war movements ZANLA and ZIPRA organised the war to free the country from colonial rule. These shrines were erected but have been neglected over the years and are in a state of dilapidation and deterioration. There is need to erect walls around the shrines since the fences are being vandalized.
Madam President, the roll of honour needs to be updated with actual names as the current one reflects pseudonyms. It is saddening to learn that the Zimbabwe External Liberation Heritage Programme spearheaded by the National Museums of Zimbabwe has been hamstrung by resource constraints. The Government must, however, be commended for indentifying and making efforts to rehabilitate liberation war shrines at Chimoio, Nyadzonia, Tembue, Doroie, Chibawawa and Nyango in Mozambique as we as Freedom Camp, Nampundwe, Mulungushi, Mkushi and Kavalamanja in Zambia. While these efforts are appreciated, the process is tragically incomplete. To date no rehabilitation works have taken place as Kabanga, Sinde and Solwezi in
Zambia. The situation is even worse in Tanzania and Botswana.
Madam President, I would like to propose that a process of profiling the key players in the liberation struggle is undertaken. This should also include the identification, protection of houses and other infrastructure used for the purposes of executing the liberation struggle. By now the bullet-riddled home of His Excellency the President R. G. Mugabe in Highfield ought to be a national heritage site. The same goes for the home of the late Father Zimbabwe, Vice President J. N. M.
Nkomo in Bulawayo.
Madam President, I am alive to resource challenges currently bedeviling our country and therefore, proposes that the rehabilitation programme and memorialisation of houses and other infrastructure be conducted in a phased approach. History will judge us very harshly if we forget the immense sacrifice made by our brothers and sisters who went to carry out the armed struggle at a very tender age. Our fallen heroes selflessly sacrificed their lives so that today we can travel freely from one end of the country to the other without being harassed, searched, indiscriminately short at as thugs as was the norm during the days of our colonizers when the White police man perceived any Black person as a potential criminal. We applaud efforts by Government to remember and honour our fallen heroes. It is of concern that rehabilitation works are yet to take place at war shrines such as
Kabanga, Sinde and Solozi in Zambia. We should also not forget Mugagao in Tanzania. Other sites of historic importance during the struggle for the Liberation of Zimbabwe include the house of the late Vice President J.M. Nkomo at No. 6 Pelandaba in Bulawayo; where nationalists used to converge to map out strategies on how to execute their operations of removing racism and neo-colonialism in the country, thereby bringing equality among the people of Zimbabwe.
It goes without saying that such sites were always subjected to extreme surveillance by the racist regime of Rhodesia and many comrades who visited such places found themselves arrested or being questioned about their association with the political movements of this country. Madam President, suffice to say those comrades who fell while in combat in the country have their remains re-buried at Provincial Heroes Acres. The National Heroes Acre is our most important shrine as it also has the tomb of the un-known soldier which is the symbol of the graves of many freedom fighters who were not accounted for, but were presumed dead at the time we attained our independence. It is the dilapidated and deteriorated war shrines that this motion intends to address before this august House Madam President. Our Provincial Heroes Acres are serious cause for concern. They need a face lift. If we cannot rehabilitate our local war shrines, one wonders how we can manage to direct and take care of war shrines outside the country. In this recognition we are called Liberation War Heroes. The answer would certainly have to be in the negative.
As Hon. Members of the Senate, we have an obligation to recognise and respect the role of our fallen heroes as enshrined in Section 3 of the Constitution which provides for recognition of and respect for the liberation struggle. Madam President, it therefore follows that it is failure on our part to protect the Constitution. If we do not give due recognition and respect to our fallen heroes. I therefore, Madam President, implore this august House to cal upon the Government to address the rehabilitation of our war shrines and give recognition to our departed brave sons and daughters of the Liberation Struggle.
In conclusion Madam President, if we do not recognise our heroes both living and the deceased we are not taking pride in our History. With these few words Madam President I thank you. –[HON. SENATORS:
Hear, hear.]-
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Thank you Hon.
Sen. Mohadi.
+HON. SEN MASUKU: Thank you Madam President for giving
me this opportunity to contribute on this motion which was moved by Hon. Mohadi. The motion is very important because it touches on everyone who is present here. When we are talking of heroes of Zimbabwe, I do not believe that there is anyone who does not have a relative, child, parent, et cetera who died during the war.
Madam President, when we talk of independence, we talk of it with happiness. We should not forget that we paid a lot for this independence to be there. This independence was bought with the blood of sons and daughters of Zimbabwe. The mover of the motion talked about places where some of our heroes are lying because of the colonizers. She enumerated a number of places where we should be recognised as Zimbabweans. People who stay in Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania and Botswana look at some of these places where our heroes are lying. Today, Zimbabwe is important because of a lot of things.
We are proud of ourselves as a country which is literate as compared to other countries. When we talk of problems that are bedeviling us, what is important is we should remember where we came from. If we do not respect such places where our heroes lie, when we go to those countries, they will castigate us saying, these people are failing to look after places where their heroes are lying. Madam President, we know that there is a liquidity crunch and things are not easy. It cannot be easy to rectify these places at the same time. The Government has taken steps at Chimoio, Mkushi and other places but the way to rectify these places is not easy. If these places are not properly managed, it will look as though we are disrespecting those who are lying there. It is important that Government should pool ideas and as citizens of Zimbabwe, as we talk of the heroes of Zimbabwe we should pride ourselves with that which is tangible.
Some of the fences surrounding those places have been vandalized. It is suggested that there be walls instead of wire so as to protect the shrines. In addition, let it be noted that there be a roll of the names of the people lying in these shrines. I will talk of camps where freedom fighters were trained, such as Mkushi. The names of those who trained there are known. Even if the people who went to train were not seen, there is evidence that they perished there. Therefore, their names should be inscribed on the walls that will be surrounding the shrine so that our history on those who fought for our independence is not forgotten. We want our grandchildren to know those who lie at the shrines.
May I continue and say, we are talking of our independence but there is a section that we have forgotten. The area we have forgotten is the very first to fight for this country; the First Chimurenga heroes.
There are heroes lying in various places. It is important as well that such places be given the necessary importance. The mover of the motion talked broadly on the shrines outside the country but I am also saying as a country with dignity, let us be respected whilst we are respecting our heroes in shrines in the foreign countries.
Back home, I will talk about the shrines where our heroes are lying. We have the National Heroes Acre in Harare. Our Government which is committed, is ensuring that the place be properly managed so that we have our heroes respected because of the activities they carried out. There are also shrines in provinces and districts. I am certain that people of Zimbabwe are a people who love their country to be beautiful. I say that because when you move around Zimbabwe, you cannot go and fail to find a place which was put up by parents. Therefore, Madam President, the communities and those in charge of such shrines should sit and put ideas together on these matters. We can actually fair better because the communities will be participating. I believe that if the
Government allocates resources to communities, then the relatives of the heroes will help prepare those shrines, like they do when building schools and clinics. They can help so that we can have respectable shrines. We also as members of the communities should help in maintaining those shrines. That is the great respect that we can give to our heroes who are lying at various shrines.
It is up to us Madam President - we always say to our heroes, ‘rest in peace’ and when we leave, that is the end of it. That is very embarrassing as a country. I urge provinces to commit themselves in building and properly managing these shrines together with the Government.
Madam President, in conclusion, I want to say, a nation is known by its culture and traditions. If it is in us to forget about them just after burying them, it is okay, but what I know of Zimbabweans is that even at home where we bury our relatives, we give the necessary respect to such places. It is important to give the necessary respect to heroes because they liberated this country. I thank you.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MACRO-ECONOMIC PLANNING AND INVESTMENT PROMOTION (HON. SEN.
MUTSVANGWA): I move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 2nd March, 2016.
MOTION
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE
PRESIDENT AS CHAIRMAN OF AFRICAN UNION
HON. SEN. CHIEF MUSARURWA: I move the motion
standing in my name:- That this House –
CONGRATULATES His Excellency, Cde. Robert Mugabe and the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe for successfully leading the African Union as its Chairperson;
WARMLY APPRECIATES his distinguished leadership qualities during his tenure in Office, an achievement that has earned the nation pride;
NOW, THEREFORE, resolves that this House conveys its gratitude and sentiments to His Excellency and the nation as a whole and wishes our President many more years of good leadership and wise counsel.
HON. SEN. MAVHUNGA: I second.
HON. SEN. CHIEF MUSARURWA: At the conclusion of
President R. G. Mugabe’s tenure as African Union Chairman, President Zuma of South Africa described him as a “very astute” and “clear thinker”. In addition, whilst congratulating President R. G. Mugabe on the occasion of his 92nd birthday, the President of China, Xinping, said
“Your splendid and penetrating insights into the development of China-
Africa relations made profound impression on me”
His Excellency, President R. G. Mugabe has been described as a walking encyclopedia and historical archives for both SADC region and the continent of Africa. He is always able to articulate the position of the previously colonised masses eloquently and with unmatched vigour.
Mr. President, Cde R. G. Mugabe is a fountain of wisdoms, and his rich and inspirational addresses at different fora, on several occasions are stopped by sustained applause and extended ovation, provoke memories of other great speeches at the inception of Organisation of
African Unity by fellow illustrious giants such as Ahmed Ben Bella, Haile Selassie I, Julius Nyerere and Kwame Nkrumah.
You are aware that President R. G. Mugabe, an accomplished statesman in his own right, belongs to a crop of iconic and first generation of African leaders whose exceptional devotion to principles of justice and emancipation of black African people from colonial oppression, prompted them to stand up and risked their own lives, defeated colonialism and liberated the entire African. A classic servant leader, Cde. R.G. Mugabe, has rare listening abilities, empathy foresight, stewardship and commitment to the growth of others has made an indelible impact of the work of African Union and SADC.
President Mugabe’s contribution to African Union made an indelible impact on the work of African Union and SADC.
President R. G. Mugabe’s Contribution to the African Union and SADC.
In 2014, His Excellency, President R. G. Mugabe was unanimously elected by fellow African leaders as the First Deputy Chair of the African Union, a responsibility that he prosecuted with unmatched passion, diligence and effectiveness.
In 2015, he assumed the Chairmanship for a whole year as the outgoing Chairman of the African Union. President R. G. Mugabe has been once again given a new mandate to execute as the Chief Rapporteur of the African Union Bureau for 2016, effectively keeping him in the leadership of the continental bloc for yet another year. The
African Union Bureau is a strategic organ that steers the bloc’s activities and comprises the Chair, three deputies and the Chief Rapporteur. This means that President R. G. Mugabe will have been on the helm of
African Union Bureau for three consecutive years by the end of 2016.
With clarity and vision, President Mugabe has been instrumental in refining the African agenda, the 2063 agenda in particular, calling for African vigilance on the agents of imperialism and neo-colonialism marauding as advocates of good governance, democracy and freedom yet they are bent over backwards in their determination to siphon natural raw materials from the continent. These are the very issues which were at the core of the continent’s liberation struggles.
As Chair of the African Union, President Mugabe’s tenure came at a difficult time when Africa was faced with a number of challenges in the socio-economic and security spheres. Under President Mugabe’s leadership, the African Union Peace and Security Council focused on resolving crises in South Sudan, Somalia, Burundi, the Sahel region and West Africa.
In regard to economic development, during his tenure, the African Union with renewed vigor further pursued the development of efficient infrastructure as a basic requirement for sustainable economic growth and poverty alleviation in Africa. In order to unlock the continent’s huge growth potential and to put Africa on the path to accelerated economic and social development, the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) was further pursued.
You are aware that the President Cde. R. G. Mugabe assumed the SADC Chairmanship at the 34th SADC summit in August, 2014. This means that His Excellency, President R. G. Mugabe shouldered the two demanding chairmanship responsibilities for SADC and African Union blocs at the same time.
During his tenure, SADC adopted the SADC industrialisation and road map which effectively laid foundation growth and development for the region. Zimbabwe hosted the Summit under the theme ‘economic transformation and leveraging resources for sustainable economic and social development through beneficiation and value addition’ in August 2014. This theme was indicative of SADC’s focus for the year in addition to its ‘developmental agenda’ centered on achieving socioeconomic development and political and human security.
Zimbabwe’s main responsibility as the Chair of SADC’s supreme policy-making institution was to help shape SADC’s developmental agenda and the 2014-2015 work plan by overseeing formal policy reform and defining organisational practice; a responsibility His Excellency performed very well.
On the political and security fronts, Zimbabwe’s SADC chairmanship was indeed instrumental when the bloc successfully made a breakthrough on Lesotho’s feuding political parties, culminating in the signing of a security agreement to stabilise the country’s volatile political situation.
Concluding Remarks
President R. G. Mugabe executed his responsibilities as
Chairperson of both African Union and the SADC region very well with dignity and honour. He proved himself to be a distinguished elder, statesman, both in the SADC region and the African Union level through providing keen and effective servant-leadership at all times in both cases.
It is against this background as we celebrate the President’s 92nd birth day, that I humbly implore this august Senate to join me in conveying profound gratitude to His Excellency, the Government and the people of Zimbabwe and also take this opportunity to wish the President many more years of good leadership.
I thank you for your kind attention.
*SENATOR MAVHUNGA: Thank you Mr. President of the
Senate for affording me this opportunity to second this motion in praise of our leader, President R. G. Mugabe for a job well done as the leader of the African Union in 2015. This also made us proud as
Zimbabweans by his excellent execution of his work and his work was recognised continent wide and as well as worldwide. Ever since the
President was elected, I would want to recall that was on the 30th of
January 2015, as the Chairperson of the African Union, we have seen the President carrying out a lot of duties. He did a lot of work towards the cause of women. He encouraged the uplifting of the women. He also discouraged early marriages in the entire African continent. Zimbabwe also followed suite and we outlawed child marriages in Zimbabwe. Hon. Senators and Mr. President of the Senate might have also witnessed that people became very happy and the Constitutional Court abolished or outlawed child marriages. These are the results of the
President’s work as the leader of the African Union and also the
President taking an active role in leading the African countries on the Agenda 2016. As Africans, we have a lot of wealth and we were urged to do our own things and that we should be self reliant and not be dependent on other countries. This all happened during his tenure as the AU Chairperson.
We also observe, Mr. President that in the United Nations General Assembly Summit, the President worked very hard advocating for our countries in terms of permanent seats in the Security Council. You might be aware that at the moment, we are not members. The Security Council is dominated by the powerful countries of this world. That is really a war, a serious issue which needs to be addressed as our
President did express openly at that international fora, that for as long as we are not contributing in the security reform in terms of the UN Security Council, we will not have achieved our purpose. That was quite a brave stance that was made by the President which shows that the President loves his country and his continent Africa. We applaud him for taking such a stance.
We also observed during his tenure as the Chairperson of the
African Union that he urged that there be peace on our African Continent. He was involved in ensuring that there were peaceful elections in Lesotho after the Sutus were feuding. We also observed during his tenure, the end of xenophobia in South Africa. Xenophobia was a nasty experience, if it was not properly handled, it could have led to war on this continent based on one tribe fighting another. As an elder statesman, he was able to bring his experience and stewardship to ensure that there be peace and that as Africans we should live peacefully as brothers. We are also aware that for peace in Berkinafaso and
Madagascar and the DRC to prevail, it was during the tenure of the
President’s chairmanship. The peace deal in Mali was also brokered by the President through his leadership. He is a peaceful man and wants things to move properly. As his children, we pride ourselves about having such a leader.
During his tenure as Chairperson of the AU, he encouraged the African countries, as part of the African Union, that we should be able to fund our selves in terms of operations from the current 40% to 100%.
He led by example and donated 300 herd of cattle as part of Zimbabwe’s contribution to empowering the AU. Recently, the cattle were handed over as 330 herd of cattle. It is our wish that the beasts could have reached a 1000. We thank him for his vision and his stance that we should become self reliant and not be reliant on our colonisers because some of the aid that is given has conditions. These conditions tend to gag us and we will not be gagged if we are self reliant.
On the health front, at the time that our President was at the helm of the AU, there was an outbreak of ebola in the Western African countries. He ensured that there was world summit to eradicate ebola and all this happened during his stewardship of the AU. We applaud him
for that.
It is his wish even in Zimbabwe to ensure that we enjoy health services in Zimbabwe. This is also borne by the fact that HIV and AIDS infection rates have gone down. It is because of what the President and his Government are doing. He also took his experience in Zimbabwe to the AU and led to the improvement in the health services in the AU.
On the relationship between China and Zimbabwe, he worked tremendously because during that time, he also saw the visit of the President of China coming to Zimbabwe which culminated in a world summit in South Africa. China is the second biggest economy of this world, so if we are enjoying such good relations with such countries, we stand to benefit. As Zimbabweans, we have immensely benefited by the visit of the Chinese President after he had been invited by the President, Cde. R. G. Mugabe to come. Parliament of Zimbabwe benefited immensely because an agreement was entered into for the construction of a new Parliament building, it was because of these relationships. We thank him for that. It makes us proud as Zimbabweans. Africa recognised the ability of Zimbabwe and conferred on the President the title Rapporteur of the African Union and we should congratulate him for this new position. As a rapportuer he will be able to get all the information about the organisation. He will be at the pulse of the organisation. As Zimbabweans, we should do well. If we do not support him adequately and ensure the good deeds are done, we will fail. With those words, I would want to thank the President and at the same time congratulate him on his 92nd birthday. We wish him many more so that he can continue guiding us and show us his wisdom. I thank you.
*HON. SENATOR BHOBHO: Thank you Mr. President for
affording me this opportunity to add a few words on this motion that was moved by Senator Chief Musarurwa. It is a good motion. It reminds us and enlightens us so as to be able to applaud, cherish and pride ourselves in having such a President. I also want to thank Senator Mavhunga for supporting the motion. She has spoken on tangible words on tangible deeds that came out as a result of our President being the Chairperson of the AU. We also thank God for looking after him so as to enable him to lead us with the wisdom that he has and all the wisdom that is spreading in Africa as well as his able leadership in terms of gender issues pertaining to women empowerment. It is important for the entirety of Africa. Women who are not Zimbabweans also praised our President for his able leadership. He led with encouragement, love and dedication. We are grateful to have been given a leader with such wisdom.
Zimbabwean children have wisdom because our President has wisdom. He is leading because of the grace of the Lord because he believes in God all the time, he lets God lead. It is Gods’ wish that he be alive for 92 years. It is God’s grace because every leadership is put in place by God. He does not work for himself but for the whole country and the entirety of African countries and imparts wisdom. He is not stingy with his wisdom, even all of us in this august Senate that I respect so much, are led by our President.
Let us support our President always. He consults us all the time
that is why he was able to lead Africa because he is not stingy with his wisdom to fellow Africans. I want to congratulate him on the long life that he has led on this planet because he leads with love and dedication in Africa that is why he came out as Chairperson of the African Union. He was also accorded the position of rapporteur in recognition of his ability to lead and dedication to work. They realised that it was vital for the African Union not to lose him among the African leadership hence his appointment to the committee. He is dispensing his wisdom to enlighten Africa because he loves us and all our children. I thank you.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MACRO-ECONOMIC
PLANNING AND INVESTMENT PROMOTION (HON. M.
MUTSVANGWA): Mr. President, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 2nd March, 2016.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE ZIMBABWE DELEGATION TO THE 38TH
PLENARY ASSEMBLY OF THE SADC PARLIAMENTARY
FORUM
HON. SEN. MOHADI: Mr. President, I move the motion standing in my name That this House takes note of the Zimbabwe
Delegation Report on the 38th Plenary Assembly of the SADCParliamentary Forum, Sea Side Hotel and SPA, Swakomund, Namibia, 17 to 25 November 2015.
*HON. SEN. CHIPANGA: I second.
HON. SEN. MOHADI: Mr. President, the 38th Plenary Assembly of the SADC Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) was held at the Sea Side Hotel and Spar in Swakopmund, Namibia from 17 to 25 November
- The Plenary Session drew participation from Presiding Officers, Members of Parliament and Officers from 12 SADC Member states including Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho,
Mauritius, Mozambique, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland,
Zambia and Zimbabwe. Hon. Advocate Jacob Francis Mudenda, Speaker of the National Assembly, led a Parliamentary Delegation comprising the following Members and Officers of Parliament to the
Plenary Assembly:-
Hon. Monica Mutsvangwa, Member of Parliament and Deputy
Minister of Macro Economic Planning and Investment Promotion;
Hon. Dr. Samson Mukanduri, Member of Parliament;
Hon. Tambudzani Mohadi, Member of Parliament;
Hon. Innocent Gonese, Member of Parliament;
Hon. Jasmine Toffa, Member of Parliament;
Mr. Kennedy M.Chokuda, Clerk of Parliament;
Mr. Ndamuka Marimo, Director in the Clerk’s Office;
Mr. Frank Nyamahowa, Director in the Speaker's Office;
Ms. R. Chisango, Principal External Relations Officer and
Secretary to Delegation; and
Mr. Robert Sibanda, Security – Aide to the Speaker.
2.0 Theme of the 38th Plenary Session of the SADC Parliamentary
Forum
2.1 The 38th Plenary Assembly of the SADC PF was held under the general theme “From Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Towards a Greater
Parliamentary Role in the Development Agenda”.
3.0 MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
3.1 The Executive Committee met on 18 November 2015 to consider various issues and resolved as follows:
3.2The SADC PF flag
An official handover ceremony of the SADC PF Flags to Member
Parliaments represented by Presiding Officers be held during the 38th Plenary Assembly Session. For those Member Parliaments whose Presiding Officers were absent, the Secretary General would find cost-effective ways of delivering the flags. However, the handover ceremony did not take place as the flags were not delivered during the Plenary.
3.3 The Transformation of the SADC PF into a Regional
Parliament
In view of the rejection by the Council of Ministers of the request by the SADC Parliamentary Forum for the transformation of the Forum into a SADC Parliament, the matter was deferred for further discussion at the Speakers’ Conference to be held in Mauritius from 16 to 17 December 2015 with a view to adopting a resolution on the matter.
3.4 Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting
Children Already in Marriage
That the Draft Model Law on Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting Those Already in Marriage be tabled before the 38th
Plenary Assembly for noting.
3.5 Meetings of Standing Committees outside the Plenary
Assembly Session
To task the Forum Secretariat to engage development partners to raise the requisite funds to cover the costs of holding Standing
Committee meetings twice a year outside Plenary Assembly Sessions. In the event that these fundraising efforts were unsuccessful, then all Standing Committees would meet during the Plenary Assembly sessions and National Parliaments would cover the cost of their Members’ participation. This will entail extending the Plenary Assembly Sessions by two or three extra days to accommodate Standing Committees.
3.6 Alignment of National Legislations and Policies on Mineral
Resources
To endorse the recommendation to engage a team of legal experts in mining legislation from the SADC Region to develop a model law on resource exploration, exploitation, utilisation, governance and management for use by SADC countries.
3.7 SADC-PF Parliamentary Studies Institute
To endorse, in principle, the establishment of the SADC-PF Parliamentary Studies Institute (PSI) and welcomed the offer by
Zimbabwe to host the Institute in Zimbabwe in the event that Namibia is unable to do so.
3.8 Payment of Secretariat and Logistics Costs for Election
Observation
That it would be prudent for all Member Parliaments to make a once-off annual payment of USD 16 342.93 for secretariat and logistical costs for election observation missions. The meeting further endorsed the inclusion of this cost in the budget for the 2016/2017 financial year. The Executive Committee further granted its approval for the Secretariat to raise funds to meet the costs of election observation missions by training MPs and
Parliamentary staff on the same at a cost.
3.9 Top up for sponsored activities and upgrading of air tickets fornominated MPs
To appeal to MPs to consider travelling in economy class where their National Parliaments cannot upgrade their tickets or provide additional allowances.
3.10Increasing SADC PF MPs per Country from 6 to 7
Agreed with the proposal by the Secretary General to increase the number of MPs per country to a maximum of seven (7), subject to approval by the Plenary Assembly.
3.11 Update on the Role of Parliamentarians in Climate Change
Adaptation and Mitigation in the SADC Region
The Executive Committee took note of a Regional Conference on Climate Change, Adaptation and Mitigation for SADC MPs that was organised by the SADC PF Secretariat with support from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP-Regional Service Centre for Africa in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia). The conference which was held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, from 23 to 24 September 2015 also reiterated the need to mobilize domestic resources to mitigate the effects of Climate Change.
4.0 MEETING OF THE REGIONAL WOMEN
PARLIAMENTARY CAUCUS
The Regional Women Parliamentary Caucus (RWPC) convened a meeting ahead of the 38th Plenary Assembly of the SADC Parliamentary Forum on Friday, 20 November 2015. The meeting was attended by Chairpersons of National Women Parliamentary
Caucuses (NWPC), Women Members of Parliament and staff from
Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho,
Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Dr. Esau Chiviya, Secretary General of the
SADC PF gave the welcome remarks while Hon. Dr. Becky, R.K.
Ndojoze-Ojo, Namibian Member of Parliament and Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Training and Innovation was the Guest Speaker.
4.1 In his opening remarks, Dr Chiviya gave a brief background of the establishment of the RWPC and outlined the core business of the RWPC. He noted the successes realized by the RWPC, in particular, in lobbying various SADC member States to sign the
SADC Protocol on Gender and Development and lobbying for the equitable representation of women in political, administrative and decision making positions.
4.2 In her keynote address, Hon. Dr. Becky Ndjoze-Ojo, gave an inspiring rendition of the academic, social and political experiences that had shaped her into the woman she is. Dr. Becky urged women Parliamentarians to put in place effective strategies to ensure an increase in women in politics and decision making positions, including, but not limited to involvement of Speakers of Parliament, in particular, when embarking on all activities aimed towards uplifting women including mentorship and capacity building programmes.
4.3 The meeting took note of the status quo of gender inequality in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with respect to women representation in politics and decision making positions particularly as the country approaches its general election scheduled for November 2016.
The Meeting adopted the following resolutions for adoption by the Plenary:-
- To undertake a lobbying and advocacy mission by all National
Women’s Parliamentary Caucus Chairpersons and women speakers to the DRC, targeting all DRC political parties registered for the up-coming general elections.
- Each Election Observation Mission should reflect gender balance. This should be done by ensuring that selection of election observers is done in consultation with the Chairperson of the
National Women’s Parliamentary Caucus. Women Members participating in such missions would, in turn, report to the RWPC through their NWPC.
- With regards to SADC PF’s Project on “Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), HIV and AIDS and Governance funded by the Swedish Government in partnership with the RWPC, the meeting resolved that the RWPC, the NWPC and SADC PF should agree on proper terms of reference with the intention of promoting ownership of the project by all stakeholders as well as transference of skills.
- National Parliaments should plan and budget for exchange visits between National Women Parliamentary Caucuses to promote experience sharing and the adoption of best practices in the gender agenda.
5.0 THE OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY
The Official Opening Ceremony of the 38th Plenary Assembly of the SADC Parliamentary Forum was held on the 21st of November 2015 at the Swakopmund Plaza Hotel, in the presence of Hon. Cleophas Mutjavikua, Governor of the Erongo Region, who gave the Opening Address and Hon. Dr. Itah Kandjii-Murangi, Minister of Higher Education, Training and Innovation who gave a Statement during the Ceremony. The SADC PF Statement was presented by Hon. Joseph Njobvuyalema, Vice President of the SADC PF while Hon. Francisca Domingos Tomas also made a statement on the need to enhance SADC PF’s mandate.
5.1 In his remarks to the Plenary, Dr. Esau Chiviya, Secretary General of the SADC PF, gave a historical background of the SADC PF and introduced the theme of the Plenary which he described as timely given that the SDGs were unanimously adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 25 September 2015. He emphasized the need not only to popularise the SDGs and but also to work towards their implementation.
5.2 Hon. Mutjavikua in his keynote address applauded the theme of the Plenary and reiterated the assertion by the Secretary General that the consultative process prior to the adoption of the SDGs was inclusive as opposed to the MDGs. In closing, Hon. Mutjavikua underscored Namibia’s commitment towards the promotion of regional integration as evidenced by the country’s hosting of the SADC-PF.
5.3 In his remarks, Hon. Njobvuyalema the Vice President of SADC – PF lamented the failure by the SADC PF to realize its ultimate goal of transforming into a SADC Parliament eighteen (18) years after its establishment. He noted that the failure to transform had negatively affected regional integration as there is need to have a people-centered process involving legislators in their representative role.
5.4 Hon. Francisca Domingos Tomas, the RWPC Chairperson underscored the role played by women in the liberation struggle. She recognized the positive steps some countries had taken towards achieving gender parity, specifically Namibia which had adopted the Zebra System and Zimbabwe which had enshrined the quota system in its constitution. She called on all SADC Member States to follow the example of Zimbabwe and lobby for legislation of gender quotas in their respective Constitutions by
5.5 In her address to the delegates, Hon. Dr Kandji-Murangi, the Minister of Higher Education, Training and Innovation noted the importance of consulting on issues of mutual interest as the region works towards regional integration. She called on the SADC PF to facilitate and accelerate, through national Parliaments and local institutions, the implementation of ratified SADC Protocols by Member States.
5.6 In his welcome address, Hon. Prof. Katjavivi, the Speaker of the
National Assembly of Namibia acknowledged the need for Member Parliaments to cooperate on issues of mutual interest to develop the region as well as to achieve regional integration. He noted the need for unity of purpose as the region moves to implement the SDGs.
6.0 SYMPOSIUM ON THE THEME “FROM MDGS TO SDGS:
TOWARDS A GREATER PARLIAMENTARY ROLE IN
THE DEVELOPMENT AGENDA”
A Symposium on the Plenary Theme was organized to sensitise the Members on how they can support the Sustainable Development
Goals. Mr. Neil Boyer, Senior Advisor, UNRC/UNDP Namibia,
Mr. Nandiuasora Mazeingo, National Development Advisor,
National Planning Commission of Namibia and Hon. John Corrie, Member of the AWEPA Governing Council made presentations on the theme.
6.1 Mr. Boyer’s presentation assessed progress in Africa towards the MDGs. He noted that while some African countries had done well in attaining the MDGs in the areas of education, promotion of gender equality and empowerment of women, other countries were facing challenges due to poverty and maternal health among other issues.
6.2 In his presentation, Mr. Mazeingo outlined the African Common Position (the CAP) articulated during the consultation process in the formulation of the SDGs. Mr. Maziengo presented an overview of the seventeen (17) SDGs. Of note is that the SDGs are anchored
on the 5 “P’s Agenda, that is People, Prosperity, Planet, Peace and Partnership.
6.3 Hon. Corrie articulated AWEPAs Mission which is to strengthen Parliamentary dialogue between Africa and Europe. Accordingly, AWEPA had been actively involved in capacity building programmes for Parliamentarians as well as engaging Parliaments towards achieving the MDGs.
6.4 In the ensuing deliberations, Hon. Members called for all stakeholders, particularly Parliamentarians, to work towards achieving the SDGs. The delegates agreed that Parliamentarians had a pivotal role to play in the attainment of the SDGs by:
- overseeing the Executive’s implementation of the SDGs;
- raising awareness among their constituents of the benefits of the SDGs;
- leading public opinion and debate on the SDGs; and,
- ensuring that sufficient resources are allocated towards the achievement of the SDGs in their respective countries’ budgets.
Delegates also raised concern over the lack of representation of Africa on the United Nations Security Council. Accordingly, the developmental hopes and aspirations of Africa were not being articulated in the Security Council. In essence, this entailed that the developmental agenda of the majority of the world’s population which resided in Africa was being determined by a minority. The delegates further noted with concern the absence of a goal that specifically targeted youths.
7.0 PLENARY ASSEMBLY
7.1 The Plenary Assembly of the SADC Parliamentary Forum met on 22, 23 and 24 November 2015. The Plenary considered, took note of and adopted motions as follows:
7.2 Motion for the Adoption of the Report of the Joint Session of SADC PF Standing Committees and the RWPC and
Consideration of the Draft Model Law on Eradicating Child
Marriage and Protecting Those Already in Marriage
The motion was moved by Hon. Roubina Jadoo-Jaunbocus of
Mauritius and seconded by Hon. Innocent Gonese of Zimbabwe.
- The Model Law is expected to provide a framework for adoption of best practices in legislating on child marriages and those already in marriage. The Plenary took note of the report which will be forwarded to legal experts for their input before it is presented at the 39th Plenary Assembly for adoption.
7.3 Motion on Criminalisation of HIV Transmission, Exposure and Non-Disclosure in SADC Member States
The motion was moved by Hon. Duma Boko of Botswana and seconded by Hon. Dr. Emamam Immam of South Africa. Members expressed concern that specific laws on HIV transmission, exposure and non-disclosure may not only be harmful to successful
HIV prevention and care but may infringe on human rights as well.
The motion therefore:-
- Reaffirmed the obligations on SADC Member States to respect, protect, fulfill and promote human rights in all endeavours undertaken for the prevention and treatment of HIV;
- Reiterated the critical role of Parliamentarians in enacting laws that support evidence- based HIV prevention and treatment interventions that conform with regional and international human rights frameworks;
- Called on Member States to consider rescinding and reviewing punitive laws specific to the prosecution of HIV transmission, exposure and non-disclosure; and
The motion was unanimously adopted.
7.4 Motion on Legislation for Gender Quotas As A Strategy to Accelerate Gender Equality in Line with the SADC Protocol on
Gender Development
The motion was moved by Hon. Monica Mutsvangwa of
Zimbabwe and seconded by Hon. Siphosezwe Masango of South
Africa. The mover raised concern over the continued marginalization of women in the Region despite 12 SADC States having signed the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development. In the ensuing deliberations, Zimbabwe was commended for the good practice of enshrining the quota system into the country’s constitution which had resulted in the increase of woman in
Parliament and other decision making bodies such as Independent
Constitutional Commissions. The motion called for:-
- SADC Member States to adopt legislation for gender quotas as a strategy to accelerate gender equality in line with the SADC
Protocol on Gender and Development;
- Endorsed the United Nation’s 59th Commission on the Status of Women Resolution extending the deadline for women empowerment and gender equity to 2030;
- Affirmed the inclusion and retaining of Article 12 (1) and Article 13 in the revised SADC Protocol on Gender and Development which provides for 50/50 representation between men and
women in political and decision making positions in the public and private sectors;
- Called for National Parliaments to prioritise the ratification, domestication and monitoring of the implementation of relevant regional, continental and international instruments in order to ensure the development of legislative reforms, policies and programmes that promote and protect women’s rights in the home, community and workplace.
The motion was duly adopted by the Plenary.
7.5 Motion on the Adoption of the Report of the Standing Committee on Gender Equality, Women Advancement and
Youth Development
The motion was moved by Hon. Monica Mutsvangwa of
Zimbabwe and seconded by Hon. Sikhumbuzo Ndlovu of
Swaziland. The Committee had held a two day dialogue in Johannesburg, South Africa on 31 August and 1 September 2015 whose objective was to make inputs to the SADC Protocol on Gender and Development. The Committee reaffirmed its commitment to the 50/50 gender parity goal and made the following proposals for inclusion in the revised SADC Protocol on Gender and Development:
The Committee presented their resolutions as follows:
- Member states should budget for all activities for the implementation of the SADC Protocol on Gender and
Development.
- National Parliaments should establish a system which enables
SADC PF Parliamentarians to report back on progress made by the
SADC PF and resolutions that need each National Parliament’s follow up action.
7.6 Motion for the Adoption of the Report of the Regional
Women’s Parliamentary Caucus on the Roundtable on Early and Unintended Pregnancy.
The motion was moved by Hon. Francisca Domingos Tomas of
Mozambique and seconded by Hon. Thulisile Dladla of Swaziland.
The purpose of the roundtable was to review existing evidence and information on adolescent pregnancies in the SADC countries in order to come up with recommendations aimed at ending adolescent pregnancies while protecting the girls’ human and reproductive rights. The report recommended that the 38th Plenary Session urges SADC Governments to take expeditious actions aimed at ending the scourge of early and unintended pregnancy in the region, particularly:
- To ensure that specific legal provisions are made under domestic laws regarding the setting of a minimum age for sexual consent, marriage and the possibility of medical treatment without parental consent;
- To align education policies and practices with the ESA Ministerial Commitment to effectively address early and unintended pregnancy in the SADC region;
- To undertake special measures to ensure that the sexual education provided within the education system is comprehensive;
- To take measures aimed at dealing effectively with serious stigma and discrimination towards pregnant or child bearing girls in schools and communities;
- To ensure inclusion of Parliamentary representation in National delegations to major international Summits and meetings on SRHR, HIV and AIDS so as to avert the current information gap which limits Parliamentarians’ capacity to monitor and hold the Executive to account with regards to various international commitments.
- SADC PF Member Parliaments to debate and pass resolutions aimed at urging Governments to harmonise laws and policies dealing with the above issues and implement such laws without undue delay.
- Called on Members to take a proactive leadership role in the implementation of SDGs.
The report was adopted by the Plenary in its entirety.
- Motion for the Adoption of the Interim Statement by the SADC PF Election Observation Mission to the United Republic of Tanzania General Elections of 25 October 2015
The Mission was moved by Hon. Agnes Limbo of Namibia and seconded by Hon. Samson Mukanduri of Zimbabwe. The Election
Observation Mission was comprised of Members and Staff of
Parliament from Angola, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. The Mission was satisfied that the elections were held in a peaceful and conducive manner. However, during the debate Members raised their concern over the lack of gender balance and urged National Parliaments to ensure that there is gender balance when nominating Members for such missions in the future. The report was adopted.
- Motion for Adoption of the Report of the Standing Committee on Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources
The motion was moved by Hon. Stevens Mokgalapa of South
Africa and seconded by Hon. HRH Senator Phumelele Dlamini of Swaziland. The report made reference to the outcomes of the
Regional Conference on Mobilizing Domestic Resources for Climate Change Conference held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe whose overall objective was to enhance the capacity of the legislative systems of the SADC region to facilitate the mobilization of domestic resources towards climate change. The Committee proposed the following resolutions for adoption:
- The SADC PF should advocate for the expeditious finalization, adoption and domestication of the SADC Strategy and Action Plan on Climate Change.
- That Member States must be urged to consider the feasibility of establishing a Regional Implementing entity for accreditation from the UNFCCC to enable direct access to international funding under the Financial Mechanism.
- There is need to establish a Regional emissions trading platform, linked with other global trading platforms.
- Parliaments should ensure that appropriate legal and institutional frameworks are in place to establish enabling environments to stimulate private sector investments and public sector spending for climate change responses.
- Parliaments should enhance working relationships with civil society, the media and vulnerable groups of society regarding climate change responses.
- Parliaments should be encouraged to monitor the domestication of, and compliance with key international and regional instruments in particular those dealing with climate change and emission.
The motion was adopted.
7.9 Motion for the Adoption of the Report on the High Level Seminar on Peace, Security and Sustainable Development: The
Role of African and European Parliaments in Tackling the
Root Causes and Consequences of Violent Extremism and Terrorism:
The Seminar which was held in Brussels, Belgium, identified causes of violent extremism and terrorism and explored their impact on socio- economic development. The Report acknowledged that violent extremism and terrorism are not widespread in the SADC Region, rather challenges such as limited employment and educational opportunities for the youth could undermine peace, security and development. Parliaments thus have a role to play in tackling the root causes and consequences of terrorism and radical extremism through their legislative, oversight and representation mandates by ensuring that systems and structures of government are inclusive and responsive. In this regard, Parliaments should play an active role in ensuring that governments are inclusive and responsive to the needs of the people in order to safe guard peace, security and development.
The Report was adopted by the Plenary.
7.10 Motion for the Adoption of the Report of the Regional Women
Parliamentary Caucus:
The Report of the Women Parliamentary Caucus as noted on 5.0 of this report was presented and adopted by the Plenary.
7.11 Motion for the Adoption of the Report of the Executive
Committee:
The report was tabled by Hon. Garry Nkombo of Zambia who is also the Treasurer of SADC PF. The report is as noted on 4.0 of this report. The Treasurer’s report raised concerns on the issue of reverting to the United States Dollar in view of the depreciation of the South African Rand. After extensive debate on the issue, the Plenary resolved to continue using the South African rand for all its transactions. Other resolutions contained in the Executive
Committee Report as outlined on 4.0 were adopted by the Plenary.
8.0 Recommendations
8.1 There is need for the Parliament to take follow up action on resolutions passed by the Plenary and report back to the SADC PF on Zimbabwe’s position or status as the case may be. In this regard, the tabulated resolutions require Parliaments attention:
RESOLUTION | ACTION | |
1. | Model Law on
Eradicating Child Marriage and Protecting Children Already in Marriage |
SADC PF Members to present the
Model Law in Parliament for debate. |
2. | Increasing the number of MPs per country to a maximum of seven | The political and administrative leadership of Parliament to engage Treasury over the issue in view of the budgetary constraints the country is facing. |
3. | Ensuring that there is gender balance in
SADC PF Election Observer Missions |
The political and administrative leadership of Parliament to ensure that nominated Members to election observation missions reflect the gender composition of Parliament. |
4. | Hosting of a SADC
Parliamentary Studies Institute |
The political leadership of Parliament must engage the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education to kick-start the preparatory process in view of the commitment to host the Institute in Zimbabwe. The hosting of the Institute may require financial support in terms of construction, rentals or purchase of the facility as the case may be. |
5. | Implementation of
SDGs |
SADC PF Members to take the lead in debate on the SDGs in Parliament and to advocate for oversight on the implementation of the relevant SDGs by the Executive in their respective
Committees |
6. | Rescinding and Reviewing punitive | SADC PF Members may wish to bring
the debate before Parliament if there is |
laws specific to the prosecution of HIV transmission, exposure and nondisclosure. | consensus that the existing laws should be reviewed. |
9.2 Furthermore, it is recommended that resolutions on specific thematic issues contained on item 9 of the report be referred to the relevant Portfolio and Thematic Committees for action.
10.0 Conclusion
10.1 The delegation to the 38th Plenary Assembly of the SADC PF wishes to express its gratitude for the opportunity to represent our Parliament at the 38th Plenary Assembly.
*SENATOR MACHINGAIFA: Thank you Mr. President of the
Senate for affording me the opportunity to support the report that has been brought before this august Senate by Senator Mohadi seconded by Senator Chipanga. This is a delegation report for the 38th Plenary Session of the SADC PF that was held at the Sea Side Hotel and SPA, Swakopmund, Namibia from 17th to the 25th November, 2015.
I support the motion and at the same time express gratitude for these able Zimbabweans who went there. They were led by Hon. Adv. J. Mudenda, Senator Mutsvangwa who also is now a Deputy Minister, Senator Mohadi, Hon. Gonese and Hon. Mukanduri. As Zimbabweans or children of Zimbabwe with an able leader, the greatest one, His Excellency President Mugabe, the leader and head of Government as well as the Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces who is going around the world to ensure that we have friends that would support us during our times of need and also give us ideas on how we can emerge victoriously.
It is amazing that when others go outside, they come and report back that they have seen beautiful women and beautiful hotels. As Zimbabweans, we are in the forefront of ensuring that our problems such as child marriages are put to an end. It is one of the issues that were discussed there. It was agreed that they were people that were merciful and want to fund people to conduct outreach programmes to spread the gospel. These girls should not be taken advantage of since they are innocent children who are not capable of running households or marriages.
The issue of HIV and AIDS was also discussed and another issue that is before this Senate pertaining to agriculture was also discussed. Agriculture is our backbone and issues of climate change were also discussed. We have challenges in trying to combat climate change.
Ideas were exchanged in this forum on how best we can go forward.
They exchanged views on whether to start planting from January or February onwards or to stick to the traditional cropping season. They also discussed the issue of equal opportunities between men and women.
We would want to thank those that made us proud by raising our flag high and made meaningful contributions that were then adopted. They did not just make the numbers; they went there and showed that they knew what they were doing and that they are a delegation that is led by a capable leader who is the head of Government. I thank you Mr.
President of the Senate.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MACRO-ECONOMIC PLANNIG AND INVESTMENT PROMOTION (HON. SEN.
MUTSVANGWA): I move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 2nd March, 2016.
On the motion of THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MACRO-
ECONOMIC PLANNIG AND INVESTMENT PROMOTION
(HON. SEN. MUTSVANGWA), the Senate adjourned at Twenty Five
Minutes to Four o’ clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Wednesday, 2nd March, 2016
The Senate met at Half-past Two o’ clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
BILL RECEIVED FROM THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: I have to inform
the Senate that I have received the Zimbabwe National Defence University Bill [H.B. 12, 2015] from the National Assembly.
SECOND READING
GENERAL LAWS AMENDMENT BILL [H.B 2A, 2015]
First Order read: Adjourned debate on the Second Reading of the General Laws Amendment Bill [H.B. 2A, 2015].
Question again proposed.
HON. SENATOR MASHAVAKURE: Thank you Madam
President for giving me this opportunity. I would like to thank the Vice
President, the Honourable Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary
Affairs for bringing this Bill to the House for debate. Noting that the Constitution of Zimbabwe gives a lot of rights to persons with disabilities, I think it is necessary that this General Laws Amendment Bill be used to fill the gap left in the Constitution in Section 332 on definition of terms. Under those definitions, there is no definition of disability or a disabled person.
If the Honourable Minister could take along the Disabled Persons’ Act of 1992 and align it together with other laws that are being covered by the General Laws Amendment Bill, this issue will be solved. I think the Disabled Persons’ Act Chapter 17:01:1992 should also be part of those many laws which are being aligned under the General Laws Amendment Bill for the sake of having a definition of disability or disabled person in the Constitution. I thank you.
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR MASHONALAND WEST
PROVINCE (HON. CHIDARIKIRE): I move that the debate do now
adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 3rd March, 2016.
SECOND READING
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE AND EVIDENCE AMENDMENT
BILL, 2015 [H.B. 2B, 2015]
Second order read: Adjourned debate on the Second Reading of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Amendment Bill (H.B. 2B, 2015) Question again proposed.
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR MASHONALAND WEST
PROVINCE (HON. SENATOR CHIDARIKIRE): Madam President,
I move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 3nd March, 2016.
MOTION
REHABILITATION OF WAR SHRINES AND RECOGNITION
OF DEPARTED WAR LIBERATORS
Third order read: Adjourned debate on debate on motion calling for rehabilitation and maintenance of War Shrines.
Question again proposed.
*HON. SENATOR CHIEF CHISUNGA: Thank you Madam
President for affording me the opportunity to speak on this motion that was raised by Hon. Senator Mohadi. I would want to thank her because it is important to remember our heroes who made it possible for us to be in this august House and be able to debate in the manner in which we are doing. I would want to believe all of us are aware that it was not easy. It took the sacrifice of these gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe to prosecute the liberation war. If we can remember our deceased relatives and friends by erecting tombstones, by the same token, we should do
that for our fallen heroes. In remembrance, we should also not forget the freedom camps where they congregated and some of them were massacred.
I come from an area near Zambia; we go to Kavalamanja for yearly celebrations. Kavalamanja now appears to be a desolate and disguised place of no importance. It does not auger well and not even portray that there lays the remains of gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe who lost their lives in prosecuting the war of liberation.
Government should prioritise the issue of the maintenance of national shrines in various areas. They should be spruced up once every year. There should be ceremonies to recognize these heroes. The world over, there is that practice; some even have monuments in remembrance of the heroes. Way back to the early stages of the wars that were waged using horses and spears, some of these areas have now become tourists’ attraction zones or areas. When we compile the National Budget, we should also put aside funds for the rehabilitation of these shrines. We are now free and enjoy this freedom and all the sophisticated things that we are now doing that came about as a result of them sacrificing their lives. They are lying in these areas and could not be re-buried in their home areas. Some of them died painful deaths in Nyadzonia and Chimoio. Government should take steps to set aside funds for these shrines for renovations and maintenance. If possible, they should employ people to look after these cemeteries as is the case with our local cemeteries where caretakers spruce up the areas through weeding and ensuring that the places are in a sound shape. If we were to do this, it would show that as Zimbabweans, we respect our gallant fighters by so doing. I will end my speech.
HON. SENATOR MAKONE: I would like to thank Senator
Mohadi for bringing this motion to the House which is very important to the people of Zimbabwe. Madam President, when I was core-Minister of
Home Affairs, I had the privilege of visiting Freedom Camp Nyampundwe and Kavalamanja in Zambia. I have never felt so emotional like I did on this trip, not because it reminded me of the supreme price that was paid by the fallen heroes for us to achieve independence, but by the neglect that we as a people have shown to the fallen heroes. I was particularly disturbed at Freedom Camp where there is a beautiful monument that was put up by the Government of Zimbabwe but where so many people had the same surname. I tried to find out why this was so. I was told that those were all pseudo names. Fortunately, for me there was an ex-liberation war fighter there and I tried to find out from him whether there was no record of names. He assured me that the actual record of names and registers had been handed over to the Zimbabwean Government and the names were known. He could not understand why pseudo names were being used. I think when these things are handed over to technical staff, some of them are probably too young to even understand or bother. I think, we as supervisors of Government and Ministers, including the Presidium, we have a duty to ensure that things are done properly and that things are corrected. You can imagine those who know where their children fell, when they visit those places and they do not see the names of their beloved ones. They only see these pseudonyms which they probably do not know, what name the person was using, how they feel inside.
In my opinion, there is no good excuse for not having decent monuments because there are a lot of things that we do with money in this country that are not as significant as erecting those shrines. In any case, who says it must be done in a year and not in stages? We have been independent for the past 36years for goodness sake, why do we not set aside even US$1000.00 annually for that exercise? – [HON. SENATORS: Hear, Hear] – By now we would have gone a long way in addressing this matter, there is no excuse.
What I see are people with very short memories of where they came from and where they are going. People who only use their liberation history and credentials when it suites them but do not have a firm belief in what they are doing. This is a collective blame and not a blame for any one party because those that have the conscience should also play their role in continuing to hammer this thing and reconscientising as Hon. Sen. Mohadi has done. At the end of this debate I would like to see a situation where we come up with an agreement on how this should be done, recommendations, and then a follow-up to ascertain what has been done.
In this country, there are so many other places where Zimbabweans perished in large numbers. You will remember a few years ago, I think it was mid 2012, when a burial shaft was discovered in Mt. Darwin with lots of skeletons of people that had been dumped in the mine. It made news for a few days, artists were asked to come up with drawings of a monument to be put up and all that. As the then Minister of Home Affairs, I remember signing off on that piece of work that should have started and that was the end of it. It was never mentioned again and I would like to bet my bottom dollar that nothing has been done or will ever be done about it.
What kind of a nation are we that we do not remember our freedom fighters? – [HON. SENATORS: Hear, Hear] - If you look at European histories that are not as emotional and tragic as ours, everything is fully captured. They have got drawings, artists impressions, photographs and history books that people specialise in a particular aspect of their history. What have we done? What have we put in the education curricular of our children from the age of seven to the time when they leave universities? I am very disappointed with ourselves, myself included, because I was around at that time, played a part and left things as they are. So, I am equally to blame, lest anyone thinks that I am targeting anybody. I am saying this is a wakeup call – [HON. SENATORS: Hear, Hear] – for all of us, we have to do something.
Let us not have this history of marginalization where certain people are picked up and keep talking ad nauseam about them and their achievements. Let every person who is known be written about, where they came from, what they did, where they died, even if they sold out somewhere along the line, let it all be written down. We need a complete and accurate record of ourselves as people because we are passing on, and our children’s children will need these records of history.
This is seen when you interact with the youths of this country.
They live in a world of their own as they have no clue of what happened. When they hear us talking about these things, they just look at us and think so what? We have never inculcated that sense of pride of who we are as a people and how we are here today. We have prioritised other things in front of national interest. Party political interests are more important than national interests, we need everyone who was involved, regardless of their political affiliation to come to the fore and tell their story and let everything be captured. When we do that that is when we will respect the so called shrines because that is when they will make sense to all the people of Zimbabwe who were not there during that time.
I hope and pray that we will not just be debating here in order to show our prowess in debate and leave it there but will actually do something. I thank you. – [HON. SENATORS: Hear, Hear] – *HON. SEN. MACHINGAIFA: Thank you Madam President
for the opportunity to contribute to this motion that was moved by Hon. Sen. Mohadi and seconded by Hon. Sen. Masuku.
I would like to thank the gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe who participated in the liberation struggle of this country. As I debate, I am lucky to have been missed by several bullets because some of the people who participated in the liberation struggle did not live to tell the story. Therefore, we should remember and maintain these shrines where our relatives are buried.
Some of these things are as a result of our background in order for us to be where we are. If we do not maintain our own village shrines, how then can we be able to do the same for the gallant sons and daughters who perished for our liberation? When they participated in the struggle, it was with the belief that they would return home. So, they did not vandalise things because they were expecting to return home.
Right now we are enjoying the peace and tranquility of their struggles.
I am distressed because it is necessary that we pool our ideas with love for even though we do not have resources, it will appear as if we are hard hearted. For example, in South Africa, when Cde. Mandela assumed leadership, he requested all employers and employees to work for an hour and the South Africans heeded that call. The money that was realised from that exercise was used to buy Cde. Mandela’s’ first car. I propose that some farms be designated to raise funds that can be channeled towards erecting and maintaining those shrines.
I remember reading in the newspapers when former Zambian
President Kaunda stated that his country was bombed so that Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe attain their independence. But of those countries, none realised that Zambia played an important role. We should sit down and acknowledge that and realise that if we come back here at home where we burry our relatives, you start from that very day that people are being buried. We converge in our numbers but after a year no one goes back there to check on those shrines. You find that some of the graves have no one who attends to them, hence when someone is bestowed with the hero status, they would prefer not to be buried there but at their home area. That is because the graves are not maintained properly.
In conclusion, I would like to say that here in Zimbabwe we should unite as said by Hon. Makone and put our national interest first in maintaining these shrines. When tourists come to Zimbabwe, when they visit Victoria Falls, they go and see the statue of David Livingstone. I thank you Madam President. –[HON. SENATORS: Hear, hear.]-
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Thank you Hon.
Machingaifa.
+HON. SEN. J. NDLOVU: Thank you Madam President, for the
time that you have given me to contribute to this motion brought by Hon. Mohadi. When she moved this motion she actually affected me because when you look at some of these shrines where our heroes are today; they are a sorry site. We are proud that we are 35 years enjoying our independence, while those who made that a reality, our gallant sons and daughters who are not enjoying independence, their spirits are not settled at all. Parents of these children would to visit the shrines where their gallant sons and daughters are resting. The names that are obtaining at the shrines are not their original names that were given to them by their parents.
When we went to Freedom Camp with Hon. Mohadi, I was surprised that most of them were the Ndlovu’s. People gave each other pseudo names and I also had pseudo-name so no one could identify me at that shrine. Hon. Makone said there should be a record. A proper record is available because when you were entering the training camp, you would register your name, chief, village head and your father’s name hence the proper record is there. You can easily identify that such a person from such a place did not come back home and he died during the war. We should pull our ideas together so as to help the Government put together a proper record. Our children will not know proper history because they will ask why did that one remain in Mozambique.
People went to these training camps when they were young. Some died there and some parents do not have any children back home. Now they are grandparents and destitute and there is no record to show that even if they try to approach the Social Welfare claiming that their children died during the war the grandparent will simply be told there is no record to prove that. Many grandparents are destitute because they did not benefit from the sacrifice and death of their children. We are proud to be free people. We are now able to talk of the issues which we are talking about because of the blood of our gallant sons and daughters. It is easy for us now to talk as I am doing because of the freedom we enjoy here in Zimbabwe.
Let us maintain these shrines. Even if the people are dead, they still belong to us. Let us have a proper record so that we give ourselves time Madam President as a country to once a year to visit some of these shrines. You cannot even find a path to some of these shrines. Even the fences around these shrines are no-longer there and some of the fences were removed or vandalized. If we put a dura wall no one can vandalise it Madam President. I feel pain when I am contributing to this debate. Let us approach our traditional leaders we have some of our brothers
who are known to have perished in a particular area in Zimbabwe.
People know where these gallant sons are buried and we have the Heroes Acres where these gallant sons could be buried. Whatever status they could be conferred with that will be alright with us. I thank you
Madam President. –[HON. SENATORS: Hear, hear.]-
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: We thank you
Hon. Sen. Ndlovu
*HON. SEN. GOTO: Thank you Madam President. First and
foremost, I would like to thank the mover of the motion Hon. Sen. Mohadi and seconded by Hon. Sen. Masuku. Yes this is quite a painful motion which was moved by Hon. Sen. Mohadi. At some point, we wanted to say it but we did not have the guts. Thank you Hon. Sen. Mohadi. Yes all of us here, for all of us to be here it is because of the sons and daughters of Zimbabwe. We always stood up to make contributions so as to make a contribution. We have been to these shrines and things are not well. When we shout at each other here it is not good at all. We are a people because of those gallant sons and daughters. If these gallant sons and daughters were not there, we will not be here.
For instance, at Chimoio, we should always remember these gallant sons and daughters. When we saw the place at Chimoio we were touched and you will see that there is this Heroes Acre here. If you see the size of graves as big as this Senate Chamber with a lot of people in it, about seven hundred; whatever that is what we were told. I was touched by that. We have relatives who are there; some parents saw the names of their children and they were consoled. We should go back and maintain those shrines. Those shrines were put quite well but there is need for continuous maintenance.
As Anglican Church, in November we go to maintain the graves. What about the shrines? We request therefore that there be some workers seconded to work there. There were a few workers at the shrine. They do not have proper housing and the security is not proper. We would want our Government to put strong security at such shrines, just like at our National Heroes Acre. Funds should be allocated to maintain roads that lead to the shrines. It was difficult to assess the shrines when we went there. We later approached the authorities and some grading was done.
Let us unite. We should not hate each other. It is these gallant sons who caused us to be independent today. When we realise that we are independent, we should unite and respect the gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe. I do not think we would be what we are today, had it not been for the gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe. They could have wanted to be married but they were there and died. How do you feel about their parents? This is why I stood to make this contribution because I also went to these shrines.
When we visit these shrines, we will actually respect them. Let us encourage our Government to do something about it. Let us budget for these things. The shrines should be maintained yearly. Every year we go to our national shrine; even our provincial shrines, we attend to them and they are fenced. I thank you Madam President.
+HON. SEN. BHEBE: Thank you Madam President for giving
me this opportunity to contribute to this motion, which was moved by Hon. Sen. Mohadi and seconded by Hon. Sen. Masuku. The motion is quite pertinent and good. It makes us realise that we are true Zimbabweans. When we talk of Zimbabwe, we talk of an issue on gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe who liberated this country. We thank you Hon. Mohadi for making us remember that we were liberated by gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe who died to liberate our country.
I will say a few things because quite a number of Hon. Senators have debated on this matter. We all know the work that was done by our liberators. When they left to fight for the country, we were here. The way we lived under the system then was not good and satisfactory to anyone of us. That caused some of our elders to sit down and people started to move and fight for the country because the oppression of the system was visible and tangible.
Even though we could buy bread for small amounts of money, we had problems. As such, the country was fought for. We are liberated and now we are independent. What we should do is to realise and remember the works of the gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe who liberated the country. They died and they are all over wherever they are but no one is giving them the necessary respect. What we want is that we should have shrines where their names should be placed and the shrines should be maintained well.
You would find that liberators may be re-buried at another place. If possible, we should prepare to re-burry them. A lot about documentation was said. Their grandchildren would not know how their grandparents died so there should be documentation so that every Zimbabwean will know those people who participated in liberating the country. If we know how we realised that independence, we will be able to defend our country. If someone speaks bad about the country, you will be able to defend the country.
Let us pool our ideas together so that we can maintain these shrines. People should visit these places being led by people who know the people who trained at each camp at a particular time to help us come up with the relevant names of these people so that they can be documented. As Zimbabweans, we should know those who contributed towards the independence of the country, some were outside the country, some fought long back in the First Chimurenga. The war did not start using guns, it started way back with Mbuya Nehanda, Lobengula and so on. These are some of the things that should be documented so that we know what exactly was obtaining in this country. These things should be included in the school curriculum so that we do not have people who are not knowledgeable about these matters. Many speakers have talked about these matters, I may end up repeating. We are enjoying freedom today because of the freedom fighters. With those few words, I want to thank the mover and the seconder of this motion. Thank you.
+HON. SEN. MKHWEBU: Thank you Madam President for
giving me this opportunity to add my voice to this motion which was moved by Hon. Sen. Mohadi and seconded by Hon. Sen. Masuku. We thank Hon. Sen. Mohadi for making us remember our heroes who fought for the freedom of this country. We are enjoying the freedom as a result of the heroes who brought independence to this country. Most of these heroes died in the liberation struggle. The heroes are lying in Tanzania, Mozambique, Zambia, Angola and Libya. I am saying this because I participated in the struggle. I am aware of training camps; they were many of these which I cannot remember now.
Some of these heroes were not properly buried because it was not easy to have a proper grave when a freedom fighter died. People were being put in mass graves. This is what we are saying, we should also try and go back to those shrines and maintain them. They should be properly fenced because relatives and friends visiting such shrines will say, ‘how come our relatives lying here are being neglected?’ I urge the Government to prioritise the issue of fencing all these shrines where our friends are lying. It is important indeed that people should go to those shrines to check.
Let me also point out that most of the names used by the freedom fighters were pseudo names, those were the names given at the training points. You find that some of these heroes were using names of people who are still alive, people used to change names, it was very easy. Let there be documentation with proper names of the heroes lying out there and some in the country. Therefore, our request is that this august House should encourage the Government to address this matter by budgeting for the shrines to be fenced. It is something good that when we visit the shrines we see that they are being maintained.
Madam President, these gallant sons and daughters did not enjoy life as we are enjoying it today. The traditional leaders are in charge of traditions and customs. The freedom fighters are lying in various places and the traditional leaders know what to do with the spirits of such people in accordance with our tradition, so that even the relatives of the gallant sons can be consoled. Some relatives of the people who died in the war have not been consoled and they do not know where their sons and daughters are lying. It is important that there be a documentation exercise of every training camp, according to the sex of the freedom fighters and where they were coming from. It is important to know that this camp was for boys or girls. The trained ones had their own training camps. There were little children from seven years, some were being carried at the backs of their brothers and sisters, some died there and some came back home. Thank you.
*HON. SEN. KOMICHI: Thank you Mr. President for affording me this opportunity to contribute to this motion. Let me take this opportunity to thank the mover and the seconder of the motion. Before I proceed with my debate I want urge this House to observe a minute of silence in respect of the departed souls of the war veterans. Before I proceed with my debate I was going to propose that the President of the
Senate should lead the entire Senate to visit these shrines in Zambia and Mozambique because we are all Senators. The issue of the fallen war liberation fighters is a serious issue. The majority of us here have experienced the war at a time when the liberation struggle was being fought, either from the Zambian side or Mozambiquean side. Those that were grown up became war collaborators. We witnessed the war, we slept in the bush and we were lucky to escape some of these bullets. We appreciate the work or the sacrifice that they made to liberate this country. During the war, some people lost their lives which are not of their own making but they died sacrificing for the freedom of this country.
When a person is alive, he lives in three forms; the highest form of a person is God, the second one is the spiritual world and the third form is the living, those of us that are here. The spiritual world is called the living dead. What it means is that the flesh dies but the soul lives up until what the Bible says will happen in the end will happen. That is why we have prophets and that is why we have spirit mediums in the spiritual world. That is why prophets and the spirit mediums claim to be looking after you in your areas or lives; it means that even those that died in the liberation struggle of this country observe what is happening in this country on a daily basis. Their spirits are still living and as a living being, you would want to live in a clean environment in your house. Your house will be properly painted and maintained - you would want to be respected and you would want to be smart as a living being. It is the same thing with the dead in the spiritual realm; they also want to experience the same. That is why in the olden days in terms of our tradition, traditional ceremonies were held to appease the ancestors through beer brewing and slaughtering of beasts.
Beer was the wine of the day; it was pleasing to our ancestors to have beer brewed so that our ancestors’ spirits could live well in the spiritual world. The fallen sons and daughters of this country require the same treatment. I believe this is the duty of the chiefs because the chiefs are connected to the spiritual world because they are linked to the God on behalf of the people of this country. The Council of Chiefs should be tasked by the Government to ensure that adequate respect is paid to the fallen heroes on an annual basis, we should not forget. The whites, although we have different cultures, the graves of the first and second world war are sparkling clean; year in year out they come to visit. They go to France to the graveyards of their fallen heroes, they polish and paint them and celebrate and the survivors of that war wear uniforms to commemorate the fallen heroes day. Why are we not doing the same thing, commemorating our fallen heroes that perished either in Mozambique or Zambia as they were fighting in the liberation struggle for this country which led to our independence?
We should also know the objectives of the liberation fighters. They perished so that Zimbabweans could live peacefully and that they could eat, drink and enjoy themselves in their motherland. I remember that we used to have night vigils called pungwes, we could hear the liberation war fighters painting this vision, that vision is still vivid in my mind and it encouraged us to also want to go and fight in the liberation war. What pains me most is that the living are doing the exact opposite of what they fought for, they are fighting against each other. We are spilling blood over and above that blood that was spilt during the liberation war. We are killing our own people as blacks. Those that fought in the liberation struggle wanted the economy of this country to grow. They wanted us to have sufficient infrastructure and that we should be feasting, not starving and be self sustained.
They want us to have good health and to have bulging bellies but today, we are the exact opposite. People have spent 16 years in bushes, in harsh conditions and dodging artillery from the enemy. I remind all the leaders that are here in Zimbabwe, whether we are from the opposition or the ruling party, we should reconnect and revalue the values that the liberation war veterans fought for. If the current Government that we have, are to lose power in 2018, those that will take over from them should always remember why the liberation war struggle was ever prosecuted and should always remember why the liberation war struggle was ever prosecuted and should always go to the liberation war shrines to pay our respects to the fallen heroes. The issue of war veterans should be non-partisan.
Those that were shot dead during the war died for a national issue and not a partisan issue. War veterans alive and those deceased did a good job; they paid a sacrifice to ensure that we have our own independence. I would want to remind that those that give orders to assault war veterans using switches; I was hate by that. Why would you beat that old woman or old man simply because they have demonstrated? Children are spoken to, as a father if your children have misbehaved, as the parents, if you beat them with a switch, you have lost the issue. In this case, you have angered the spirits of the land. You have angered Mbuya Nehanda, Kaguvi and Chaminuka by assaulting their children. The war veterans were being assaulted, do they not have shame. We should not behave like that. I believe with those words that
I have uttered, those that died for this country have heard my plea as Senator Komichi. I thank you.
*SENATOR CHIMANIKIRE: Thank you for affording me this
opportunity to add my voice to the few issues on the motion that was raised by Hon. Senator Mohadi. Wounds are about to be healed, we lost our relatives who went to fight in the liberation war. What the living and those that died were hoping to achieve after independence was that we would be treated with the same lenses in that they will be remembered in the same manner. It would appear as if those that came back alive are saying they should benefit because they are alive. If we look back at our history, we see that it is not a smooth history. It was difficult. I once worked as a house maid. There was a white person who would look after my mother and children. One day the white lady came running and I asked why she was excited. She said John’s son has done a good job because they had bombed the liberation war fighters in Nyadzonia. I mourned. I was doing some ironing; I sat at the table and cried. Thereafter I decided what to do.
Politics is engrained to you when you are a child. Those that are
‘John come latelys’ will never come this far as this august House. I thereafter resigned. I told them that the people that had been killed in Chimoio and Chinhoyi are my relatives, so I cannot work with you again. I packed and went away and never worked for a white person again.
Now then, came the advent of independence, as you see us in this august House, we are full of grievances. People do not just live their homesteads for no apparent reason. The reasons why they chose to move away from the family home is because they saw that they may have a better way out there in Chiweshe. There is a lady who has proffered herself, maybe she has had these grievances for some time and now she has come out in the open and we heard others saying they have failed to articulate this issue as regards to war veterans. There are many of us. Those that were honoured are the ones that are interred in heroes’ shrines in the provinces and the national shrine. There are those that are unrecognized, that served for seven years. I went to mourn my sister’s late husband; the blanket that was being used to cover his body was torn. His feet were not properly covered. I gave them some money and they bought a white cloth and properly covered him. Thereafter, we recalled that we had remained with my sister at the time when the husband was prosecuting the liberation war and we had suffered but the husband died without achieving anything.
I urge the remaining war veterans to rise up and march and show that there is need for democracy. Do not forget your colleagues. A lot of things have been done wrong and these gentlemen that the Hon. Members are making a reference to, how can they re-bury the war veterans when their arms are tied behind their backs. The Government should think seriously about these deceased war veterans. I thank.
*HON. SENATOR MAWIRE: Thank you Mr. President. I have
just realised that I should add any voice to this debate but I would like to thank this House because it has seen it fit that we should remember our fallen heroes that we have not properly interred whose shrines are not being properly maintained. I am one of those that suffered. We should not talk about shrines that are outside Zimbabwe, district shrines should also be maintained. At times one is taken aback when it is pointed out that this is a war veterans’ district heroes’ acre. Even the provincial heroes’ acres should also be properly looked after. There is need for security. When we go there, some people are tempering with these shrines. With those words, I say thank you Mr. President.
*HON. SENATOR CHIMBUDZI: Thank you Mr. President for
affording me this opportunity. Let me add a few words in thanking Hon.
Senator Mohadi the mover and the seconder Hon. Senator Masuku for this important motion. I have observed that this august House is disturbed by the issues that were raised and I will not repeat what they said. There is the Mt. Darwin shrine at Chibondo, it is in my constituency. If we were to go there today, you may lose your way because of the trees and the un-kept area. In that shallow grave, we believe that they are still a number of bodies. These were not people from Mt. Darwin. They were from the length and breadth of Zimbabwe. The Whites used to massacre innocent children and civilians and carry the bodies using their lorries and helicopters and dumb them in Mt.
Darwin.
The Mt. Darwin air strip, one would assume that it was an ordinary air strip. The five shallow graves with bodies of children, I would want to believe children of Zimbabwe have seen the importance of this issue. I was visited by an old lady from Midlands. She was very old. She got to Chibondo and asked us a question that we failed to respond to. She said out of the bodies that you have exhumed, where is my child’s because I only had one child. She had borrowed money for bus fare. We failed to respond. We have a certain woman in Mt. Darwin whose children’s bodies were exhumed from Chibondo. We visited her homestead because sacks were used to cover her door way and she was a loner because her children’s bodies were buried in the mass grave at Chibondo.
The chiefs cannot do their work if we have not spoken to them. The chief does not come to where a deceased person lies. As a chief, there are certain rituals that they perform in terms of our tradition and societal values. We would like to say as Zimbabweans, in places such as Zambia, Tanzania, Botswana and Angola, people would be killed as they were innocently doing their duties. As Zimbabwean citizens, we did not go and express our sorrow over those lives that were lost. We should remember where we came from. Those friends are important.
If you go to Mukumbura in my constituency, there were plastic bags and on the river beds, you would see exposed bones, all of them were carried away maybe to the Zambezi River or elsewhere. What do we think as Zimbabweans because these children, whose bones were washed away, were from all over Zimbabwe?
I would like to thank you Hon. Senators for your vision. Today I have recalled just how important this issue is. What should we do and what advise should we give to the Government because this involves our ways of lives as Africans. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF DANDAWA: Thank you Mr. President, let
me start by thanking Hon. Sen. Mohadi for the motion that she introduced so that we remember our fallen heroes.
I will confine myself to a few words because the majority of the issues have been covered. I think it is prudent if the motion was to state that the parents of those children should be informed that they are now deceased. Their children did not return home and the parents were never formerly informed. May the Government intervene and assist in ensuring that relatives of those fallen heroes are informed.
There are graves in the forests that they perished in. Sometime last year, I saw some people exhuming the remains of war veterans for reburial at the District Heroes Acres that is not our tradition. It is the soil that is moved and there are certain rituals that are to be conducted depending on the culture of the deceased person. There are procedures that need to be followed, it is not the war veterans or the chiefs that should conduct these ceremonies but the relatives of the deceased.
As chiefs we do not know some of these issues because various ethnic groups have various mannerisms that they follow in terms of interring. The Government should first locate the parents of the deceased in order for them to assist. In terms of our African traditions, when you want to rebury, you collect some soil from the head and the feet, wrap it in a black cloth and the relatives will do some ritual chanting so as to enable the process to be smoothly carried out.
There are those that claim that in Chimoio, Mozambique a lot of our fallen heroes are marching to no end. Some perished there and others returned, the claims that some are still marching in that area are because some things were not put in their proper prospective so that there would be peace. I think I should just add this dimension to this debate.
Lastly, Hon. Sen. Komichi suggested that we visit these shrines but instead of going as hon. Senators, there are enrollment lists of these children as they were enlisting. It is known in terms of their deployments as to how many returned and how many failed to make it back home. Then we inform the relatives of those who perished in Chimoio so that they then go and perform the requisite rituals. Those not of the same bloodline with the deceased should not be involved in such issues. It is akin to the saying by Ngugi wa Thiong that the oil skin of the house is not for rubbing onto the skin of strangers. With those few words, I thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHIFAMBA: I thank the mover of the motion, well done Hon. Senator Mohadi. Those that have not been involved in these issues tend to go for an over kill, it is painful for some of us who passed through these areas. Some died yet their remains have are not been properly interred in those mountains. We have not witnessed anything being done to those remains after the end of the liberation struggle so that the remains could be reburied. We believe the remains are still in those mountains.
I remembered when this motion was moved that we used to sing, ‘I would die on my way to Zimbabwe, along my way to Zambezi and Limpopo’. Those that survived the war took advantage but if they address their minds to their fallen heroes, we should not be revisiting this motion. The war ended in 1980 but we turned a blind eye to the current issues. This is an issue that should have been timeously dealt with. There are those that are 100% disabled, others died, some war collaborators died yet their parents have not forgotten about their losses.
There are people who claim to be war veterans yet they are pseudo-war veterans. These are the people that are causing problems by giving us headaches. You can instantly discern that an individual who claims to be a war veteran only heard about it, because those that know the importance of the liberation struggle and how it was protracted do not treat issues lightly. They would spend the whole day on the lookout yet war collaborators are no longer being remembered even though they played a crucial role during the liberation struggle. The war collaborators are an unknown quantity and pseudo-war veterans are now benefiting.
We were not allowed to walk in First Street but for us to be able to do this was because of the war veterans who liberated us. The majority of us could not have fought as soldiers. We intended to go there and played our role as people that supported the liberation struggle through the provision of meals and doing laundry for the freedom fighters.
There are some people who are interred at the National Heroes Acre yet those that deserve to be there are not interred there. Let us seriously consider this issue because it was not easy. They left their loved ones behind in order to liberate Zimbabwe and they went because they wanted to liberate Zimbabwe. There are also some old people who were maimed and disabled but are not getting any form of assistance.
Let us remember these people that fought during the liberation struggle.
We need to pay serious attention to this issue.
Let us recognise those that fought and collaborated because some people have no shame but they claim to be war veterans when they were never part and parcel of the war. This is quite painful because we lost a lot of relatives during the war. A girl had been sent to buy some beer and there was some gunfire exchanges at the Chitoma base. A lot of children lost their lives including this girl.
Nothing has been done in the Gonese area to remember those who died during the war. People have motor vehicles and others now sit here in Parliament but have forgotten. Let us introspect. This is not a light matter but an issue that is pregnant with meaning and ought to be treated with the seriousness that it deserves. Let us correct our mistakes.
We were never allowed in elite shops such as Greatermans and OK, but we are not forgetting those who liberated us. With those few words I thank you.
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE (SEN.
TAWENGWA): Thank Hon. Senators we have discussed a lot on this
issue. I will now give the last three.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF MUSARURWA: Thank you Mr. President
Sir. I thought I will add a few words on this motion what was raised by Sen. Mohadi which calls upon us as a country to see about the welfare of our War Veterans. This is a painful issue and it makes us sad. We are here because they fought and sacrificed. Some started in the 50s and 60s to wage the war. Some went to this war when they were young. I remember in 2004, I was invited to Bulawayo. I was told that there was a child of our lineage one Churuchemunzwa who had for years been feeding on wild fruits. He would grind powder as some form of food because of the problems that he had faced during the war of liberation. That is after 30 years in the bush meaning others came back home and he remained in the bush. How many are like that who perished in the bush? How many are insane because of the trauma that they suffered whom we meet in the street?
In Chikomba, my communal home, we had a veteran liberation struggle hero. Who whenever he heard a plane passing by, he would grab a stick and fire the plane passing by. As a country we are rejoicing that we have gallant sons and daughters who fought for our liberation struggle so that we could be what we are today. It is my plea to this august House that as we deliberate on this issue we should not pay lip service to the issue. As we discuss this issue what are our intentions.
What are we urging the living to do?
There are those that perished in Chimoio, Nyadzonia, Chitembwe and various areas and even in the bushes. There are those that are lying dead in the bushes. What about the living? Are we giving them the respect that they deserve as a country? The British but not only the British, the soldiers that fought in the First World War the majority of them are the ones that had the farms that we have taken from them. They were given these farms by their Government as a gratuity. This was gratuity that was paid in the form of pension in Africa by the Whites. What are we doing for our own kith and kin? At times war veterans are moved from the farms that they are allocated. Once you raise such a motion we will not pull any punches. We will call a spade a spade because when we talk about these issues we should not be disturbed; we said we should discuss openly. War Veterans are being dispossessed of the land. At times, the war veterans have two hectares and they are struggling with the two hectares. –[AN. HON. SENATOR: Yes, yes.]- Those that are saying yes, yes will disturb the motion. Sorry Mr. President Sir. This will take a different dimension we should call a spade a spade on this motion.
My view is that everyone fought for this country and played various roles: doing laundry, fetching water. Yes, you played a part for Zimbabwe to be where it is today. Let us look, we said in the
Constitution there is mention of what respect should be given to the war veterans. We should respect our Constitution and uphold the reasons why they went to the liberation struggle. Some have nothing to show for what they have achieved after going to the liberation war. I have a brother; I am sorry to say that I lost my brother but have difficulties in answering questions from his children. The children would say father you went to the Liberation Struggle. What do you have to show for it?
Nothing.
So these children when they grow up, what mentality do they have when they grow up. They would trivialise the liberation struggle. With the born frees and those that are recently born without the reinforcement of the importance of the war veterans. The war veterans are going to become the laughing stock of this country. We should look deeply into this issue and come up with a recommendation on what should be done for the war veterans. We cannot say the Government is failing in every sphere. It is sending the children of the war veterans to school. Government has a lot of obligations and these obligations are quite heavy and taxing. There is someone with seven wives and has more than 30 children. He was asked? Are all your children going to school? All of them are being sent to school with the Government paying the school fees. Some of his deceased comrades have been named after his children so that he could see his deceased colleagues. I am just trying to portray the fact that the Government is doing something about it but I am urging the Government to do more.
The current Government owes its existence to the prosecution of the liberation war of struggle. By so doing, we should recognise those that fought in the war. We should show our gratitude for the work well done. I cannot talk just about these comrades that we are talking about; there are war veterans. The President recently talked about Chief Chishawira who led the war when they were fighting using spears, bows and arrows, the likes of Chingaira, Chinengundu and others, whose heads are still in Britain. There are those that are still lying in the bushes.
In Chikomba, there is a place referred to as the nursery of the Mashonaland Rebellion. Those of our clan and several other tribes also lost their lives at that place. Such places should be recognised as national monuments. They are the forefathers that inspired the generation that went to prosecute the war because they had been hurt. We should not pay lip service to the heads of Mapondera and Chingaira that are in England. What are those heads doing there? They should come back to their homeland. Mr. President Sir, this motion pains us.
In conclusion, I will say that we should have a solution. If Hon. Chimhini were to meet a war veteran, how do you treat him? Hon. Komichi, how do you view that person? Do you feel indebted that we have our country because of the work that they have done? Let us give them due respect to show that they have brought our liberation. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHIMHINI: Thank you Mr. President. I have a few words on this motion that was raised by Hon. Mohadi. Hon. Komichi talked about the connection between the living and the dead. I am going to talk about the manner in which we are treating the living as Sen. Chief Musarurwa has said. I would want to talk about those that are declared the heroes status or those who are buried at the Heroes Acre. I am talking about those who are dying. The motion talks about the recognition of those that died after the war, those that died in this country.
I would want to add my voice on the issue when we pay tribute to those that are living and the dead. We should not be looking at which political party they are now serving. By the time they fought the war, they had a different dimension. They are those that are going to miss going to the Heroes Acre because they now have a different political persuasion. The dead are not going to be happy that their fellow comrades are not going to be interred at the Heroes Acre because there are now differences in ideology. Those living, that fought in this war of liberation, if they now have a different view point, should be given their due respect so that those dead could also rejoice. Those that fought for this country fought for the national good of this country and not a political party. I thank you Mr. President.
HON. SEN. MOHADI: Thank you Mr. President. I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. MUMVURI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 3rd March, 2016.
MOTION
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE
PRESIDENT AS CHAIRMAN OF AFRICAN UNION
Fourth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion to congratulate
His Excellency, the President Cde. Mugabe and the Government of
Zimbabwe on successfully leading the African Union (AU) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) as Chairperson.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. CHIEF MUSARURWA: I move that the debate do
now adjourn.
HON. SEN. MARAVA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 3rd March, 2016.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE ZIMBABWE DELEGATION TO THE 38TH
PLENARY ASSEMBLY OF THE SADC PARLIAMENTARY
FORUM
Fifth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Zimbabwe
Delegation Report on the 38th Plenary Assembly of the SADCParliamentary Forum, Sea Side Hotel and SPA, Swakopmund, Namibia, 17th to 25th November, 2015.
Question again proposed.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MEDIA, INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES (HON. SEN. MATHUTHU): I
move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 3rd March, 2016.
MOTION
TRADITIONAL CHIEFS MANDATE
Sixth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the role of traditional leaders.
Question again proposed.
*HON. SEN. MARAVA: Thank you Mr. President for giving me
the opportunity to debate this important motion that was moved by Hon. Sen. Mawire and the seconder. Mr. President, this motion is very important to me. If we knew, we would deal with this motion spiritually and not physically. This motion opens the way for our traditional way of life, where we came from, where we are and where we are going. So, Mr. President, through you. I want the Senators to greet our chiefs.
Hon. Senators greet Hon. Chief Senators by clapping hands and ululating.
HON. SEN. MARAVA: Madakii Madzishe, monotisvitsira kune maChiefs ose. Mr. President, let me continue by saying that if only we knew we could have done it a long time ago. Some were even shy to clap hands in the traditional manner of hands clapping for the chiefs. It should start here so that we will be able to do that outside; to show the importance of our chiefs. If it cannot start with the Senator, where should it start from; from the councilor? Mr. President, kuita kunodarika kunzwa, my plea to this august Senate and my friend called sanctions is that let us respect our chiefs through deeds and not words.
Some senators were lazy to show respect by greeting chiefs….
HON. SEN. MASUKU: On a point of order Mr. President. I think the Hon. Senator should recognise that we have different cultures and traditions. We greet chiefs not by clapping hands. Thank you.
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT: Thank you Hon. Sen.
Masuku for that intervention, may the Hon. Senator just speak to the motion.
HON. SEN. MARAVA: Thank you Mr. President. On the Zunde
Ramambo project, we are misleading each other most of the time. It is a practical issue which can easily be done by anyone. We should always agree that the Zunde Ramambo concept in the olden days used to be done because there were so many people that were in rural areas.
People would go, plough and weed. They would perform these duties so as to ensure that the poor in the community would be fed. Let us now appreciate that all Hon. Senators in here, should go to the chiefs and cultivate the chiefs land but at times chiefs may not have ploughs when Hon. Sen. Marava has three ploughs. Give one of the ploughs to the chief so that it could be used for ploughing fields for this Zunde Ramambo concept. There is not excuse Mr. President for us to fail to do this because others then say that our culture in this area is like this, the traditional chiefs have a manner in which to deal with issues in all the areas from the ward up to the provincial level.
Mr. President, let us not shy away from the fact that the chiefs are the original rulers of this country. They have been there, they will be there and they shall always be there. We should not despise them, we should not disrespect them, we should not abuse them but the truth will always be there. Look at the motion that is now being moved in this House by Hon. Senator Mawire, this is a good omen. We may want to play this down but we should go back to our roots. We know where we came from, there are representatives of Chief Lobengula, they are those amongst us who know the Ndebele, Zezuru, Chikaranga, Manyika and the Tonga ways of doing things. Because of that, we cannot shy away from respecting our chiefs and not giving them the due respect. There is what we call familiarity Mr. President. In United Kingdom, chiefs are important, you can never or be too close to the King or the Queen in terms of the British custom. They are important and there are protocols to be observed when approaching them.
Mr. President, let us look at where this familiarity has led us to. It has led us to the issue of chiefs that once Parliament has been dissolved the Chiefs’ Council is dissolved. We are not the same; this is the familiarity that I am talking. We now think that the chiefs are inferior, that is incorrect. Mr. President, we are abusing our chiefs in a lot of ways, we should stop abusing these chiefs. These are the only people that we have in this country who are qualified to be referees of the wars that are there between the politicians. The politicians are busy fighting one another. The chiefs are the only persons who are qualified to urge the parties to cool down and urge them to shut up and not assault one another. If we do not do this, we will have a serious problem.
Mr. President, no soccer match is played without referees; because of that Mr. President, my plea is that we should not abuse our chiefs. Even in this Senate Chamber we abuse the chiefs a lot of times, especially at the time when we divide the House. Chiefs have serious problems to show which side they are voting for. They have serious problems whether they should vote for or against the motion. Let us not abuse our chiefs. They should be respected as referees. If you have done wrong, they should correct that fairly and impartially.
The other plea is that we should all know that if the chiefs are not responding, it is not because they do not want. The chieftainship is an institution. Do not look at the current chief, you may have Chief John who is the current chief, once Chief John leaves, there will always be a chief. Mr. President because of that, whenever we see our chiefs, give them the due respect, as human beings they also think, in due time they will correct their mistakes.
Let us be proud of the institution of chiefs. Chieftainship is the only authentic leadership that we have, no one can argue against it. I have decided to bring in this dimension to show the importance of the chief and meaningful production that comes out of such a situation. Last week I read in the newspaper that there was a certain Hon. Member who did well and bought some motor bikes for chiefs in Matabeleland. It came to my mind that the chief is riding on a motor bike and an Hon. Member is riding in a Ford Ranger; we can do better than that. There are four constituencies that fall under the chief and it means that the chief has four Members of Parliament who are under his control. The four Members of Parliament will pass in their Ford Rangers when the chief is struggling on a motor bike, we can do better than that. The chief cannot be separated from his people and the people separated from the chief, it is not possible.
People need an identity and the identity of an individual is the chief. The identity of the district is the chief and also the ward, the province falls under the chief, that is the truth which is self evident whether you hate chiefs or not. It is going to be imposed by the district administrator or the registrar’s office that we come from chief X’s area. Let us give them their due respect. We are all talking about those that liberated us. Let us recall that it is the chiefs who send the children to prosecute this war of liberation struggle. They were old and could not prosecute this war, they said children should be mobilised to go and fight against the colonial regime. Our children went, God and our ancestral spirits led them during this struggle. Some died and some are still living, Senator Mawire is still here she is a survivor.
They have been sent by the chief to go and fight the war so that we can repossess our country but seeing what is now happening; we now do as we please because we are independent. No blacks were allowed in Parliament, we are here because of those that lost their lives. We should thank the chiefs that allowed our children to go and prosecute the war. They also received these children when they came back from the war of liberation. My house is nearer to that of a spirit medium. You hear hands being clapped in the middle of the night and you know that the liberation war fighter’s spirit has arrived. They were suffering for me and they were also suffering for the chief. The chiefs and the spirit mediums accepted those children, they delivered this country and hence it was given to us.
*THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: May
you confine yourself to the motion.
*HON. SENATOR MARAVA: All I urge you is that we
continue to thank the chiefs and do things that we should be doing for them. We should subordinate ourselves to the chiefs. What I want to say is that when we gained independence, we did not follow our tradition or the required traditional ceremonies to thank those that were leading in the liberation struggle. That should be done Mr. President of the Senate to ensure that we put this issue on the right track.
All the human resources, regardless of whatever station they later attained in life as lawyers or accountants, they come from a chief’s area either in Zaka or from Chief Chiadzwa’s area. So, if you originate from that area, let us now agree as this august Senate, God will help us so that we support an issue that the chiefs should have their own independent funding. We went around this country and we all agreed that the chiefs are the custodians of all these minerals. So let us all agree that they be given a better allocation so that the war collaborators, when they come, they will be able to provide for them. We should speak openly about these issues. Those spirit mediums that are speaking through Senator Mawire will punish us.
I read a document of 1996, on the restoration of the traditional leaders’ powers. It was a draft; I became angry, I asked myself what is this? What restoration of powers, were these powers ever there? We had taken these powers, we should respect our chiefs whilst the administration issues are done. We should wish the best for our chiefs all the time.
In conclusion, I would want to say, the chiefs should have court buildings so that they can preside over their issues as the case in other countries like Morocco or Lesotho. If a chief coughs in South Africa, he is heard. Let us respect our chiefs; no-one else will do that on our behalf. I will now conclude this important issue. I thank you.
SENATOR MAWIRE: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
SENATOR MOHADI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 3rd March, 2015.
MOTION
PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH: DEBATE ON ADDRESS
Seventh Order read: Adjourned debate on motion in reply to the Presidential Speech.
Question again proposed.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MEDIA, INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES (HON. SEN. MATHUTHU): I
move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 3rd March, 2015.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
DELEGATION TO THE 7TH WORLD WATER CONFERENCE
Eighth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report of the Parliament of Zimbabwe Delegation to the 7th World Water Conference.
Question against proposed.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MEDIA, INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES (HON. SEN. MATHUTHU): I
move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 3rd March, 2015.
On the motion of THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MEDIA,
INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES (HON. SEN.
MATHUTHU), the Senate adjourned at Eighteen Minutes to Five O’ Clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Thursday, 3rd March, 2016
The Senate met at Half-past Two o’ clock p.m.
PRAYERS
THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF THE
SENATE
VACANCY IN THE SENATE
THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE (HON. SEN.
TAWENGWA: I wish to inform the Senate that on 3rd March 2016, I was notified by the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) party, that Mr. Matson Hlalo has ceased to be a member of the MDC-T Party.
Accordingly, Section 129 (9) (k) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe applies. It provides that a seat of a Member of Parliament becomes vacant if the member has ceased to belong to the political party of which he/she was a member when elected to Parliament and the political party concerned, by written notice to the Speaker or the President of the Senate as the case may be has declared that the member has ceased to belong to it. The necessary administrative measures would be taken to inform His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) of the existence of the vacancy in line with Section 39 (1) of the Electoral Act, Chapter 213 as amended.
SPORT COMPETITIONS FOR PARLIAMENT
THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE PRESIDENT:
I also wish to inform the Senate that the Parliament Warriors Sport Club is organising sport competitions between Members of Parliament and
Parliament members of staff to be held on Friday 11th March, 2016 from 1300 to 1700 hours. The competitions will include among others, football, netball, tennis and tug of war.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
HON. SENATOR CHIMHINI: Thank you Mr. President. With
your indulgence Mr. President, I wanted to direct my question to the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development
(Hon. Made) but in his absence, I will direct it to the Deputy Minister of Agriculture Hon. Zhanda. Minister, we appreciate the announcement that 50kg maize bag would now be sold at US$15.00. What measures do you have in place to guard against people who would buy and hoard for resale? Secondly what measures have you put in place to ensure that everybody who needs that maize would access it at the reduced price?
Thank you.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE,
(LIVESTOCK) (HON. ZHANDA): Thank you Mr. President. I would
like to thank Senator Chimhini for the question. It is true that the
Government saw it fit to reduce the selling price of maize at Grain Marketing Board (GMB) depots. What Government has done is that, it has put restrictions on quantities. It is not going to be sold for commercial purposes or somebody who wants to meal it for sale. It is only restricted to individuals to buy a minimum number of bags.
With due respect Mr. President, I am not sure of the specific number of bags. But surely coming to that conclusion, Government took into consideration that it could be an avenue of abuse and as a result a restriction has been put as to how many bags a family can buy. I thank you.
*HON. SENATOR MUMVURI: Thank you Mr. President. My
question is directed to the Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce. Minister, in my Constituency there is a challenge. There was just one industry that used to produce vim, jik and toothpaste, known as GNW. It has folded up in Rushinga, so there is no more industry. What is your comment as a Ministry because we want to improve on the lives of the people? Thank you.
*THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND
COMMERCE (HON. MABUWA): Thank you Mr. President. I would
like to thank the Senator for that question. My request is that he puts it
in writing since it is addressing just one company. The issues of production of vim and jik, we are hoping to have more companies that produce these products. So, I need more details so as to go and investigate what caused the folding up of this company. Thank you.
+HON. SENATOR KHUMALO: Thank you Mr. President for
affording me this opportunity to ask my question. My question is directed to the Minister of Agriculture. We have heard that maize is being sold at a reduced price, but people need relish for them to have sadza. What are people going to use as relish because some organisations, when they assist, would give us maize and beans. So, we are asking for the Government to provide us with relish.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE
(LIVESTOCK) (HON. ZHANDA): Thank you Mr. President. I would
like to thank the Senator for that question. When she stood up, I knew the question was going to be directed to me. There is always a saying in our culture that if you give somebody bread and if that person visits your home and finds you having eggs, that person would feel that he should have been given eggs as well. It is a culture of wanting to cultivate in our people the dependence syndrome, where even those who can afford will still want to be fed by Government, irrespective that they can afford to feed themselves because they consider it to be free from Government. I think the duty does not rest with Government alone; it rests with all of us particularly us legislators. If we cultivate that kind of thing within our people, it will not rest with the Government. It will also come to you to say whenever you are going to be elected, they would want you to give them something.
As Government, particularly my interest is in Matabeleland, I was almost resident there. When I go and meet the people there and they say we are hungry and our livestock is dying. I randomly try to pick some people within the crowd and say how many cattle do you have? He has got 30 or 40, surely does that person qualify to be a vulnerable; does that person qualify to be fed by Government? Then I will say, why can you not just sell five out of the 20 and one of it you will buy 20 bags of
maize for your family. The four you buy feed, in order for the 15 to survive.
I would like to appeal through you Mr. President that Senators in here, that is the message we should carry to our own people and Senators, one would have appreciated that the predicament that the country faces, especially the issue of liquidity, the economic situation, Government is quite strained in terms of its ability to provide everything that a person requires. Therefore, Government has, with the limited resources that it has, made sure that it imported enough maize so that people eat sadza with other relish available including goats, amachimbi and mombes there in that area or even eat porridge as long as people can survive. That is the basic food required by people especially when you are faced with a drought.
I would want to appeal to you Senator, also together with us, to tell our people, before Government can look after them to also try to look after themselves. I thank you.
+HON. SENATOR KHUMALO: I am not talking about people.
I am talking about food that is to be distributed to people in the country, whether they are in Mashonaland or Matabeleland, that everyone should be given balanced food. This is a new idea that people are just being given maize only. This is a new idea because I have worked for the Government before, people were being given maize, beans and oil. I am not talking about Matebeleland only but Zimbabwe as a whole.
HON. ZHANDA: I gave an example of Matebeleland because that
is the most drought hit part of this country. In other parts like
Mashonaland except part of Midlands, Masvingo and Manicaland, at least there has been a reasonable amount of rainfall. There is a bit of vegetables and other residues. The dam and water levels in water reservoirs still good. That is why I gave an example of Matebeleland, that is where there is a big need for both water and food. I did not particularly say Matebeleland as saying people there are exceptional. It was simply because of that reason, that I gave as an example. I thank you.
+HON. SENATOR MACHINGAIFA: Thank you Mr.
President. My question is directed to the Deputy Minister of Public Service Labour and Social Services, Hon. Matangaidze. Minister, we want to thank you for all the systems that you have rendered to various areas. My question is, when you give rice and maize to MPs in constituencies, does your Ministry do a follow up to ensure that this food is distributed or being hoarded by the GMB or the one in charge gives at his/her own will? I thank you.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE
LABOUR AND SOCIAL SERVICES (HON. ENG.
MATANGAIDZE): Thank you Mr. President. I want to thank the
Senator for such a pertinent question. Yes, I can assure you that our Ministry does follow ups. The social welfare officers should move together with the Members of Parliament because when we give the Members of Parliament, we do not give them as their own food, but we have used them as persons who would lead in the distribution. The Committees that we set up, drought relief committees, will work together with the Members of Parliament to ensure that the community gets the grain that they should get.
HON. SENATOR MOHADI: Thank you Mr. President. My
question goes to the Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce.
Minister, can you clarify what ‘CBCA’ mean. We are receiving a lot of questions from the constituencies, some of us who come from the borders asking us to assist them but we do not know how best we can do it. Thank you.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND
COMMERCE (HON. MABUWA): Thank you Mr. President Sir. I do not know what happened; as I was standing up, the CBCA’s full name escaped. It will come to my mind but let me explain what it is. It is a consignment based assessment of every consignment which will be coming into the country. What we have done is, as the august House will appreciate, when the 8th Parliament was opened, two of its Bills that were tabled by His Excellency fall under the domain of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. One is to do with standards. That Bill is already coming into Parliament for discussion after we have come out with the draft. To that effect, what we have temporarily done is to engage a French based company Bureau Veritas to conduct preinspections to the consignments that are destined to come into
Zimbabwe here for the consumption of the Zimbabwean market. Mainly, as we know that it is only raw materials that are coming in; we want to make sure that we do not become a dumping ground of goods that are unsuitable or do not meet with international standards. We have put in place this consignment based assessment; it is the other C that has, for conformity that had skipped. The CBCA was supposed to come into effect last year but as we were going around consulting with stakeholders including business people, the private sector mainly because they are the ones who are importing raw materials, we realised that there were issues that needed to be taken into account before we roll out the programme. The programme has come into effect with effect from the 1st March. It also needed us to train ZIMRA officials who are going to be authenticating the certificates that would have been issued by the countries of origin of the consignments. About 400 ZIMRA officials have now been trained and they are dotted around our entry points mainly in Beitbridge, to make sure that there is conformity of this consignment based assessment.
Let me take this opportunity to inform the Senators who are; according to what Senator Mohadi who has just stated, that they become the port of first call to explain. There is also need to explain to the people who would want to import consignments into Zimbabwe that it is now obligatory, we issued a Statutory Instrument SI 132 of 2015 dated 18 December, 2015. I will make sure that the Statutory Instrument is copied and circulated to all Members of Parliament in both Houses.
The Statutory Instrument we issued in January this year to say it is now law for every consignment that will be coming into Zimbabwe industries for consumption by the Zimbabwean population to be inspected with effect from 1st March, 2016.
We have to observe that it is the expense of the both the consignee and consigner to transport the consignment, that will not have qualified to be destined for Zimbabwe, back to the country of origin at their own cost. We will make sure that they return that because this is in order to avoid the occurrences of cheap goods landing in Zimbabwe for Zimbabwean consumption. I thank you.
HON. SEN MOHADI: My supplementary question is, are there
specific goods that are entitled to be assessed or it is everything that comes into the country?
HON. MABUWA: Yes, there are specified products. There is a list of the specified products on the gazetted Statutory Instrument. I am afraid, I seem not to have that with me here but we can make copies available to all the Members of Parliament in both Houses so that they are aware. I promise that we are going to distribute this Statutory Instrument.
*HON. SEN. CHIPANGA: My question is directed to the Deputy Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. In the past few days there was an issue of trying to identify ghost workers within the civil service especially on the payroll. We were also made to understand that teachers were denied their annual leave this year.
May you inform the Senate as to whether or not you managed to identify any ghost workers?
*THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE,
LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE (HON.
ENG.MATANGAIDZE): Thank you Mr. President, I thank Hon. Sen. Chipanga for that important question. As I previously mentioned, in this august Senate when I gave figures of the outcome of the report, the names of the civil servants were over 167 000. Of that figure, we realised that when we did a headcount of those at work in order to establish ghost employees, we discovered that only 3 000 were not at work but and that most of them were from the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
When we said we would not give salaries to the 3 000, others came up and gave explanations of their absence. When we realised that there was some truth to it, they were re-instated but where there was no clear evidence, they were not. Those whom we term, ‘ghost workers’ were below 3000 compared to the number of positions within the civil service although we have 160 000, the vacancies were 188 000. We cannot say a big challenge was found on the issue of ghost workers.
Then on the issue that you mentioned of teachers who were recalled from annual leave, we realised that there were too many temporary teachers in the system. What caused this great number of temporary teachers was because teachers get at least three months annual leave. This is so because each holiday in April, August and December they are on leave.
Every seven years a teacher is awarded three months that is a full term of annual leave. If you look at the history of how it began, it first began with the expatriate teachers who were coming from Britain and Europe who were given an opportunity to visit their families. We realised that the teachers get more days when we compare with other civil servants who only get a month per year.
Now if a teacher gets three months per year and they go on leave, in the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare there is no replacement but you need a replacement within the education sector. So, that does not give us the staff compliment for the Government. We then decided that all teachers on annual leave should be recalled to see if there are any vacancies and address them.
Yes, there are Conditions of Service for teachers and we also want to interrogate how justifiable and quantifiable the issue of going on leave after seven years is. I thank you.
HON. SEN. B. SIBANDA: Could the Deputy Minister be kind enough to clarify the situation that is currently affecting returning teachers who are mainly coming from South Africa and are on continued leave or whose contracts have not been renewed from the beginning of the year?
HON. ENG.MATANGAIDZE: It is part of the exercise that I spoke about earlier on where we said it is important for us to ascertain where the gaps are within the teaching fraternity.
Right now, we need to ascertain whether every teaching post is filled. We appreciate the fact that there are qualified teachers out there who have not been placed and do not have job opportunities at the moment, as well as we have temporary teachers. I am happy to say by end of this term, we will have established those gaps and if there is need to employ trained teachers to fill those positions, we will be doing that.
I can tell you that as policy, we are trying to move away from the employment of temporary/unqualified teachers. So, as and when vacancies arise, we will be looking at the qualified teachers who are currently out of employment. I thank you.
HON. SEN. CHIMHINI: My supplementary question is on the communication between the Ministry and the teachers. Teachers were recalled, no explanation was given and even as you presented here it is not even clear whether or not these teachers will go back on annual leave in terms of clear communication. How do you implement the policy without communicating with those affected by either the policy or regulations that you are putting in place?
HON. ENG.MATANGAIDZE: Thank you for the supplementary question, the communication was made through the Apex
Council which is the negotiating body for civil servants. Yes, I take
your point that that was not disseminated as quickly as it should have been in January but we take note of that.
*HON. SEN. MAWIRE: Thank you Mr. President, my question is directed to the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare. We know that as Government, we are experiencing financial constraints but we are witnessing that more people are employed in various provinces. There is another branch of Government known as inspectors yet in Government departments we have Heads of Departments, is this not duplication of duties?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL WELFARE (HON. ENG.MATANGAIDZE): I want
to thank the Hon. Senator for the question but this question is looking at the organisational structure of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. It is the one that has the structures and the duties of the various heads. If they are employing, it means that it was accepted by the Public Service Commission that there are vacancies. We are not employing people where there are no vacancies on the approved structures. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. MAWIRE: I agree with what you have said but
there are offices at provincial level that are employing new heads of department known as inspectors who are also lashing with the other heads of department who are already there. There seems to be conflict.
THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Hon. Senator,
I think the Minister has highlighted that this is not within his jurisdiction but falls under another Minister. The Hon. Member is referring to Public Service inspectors and yet we have heads of Ministries that are there in provinces. Minister have you clarified?
*ENG. MATANGAIDZE: Thank you Mr. President. It has now
been clarified. These are approved positions that have always been there so there is no additional employment. If there is a concern that the duties are overlapping it is an important point that we can take and look at together with Public Service and advise them that the Senate seems to have identified a challenge between the duties of the inspector and the head. So we will look into it if there is duplication we will address that. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. MAVHUNGA: Thank you for accepting that point.
*HON. SEN. TIMVEOS: Thank you very much Mr. President.
My question is going to the Hon. Minister for Welfare for War Veterans. I would like to know the policies you have introduced so far that help our War Veterans. Our War Veterans are complaining that their children are not going to school. As the liberators of the country, I was happy to see you here and I would want to understand what you done in order to improve the lives of the War Veterans? I thank you.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF WELFARE SERVICES FOR
WAR VETERANS, WAR COLLLABORATORS, FORMER
POLITICAL PRISONERS, DETAINEES AND RESTRICTEES
(HON. J. DUBE): Mr. President, thank you for the question by the Hon. Member. We have been going through a very difficult time with the finances. We have not yet received any allocation from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. Yesterday, the Hon. Minister of Welfare for the War Veterans met His Excellency and they discussed this in depth. We have been promised that next week His Excellency will meet the War Veterans and explain all the problems that we have and how they will be solved. I thank you.
HON. SEN. CHIEF NTABENI: Thank you Mr. President for
allowing me to ask my question which is directed to the Deputy Minister of Agriculture Hon. Zhanda. Thank you for cutting the price of maize.
Thank you for bringing maize to the districts …
THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: What is your
question?
HON. SEN. CHIEF NTABENI: I am coming to the question. – [Laughter]- we really appreciate what you have done. A friend in need is a friend indeed. I am saying allow the Chiefs to buy more than ten bags because chiefs have got widows, the elderly and things like that. Thank you.
THE ACTING PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: That is a plea
from the Chiefs you want to consider that? –[Laughter]-
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE LIVESTOCK (HON. ZHANDA): Thank you Mr. President. The question from the Chief who happens to be my friend indeed and once you are a friend to the chief you might also be a chief next time – [Laughter]- I do not think there could be a problem really. I think it is a question of procedure. What came to my mind is as chiefs you can have IDs of the elderly and vulnerable people. I am sure I think ten bags is not a big amount that the General Manager or the Manager at that depot cannot exercise his authority. If there is a problem chief as you have already indicated in this House, you can phone me and we can deal with the situation. I thank you.
HON. SEN. MUMVURI: I am making a follow up on the issue of reducing the price of maize. Minister, can you assure us that the cost of maize will not cost more than producing it here? If we are to consider from here and transporting it to Rushinga will not exceed the cost of producing it from here. I thank you.
HON. ZHANDA: Thank you. That will give me an opportunity to explain the pricing formula of maize Worldwide. I think Zimbabwe price of U$390.00 is the most expensive. I think I once indicated that and that is the best price a farmer can get all over the world. I am surprised why farmers in Zimbabwe, cannot produce maize because if you cannot make money out of U$390 a tonne of maize then you will never make money again. However, the particular maize that you are talking about is the maize that we currently hold here which was produced by Zimbabwean farmers of slightly more than 100 thousand tones that we have. That is where the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Services is getting that maize from. The one that is being imported is being imported in warehouses and in different places. However, because of the prices which are lower elsewhere you might be even surprised that the price that we are getting the maize from those counties will be cheaper than that we pay our farmers. Again, I can assure you that the price will not be more than that we pay our farmers. I thank you.
HON. CHIPANGA: Thank you Mr. President. Hon. Minister the rainy season has come. Can you assure me that if I engage in farming you have the money to pay for my produce at the GMB? I think that is where the issue is. It is not an issue of farming but the problem is that you do not pay. Do you have the money? I thank you.
HON. ZHANDA: Thank you for the question. What I can assure Sen. Chipanga is that I cannot assure him to go and plant now because you cannot reap anything. –[Laughter]- I once explained that maize is no longer a controlled commodity. It is one of those commodities which were de-controlled and any farmer can sell to anybody and other people can also buy maize legally. The option of a farmer selling the maize to GMB is really at his discretion because elsewhere, they could have been attracted by a price which is better than other buyers. Obviously, there might be a delay here and there but at the end of the day, they will be paid. I can assure the House that every farmer who delivered maize to GMB has fully been paid, even those who delivered wheat. There might be a slight delay but at the end of the day, the farmers will be paid.
I want to emphasize that farmers opt to deliver their produce to GMB because of the attraction of the price. Hence, if you are in the queue because the price is good, we can give you an allowance to wait in the queue. Otherwise, maize can be sold to anybody who wants to buy maize. I thank you.
SEN. CHIEF SIANSALI: My question is directed to the Deputy Minister of Agriculture. I wanted to get your comment Hon. Minister on the actions of ZINWA, whereby it is going around the country disconnecting water to irrigation schemes that still have little water in their dams. This is causing crops to wilt and the farmers are now waiting for free handouts from Government.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE
(LIVESTOCK) (HON. ZHANDA): Let me thank the Hon. Senator for the question. However, I am not in a position to answer on behalf of ZINWA since it falls under a different Ministry. As Government policy, under the Drought Mitigation Scheme, the Government is looking at settling those debts in order to make sure that all the water bodies which have water are utilised for the benefit of food production for the country.
I thank you.
HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: Thank you Mr. President. My
question is directed to the Deputy Minister of Lands and Rural
Resettlement. At district level, who is supposed to sit in the Land
Committee? Also, what is the priority for giving farms to the people of Zimbabwe? Some of us have applied and you find that people who are junior to us in Parliament have got farms because they are from a different political party.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LANDS AND RURAL
RESETTLEMENT (HON. CHIKWAMA): Thank you Hon.
Mlotshwa for a very important question. At district level, the District Development Committee allocates land to the people of that district. At provincial level, the Provincial Lands Committee processes issues from various districts and send them to the head office. Therefore, the District Lands Committee allocates land and selects the people according to their criteria. After people submit applications, the list is there for the people who should be given land. I thank you.
HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: Who sits in the District Lands
Committee?
HON. CHIKWAMA: The District Lands Committee is comprised of the following people: The District Administrator is the Chairperson, JOC and all Heads of Departments within that district.
+HON. SEN. MASUKU: Thank you Mr. President for affording me this opportunity. My question is directed to the Deputy Minister of Agriculture. Minister, thank you for reducing the price of maize. The maize is being taken to districts and there are people who live very far from the district. You are familiar with Matabeleland. If maize is taken to Beitbridge and people who require the maize are in Chikwalakwala, are you going to re-open the selling points that used to be there sometime back so that maize can be delivered nearer to where the people are.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE
(LIVESTOCK) (HON. ZHANDA): I am familiar with districts in Matabeleland and the chiefs there promised me so many wives and I am yet to collect them. This would help me speak Ndebele; I can hear when somebody is speaking but I will soon catch up. GMB has since started opening new selling points. Obviously, the selling points will be restricted taking into consideration costs associated with those selling points. The Government desires to make it less problematic for those who want to access the maize as much as possible, taking into consideration the cost of maintaining the selling points. If the cost is not monitored, it might lead to an increase in the selling price of maize.
You are aware that the price of maize is $390 plus a markup, which is about $440. This is about $22 a bag. The reduction of the price to $15 means it is a subsidy. When we talk about a subsidy, Government has to find money somewhere to fill that gap. There is nothing that is going to be free. Therefore, this exercise of watching the costs associated with that exercise is critically important. I am happy to say that has been taken into consideration. GMB has opened many other selling points so that maize can be near the people as much as possible.
Also, there is nothing that comes cheap. These positions we hold, entrusted by the people who vote for us have got a cost to it. One would also think that as Hon. Members, surely we should also chip in to assist the Government in making sure that the maize as nearer to the people as possible. I thank you.
HON. SEN. MAKWARIMBA: Thank you Mr. President. My
question is directed to the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Services. We are aware of the normal allocations of grain to all the provinces but I would like to find out if we have any mechanisms to mitigate emergency cases like what is happening in Zimuto, Masvingo where people are actually getting sadza from the secondary school. Do you have any mitigatory plans to make those people survive?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL SERVICES (HON. ENG. MATANGAIDZE): Thank
you Mr. President, I want to thank Hon. Sen. Makwarimba for that important question. Yes, we have a new plan of reaching out to the distressed calls that we are receiving. Let me probably start by saying that our initial plan to assist the vulnerable was based on results we got from the ZIMVAC from last year where we identified 287 000 households that were in need of food aid.
Mr. President what we did beginning of this year, in January and two weeks into February was to carry out a rapid assessment of the extent of the food and security situation in the country. From those results, it came out that the numbers had since doubled. We are now looking at about 600 000 households translating into a figure of about three million people who are in need of food aid. You will now find that from last year, when the programme started in October, we issued out 6 000 tonnes of grain per each of the eight rural provinces in the country. We have since increased now to three tonnes per months to each of those rural provinces. So, the additional vulnerable families have been identified and the Ministry has already put in place mechanisms to address that.
HON. SEN. MAKORE: That you Mr. President. My question is
directed to the Deputy Minister of Agriculture (Livestock). I just want to find out perhaps under this current drought situation; you emphasise that you need genetically modified organism (GMO) free maize to come in this country. My question is to find out the dangers we get from GMOs, are those in other countries consumable or are they meant for animals?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE
(LIVESTOCK) (HON. ZHANDA): Thank you Mr. President. I want to thank Senator Makore for the question because it gives the opportunity to clarify the issue of GMO which is a very contentious issue. The Government is allowing GMO to come into the country under certain conditions. The concern of the Government is not about the consumption of GMO based maize, that is why Government does allow; particularly in areas bordering South Africa or Botswana - that individuals can import mealie meal, not maize because it is not concerned about the consumption of the mealie meal. Government is concerned about the effect of the maize if it does get to the maize and they want to plant that maize. Therefore, in allowing the maize to come in, it will come under escort and it must go direct for milling, not for storage purposes. That is the concern and that is the true position.
*HON. SEN. MALULEKE: My question is directed to the
Deputy Minister, Hon. Zhanda. We got the seed that you sent us. Our request is that in the low veld can you send us seed that is conducive for that environment.
*THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE
(LIVESTOCK) (HON. ZHANDA): I want to thank the Senator for the request. There is not much that I can say but that I have heard her concern; probably some of that information has not yet been received in our department that deals with that. Mr. President, in this country there is no area without birds. What might differ is the quantity of the birds in the area but I think your request may be that the seed that you got did not give you the required yield but what normally causes birds to consume the produce is because there is no food and most people have not engaged in farming. I am sure that this issue can be addressed. For those ploughing wheat, they also face the problem of a fleet of birds. There are certain types of birds that want certain crops, if you go to National Parks they normally trace to see where they sleep and they spray to ensure that they do away with those birds in order that they may not cause harm.
*HON. SEN. MALULEKE: Thank you Mr. President there is a
type of grain that is not consumed by the birds and it is red in colour. We do have sorghum seed that is not consumed by birds and now we were given sweet sorghum seed that actually attracts birds, so, my request is that you advise that department. I thank you.
*THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Sen. you can converse
with the Hon. Minister at the end of the sitting session.
HON. SEN. MUSAKA: My question is directed to the Deputy
Minister of Agriculture. Is it prudent to base Zimbabwe’s food security on market forces? The idea of accepting maize you can import GMO in this country because it is cheaper, market forces again, therefore the local farmer will not grow anything. Why can you not look at this issue in the broader sense in terms of food security? Thank you.
DEPUTY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (LIVESTOCK)
(HON. ZHANDA): Thank you Mr. President and I want to thank the
Senator for the question. Government is concerned about food security. As you are aware even from our economic blueprint the ZIM ASSET, number one cluster in that is the issue of food and nutrition including food security and even the issue of subsidies. The Presidential Input Scheme is meant precisely to encourage farmers to produce as much as they can. Even the price as I mention, the price of 390 per tonne, with all due respect is a subsidy meant again to encourage farmers again to produce as much as they can. That price does not prevail in Zambia, I think Malawi as well. Zambia’s price of maize is far much lower than US$390, whilst even the fertilizer in Zambia is more expensive than the fertilizer in Zimbabwe. The only thing there is the subsidised fertilizer and the mechanism of doing that.
The Government is not importing GMO maize because it is cheaper, no. The Government is importing GMO maize, particularly this year because the region is short of maize. The region is where non GMO is grown. I might as well say that the Government is also looking at yellow maize, non GMO yellow maize from Ukraine. So, everything is being taken into consideration about that. Also I want to dispel the notion that probably there is a thinking that GMO seed produces more yield than the conventional seed, no, it is not like that. There are some conventional seeds in this country, farmers who are producing who are producing 12 to 15 tonnes. I think the problem is we need to go back and start training our farmers on how to produce more, anything that you do in farming, whether you are producing eggs , you have got 100 layers, you need to make sure that ninety of them lay eggs every day. If you are going to produce your mombes, you must make sure that, that mombe, after slaughter can weigh 200 kgs cdm and if you are producing maize, the same. If you are producing maize and you are producing three to five tonnes, you are not going to be viable when others are producing twelve tonnes or fifteen. Also, even if you have got irrigation, it does not guarantee you that you are going to produce the right yields. There are other technical issues which include soil fertility testing, type of seed, the amount of fertilizer and the type of fertilizer, the application, the timing – unonzi mwaka uye – all these go into the issue of productivity.
So, again the issue of productivity is central to food security in this country. If we do not deal with that, we will still have a problem of addressing the issue of food security. So, I think I have answered the question that we are not importing GMO maize because it is cheaper, we are importing it because that is what is readily available in other areas and Government is also looking at non-GMO maize from places like Ukraine and so forth. I do not know what else Government can do. For instance there are various schemes that Government has put in place like the issue of the Brazilian irrigation facility equipment to give our farmers equipment to make sure that they are producing enough, including irrigation scheme to be utilised and fertilizers. I think it is the commitment on us as farmers, the knowledge that we need to acquire to make sure that we produce as much as we can.
I once gave statistics of the maize production trend even before the land reform. In 1995/96, Zimbabwe was the highest and it produced 2.6 million tonnes of maize; 1.6 million tonnes came from communal farmers. At an average of nearly 1.9 tonnes per hectare when there was only one extension officer at every ward, now we have got more extension officers at every ward, the yield has come down even national to .085 tonnes a hectare. So, we need to revisit the template to say what was it that caused people to produce and my conviction Senator is that I think we are underestimating the role that AgriBank or AFC at the point and time used to play in availing fertilizers in advance to our farmers. They might have defaulted but the country had enough maize so, those are some of the policy measures that we must continue to review and revisit the make sure that all farmers including communal farmers are back into maize producing.
Also the issue of guaranteed access to markets, that is very important, I can emphasise. When people used to produce maize, they had no problem in selling their maize even if it was controlled but they would be paid as quickly as possible. So we also need to look at that whether the issue of decontrolling did pay the dividends or somehow, we must look at the mechanism of making sure that when farmers are encouraged to grow they must also be paid as promptly as possible including the GMB and all around the country.
*HON. SENATOR MASHAVAKURE: Thank you Mr. President
of the Senate, my question is directed to the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Services on the issue of teachers and leave. In this august Senate we seem to be concerned about this issue but I was thinking that in other countries and states, there are measures that are put in place when a teacher goes on leave. Have you ever gone to understudy and adopt best practices as to what can be done when teachers go on leave? I thank you.
*THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE,
LABOUR AND SOCIAL SERVICES (HON. MATANGAIDZE):
Thank you Mr. President of the Senate. I want to thank the Senator for the question. Yes, we have looked at international best practice and we realised that the situation in Zimbabwe is unique because we had a period whereby we used to take expatriate teachers. That is when this system came into place that after seven years, they are given a whole term as leave. The challenge now is that if one was employed with certain conditions of service to change, this has implications. We now want to look at the implications and the way forward but I think you will agree with me that the leave days that are being enjoyed by the teaching fraternity are too many compared to other civil servants in the country. So, there is a challenge and I am sure we all agree that it needs to be addressed. I thank you.
Questions Without Notice were interrupted by the ACTING
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE in terms of Standing Order No 62.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE
LAND RENTALS AND TAXATION
- HON. SENATOR MOHADI asked the Minister of Lands and
Rural Resettlement to explain how:
- the land rentals and taxation work in A1, A2 and A3 tier farm functions;
- Farmers with title deeds pay their rentals and taxes.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LANDS AND RURAL RESETTLEMENT (HON. CHIKWAMA): May I start by thanking
Hon. Senator Mohadi for asking this question.
- a) The land rentals are payable in terms of the Finance Act. A1 farmers pay a flat fee of US$15 per annum which includes US$10 land rental and US$5 development levy. A2 farmers pay US$5 per hectare which includes US$3 land rental and US$2 development levy.
3 tier farms are administered as A1 farms and the rentals above apply accordingly.
- b) Farmers with title deeds only pay development levy to their local district council or what we call local authorities since the farms are privately owned. I thank you.
HON. SENATOR MOHADI: My supplementary Mr. President is
on the three tier system. The three tier system does not belong to one person. That is a system whereby it is only used during the drought season whereby many farmers take their animals for grazing. Who is supposed to pay the levies or the tax for that piece of land?
HON. CHIKWAMA: Thank you Mr. President. I think it needs a sort of research because when we say three tiers, it is all those farms which were given before the fast track. This is where I picked up these issues. I think it needs a further research so that I will come and answer
SELLING OF FARMS BY FARMERS WITH TITLE DEEDS
13 HON. SEN. MOHADI asked the Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement to explain whether farmers who have title deeds can sell their farms as they wish.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LANDS AND RURAL
RESETTLEMENT (HON. CHIKWAMA): May I start by thanking
Hon. Senator Mohadi for asking this question. Farmers with title deeds can sell their farms as they wish but in terms of Section 47 of the Land
Acquisition Act, they have to first obtain a Certificate of ‘No Present
Interest’ from the Minister of Lands and Rural Resettlement before they can sell their farms. I thank you.
MEASURES TO MITIGATE FOOD SHORTAGES
18 HON. SEN. TIMVEOS asked the Minister of Public Service,
Labour and Social Welfare to:
- Outline measures the Ministry has taken to provide food relief to the nation after His Excellency the President of the Zimbabwe had declared the current drought a state of emergency; and
- State the agencies responsible for the distribution of food and also clarify the role of the Zimbabwe Republic Police if any.
.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE,
LABOUR AND SOCIAL SERVICES (HON. ENG.
MATANGAIDZE): On part a) of the question we respond as follows;
let me first start by highlighting that the declaration of a state of disaster by His Excellency the President follows a rapid assessment of the food insecurity situation currently obtaining, which indicated that about 30% of rural households are in need of emergency food assistance. This translates to approximately 3 million people that are in need of food.
It is important to point out that, since October last year, my Ministry has been assisting 287 000 households with food assistance. In essence, we are now expanding the programmes that have been running.
To date we have distributed 52 000 metric tonnes of grain.
In line with the declaration of a state of disaster and subsequent launch of an appeal for humanitarian assistance, a National Taskforce coordinating grain distribution has been set up. This is a multistakeholder committee that was mandated to make sure that logistics are put in place to ensure timely delivery of grain to vulnerable people.
As it stands, my Ministry is in the process of registering additional beneficiaries with support from Provincial and District Drought Relief Committees and local governance structures. My Ministry is also coordinating with other humanitarian agencies that are supporting food insecure households so that the assistance is properly targeted.
Hon. Senator Timveos’ second question was for us to state the agencies responsible for the distribution of food and also clarify the role of the Zimbabwe Republic Police. We respond as follows; the Committee that is responsible for the internal distribution of grain comprises of the following agencies:
- Ministry of Rural Development, Preservation and Promotion of Culture and Heritage.
- Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National
Housing
- Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Services
- Ministry of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation
Development
- Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure Development
- Grain Marketing Board
- Zimbabwe Republic Police
The Zimbabwe Republic Police is mandated to provide security during transportation of grain from one depot to the other as well as during transportation to ward distribution points. This is in an effort to mitigate against associated risks, including possible cases of theft. I thank you.
RADIO AND TELEVISION SIGNAL IN RURAL AREAS
19 HON. SENATOR MOHADI asked the Minister of Media, Information and Broadcasting Services to explain the measures taken by the Ministry to improve radio and television signal in rural areas.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND
COMMERCE (HON. MABUWA) on behalf of THE MINISTER OF
INFORMATION, MEDIA AND BROADCASTING SERVICES
(HON. MANDIWANZIRA): Thank you Mr. President Sir. I have the honor to represent the Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services in responding to the question from Hon. Senator Mohadi who is seeking the Minister to explain to the House the measures taken by the Ministry to improve radio and television signal in rural areas.
Mr. President Sir, Zimbabwe currently has some areas that are experiencing poor or no reception of broadcasting services due to underpowered and aged transmission equipment, most of which was installed as far back as 1972. The issue of radio and television inadequate coverage is however being addressed in the context of the Zimbabwe Digital Broadcasting Migration Project (ZDBMP) which is currently being implemented by the Ministry and is now slightly over 30% complete. I am sure the august House is aware that the whole world, under guidance of the international Communications Union (ITU) is migrating from analogue to digital broadcasting platforms and June, 2015 was the deadline.
Zimbabwe developed its own plan for migration which the Ministry is implementing. The plan includes expanding the 24 television transmission sites to 48 throughout the country and replacing the old radio transmission equipment in the existing 24 sites so as to restore and improve national coverage.
When installation is completed, the new transmission infrastructure will change the television signal from analogue to digital ensuring availability of the television signal almost everywhere in the country as well as improving radio reach to over 90% of national coverage. Any further coverage gaps beyond the completion of the digitalisation project will be addressed through the use of gap fillers to ensure a universal access to broadcasting services throughout the country.
Mr. President, the ZDBMP (Digitalisation Project) which I said is now slightly over 30% complete was scheduled to be completed this year but will not be completed because of resource constraints. There are other competing national priorities which have seen the amount of money being made available by Treasury to the project as per the original budget being drastically reduced. Consequently, the project is stalling, at times almost stopping, though the Ministry is pressing on. If the country is to realise the full benefits that come with the project, we should, as a nation, strive to finish the project in a reasonable time frame.
Mr. President, may I take this opportunity to explain to the Hon. Senators that as part of the Digitalisation Project, we carried out inspections of existing broadcasting infrastructure throughout the country and the Beitbridge Tower was one of a number that were condemned for failing to meet acceptable engineering standards. As such, the Ministry under the Digitalisation Project will erect a new tower at Beitbridge to replace the old one. We will however, do it in a way that ensures minimal disruption of existing radio and television services by building the new tower whilst the old one is still in use. I thank you.
MEASURES TO MITIGATE FOOD SHORTAGES
- HON. SEN. TIMVEOS asked the Minister of Agriculture,
Mechanisation and Irrigation Development to explain the measures
Government is taking to mitigate the food shortages in the country
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE,
MECHANISATION AND IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT (HON.
ZHANDA): Thank you Mr. President, I would like to thank the Hon. Senator for the question. Through various task forces, the Government has availed US$ 200 million to import maize and allowed private traders to import food maize to mitigate the food shortages in the country. I thank you.
SURFACING OF BINDURA-MATEPATEPA ROAD
- HON. SEN. MAVHUNGA asked the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development to state when the Bindura – Matepatepa road in Mashonaland Central Province which is used mostly by farmers
to transport their farm produce would be surfaced.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. MADANHA):
Thank you Mr. President, I want to start by thanking Hon. Senator Mavhunga for asking such an important question. I was very quiet yes, and I think in this august Senate, Senators are very happy with the condition of our roads in their respective areas.
My Ministry is aware of the importance of the Bindura-Matepatepa Road and requested funding from Treasury to construct the road. Fortunately, Treasury allocated US$1.8million for the road in the 2016 budget and work will commence as soon as the funds are released by Treasury.
In the meantime, my Department of Roads are preparing to commence survey and material investigation to be ready for construction so this road is practically funded and work will start as soon as possible.
I thank you.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE 133RD ASSEMBLY OF THE
INTERPARLIAMENTARY UNION (IPU)
HON. SEN. CHIEF SIANSALI: Mr. President, I move the motion standing in my name That this House Takes note of the Zimbabwe Delegation Report to the 133rd Assembly of the InterParliamentary Union (IPU) held in Geneva, Switzerland, 17 to 23
October, 2015.
HON. SEN. CHIEF CHISUNGA: I second.
HON. SEN. CHIEF SIANSALI:
1.0 Introduction
As part of broader Parliamentary diplomacy and in line with Strategic
Goal 3 of the Institutional Strategic Plan, that is, “increasing the visibility of Parliament,” the President of the Senate, Hon. E. G.
Madzongwe, led a truncated delegation to the 133rd Assembly of the
Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). The conference was held at the IPU Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland from 17- 23 October 2015. The delegation comprised the following:
Hon. Chief S. Siansali Interim Member of the Standing Committee on
Sustainable Development, Finance and Trade;
Hon. M. Dziva | Member of the Executive Committee of the
Forum of Young Parliamentarians of the IPU; |
Hon. A. Chibaya | Member of the Standing Committee on UN
Affairs; |
Mr K. M. Chokuda | Clerk of Parliament & Member of the Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments (ASGP); |
Ms. D. Makoni | Director in the President of the Senate’s Office; |
Mr. N. Marimo | Director in the Clerk’s Office; and, |
Mr P. Mavhura | Security Aide to the President of the Senate |
Owing to the prevailing budgetary constraints, the institution was unable to send the full delegation. This crippled the delegation’s ability to attend all meetings particularly those which were held simultaneously and in different locations. That notwithstanding, the available Members proactively took up the challenge and allocated themselves two
Committees each in order to make up for the paucity in numbers.
1.1Brief Overview of the IPU
The Inter Parliamentary Union, established in 1889, is an international organization of Parliaments made up of 167 National Parliaments including Zimbabwe. The Union is the focal point for world-wide parliamentary dialogue and works for peace and co-operation among peoples and for the firm establishment of representative democracy.
The IPU supports the efforts of and works in close co-operation with the United Nations, whose objectives it shares. The Union also cooperates with regional inter-parliamentary organizations, as well as with international intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations which are motivated by the same ideals. The IPU is financed primarily by its members out of public funds (www.ipu.org).
Zimbabwe has been an integral member of the IPU since 1981 and has maintained a consistent and active presence at IPU Assemblies.
2.0 Official Opening of the 133rd IPU Assembly
The 133rd Assembly of the IPU commenced on Sunday, 18 October
2015, at the Centre international de Conférences de Genève (CICG). Hon. S. Chowdhury, the President of the IPU, chaired the official opening proceedings.
2.1 Opening Remarks by the President of the IPU: Hon. S.
Chowdhury
In his welcome remarks, Hon. S. Chowdhury chronicled the achievements of the past year since his election as IPU President. He noted that the 132nd Assembly held in Hanoi, Vietnam had concluded with the Hanoi Declaration on the theme “The SDGs: Turning words into reality” whose key outcomes had informed the very successful Fourth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament, held at UN Headquarters in New York in September. The deliberations by the political heads of Parliaments had been reflected in the outcome of the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit held later in
September wherein the Heads of State and Government had explicitly acknowledged the essential role of Parliaments in the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Hon. Chowdhury pointed out that it was imperative for the three major international processes concluded in 2015, which fell under the post2015 development agenda to form a coherent package as the basis for parliamentary work in the coming years. He asserted that the time had come for Parliaments to take resolute and definitive action in the implementation of the new commitments. It thus behoves Parliaments to ensure that they are fit for purpose. Hon. Chowdhury assured member Parliaments that the IPU was ready to help define the main components of parliamentary action and provide relevant assistance.
3.0 Debates and decisions of the Assembly and its Standing
Committees
3.1 General Debate: “The imperative for fairer, smarter and more humane
Migration”
The IPU President introduced the theme of the General Debate and acknowledged that when the theme had been chosen several months earlier, the IPU had no idea that the subject of migration would have become topical, nor that it would have become a challenge of such proportions by the time of the 133rd Assembly. Accordingly, it was fitting and timely for the IPU to pronounce itself on the issue as migration was a very real human tragedy that affected – directly or indirectly – the majority of countries.
Hon. Chowdhury reminded the meeting that as the world organization of Parliaments, the IPU had an inescapable responsibility to draw the attention of the global Parliamentary community to the issue of migration and to press for prompt and concerted action. Despite the complex nature of migration and various concerns at the national and local levels, it was important for Parliamentary debates to focus on facts, solutions, and most importantly, on what Parliaments and
Parliamentarians could do both individually and collectively to address the issue.
Hon. Chowdhury affirmed that Parliamentarians had the power to set the tone of debates and could play a significant role in making the current public discourse on migration more balanced and evidence-based. He noted with concern that growing anti-migrant sentiment, especially in Europe, was unnecessarily endangering the lives of migrants and ignoring the overwhelmingly positive contribution that migrants continued to make.
Parliamentarians also had the financial power to approve and allocate resources that could affect migration policy and migrants themselves. Migration policy needed to include a number of elements relating to integration, return to migrants' countries of origin and access to public services, all of which required adequate funding. He concluded by emphasizing that migration was not a problem to be solved, but rather a human phenomenon that needed to be managed in a fairer, smarter and more humane manner.
The President of the Senate and leader of the delegation, Hon. E. G.
Madzongwe contributed to the general debate on behalf of Zimbabwe.
3.1.1. Contribution by the President of the Senate, Hon. E. G.
Madzongwe to the General Debate
In her contribution to the general debate, Hon. E. G. Madzongwe decried the proliferation of wars, political persecution and economic instability which had resulted in an unprecedented migrant crisis. As a result, migrants were dying in large numbers in the Mediterranean Sea while some were trapped in transit camps under inhuman conditions. She averred that this grim and tragic scenario required a concerted regional and international response with the objective of creating a global framework which clearly outlines the responsibilities of every player in a way which does not burden any particular country or group of countries.
Hon. Madzongwe stated that a win-win strategy should be premised on countries of origin, transit countries and host countries sharing the responsibility of managing refugee flows and creating a safer and more humane environment for migrant movements. She noted that in Africa, the migrant crisis was particularly urgent along the Libyan coast. Consequently, she exhorted the African Union to take the initiative in securing the coast against smugglers by mounting search and rescue operations and de-escalating the conflict in the region to ensure that the lives of migrants in transit are not endangered.
The President of the Senate, Hon. E. G. Madzongwe at the Official
Opening of the 133RD IPU Assembly
The President of the Senate noted with concern that the global terrorist recruitment drive, the rise in terrorist threats and attacks all have compounded to foster an anti-migrant fervour, leading to xenophobic attacks on migrants, which had become common even in the SADC region. Accordingly, stereotypes had been proliferated in this maze of negative perceptions about migrants, and national sentiments had been conscripted against peaceful coexistence and social integration of migrants.
Hon. Madzongwe called on the media to play an active role in deconstructing some of these myths and stereotypes and encouraging social acceptance of migrants. She urged the migrants, in turn, to respect the laws of their host countries.
She concluded her contribution by asserting that a smarter and more humane migration would only be possible if everyone in the international community plays their part and shares the responsibility equally, instead of being spectators in the face of such a huge crisis.
3.1.2 Remarks by Hon. K. Kyenge, Member of the European
Parliament and Vice-President of the ACP-EU Joint
Parliamentary Assembly
Hon. Kyenge was invited to share her personal experience and perspectives on migration. Born and raised in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Hon. Kyenge went to Italy initially to study medicine. Since then, she had experienced multiple challenges until she had finally been accepted as a valuable citizen of her country of adoption. She had been at the forefront of efforts to promote mutual awareness, integration and cooperation between Europe and Africa, while also working hard to protect the rights of migrants in Italy.
Hon. Kyenge stated that migration was a global phenomenon that could not be dealt with by States alone. She opined that any approach to migration needed to be centred on human rights and fundamental freedoms and entail political dialogue and cooperation with countries of origin. Hon. Kyenge reiterated that it was the responsibility of
Parliaments and Parliamentary assemblies to ensure that fundamental democratic principles were observed and that international commitments were met so as to ensure a better future for all citizens.
In the deliberations which lasted over three days, the Members concurred that in order to effectively manage migration, countries needed to adopt well-managed migration policies that enabled migrants to fully develop their potential to contribute to human and economic development.
Members recognized and acknowledged that Parliamentarians had a particular responsibility regarding migration. They had to demonstrate political leadership, listen to and voice the concerns of their constituents, raise awareness, oversee government action and support it by adequately resourcing the responsible bodies.
4.0 Meeting and Coordinating Committee of Women
Parliamentarians
The twenty-second Meeting of Women Parliamentarians took place on 17 and 20 October 2015. It brought together 127 delegates from 75 countries, together with representatives from various international organizations. As a contribution to the Assembly, participants considered, from a gender perspective, the draft resolution on the agenda of the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights, Democracy in the digital era and the threat to privacy and individual freedoms.
Participants highlighted that democracy in the digital era should be synonymous with the Internet empowering women, being safe for women and accessible to women. The discussions resulted in proposed amendments to the draft resolution of the Standing Committee. All the proposed amendments were included in the draft resolution.
4.1 Women and migration
In order to contribute to the General Debate of the 133rd Assembly, women parliamentarians discussed, again from a gender perspective, the theme of the Assembly's General Debate, The imperative for fairer, smarter and more humane migration. Hon. Dziva represented
Zimbabwe at the meeting.
The discussion focused on the factors that led women to migrate, as well as on the challenges and opportunities that migration presented for women. In her contribution, Hon. Dziva indicated that women were forced to migrate because of war, conflict or violence that they had experienced in their countries of origin, or for economic reasons. She stressed the important role played by migrant women in the social and economic development of their countries of origin and destination.
Participants further noted that during conflict and as they fled, women also faced other specific threats such as human trafficking, sexual violence and forced or early marriage. Participants shared experiences and measures taken to protect the human rights of women migrants, asylum-seekers and refugees. They stressed the importance of ratifying international conventions to protect the rights of women and migrants, but above all of ensuring that those conventions were implemented. The participants further discussed specific initiatives for action around the campaign I am an MP; My power for women’s power. Several delegates spoke of activities and measures taken at the national and regional levels to respond in concrete terms to the call for action on gender equality. To this end, Hon. Dziva informed the meeting that the new Zimbabwean Constitution provided for a quota system for women Parliamentarians in Zimbabwe up to 2023 which had seen as increase in female Parliamentarians from 18% to 35%. Accordingly, Zimbabwe had made commendable strides in enhancing women’s power.
The delegates commended Zimbabwe for adopting legislative measures to empower women as this ensured that the country would not pay lip service to the gender agenda.
4.2 CEDAW and UN Security Council resolution 1325: Gender equality as a prerequisite of sustainable peace and security
Last year the United Nations commemorated the 15th anniversary of the
United Nations Security Council resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. In a panel discussion, the participants examined the implementation of that resolution, which called for the participation of women in peace processes, their protection from violence and the promotion of gender equality as an integral part of State-building and a means of preventing new conflicts and crises.
5.0 Forum of Young Parliamentarians of the IPU
The Forum met on Sunday, 18 October 2015. Close to 60 participants attended, of whom 25 per cent were women. Hon. Dziva represented
Zimbabwe at the Forum. The deliberations focused on the Forum’s contribution to the work of the 133rd Assembly, in particular, the
General Debate on migration and the resolution prepared by the
Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights.
On migration, the participants underscored the specific needs of young migrants and noted that it was the inescapable duty of all States to address the root causes of youth migration. In her contribution, Hon. Dziva noted with concern that young people were leaving their countries of origin because of war, conflict, persecution, violence, and insecurity and also because they lacked access to education, employment, healthcare and welfare. It was acknowledged that if these root causes were not addressed, the solutions to migration would be akin to taking
an aspirin to cure a chronic illness, and the challenge of migration of young people would not end. She further noted that young women were being forced to migrate by a frustrating lack of equal opportunities in some countries, which was a cause for concern.
The meeting acknowledged that young women migrants, in particular, were at risk of trafficking, violence, rape, forced marriage, exploitation and abuse while young migrants were generally at risk of being stereotyped and falling victim to xenophobia and exploitation.
6.0 Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights
The Committee held sittings on 18, 19 and 20 October. The draft resolution on Democracy in the digital era and the threat to privacy and individual freedoms was presented to the Committee. In the ensuing debate, 31 speakers, including Hon. A. Chibaya, took the floor.
In the ensuing discussions, Hon. Chibaya reminded the meeting that the individual freedoms which had been expanded by the digital era, though necessary, were by no means absolute. He made reference to the words of the American Jurist, Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr. who aptly stated that
“Your right to swing your fist ends where the other person’s nose begins.” He noted with concern that rapid technological advances, including the internet and social media, had seemingly blurred the divide between the right to information and the right to individual privacy. In a bid to resolve this dichotomy, Zimbabwe had legislated for the protection of both freedom of expression and the right to privacy in its new Constitution adopted in May 2013. Hon. Chibaya’s contribution received unanimous support from other delegates and was duly noted in crafting the final resolution.
7.0 Standing Committee on United Nations Affairs
The Standing Committee met on 20 October. The first session reviewed the work of the UN Peace-building Commission on the occasion of its 10th anniversary. The second session focused on the role of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in the resolution of international disputes.
Hon. Chibaya contributed to the debate on the role of the International Court of Justice. He pointed out that though the ICJ had registered noteworthy achievements since its inception, it was hamstrung by the fact that it does not enjoy a full separation of powers. He noted that firstly, parties refer cases to the Court on the basis of consent. Consequently, the Court can only consider cases premised on explicit consent rather than true compulsory jurisdiction. Secondly, the permanent members of the UN Security Council were able to veto enforcement of cases, even those to which they consented to be bound. Thus the judgements of the ICJ were severely weakened by this structural misnomer.
8.0 Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, Finance and
Trade
Hon. Senator Chief Siansali requesting to contribute to debate in the
Standing Committee on Sustainable Development, Finance and Trade The Standing Committee held its sitting on 19 October. Zimbabwe was ably represented at the meeting by myself (Hon. Senator Chief Siansali). The Committee discussed a draft outcome document of the
Parliamentary Meeting due to be held in conjunction with the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris in December.
In my contribution, I noted with concern the adverse effects of climate change on the African continent in general and Zimbabwe in particular. I referred to changes in weather patterns which were negatively impacting on agricultural productivity and, consequently, the food security situation in our country. Accordingly, I called on Parliamentarians, especially African Parliamentarians, to speak with one voice at the COP 21 Conference scheduled for Paris, France in December. I also stressed the need for African governments and Parliamentarians to raise awareness on climate change issues among the rural subsistence farmers who were the worst affected in Africa.
9.0 Debate and adoption of the emergency item
The debate on the emergency item was held in the morning of Monday 19 October, with Hon. M.R. Rabbani (Pakistan) in the chair. The emergency item jointly proposed by Sudan and the United Arab
Emirates was as follows:
The role of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, parliaments, parliamentarians, and international and regional organizations in providing necessary protection and urgent support to those who have become refugees through war, internal conflict and socio-economic situations, according to the principles of international humanitarian law and international conventions.
Several speakers highlighted the need to provide host countries with more resources, as the intake of refugees carried heavy economic costs. It was further asserted that there should be no discrimination against refugees on the basis of their country of origin as was the case in some EU countries, which criminalized certain refugees. The participants also agreed to the inclusion of a paragraph in the resolution to address the specific needs of children, women, and young people, who were particularly vulnerable to exploitation and sexual violence.
10.0 Panel discussion jointly organized by the IPU and the ASGP on “Powerful parliaments: Building capacity for effective
parliamentary oversight”
The panel discussion, jointly organized by the IPU and the Association of Secretaries General of Parliaments (ASGP), was held on Wednesday 21 October 2015. The session focused primarily on the institutional capacity of Parliament to oversee government. The session was intended to contribute to the preparation of the second Global Parliamentary
Report on Parliament’s power to hold government to account: Realities and perspectives on oversight. The Clerk of Parliament, Mr K. M.
Chokuda, attended the meeting.
In opening the discussion, Hon. Pkosing Losiaku of Kenya asserted that the presence of tools of democracy and oversight in any one country is no guarantee of democracy or effective oversight. He averred that without a free press, an independent judiciary, an independent prosecution service and a strong opposition oversight will be meaningless and ineffective. He added that Parliamentary oversight provided an essential check-and-balance system on the executive. However, the effectiveness of parliamentary oversight depended largely on the ability and capacity of Parliamentarians themselves to exercise it.
Accordingly, it was critical, rather, imperative, for Members of Parliament individually and collectively to be equipped with sufficient knowledge to exercise effective oversight on the Executive.
Participants generally agreed that Oversight was always exercised on behalf of the electorate. Accordingly, the oversight mandate would be enhanced by a clear separation of power between the Executive and Parliament, which reported to the people.
The meeting further agreed that requests for information by Parliament had to be respected and honoured by the Executive for oversight to achieve the desired results. Live broadcasting of parliamentary procedures as well as public exposure of negative results of public accounts, were also identified as effective means of exercising oversight on government action.
In his contribution, the Clerk of Parliament, Mr Chokuda, reminded the meeting that while capacity building of Members of Parliament was an imperative, it was equally important to capacitate support staff who embody the institutional memory. To that end, any training programme intended to enhance the capacity of Members of Parliament must, of necessity, include the staff who serve them. He added that owing to the differing professional and academic backgrounds of MPs, it was also important to ensure that training programmes are simplified so that all Members comprehend them. He made reference to a toolkit which had been developed in Zimbabwe to assist the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to analyse reports by the Auditor General as a means of simplifying and strengthening the oversight function. As a result, the PAC had made commendable progress in the analysis of the said reports and cleared a backlog going as far back as 2012.
11.0 Concluding Sitting
At the last sitting in the afternoon of 21 October, the Assembly had before it the outcome document of the General Debate, as well as the reports of the Standing Committees.
The resolution presented by the Standing Committee on Democracy and Human Rights, on Democracy in the digital era and the threat to privacy and individual freedoms, was adopted unanimously. The Assembly also took note of the reports from the other three Standing Committees. It endorsed the subject item for the new resolution to be adopted at the 135th IPU Assembly in October 2016: The freedom of women to participate in political processes fully, safely and without interference:
Building partnerships between men and women to achieve this objective.
The IPU President introduced the outcome of the General Debate, the Declaration on The imperative for fairer, smarter and more humane migration, which was endorsed unanimously. The President underscored the critical importance of migration and called on all Parliaments to take urgent action to address the matter responsibly and effectively. The outcome had identified an inventory of good practices and avenues for parliamentary action that could serve people, societies and the international community well.
The IPU President also emphasised the need to support young
Parliamentarians in their programmes and called on Member countries to include young people in decision making positions and allow them to play an active role in economic development. To demonstrate its commitment to the youth and developing young leaders, young MPs were invited to the Conference for Young Parliamentarians to be held in
Lusaka, Zambia on 16 and 17 March 2016 as a precursor to the 134th IPU Assembly.
Accordingly, Hon. Chowdhury invited the Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia, Hon. Justice Dr. P. Matibini, to deliver remarks in his capacity as host of the forthcoming 134th IPU Assembly, which would be taking place in Lusaka from 19 to 23 March 2016. Hon.
Matibini detailed the preparations already under way for the next Assembly with a view to ensuring that the best possible conditions were provided. A brief video was screened, which showcased the rich cultural and natural heritage that Zambia had to offer.
13.0 Recommendations
- Members of Parliament must take the lead in raising awareness on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as well as in holding the Executive to account for the implementation of the SDGs
through their oversight Committees. In fact, in the Senate, the Thematic Committee on SDGs must proactively spearhead public education and oversight on the implementation of the SDGs.
- Members of Parliament must initiate evidence-based debate on climate change focusing on facts, solutions, and most importantly, on what Parliaments and Parliamentarians can do both individually and collectively to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on food security.
- In debating the national budget, Parliamentarians must ensure that adequate resources are allocated towards climate change issues. 4. Parliament must push the Executive, through the Ministry of
Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development, to ratify and domesticate international conventions to protect the rights of women migrants, and, more importantly, to ensure that these conventions are implemented
- Continuous capacity building of Members of Parliament is an imperative if they are to effectively exercise their oversight function.
- Any targeted training for Members of Parliament in sector specific areas must also include support staff who are the repository of the institutional memory.
The delegation to the 133rd Assembly of the IPU wishes to express its gratitude for the opportunity to represent the institution at the meeting.
HON. SEN. CHIEF CHISUNGA: Thank you Mr. President for
affording me this opportunity to make a follow up speech on the presentation by Hon. Chief Siansali on the 133rd Inter-Parliamentary Union Report, which was held in Geneva. Mr. President, there were issues raised in the opening remarks by the President of the IPU, which I think are of great importance to us as the Parliament of Zimbabwe today.
On issues of turning words into reality, there have been several occasions like the previous sessions which we have just been having whereby we have been making questions and answers. I continue to wonder whether what we ask or the responses we are given, or even the debates we make in Parliament are real issues that can be turned into reality. I think it is an issue of great importance that as Parliament, we should be leading by example through the implementation of policies which promote the welfare of our population.
At the beginning of this millennium, there were some Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which I believe have not been fully achieved. At this review meeting, there was an agreement that these MDGs be turned and christened Sustainable Development Goals. I think the intention is to uplift the standard of our people. For instance, there was an issue which was raised by Hon. Sen. Madzongwe in her presentation; the issue of migrants. There is need for society to integrate migrants. Due to some factors which cause their migration, nobody really wants to spend life in a foreign country. Every citizen would want to enjoy the citizenship benefits of his or her country but due to some prevailing environment such as wars, disagreements politically, which at the end of the day culminate in the migration of people from one state to another. She gave an example of people who are migrating from Libya through the Mediterranean Sea. A number of them perish on the way. If you go to Sudan and Egypt, some people get beheaded and their body parts are taken overseas for resale. All these things take place due to prevailing conditions in several countries. It is incumbent upon Governments to take measures Mr. President to prevent the migration of people into other states. I will give an example; I made a trip to South Africa around end of the year 2015, I arrived at Beitbridge Border at around 2100 hours. It took us the whole night to be cleared in order to cross to the South African border. There were more than 15 buses full of Zimbabweans crossing into South Africa.
If you go into South Africa in Johannesburg, specifically Soweto, the plight of Zimbabweans is regrettable Mr. President. So, the issue of migrants is not only an issue to do with people from Syria, Iraq and other Northern African countries. It also affects our country as
Zimbabwe. So, I encourage the Government to take measures to make sure that our people are resident in our country, our people enjoy the benefits of being Zimbabweans – [HON. SENATORS: Hear, hear].
Also, the issue of terrorism was noted by Madam Madzongwe in her speech, that terrorism itself is something which is not acceptable in societies. People live in fear, even development cannot take place because there is always terror everywhere. People are afraid of being bombed, killed so I think this was a wake-up call for us to make sure that we avoid political misunderstandings which end up causing instability in countries like Zimbabwe.
Mr. President, this phenomenon is not only common to Zimbabwe but there are a number of Governments in our region and sub regions as well as the world at large. I think we should be taking measures to make sure that these issues are avoided. Also, there was a call-to a larger extent for women participation in several spheres of life in different areas. For instance, upliftment of women, I think for Zimbabwe we have achieved quite a lot as you can see that this august House is led by a woman President which is a plus for Zimbabwe – [HON.
SENATORS: Hear, hear] – I think we should continue to promote that spirit, guided by policies which promote peace.
The issue which was also raised was of the youth. In several countries, we have seen child soldiers, children have been abused. Children have been recruited to go into war, which is uncalled for. When such things happen, human rights of these children are being taken away because they have rights to education, self determination and so forth but because of uncalled for environments in several countries, the youth end up getting abused. They are encouraged to make some uprisings against governments. At the end of the day, our youth end up being killed or being involved in unbecoming behaviour. There are examples of Somalia, Rwanda and DRC. Day in and day out, we witness these people travelling along Mozambican border through Nyamapanda into Zimbabwe then into South Africa looking for employment.
I think our Government needs to do a lot in trying to promote the welfare of our youth so that they are not involved in issues of using or abusing drugs and so forth. There is also the issue which was mentioned by colleague about food security issues; climate change. As long as we ignore the role played by our traditional leaders in combating the deterioration of our environment, at the end of the day, the issue of food security will continue to haunt our nation. So, there is need to assist all agencies who deal with conservation of our environment, protection of our environment so that the nation benefits.
Mr. President, in conclusion, I want to urge our Government to take a cue from the IPU on the issue of oversight of Parliament. There is need for the Government to continue capacitating Hon. Members so that they are able to execute their oversight duties. It is very important that as legislators we are capacitated in a way that we will be able to account the Executive. It is not the Executive which must hold the legislators to account but the legislators must hold the Executive to account.
I think there is need for Government to continue supporting, strengthening Parliament institution, for example the issue of the welfare of Parliamentarians – [HON. SENATORS: Hear, hear] – each time MPs come to Parliament without satisfaction, demoralised, their effectiveness is bound to fall. So, there is need that Government recognises the existence of the third pillar of Government for the effective governance of our nation. With these few words Mr. President, I thank you [HON. SENATORS: Hear, hear].
HON. SEN. CHIEF SIANSALI: I move that the debate do now
adjourn.
HON. SEN. MOHADI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume; Tuesday, 8th March, 2016.
On the motion of HON. SEN. MASUKU, seconded by HON.
SEN. MOHADI, the Senate adjourned at half past Four o’clock pm.
until Tuesday, 8th March, 2016.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Wednesday, 16th March, 2016
The Senate met at Half-past Two o’ clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE
SENATE
CREATION OF EMAIL ADDRESSES FOR MEMBERS OF
PARLIAMENT
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: I wish to remind
all Hon. Members that the ICT Department has created email addresses for all Hon. Members and members are urged to liaise with the ICT staff, stationed at the Members’ Dining Hall from 12 noon to 1630 hours
during sitting days, to have their passwords configured.
MOTION
PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH: DEBATE ON ADDRESS
First Order read: Adjourned debate on motion in reply to the
Presidential Speech.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. TAWENGWA: I move that the debate do now
adjourn.
HON. SEN. MASUKU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 17th March, 2016.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE 133RD ASSEMBLY OF THE
INTERPARLIAMENTARY UNION (IPU)
Second Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Zimbabwe Delegation Report on the 133rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary
Union (IPU).
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. MOHADI: Thank you Madam President for giving me this opportunity to add my voice to the report that was presented to this august Senate by Hon. Sen. Chief Siansali, seconded by Hon. Sen.
Chief Chisunga.
If we do not read these reports, we will be lagging behind because they have a lot of information. What I want to talk about is on Article 4.1, on the women and migration. Madam President, this is a thorny issue if we can think deeper about it. You will find that women are the most affected people whenever we talk about migration.
There are factors that lead the women’s migration. You find that during the war, women, just because they are defenceless, they are forced to migrate from one place to another and seek refuge with their children just because they cannot defend themselves. They will be having nothing to eat and no shelter. Let us say in a home when there is violence, a woman beaten or there is a conflict with the husband, she will be forced to move from her original place to another place of which it does not put her correctly and nicely because she would have left her home and by that time, she might be taking her children, running away from their matrimonial home.
Sometimes these women migrate just because of economic reasons. I will give you a simple example which I have physically seen taking place as a person who leaves along the border; sometimes I travel along this road by public transport. One day I was shocked when I was travelling with so many women carrying babies on their backs. They got into that bus which I was traveling in. We travelled and when we were about 10km to Beitbridge, the whole lot of those women, there were about 15; they disembarked off the bus. I thought maybe they were lost.
I talked to them and advised them that we had not reached Beitbridge. They did not answer me because they knew they had an agenda. These women Madam President, when I enquired because I was touched by women moving out of the bus at night around 2 o’clock a.m. I went to the conductor and asked him what was taking place. Unfortunately, he did not know me and thought it was just a genuine question. He explained to me that these women had their husbands across the border in South Africa. I asked where they were going at that time and he told me that these women were going to cross the river at the illegal crossing point and when they get across the Limpopo river, they would get transport from South Africa which would take them to their final destinations.
Madam President, it was so painful. From that point in the morning I went to the immigration trying to highlight this issue to them because I could not understand; a woman carrying a baby on her back and having another child here and a few goods travelling at night and crossing the Limpopo River which is infested by crocodiles; how she was going to cross that river? It was really painful.
Madam President, migration ends up causing early child marriages. I will talk mostly about South Africa which I have seen things happening. As they cross these rivers, the girls will not be having money and not knowing exactly where they will be going. As they reach the crossing places, they find people there who are supposed to assist them cross the river. That is where these children are raped at the ages of 13 – 14 years.
Madam President, it does not end there. As they cross the river and get to the South African side where they are supposed to get employment. They will not be knowing anyone. They are supposed to get shelter and food, how do they get all this? Something has to happen; they get raped to get accommodation and employment. This is a sad issue of which when I talk about I feel deeply disturbed.
The same if we look at Article 5.0 in this report, where it says the migration of youth, it is the same story. They are exposed to ill health. As that child moves just across the river meeting two or three men who have not even been tested and who really cares about them being tested, that child is traumatized for the rest of her life. That is where she will get these chronic diseases like HIV and AIDS and so on which will never be healed in her life time.
These are the dangers and challenges that we are facing in migration. Madam President, I would urge the Government if ever we have any policy or something to do with these migrations to assist the women and the youths because their lives are in danger. With these few words, I thank you.
*HON. SENATOR MACHINGAIFA: Thank you Madam
President. I rise to thank you for the opportunity that you have afforded me to support the report that was tabled in this House. A report on the 133rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), held in Geneva from the 17th to the 23rd October 2015, which delegation was led by you Hon. Madam President, and was brought by Hon. Sen. Chief Siansali seconded by Hon. Sen. Chief Chisunga.
Madam President, I would want to thank the Zimbabwean delegation for raising many important issues at that forum. There are a lot of people who are suffering as a result of their need to migrate and they are facing challenges. They are moving to areas where there is peace. Some of them are dying when they cross the seas. I was quite happy when I read this report and observed that you led a group of heroes and heroines who are Zimbabwean children. His Excellency, the President whenever he visits a forum, gives an address and the citizens are also following suit. They are standing up to be counted at these various forums.
I was quite happy to hear that Members of Parliament when debating should debate constructive issues that have the truth and evidence. On Point 8.0, Hon. Sen. Chief Siansali and Hon. Sen. Chief Chisunga seconded, spoke about where they come from and the problems that are bedeviling them as a result of climate change. Others thought that we were having hunger because we are lazy. It is not because we are lazy but it is due to climate change, which has occasioned the change of the cropping season. Advice and notes were exchanged on how best people can survive climatic change. We are experiencing change in climate; our cropping season has changed from October, November and December. It should appear that we should be moving to start cropping in January up until March. Maybe that way we will be able to alleviate drought and hunger.
Madam President of the Senate, Hon. E. Madzongwe spoke of
other countries, that are busy recruiting dissidents or terrorists. You were quite touched by that and you mentioned it. I am happy to mention that you are a leader who knew what she was doing. She was a proper leader who led a delegation of Zimbabwean people. She knew what she was doing. I thank you Madam President.
*HON. SEN. MANYERUKE: Thank you Madam President for
affording me this opportunity to also add my voice to the debate on the large delegation that went to attend the 133rd Assembly of the InterParliamentary Union. I thank Hon. Sen. Chief Siansali who moved this motion, which was seconded by Hon. Sen. Chief Chisunga. As Zimbabweans, we would want to thank you for your presence at that meeting. We would want to urge the Government to provide funds to people that would be undertaking such official visits. The Report stated that you had so many committees to cover because there were few participants. This was due to inadequate funding. We hope that in future, funds will be made available.
We thank you for your bravery and courage Madam President. You gave an important Speech. You ably demonstrated your ability and understanding of the Constitution and you were supported by the Chiefs and members of the delegation. Even the youths such as Hon. Dziva also showed that she is a youth in the Parliament of Zimbabwe where we are the first Parliament to have this quota system, which has led to us having an improved number of women representatives. You put Zimbabwe on the map. We have a Constitution that is second to none.
We thank you for bringing stability to Africa and for representing us.
You went there, learnt and also enlightened them. I thank you.
+HON. SEN. NCUBE: Thank you Madam President for affording me this opportunity. I would also want to add my voice to the Report that was brought before this House by those who went to represent our country Zimbabwe. What I have noticed is that the Report that was brought before this House talks about youths. I think it has been noticed that the world over, youths are suffering, be they boys or girls. This is what is stated in the Report that children have been displaced all over; they have left their countries to go to different countries. There are so many reasons why children leave their own countries. They leave their countries because of wars that are going on in their countries, some leave because they are suffering. Some leave their countries to pursue their education and some are looking for a better life. There are several reasons why children and other people leave their countries.
I have noticed that in this world there are other people who are not known; the reason being that someone is born and then leaves the country maybe because the birth country is not his country of decent. These people move around without any birth certificates or travel documents. These people are not known at all. However, what usually happens is that when someone is born, a birth certificate is obtained for that person. This is how we get to know the number of people we have in the country. One day I attended a workshop that was entitled
‘Statelessness’ because there are people who are born and are never known because they do not have any documents. They are not registered anywhere, they are not known. These are people who move from country to country. They travel by boats, aeroplanes, trains and buses. People travel by various means Madam President. Some travel for good reasons and some for bad reasons but this report was talking about children who are suffering. We noticed that there are children who were taken out of this country, this was reported in the papers and these are children from Zimbabwe. There are about 200 children if I am not mistaken who were taken out of this country for wrong reasons. They were being abused, turned into slaves and not being paid their salaries. They were turned into maids and they were also not being given food. I read that when they got there, their phones and passports were confiscated. They were taken for medical examination first to see if they were suffering from any disease. Madam President, a lot of reports that have been brought to this House, we have talked about them. I do not know about others but the sentiments would appear as if it is not important to debate about reports of those who would have travelled out of the country because they would have travelled to visit or travelled in order to make money and also have fun. I now notice that these reports are very important. I notice that this report is loaded with a lot of things that are very important. If you go through this report, you will find that there are several things that are important.
Madam President, the reason why I have dwelt on this issue is that these days, the most talked about issued are human trafficking AIDS and many other diseases ravaging the country. This is why I said I cannot talk about everything because the previous speakers have already spoken about some of these things. I would like to say that some of these children that are born do not get what they are entitled to in their rights because they are supposed to have birth certificates, a place to stay and education. It is their right; our Constitution says all that is part of their human rights.
I noticed that because of this report, it is important that we should deliberate about this and these other countries that were also there and deliberated on these issues. It is important that we should come together and find a way to assist each other because this is not a problem, we are facing here in Zimbabwe only; it a problem the world over. With those few words, I thank you.
HON. SEN. CHIEF SIANSALI: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. MOHADI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday 17th March, 2016.
MOTION
REHABILITATION OF WAR SHRINES AND RECOGNITION
OF DEPARTED WAR LIBERATORS
Third Order read: Adjourned debate on motion calling for rehabilitation and maintenance of War Shrines.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. B. SIBANDA: I want to thank you Madam President for giving me this opportunity to add my voice to this motion. This motion is a sobering motion. It reminds us among other things at all our levels ukhuti silesikwelede, tine chikwereti to those who liberated this country. The chikwerete emanates from our seeming tendency to forget our past. Madam President, I would like to remind ourselves that what this motion says is you have a past where you came from, you have the current life which we live and you have a future which you must measure against your past and your current performance. In other words, what I am saying is let us not forget where we came from, let us not forget the liberation struggle. Also, let us live an honest life about our departed. Thirdly, let our past be a strong lesson about our future behaviour and the sikwelede that we have towards our departed.
I would like Mr. President to categorise the sites that are referred to in the motion into three. The sites where our predecessors are buried, the group that includes, Mbuya Nehanda, Sekuru Kaguvi, Lobengula and Magwegwe, that is one category. In preparing to speak on this motion, I did ask a few young people here in Harare; are you aware of where Mbuya Nehanda is buried? I got no single answer of awareness of where Mbuya Nehanda is buried but every day we idolize the role that she played and we cannot take our children to where she is buried. The same would apply, if you went to Matabeleland and said are you aware what happened to Magwegwe, you probably get who is Magwegwe, where does the name Magwegwe come from. If our generation is blank about our past, our children will be totally blank about our past.
The second category that I want to look at is the category of the liberation fighters, their bodies are littered around all front line States. Quite often we talk about Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania, Botswana and forget Angola. We must never forget what happened to our freedom fighters in Angola. The third category is a painful one, it is of those of our liberators who died in post independence. We need to include them in our list of our heroes.
I would like to take this opportunity Hon. Members to salute all those people who have died in order to give this country the status it enjoys today. Mr. President I want to say that we need to recognise, identify and honour all these sites. A lot has been said about how long it is going to take. A lot has been said about how much money it would require to move that agenda forward. However, I would like to say we are all guilty. There was a time when this nation had money. There was a time we did not beg yet we forgot about where we came from. There are proposals that a site should be rehabilitated. Indeed, how can we look at those sites and say here lie our children and brothers. I believe that we should go a step further. We cannot museum everybody but there are people that we should take a step further and ensure that there is a museum dedicated to, those people like Mbuya Nehanda, Sekuru Kaguvi, Joshua Nkomo, Lobengula, the list is endless.
Lastly, Mr. President, I would like say that Joshua Nkomo’s place lies un attended. Indeed, that is a fact. However, Joshua Nkomo is talked about in the context of everybody in liberation fighter of this country. It is therefore imperative that when we look at rehabilitating all the sites, let us remember our brothers that were killed during “the moment of madness,” and make sure that their shrines, or the places where they lie are also attended to. I say that because in the words of one Senator, every Zimbabwean is a war fighter. There are very few people who lived past the war that did not fight that war and we need to respect all of them.
I would like to give you a practical example, when you drive into Bulawayo and you go over the last Flyover in Ntabazinduna, for those who are roughly my age and thereabouts, you will remember that that is the site where Dr. Parirenyatwa died. I am saying to this House, Parirenyatwa was the first African doctor, that alone makes him a distinguishable native of this land. Secondly, Dr. Parirenyatwa was a Government employee who chose at that time to defy the instructions of the regime and became a president of a nationalist movement. That alone requires recognition.
Thirdly, as you drive past that Flyover, there is a plague that is falling. I have been watching that plague and asking myself and others kuti are we not seeing this. Last week when I drove past, it had actually fallen down and yet it is where one of our first heroes died. It will cost less than US$5 000 to build a proper identifiable place which gives benefit and recognises the role that Samuel Parirenyatwa played. This is an example to illustrate the extent to which we have neglected our responsibility.
With those words, I once again want to thank Hon. Mohadi and the seconder for moving this motion which is a great challenge to us. It is both an indictment on us. Senators will accept that for a change, I am not talking about any side of this House. It is a great indictment to all of us, it is a challenge for the future. It says Zimbabweans define yourselves and understand where you are coming from. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. MANYERUKE: Thank you Mr. President. I would
like to thank the mover of the motion Senator Mohadi, seconded by Senator Masuku because she did think deeply about the issue of the welfare of the shrines for our fallen heroes. To those who experienced this, it was a painful experience, deeds not words. Even in the Bible, in the book of Kings, Elijah told the people that he was leading that there should be a wall to protect the cemetery of our relatives who had died.
The same is asked of us to do for our fallen heroes, there are those who are still buried in the rivers and bushes, who were not properly interred.
We should feel touched by these gallant sons and daughters of this country, who made the ultimate sacrifice to fight for the liberation of this country, which ultimately led to the State that we are today. Let us put our heads together because we need the input of the chiefs. The chiefs sent President Mugabe and the other gallant fighters to go and fight. They brought the country back, the chiefs should sit down and see what should be done because at the end of 1980, after the liberation struggle, others had been instructed to ensure that there should be rituals that will then be sent to Mabuwadziva but because there was no history or modus operandi, most of these chiefs, you find them just wearing garments and not carrying out their traditional roles. It was then said rituals has to be conducted in Mabuwadziva and Chirorodziva, but nothing was done.
We want our history to be recorded and let history show that we are looking after the places where even our heroes like the late Joshua
Nkomo, Chibwechitedza as he was affectionately known, be maintained so that the future generations will be able to learn about the history of Zimbabwe abi initio. I grew up in Southern Rhodesia, I only knew that there were governors such as Sir Humphrey Gibbs, and there were no blacks in this Parliament. Even the picture that is over there, it is a white’s only picture. So we would like to thank these gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe and that as a mark of respect, we should ensure that the sites where they lie are properly maintained.
History should be written and it should correctly reflect these shrines and these gallant sons and daughters so that their spirits will be happy. Those that fell by the bullet said they will be unable to go back to Zimbabwe, but the comrades should continue with the struggle and indeed, the struggle continues. This ultimately lead us to our freedom and we are now sitting pretty, but the parents of the sons and daughters whom we are unaware of their whereabouts - because we did not have any form of technology during the war, they did not have proper names. They also did not have proper names; they had names like Gire so it is difficult for us to then know where they died. We have a lot of graves in areas but those that are interred in those graves, their names are unknown.
Our chiefs tried to look into that area and conducted rituals, hoping that the spirits of those deceased will be able to manifest themselves to their relatives but midway through we stopped this exercise. All I am saying is that let us act in consent as this august House so that we pay them the respect that they deserve and look after these shrines properly. Even the war collaborators played their part, some died and some are still alive. Others are on the farms; they are doing the best they can. This is an important motion Mr. President of the Senate. I thank you for giving me this opportunity to also add my voice on such an important motion. I thank you.
*SENATOR MATIIRIRA: Thank you Mr. President for giving
me this opportunity. I would like to thank Senator Mohadi the mover of such an important motion, seconded by Senator Masuku. It is true that the motion correctly depicts what happened and it does move us into nostalgia. These are people that scarified their lives for the benefit of the whole of Zimbabwe. These gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe fell all over the region and if it were possible, such places should be recognized and those places should be spruced up and be well kept.
The areas that are mentioned in the motion such as Tembwe and Nyadzonya, the manner in which these fallen heroes are interred is not good because these are just mass graves, about the size of this august Senate. Nothing would have been done then because those were times of the war and that was a difficult circumstance surrounding the war. If a man dies today and his wife, they cannot be interred in the same grave but this is how our mass graves are like.
All those that have spoken ab-initio, were asking if it were possible that samples of soil could be exhumed from these mass graves and be brought back to Zimbabwe and that they be reburied. We have problems with our tradition because each and every one of us has their totem and they have their own spirits. We would want these spirits of the departed to have eternal rest. They died when they had hopes and ambitions. If they were here with us today, they could have their own families and those that left families behind or those that have members of their family that died in Mozambique, would feel content if they were to hear that from time to time we are paying our respects to these sacred places where they have fallen.
There are places that we are aware of in our own localities where freedoms fighters lost their lives. In Uzumba we have one such place, it is a certain mountain and there was a battle that raged from 1700hrs until 0600hrs. A woman who was breastfeeding her son died and the child spent the whole night suckling from the mother. Those that know of a road that leads to Uzumba High School, there is a stone that was placed in commemoration of those heroes that fell at that battle. There is also a plaque to represent the son who suckled the mother’s breast when the mother had died during that battle. He could be having a family by now but he had problems. The parents would have peace of mind because of this plaque to commemorate these things. The same could be done for all these places where these people died.
Times are hard but once the economy improves, such areas should be looked into. Where possible, these areas should be spruced up and be looked after. I thank you.
SENATOR MOHADI: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
SENATOR MASUKU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Wednesday, 16th March, 2016.
MOTION
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE
PRESIDENT AS CHAIRMAN OF AFRICAN UNION
Fourth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion to congratulate His Excellency, the President Cde. R. G. Mugabe and the Government of Zimbabwe on successfully leading the African Union (AU) and
Southern African Development Community (SADC) as Chairperson. +SENATOR A. SIBANDA: Thank you Mr. President, I would also like to add a few words to congratulate our President, the President of Zimbabwe for his tenure of carrying out his duties for Africa and also for carrying out his duties in the Southern Africa Development Community SADC. Mr. President, I just want to add a few words. I have noticed that the AU started long back and that SADC only started after the countries in the Southern part of Africa got independence.
The President had two posts and he being an elderly person – I just wonder the challenge, whether or not he was going to manage because I have never come across such a situation that a person can have two very high positions at the same time. I wonder what really had happened for it to happen that way. Be that as it may, I know a lot of Senators have already spoken before me, but he managed to carry out the two posts as an elderly person. This was an opportunity for him to stop wars in
Africa and also to rectify all the anomalies that were going on in Africa.
We have seen that some of the countries are breaking their own constitutions but after the leadership of our President at the Africa Union (AU), I just wonder if anything went wrong during his tenure.
We have seen that in the United States of America, there are campaigns going on and we heard that one of the candidates said that Africans have no democracy and they are going to recolonise Africa because the African leaders are failing to control and manage their countries. I was really hurt by that statement, why did he have to say that yet we have our President Hon. Mugabe who is highly educated?
Why did he not speak about those leaders that are failing to govern their own people? He should have spoken about it for the whole of
Africa to see but seeing that he is an elderly person and has been ruling Zimbabwe amicably, this country should be used as an example because all these other countries entrusted him with the chairmanship of the two organisations. We also want the President to continue doing the same in this very country and people should stop fighting. If people continue fighting in a country, then it simply means they are belittling their President. We do not want that to happen in our country because we are being led by an elderly person and as an elderly person, he should rebuke such actions.
We know that people are not here forever, the President must leave a legacy and future generations should continue talking good about him. Even in Matabeleland, people are still talking about what the late Vice President Nkomo used to say. People should continue making reference to what was said. We do not want children to be harassed, assaulted or hit people who attend their meetings, we want the President to continue in the same way that he chaired the two organisations.
We want Africa to develop, we heard that the President donated 300 herds of cattle to the AU. We know the cattle are going to multiply and in so doing, alleviate poverty in Africa. I think these wars are hunger driven but we want peace. There should be peace and prosperity because President Mugabe started this thing. We do not want selfish people to be selfish or to be poor yet we come from a very rich country.
We read in the newspapers that there are selfish people and that US$15billion disappeared. We want the President to come and talk about that, that such amounts should just disappear. The President should say something, with these few words, I would want all that has been said here to be taken to Cabinet so that the President knows that we are happy about his leadership in the two organisations. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. MANYERUKE: Thank you Mr. President for
affording me this opportunity to add my voice on the motion that was raised by Hon. Sen. Chief Musarurwa seconded by Hon. Sen.
Mavhunga.
This is an important motion that we congratulate our President because he held the double chairmanship for the AU and SADC for a whole year. We say, well done for a brilliant job. He showed his mature statesmanship, wisdom and experience in steering the two ships. During his period of tenure, the whole of Africa learnt from him, as an august Senate, we should also learn from his vast experience.
The people of Muzarabani where I come from, although they receive these newspapers days later, said that the President makes them proud because of his good deeds. The entire African continent acknowledged and thanked him for his superb leadership skills. We need to treasure this in our hearts. Those of us that are in this august Senate should treasure his words and guard them jealously. He showed us that he is a hero and a chief of chiefs.
Yes, turns are taken for one to run the chairmanship yet others surrender midway. We want to thank the President for remaining resolute in running through the course of his tenure as chairperson of the two institutions. We wish him more in his endeavours and bravery despite his advanced age of 92 years old where delicious cakes were eaten in celebration. We wish him more years like Methuselah, the biblical figure that lived for hundreds of years, may the Lord richly bless him. I thank you.
HON. SEN. MAKONE: Thank you Mr. President, I want to join all the other Senators who have spoken before me in congratulating the President for his performance at the AU and concomitantly at the
SADC. I am very thankful for all the work that was done by the President and when he does these things outside the country, he does not do them in his own name. He does them on behalf of the people of Zimbabwe. It is the people of Zimbabwe that take the credit while he performs on their behalf.
Mr. President Sir, I am not here to add on to the things that have been said about the President because I think enough has already been said but I am talking here now as a Member of the Roman Catholic Church of which His Excellency the President Robert Gabriel Mugabe is a devout member of. Robert Gabriel Mugabe is a devout Catholic, just in case some of you did not know. Our vision of our Lord Jesus Christ probably differs with that of most other churches. I want to tell you now that in our faith of the Holy Catholic Faith, Robert Gabriel Mugabe will never dream one day of being or likened to someone nearly similar or half similar to our Lord Jesus Christ. He will never. – [HON.
SENATORS: hear, hear.] –
This time, in the Holy Catholic Church is the time of lent, where we are thinking of time of the suffering and dying of our Lord Jesus at Calvary. This is the time when we remember the suffering in Gethsemane and the suffering during the carrying of the cross, the fourteen stations of the cross. In our faith, we have the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit being one. Our Lord Jesus Christ is not just himself, he is also God. I believe that and so does Robert Gabriel Mugabe believe that Jesus Christ is God. We will not accept, as Roman Catholics and the President himself will not accept to be likened to our Lord Jesus Christ. – [HON. SENATOR: Hear, hear.] – no matter what good we do, no matter how good or how excellent our performance is, we believe that we are only to do it because the Lord Jesus allows us to do it. We are only but instruments of His work, in whatever we do in our sleep, waking up moments, weakness, intellect and strength. Therefore, I would like Hon. Members in this House, both Catholic and any other faith to understand that Robert Gabriel Mugabe is a Roman Catholic
Member, not only is he a member, he is also a devout Catholic and there is no room for him to be equal to his Lord and creator our Lord Jesus Christ.
While we warmly congratulate him for all the things …
*HON. SENATOR MAWIRE: I do not think that this motion that was moved by Senator Chief Musarurwa and seconded by Hon.
Senator Mohadi, they spoke the language that is being talked about that Robert Mugabe does not have the power to be equated to God and that he should not mislead himself and the like.
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Order,
order!
*HON. SENATOR MAWIRE: Let me say what I have heard.
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Order,
order!
*HON. SENATOR MAWIRE: The motion was to congratulate His Excellency Cde. Robert Mugabe as the Chairman of the African
Union full stop.
*THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: You
agree he is also your President. She has also moved a point of order you need to listen to her. The order is sustained. The motion has the spirit and latter recommendations. You debate what the Hon Senator Musarurwa was seeking. He was praising and he said we should congratulate. Hon Senator Makone, stick to the motion and not with other statements that are given by someone who just stood up. You are not answering the debate of other members. You are making your own views on the motion.
Senator Makone, order! Senator Makone,order! Senator Makone, order! So that you actually stick to what the motion says. You are free to differ and express your own views but not to take a different motion or probably raise a motion. I want to be at liberty and use the word as an obiter dictum in the debate; whereby, someone raises something else other than what is intended in the spirit and letter of the motion. You proceed but be mindful of the fact that read again what Senator
Musarurwa moves and stick to that.
HON. SENATOR MAKONE: Thank you very much Mr.
President for your correction. I will stick to the point. I want to go back to what the Hon. Senator Chief Musarurwa raised. He wanted to warmly appreciate the leadership qualities of our President, His Excellency, Cde. Mugabe during his tenure in office; an achievement that has made the nation proud. Mr. President Sir, I want to congratulate the Chief on his observation and I agree with him completely but I also want to say while we congratulate him, we would like not to go beyond what was said here by Senator Chief Musarurwa.
At no point did the Senator Chief Musarurwa liken the President to God. I thank the President for what he did but in my opinion and I am expressing my personal opinion, our President is nothing but a human creature created by God who is enabled by God to do what he does. We thank God for operating through our President but he does not become equal to God. I want to say that I have an opinion which may differ …
HON. SENATOR CHIPANGA: Thank you Mr. President. I am
not sure whether the Hon. Member understood what you said. It is like she is continuing on her path in trying to convince everyone here, which we do not need, that the President is not immortal, is not God and is not Jesus. Someone might have made reference to that and that point has been made right from the beginning when she said…
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Order,
Senator Marava, order.
*HON. SENATOR CHIPANGA: She has already made that
point when she said Robert Gabriel Mugabe is a devout Catholic and that in their faith, which is not mine, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit are one and the same. Therefore, if you liken Jesus to any individual, you are also saying that individual is God. We have got all that point already and I do not see any reason why that point should be hammered on and on.
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Order, order!
Senator Mlotshwa among others is saying what is your point of order.
HON. SEN. CHIPANGA: The point of order Mr. President is that she should not continue on the debate that President Robert Mugabe is not like Jesus – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections.] -
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: I think it is
now clear. Senator Makone proceed subject to those good comments.
HON. SEN. MAKONE: Mr. President can I have your
protection.
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Sen.
Machingaifa and other Hon. Senators there, I will ask you very soon to go and chat in the corridors or at the restaurant. This is a debate about the Head of State. Let us be careful with the way we behave. Can you proceed?
HON. SEN. MAKONE: Thank you Mr. President. I am a
daughter of the soil of Zimbabwe and whether I agree or disagree with my Head of State politically, when he acts outside the State of
Zimbabwe, he is also acting on my behalf. Therefore, as a daughter of Zimbabwe, I have the right to express my opinion just like any other
Zimbabwean – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] -
If a son or daughter of Zimbabwe has got the freedom to liken the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe to our Lord Jesus Christ and is allowed to do that debate in this House until they complete, Mr. President Sir, I pray that I also be given that opportunity to also give a counter admission. This debate was held yesterday. We sat and listened to the Hon. Senator telling us how very much like Jesus Christ our President is in this House. There was no point of order raised by us from this side. We looked at this motion which is before us and there is nothing likening the President to our Lord Jesus but we sat patiently and listened. Now it is also my turn to say my opinion to the contrary and I wish to be given that opportunity …
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Order, order.
I was not here but I know Senator Machingaifa among others maybe mentioned something like that. You are making a point that when they did so, there was no objection from anyone and you listened to the end.
However, you know very well that if you let somebody debate outside the motion and you do not raise a point of order. Surely, you should have interjected yesterday. When you let them finish and know they are out of order and the following day you say you want to counter, it becomes tricky. What you need to do is to debate the motion and proceed. Do not say you are now countering, just debate the motion and proceed.
HON. SEN. MAKONE: Thank you Mr. President. Sen. Marava actually tried to object and he was told the objection was not sustained and that Hon. Machingaifa could carry on. So, it is in that spirit that I am actually praying that you also allow me to continue because an objection was raised and it was shot down.
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Thank you
for the way you are proceeding. I can assure you the rules remain the same. You debate the motion as you like, just go ahead. You are a daughter of the soil as you said, which is very correct. You proceed on the basis of the motion and not on the basis of Hon. Machingaifa. He can easily bring in sanctions issue right now but let us proceed on the motion.
HON. SEN. MAKONE: Thank you Mr. President. I will not bring in sanctions here, neither will I agree with the Hon. Senator that President Robert Gabriel Mugabe is equal to Jesus Christ – [SENATOR
MANYERUKE: “uri kudzokorodza futi”.] - It is a sentence please.
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: Senator
Manyeruke, I am giving you the last warning.
HON. SEN. MAKONE: Thank you Hon. President. I just want to thank Hon. Sen. Chief Musarurwa for his observations which I think most Zimbabweans will agree with. When we talk about issues of such national issues, I think it is important that we be seen to be talking with one voice. We cannot have a President who goes to SADC and the AU representing us and then we come to this House and we hammer him. Much as some of us will not agree with some of the things that he says or does, at least for the things that go on record, we have to be seen to be agreeing with him. However, that does not give Hon. Members an opportunity to indulge in unsavoury attacks on our faith and beliefs.
I honestly believe that if we were to act as Zimbabweans who believe in what they do as a country, our differences must not be for public consumption because they should not be. In so doing, we lessen ourselves but you then introduce that debate which causes separation and debate on things that we should be agreeing on. That is a real shame on us as Senators of the Republic of Zimbabwe – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] - This is a motion that should make it difficult for even members of the opposition to come up and say anything in opposition because it does not augur well for the country.
While we agree and remember that we are Zimbabweans and we must be seen to be talking with one voice, no one must take advantage of that silence as subservience because it is not. When we are talking on national things and agendas, let us respect each other. Let us leave room for unity where unity is required. Mr. President Sir, I really regret on some of the debate that took place yesterday because it has got potential to divide people, yet it should be uniting. I want to thank Sen. Chief Musarurwa for raising this motion because it is in the national interests.
I thank you Mr. President.
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: We
should clap hands for her, she spoke very well, in a spirit of unity in respecting the President. I think the last part was very good. Unity is very good, we need that and the issue of divisions is not proper.
*HON. SEN. MALULEKE: Thank you Mr. President for giving
me this opportunity to speak on this motion, moved by Hon. Sen. Chief Musarurwa that we thank His Excellency the President for a job well done. We want to thank him for a job well done when he was both the Chairperson of the AU and SADC. We thank President Mugabe for coming to our province, Masvingo. After his visit, thereafter we had rains and things went well. We thank him for discharging his duties. He was always moving, representing us, the Zimbabwean people. We are proud of his work. African countries felt that he had not done enough and he was appointed a Rapporteur. When his tenure of office ended…. *THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE:
Order, order, I have decided that others should also learn, maybe it was out of ignorance. Hon. Sen. Manyeruke, there are rules that need to be observed in this House. Once the Chair rises and orders you to sit down, you sit down but you walked out. It appears as if you are protesting against the ruling by the Chair, I should have stopped you right there, you sit down when you are being ordered. We should respect the ruling of the Chair. Next time do not do that, you should not leave the Chamber when you have been called to order.
*HON. SEN. MANYERUKA: My apologies Mr. President, it
was due to ignorance.
*THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: May I
ask the speaker on the floor to proceed.
*HON. SEN. MANYERUKE: Thank you, I was saying that he
was then given another responsibility so the he would continue advising them, continue tapping from his wisdom. We are grateful for that. When he relinquished his Chairmanship, I was touched about his statement that there are five permanent positions on the Security Council and that there is need for Africans to be represented on that so that our interests can also be protected. It opened up my mind and my thinking, when he raised such issue, he received a standing ovation. No previous Chairperson had made reference to this need for permanent seats on the United Nations Security Council for Africa. It was because of wisdom that he raised such an issue. As members of this august House, we salute him and thank him for a job well done. A lot has already been said by the previous speakers, I thank you Mr. President.
HON. SEN. MAVHUNGA: I move that the debate do now
adjourn.
HON. SEN. MOHADI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday 17th March, 2016.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE ZIMBABWE DELEGATION TO THE 38TH
PLENARY ASSEMBLY OF THE SADC PARLIAMENTARY
FORUM
Fifth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Zimbabwe
Delegation Report on the 38th Plenary Assembly of the SADCParliamentary Forum.
Question again proposed.
+HON. SEN. NCUBE: Thank you Mr. President. I want to add my voice to this motion, moved by Hon. Sen. Mohadi. There was a lot which was said but I will pick few things. I observed that at that Plenary they debated on 7.3 point, on the issue of HIV/AIDS pandemic. Mr. President, there should be few people suffering from this pandemic at a certain time because we have had this pandemic for quite some time now. There should be few people suffering from this disease. I am happy about this issue because I sit in the Committee that has relevance to this matter. There was a lot of suffering which was brought by this pandemic. It is said that by 2030 people who are taking ARVs or suffering from this pandemic should be reduced. If you look at the statistics, there are some parts of the world where there are a much higher number of people suffering from this pandemic. All those who educate and those who give tablets wish that those people should go to
New Start Centres because many people have not attempted to do that.
A lot of people with HIV/AIDS do not like to go on public and get treatment; they also cannot survive on one spouse. If we want to eradicate this pandemic, we should follow what we are being counseled, we should learn on how to survive so that we do not continue with this disease. We know as a country, initially when this pandemic was just beginning, people would buy tablets, a lot of people died at the initial stage even up until now, they are dying even though things have improved. The numbers of those who were passing on has reduced. Government is actually helping, working in partnership with other organisations to teach people on how to conduct themselves.
A lot of people are accessing drugs, some were buying drugs and some having access to drugs from our major hospitals. When we debate about this issue, we should talk about it broadly as leaders, it should not just be a talk show to debate only, we should go further to schools and churches - teaching people so that by 2030, if we will be still alive, we will say that during our time, we worked hard.
Another matter that was raised was that of gender equality.
Sometimes it is not seen in the right perspective by others but in our Constitution, it is clearly inscribed. People said they wanted the Senate and their National Assembly and people were very clear on what they required of the two Houses. In the National Assembly there was a law that was put that there should be gender equality but others who are outside here, do not understand.
Women should also take leadership positions; we do not want a situation where we will say these are position for men in leadership only. From down below to the highest levels, there should be that gender equality. We are grateful for that because our people here in Zimbabwe understand that even if they go for an election, that which exactly they want to come up with should be theirs as a result of their voting.
At SADC, such matters are being debated; there are some countries which have not been able to do as we have done. Let us congratulate ourselves; we now have 60 women representation in the National Assembly and in this House as well. We would like to appreciate that. If other countries see such numbers of women in leadership they are shocked, when I was in Kenya, the people there said, for women to take a leadership position is very difficult there. They think that a woman should be just a housewife.
Mr. President Sir, that means what we have done as a country in Zimbabwe, we should be proud of it. Even though we have not achieved the rightful levels at the highest levels but we should look at where we are coming from. You find that we are still backward on that matter of women leadership, but we now have quite a number of them. In Kenya they said when women go for a campaign to be voted into office, the people would look at your character as well and how you dress. But here in Zimbabwe we are better off, in Kenya it is so difficult for a woman to campaign without head shawl. Even if you have money, are educated and campaign thoroughly but if there is a woman who is not educated and puts on the rightful attire, having covered her head and her character as well, that one would be voted into office by other women. Some other women actually told us about that at the conference, the facilitator who is a lecturer at a university requested another woman who is also a lecturer in a different discipline to help her to campaign. She failed to win and said, ‘I am pulling out’. It is said that when you are a woman, how do you handle yourself before these people, you should not dress different from your people but should be in line with their language and dressing.
Gender equality is important for women to be in leadership positions. Our Constitution has actually supported that, it has given responsibility for women to do that. In the National Assembly for 10 years, and after ten years what will transpire? We hope that there will be a win because you cannot be able to stand there. A woman will compete with a man and that is not bad, we should be courageous enough when we want a position to campaign for it.
I would like to thank Hon. Sen. Mohadi for talking about these matters and our development as a country, matters of gender equity between men and women. Even though we have not surpassed what we are expected to be. What we have tried to, we should continue so that after 10 years which is in the Constitution, we should be able to have a lot of women retained in Parliament. You will see that when women are involved things move smoothly. Suppose if you had appointed a woman to the position of Minister of Finance from the onset, do you not think that by now we would have moved far much better? As it is, we do not have money to campaign.
When there is a funeral in constituencies, a woman is approachable and also when there are finance issues. Some of us here, our male counterparts, it is not easy for them to be approached on such a problem. So, it is important that after 10 years or within those 10 years, we should retain some of the women. The women will continue to help themselves and be able to stand on their own and contest seats in the National
Assembly. Women do not have money to contest, we appeal that we be helped here in Parliament. Give us our financial rights because if we have money, we will be able to contest with our male counterparts.
The development of women is important and actually it is women who vote, they should understand our concerns. We debated in the last Parliament that we should tell parties that if it is a woman contesting they must contest on their own so that there is no disparity. We are still appealing that this should be accepted that we contest on our own. For the Senate, it is not affected but that is the case when we want to be in the National Assembly. When women contest on their own it will be better. I would like to thank you and I am supporting this motion. I thank you.
SENATOR MAKORE: Thank you very much Mr. President for
giving me this opportunity to debate on this very important motion. Firstly, I want to thank Senator Mohadi as mover of this particular motion. This motion of SADC, to me is very important. In the other paper that I read, SADC had two Cs before. We used to call it Southern Africa Development Coordinating Conference; meaning to say before that, there was a vacuum but this was formed as earlier as April 1980 with the purpose of liberating the countries that were under colonial rule in the Southern Africa region. Now therefore, it cancelled one C and having attained political objectives that all the SADC countries are now free from colonisation; it is then focusing on economic development of the SADC region.
In others words issues that are articulated here in this report are issues that are aiming at developing the economies of SADC. In this particular report, they are talking of the MDGs that could have expired in 2015. Now they are talking of the SDGs that are extended to 2030. This institution through its Parliament; despite the fact that they do not have implementing authority, they debate those issues to sort of encourage people on issues that benefit the majority of the people within the SADC countries.
I want to thank you very much over that pointer but save to say that in this indicator some very few countries managed to achieve the intended Millennium Development Goals Mr. President of the Senate. I also welcome this development for which SADC must identify self with flags. It is important that we fly flags of SADC, resembling the process of development ever since - from the Coordinating Conference in this
SADC Development Council, to me it is a very welcome development.
The other very important issue that was articulated here is of forming a regional Parliament. I understand really in this report that the Council of Ministers rejected that, but as Parliaments, we see it fit that we must form a Parliament of that nature. It is important that we integrate issues of importance to such particular discussion. For example, we have issues of sexual reproductive health, we spoke about it. We have issues of AIDS, issues of protocol that have passed for example the Gender Protocol. Some countries who even signed that
Protocol have not even implemented it, save to say we did very well as Zimbabwe and also Namibia in the way that is articulated in this particular report.
Such Parliament must be ensured with vested powers that could also check reasons why other countries who cannot domesticate this very particular protocol which we see fit. Generally, I want to say the SADC itself has to take this institution very serious in the sense that we want to see issues that are of democracy, it has been spelt here that they also inspect the election that take place in terms of election observations. Such issues Mr. President must be taken seriously because SADC is a board that has made several achievements. We see that as a milestone that at least if we give them a little of authority and recommend as Parliaments such recommendations are also taken back with our participation in such discussion. I think it is very important.
The onus is now with us because we have heard I think they are now coming to Parliament themselves to involve Parliaments in the process of other activities that have to be brought to the attention of the bigger board. With these very few words, I want to thank Senator Mohadi and encourage this board to be much more serious because we support it wholly and would wish that its work be listened to by the executive authorities of various countries of SADC. This Parliament also be supported be it is important that we gravitate all our discussion and be supported through Parliaments to make it strong. I thank you very much.
SENATOR MOHADI: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
SENATOR MASUKU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 17th March, 2016
MOTION
TRADITIONAL CHIEFS MANDATE
Sixth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the role of traditional leaders.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. CHIMHINI: Thank you Mr. President, I stand to support the motion that was moved by Hon. Sen. Mawire. I want to make reference to the motion because it has a bearing on what I want to say, she, “calls upon this Government to revisit policies that give Traditional Leaders their mandate so that they can effectively deal with issues of moral decadence, environmental pollution and degradation, children’s rights among communal communities as well as other incidental issues that they may fall under the purview of the Traditional Chiefs’ mandate”.
This is a mouthful and I want to believe that the debate that we held in this august Senate shows the direction we want to go. I think we have done a lot in the debate and what may be required now is to look at the translation of the Constitution. The Constitution has a very clear section on traditional leaders and I will ask, with your indulgence, the section that I think will help us in our debate. Section 282, Functions of traditional leaders, I will only refer to a few sections.
Clause (d) states that, “in accordance with an Act of Parliament, to administer Communal Land and to protect the environment.” It is very clear in the Constitution but at times we get confused when there is competition between the District Administrator’s office, the local authorities and traditional leaders but I think the Constitution is very clear. I think our debate should really focus on what is given in the Constitution so that there is no conflict between what the traditional leaders have to do and what the local authorities should do.
Section (2) of that 282 and states, “Except as provided in an Act of
Parliament, traditional leaders authority, jurisdiction and control over the Communal Land or other areas for which they have been appointed, and over persons within those Communal Lands or areas.” This is very clear in the Constitution and I think, anybody in his or her right senses, if we follow this, then there is no confusion in terms of the role of traditional leaders.
Section (3) states that, “In the performance of their functions, traditional leaders are not subject to the direction or control of any person or authority, except as may be prescribed in an Act of
Parliament.” Again, this is very clear.
Mr. President, I really thought that we need to remind ourselves that what we are debating here is within the Constitution. What is required is for us is to implement what is in the Constitution. – [HON.
SENATORS: Hear, hear] – In doing that, we avoid the confusion where we are fighting with the traditional leaders. They should not be pleading for their rights because it is in the Constitution and it is high time that the Executive allows traditional leaders to do their work as given in the Constitution. When we do that, we will move as a united country. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. MAKWARIMBA: Thank you Mr. President. I
would want to add my voice to the motion that was raised by Hon. Sen.
Mawire.
I believe that all of us originate from an area under the jurisdiction of traditional leaders and that we are all cognisant of that fact. When we are discussing traditional issues , they are centered around chiefs. All our traditions that are associated with us as traditionalists are espoused under the jurisdiction of the chief. A chief does a lot of work, yet there is no recognition, there is not even enough security to safeguard him. The powers of the chiefs should be restored to them, they should be given their due respect in accordance with the Constitution. No one should interfere with the chiefs as is enshrined in the Constitution.
When the police go to the chiefs homesteads, they gather their intelligence on the state of affairs from the chiefs. The village heads are led by the chiefs who give direction. Chiefs should be given their due recognition and exercise their rights as enshrined in the Constitution.
+HON. SEN. B. SIBANDA: Thank you Mr. President for the
opportunity. I will briefly contribute using SiNdebele because I am being guided by my ancestors. Others have spoken about traditional leaders, I also have a few things to add.
Let us look at our historical background. First and foremost, I know why we are confused about traditional leaders. Before independence, the colonial regime used to abuse traditional leaders for their own benefit because they were not related. We were people that were despised and looked down upon. It was normal for them to be abused under such circumstances.
Secondly, traditionally, they did not understand our culture. When you do not understand a certain tradition, how can you function within that environment? Thirdly, they tried to take our chiefs and traditional leaders to use them politically. I take you back to what happened to Lobengula. He disappeared and to date, we do not know where he died because of how traditional leaders relate to each other. Are there any people who know where Lobengula died? Whenever a traditional leader dies, his people would not show foreigners or enemies where he would have been laid to rest. That is how people were relating to their traditional leaders.
Now we come, sometimes we want to emulate bad behaviour that is not within our culture. We know what the traditional leader represents in our culture. We speak the same language and stay in the same community. He has been our leader since yesterday and will be tomorrow. I do not know where the confusion is coming from. His leadership is within our ancestry.
In 2008 when we had problems in Gwanda and people did not know what to do, we sat down and said let us talk to the chief. Let us leave politics behind and approach the chief, our traditional leader. Before the lapse of the week when the chief had said something, all the problems were finished. I am trying to say that gives us confidence on the role of traditional leaders. If we interfere with their roles, then we are in problems because we are asking for problems. I want you to understand this, I have not been sent by the traditional leaders but I leave within them and I understand how they leave.
If you approach the chief and he will tell you about the problems they face; one day I saw people standing by the side of the road. I had some young boys in the car, I told them to seat behind. When I told the people to disembark, I said I did not greet these people, I did so only to realise that it is the chief, a traditional leader. I asked where his homestead was and he told me that it was 10km away and I had just made him disembark there. The point I am driving at is that here is a traditional leader moving around by night and he has nothing to use for transportation. That makes our leaders not to be respected. Let us take measures to ensure that traditional leaders have that respect within their place of jurisdiction.
My last point is that, I would like to reprimand the politicians, please stop abusing traditional leaders. I got a message yesterday that someone was saying those who do not understand certain political parties should be removed from leadership. I understand that when we are going for our elections, we say traditional leaders should go with their people to the voting booth. When politics changes, the chief will remain with his people, how will he then relate with the people under such circumstances when we use them politically. Please let us not abuse our traditional leaders. We may debate here that we are not abusing them; if we want to correct things the first thing to do is to face the truth. In fact, if you want to be a Christian and to repent, the first thing to do is to confess. I was wrong open my way for me. With those words, I thank you.
*HON. SENATOR JADAGU: Thank you Mr. President for
affording me the opportunity to add my voice to a motion that was raised by Hon Senator Mawire Seconded by Senator Mavhunga. My debate would be underpinned by my position as a daughter of a chief. I understand the mystery that shrouds chieftainship. Chiefs should have their unfettered powers restored. Chiefs treat us as a single people although we each have our totem and our ethnic tribe.
In the Magwende chieftainship, there was one chief that fought against the native commissioner. I recall running away with chief
Mangwende’s firearm and hiding it in a cave. I was then a standard six student at Murewa Mission.
The chief does not have a wardrobe where they put their regalia.
The chief’s regalia are shrouded in mystery. We do not want that myth that surrounds the chieftainship to be revealed. There are certain secrets that are around the chieftainship. We should not take away the chief’s powers through the Constitution. According to our culture, physical contact between the chief, his wife and their subjects is a taboo. We have disregarded our traditions. The chiefs speak to a higher authority who is the creator. I remember that after the chief had spoken, the rains
fell.
Hon. President, as you preside on all the things that are upon your person, you should not come to contact with anyone because it will cause bad things to us. A chief is a chief regardless of the age and tribe.
What is the role of the chief?
As a grown up woman with four children, what I know is that at the advent of the liberation war, no one tore their church uniforms. The chiefs and the ancestor’s spirits led the liberation war.
I am not talking about the chief’s council and not in your capacity as the president of the chiefs’ council but as a presiding officer. You need to have your powers restored to you regardless of the political party that you support or the tribe that you come from. We shout, you should have unfettered powers given back to you. I do not condemn any churches. Churches during the war were not functional. The Lord was prosecuting the war. The blame is not on an individual. All of us erred, therefore we should go back to the traditional way of worship. We should kneel down before our traditional leaders and our spirits.
Everything will go back to its originality. Chiefs gave us the President, Cde. Robert Mugabe. Our chiefs we are pleading with you. You are the ones who enabled us to emerge victorious during the war of the liberation struggle.
We cannot go back to loin skins and other clothes of that era but we should have rituals. We pride ourselves by giving the titles Upper
House and Lower House, which are the Senate and National Assembly. We should play our role as senators and understand the role that the chiefs play in the spiritual world. If we do that we will live in peace. Incest is now abound as a result of the lack of respect for the chief, which was unheard of. It was anathema during the reign of the chiefs. The penalty was also imposed. We now have a lot of children who are disabled.
A week ago, Mr. Jadagu fell ill. I shall not disclose the name of the road that they were using. They had gone there to relieve themselves and saw girls that were nude. Men that were dressed in suits were busy applauding them. He shuddered to think whether Parliament was aware of that. I told him that we have heard about it in Hon. Makore’s Portfolio Committee. We have now turned ourselves upside down. The country will be cursed because a lot of values will have been lost. Bad tendencies where people fathered children with their own daughters were gotten rid of at the Chiefs’ Court. Let us all unite and restore the powers to the chiefs so that the chiefs can then talk to the creator.
We are not going to talk about the Village Heads and Headmen; we are talking about the Chiefs. Theirs is not a political appointment. I have never seen an election where Chief Charumbira was elected chief. This is traditional. They should be given their respect. Let us rewind the clock and go back to the period where we would respect the chiefs; just as would be the case where people are ploughing using cattle and a plough. We run a serious risk in this era. We should go back to our traditional ways. We want marriages and we want people to get married. I have a lot of sons in law and they come from Matabeleland.
My grandmother is from the Sibanda clan. We have become too tribalistic. I may not be able to express myself in Ndebele but I should understand all these national languages.
I urge you as chiefs that we should learn to brew the traditional beer and not these instant brews commonly referred to as “kachasu”. Mothers and sons should not be hugging one another; this has led to incest. Homosexuality is now abound because we have gone against the grain and no longer respect our tradition. Thank you so much Hon.
Mawire. You had the vision in revelation with the spirits of Zimbabwe. I reiterate that powers be conferred to the chiefs so that they can take us back to our ancestors.
HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: On a point of order, the Hon. Member is not speaking to the motion. She is giving us her personal history.
*THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: It has been
said that you are not confining yourself to the motion. You are giving us your life history. Well, I do not know about that but you may proceed. *HON. SEN. JADAGU: Thank you. I would say this is a good motion. The powers of the chiefs should be given back to them. We should also correct our commissions and omissions so that we go back to our roots as Africans. I thank you.
HON. SEN. MUSAKA: I thank you Mr. President for giving me this opportunity to make a contribution to this important motion proposed by Hon. Sen. Mawire and seconded by Hon. Sen. Manyeruke. I thank them all for bringing this motion. My submission to the motion Mr. President, is that let us take it to a much higher level than the level that in my consideration we are debating. By the way Mr. President, each time I say words, they are spelt wrongly. There are so many mistakes being made, so I will try and actually tailor-made my language.
It is administrative but I am just expressing a concern.
Mr. President, the issue of authority of the chiefs or traditional leaders; I will not in any way propose to argue against what is in the Constitution but I will be very brief. It is an important issue. We just came out of the war. A lot of things were done for expediency. The issues of land for example, let us look at what other countries have done in dealing with land. The land belongs to the chief. He knows the traditions and he knows what is sacred in that area but when we came from the war, people were settled from Buhera and were given Chikapakapa, a place that is sacred. They were settled from all over; that was expediency. Let us sit down, let us look at it and examine it. “Mambo” is the one who knows his children. Land should belong to the chief. There should be a Land Commission under the chief, he should administer. In fact, let us talk about two tiers of governance. In Ghana, in West Africa, Accra City is in the land of the chief. For the authorities, if a Government want to build a city, they have to go to the chiefs and say, we want to put up a city here, metropolis which will have its own Government but they get permission from the chiefs. The rules used in the metropolis or megapolis will be totally different from what the chief is doing in the rural areas. So, I propose that there be a clear, extensive and total plan by the chiefs. There are many chiefs in this Chamber, who are well educated who can set up a Commission to work with our universities and design a well structured two-tier system of governance which probably the traditional rulers cannot handle with the exception of. Defence, Foreign Affairs, Finance and Education probably those should be left out to a national Government. So, let us find a way of having two-tiers of Government which will not contradict each other but rather complement, enforce and reinforce both traditions and modernity. I think this is the way forward, I propose that. New Zealand again did the same thing, the Maoris where the original owners of the land. Colonialism came in, destroyed it but they went back to the basics and agreed how land should be handled. It sorted out a lot of problems.
It also brings in responsibility in terms of poverty alleviation.
Mr. President, if you go to the house of our traditional rulers in Zimbabwe, you will find chickens packing all over, it is not a proper place, it does not look like there is a chief. It is because revenue system is not properly structured. If it is properly structured, if the chief controls land, when City of Mutare says we want land to expand, they will go to a chief and all that revenue goes to the chief. They should really be empowered through revenue collection, through a lot of other means through which we can get money. Then it will improve the quality of their life, they will be respected. They will have all the dignity that they require. With those few words Mr. President, I thank you.
*HON. SEN. MALULEKE: Thank you Mr. President for giving
me this opportunity to support the motion raised by Hon. Sen. Mawire, seconded by Senator Manyeruke, we all come from the Chief’s land regardless of our tribes. This has been our tradition from time immemorial. A single chief reigns and none is sworn during the tenure of another. There are certain things that need to be looked at. We no longer refer to them as Mambos or Kings but we now call them chiefs. These are Mambos, they have certain roles. When you go to the police to make a report you are redirected by the police to go to the chief first because they recognise the jurisdiction.
There was an issue that was raised by Chief Charumbira that people from the Metrological Department asked them to come so that they could sit down to come up with a Metrological Department because they were saying the whole country will receive rains in their weather forecast. There are certain aspects that the weather report and forecast personnel overlooked. It needed the chiefs’ assistance. As a result of this consultation rains started falling. There are certain spiritual things that go with chieftainship, which is God-given and also given by ancestral spirits. We may use English words for these phenomena but whether we are speaking in Shangani, Venda or any other languages, chiefs should be respected. They should be given their due respect. Government Ministers who work in conjunction with the chiefs should have been here to hear us and they could have borrowed a leaf from this.
Mr. President, we debated a lot of motions and we agree as the august House that Ministers have never been here. We urge the
Government, through you Mr. President to convey the message that Ministers attend sittings in the Senate so that they be able to appreciate us and the works that the chiefs do. Thank you.
HON. SEN. MAWIRE: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. MOHADI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume Thursday, 16th March, 2016.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
DELEGATION TO THE 7TH WORLD WATER CONFERENCE
Seventh Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report of the Parliament of Zimbabwe Delegation to the 7th World Water Conference.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. TIMVEOS: I want to thank Hon. Sen. Mlotshwa for
bringing and tabling this report in this august House. I want to thank
Madam President Edna Madzongwe for leading the delegation to this
Conference in South Korea and all the Hon. Members who represented Zimbabwe. Mr. President, water is life and it is good for Government to make it a priority. I fully agree that issues of water should be put high on the agenda of every nation.
Mr. President, it is good that this Conference realised that Members of Parliament play a role in the adoption, development, legislation oversight of water related laws. Government should make sure that every household acquires water without problems in the country. Government should also be ahead on the issue of climate change. We have seen in Zimbabwe that seasons are changing and we are having heavy rains in March. It has never been seen like that Mr. President, it is actually something new. Our people will be better prepared for planting if Government gave them enough information on the water patterns. Also, safe drinking water is very important for every Zimbabwean. At the moment we have a huge problem with drinking water, especially drinking water because more and more people are buying water to drink. What about those who cannot afford water to drink. The Government has to make sure that drinking water is available to every Zimbabwean and it is safe to drink.
I want to thank everyone who debated on this motion and I do not have a lot of words to add to this motion. I want to thank you for this opportunity, Mr. President.
*HON. SEN. CHIFAMBA: Thank you Mr. President for the
opportunity that you have given me to support the motion that was raised by one of the delegates, Hon. Mlotshwa, whose delegation was led by Madam President. Water is life. When the Lord created the heavens, he created the heavens and the earth, the word of God says that the Lord’s Spirit was searching on the water and there was darkness. He then separated the elements so that the seas where created. The water was first among the Lord’s creation, it came on to this earth later on, and we now say people should be subjected to prepaid water.
Envisage a situation where a child falls ill during the night and there is no prepaid water. Water is a right, I feel very strongly about the needs of having water as a basic right and that it should not be prepaid. Our elders say that you should never play with dirt without water because it will be foolhardy to do that. You may have a patient who is suffering from diarrhoea, envisage a situation where there is no water, it is not attainable. Water is life, it should be there and easily accessed at all material times. Electricity shortages would be appreciated in the homestead, but not the absence of water. There is no substitute for the liquid called water. With electricity, I may go and fetch firewood and prepare a meal. Nothing survives without water.
Much has already been said by others who spoke before me, I felt I should add my voice on this important motion. I thank you.
HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: I move that the debate do now
adjourn.
HON. SEN. MOHADI: I second Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday 17th March 2016.
On the motion of HON. SEN. MASUKU seconded by HON. SEN. MOHADI the Senate adjourned at Thirteen Minutes past Five o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Thursday, 17th March, 2016
The Senate met at Half-past Two o’ clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE in the Chair)
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
*HON. SEN. TIMVEOS: My question is directed to the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Hon. Chinamasa. Minister, may you please tell us about the US$15billion that the President said just disappeared in Chiadzwa. How did the money disappear since you are the Minister of Finance?
*THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT (HON. CHINAMASA): The Mines and Mining
Development, Hon. Chidhakwa answered that question yesterday and said he was going to try and see how this money disappeared. He will present a report upon conclusion of investigations. He promised to table a report to the august Senate on this matter.
The reason why we got involved in the Chiadzwa issue was because things were not moving well, that is why we took the steps that we took. Going forward, I would like to promise Hon. Senators that we do not expect what happened yesterday to recur. As you are aware, there is only one company run by the Government that is mining diamonds. They have already started and we are happy about what is being done. At the moment, we are at the stage where we receive reports on a daily basis. They inform us of how many carats they would have got on a daily basis.
I believe that what you have asked will never happen again because the matter has been rectified. As I have already said, it takes time for people to come to an agreement. There have been some disagreements and squabbles in as far as the mining of diamonds is concerned. It is not that the $15 billion is the amount but we still have to investigate to see how much it was and who took it. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. KOMICHI: Thank you Madam President. Minister of Finance and Economic Development, $15 billion is a lot of money that could have covered our national debt of $10 billion and the issue of sanctions could have ended. We could have been left with $5 billion that could have been used in this country. This occurred during the watch of the Executive…
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Order, Hon. Sen.
Komichi, I tried to be patient with you. You know the rules. Ask your question straight to the point; do not beat about the bush.
*HON. SEN. KOMICHI: Would you not believe it is honourable for the Executive to resign so that we can go for new elections?
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Hon. Chinamasa,
you do not have to respond to that. Hon. Members, you are Senators. You are members of an important House; let us demonstrate that our contributions are meant to build the nation. I would want to believe that the electorate we represent expects better things from us as Senators. I am urging you to make contributions that are expected by the constituencies that we represent as Hon. Senators.
*HON. SENATOR MUMVURI: Thank you Madam President.
My question is directed to the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development. We are facing a drought this year. People were given farms and you once talked about quick fix rehabilitation programmes; how far have you gone with that project? We have completed the necessary forms and met the requirements. In the rural areas and resettlement, what stage are you at? I thank you.
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, MECHANISATION
AND IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. MADE): Madam
President, I would want to thank the poser of the question. It gives me a chance to explain to the Senators the importance of the programme. First and foremost, we are not waiting for the farmers to register themselves. In each province we have set up teams that will be working hand in glove with Ministers of State in the respective provinces so that we could start in the areas where there are water bodies. It could be in communal areas, A1 or A2 farming areas and even the old resettlements and the then called ‘purchase areas’. We are looking at where rehabilitation is required and the areas where we need to open up canals.
The big project on Tokwe-Mukorsi is now almost complete. This is of interest to those that come from Masvingo. ARDA will also be involved even where church institutions that have farms are concerned. The programme is going on quite well. Registration is in progress for us to go to the next stage where we will give implements.
We are going to give equipment for drawing water or engines and pipes for ensuring that people are able to irrigate. Already in place is the implementation of the Brazilian project. You witnessed on the television, that we visited some areas and we are now going for the second phase of the Brazilian project. There is another project where we are going to be assisted by the Indian Government to access some pipes for irrigation. China is also involved in assisting us in this regard.
I reiterate that where we are going to be working, nothing is going to be free regardless of whether it is A1, A2 or communal. Wherever we are going to be giving out machinery under the Brazilian project, we are going to be giving seed and fertilizers so that the farmers will become empowered and that they will be in a better position to repay the loans advanced to them.
I urge all of us when we go back to our provinces to encourage our farmers to register for these projects which are being spearheaded by the Ministers of State of respective provinces so that it cuts across the entire length and breadth of the country. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. CHIEF CHISUNGA: My question goes to the
Minister of Finance and Economic Development. May he please explain to this House about the diamond mining company in Chiadzwa. Is it different from ZMDC which was mining for and on behalf of the Government? I thank you.
*THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT (HON. CHINAMASA): Thank you Madam
President. I thank the Hon. Member for the question. These are two separated companies, the Zimbabwe Consolidated Diamond Company (ZCDC) will be there for diamond mining in Zimbabwe as a whole. It now has the sole right to mine diamonds on behalf of the Zimbabwean Government. It is wholly owned by Government. Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC) is a company that is wholly owned by the Government but it now looks into the mining of gold, asbestos, tin and other minerals. That would be the prerogative of ZMDC.
Diamond mining is now confined to the ZCDC. I thank you.
HON. SEN. B. SIBANDA: Thank you Madam President. Could I ask the Minister of Defence what Government policy is with regards to creating positive relationships between the armed forces and the citizens? The people in Matabeleland tend to fear each time they see the Army as exemplified by the Army recently being spotted in Matobo causing a lot of …
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Order, order.
Can you pose policy a question?
HON. SEN. B. SIBANDA: Madam President, when I started I said what is the Government policy? I wanted to explain in not more than ten words exactly what happened. I still believe that I have got a genuine explanation. I was saying as exemplified by the recent incident when the Army was spotted around Matobo and it caused unnecessary concern among people.
THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE (HON. DR. SEKERAMAYI):
I want to thank the Hon. Senator for that question and advice him that the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, the Army and the Air Force are recruited from the people. During recruitment time, there will be people aspiring to be in the Defence Forces and the recruitment takes place in every province. There will be a recruitment programme in this province and that province so that the whole population is represented in the Defence Forces. I am sure there are young daughters and sons in Matobo who are as we speak in the Defence Forces. The mere presence of the Army should not unsettle people but if you have a situation where some people are doing something irregular and they fear to be seen doing what is illegal, they get perturbed. Any other law abiding citizen should always welcome the presence of the Defence Forces in any part of the country.
It is our wish that the relationship between the Defence Forces and the ordinary people should be as friendly as possible. There should be no reason for anybody to be afraid of the presence of the Army in any part of the country, in their village, town and so forth. Thank you Madam President.
*HON. SEN. CHABUKA: My question is directed to the
Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development. What steps have you taken to prevent the repeat of the GMB scenario where workers were demonstrating for non-payment of their wages?
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, MECHANISATION
AND IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT (DR. MADE): Thank you
Madam President. As a Minister, I may not foretell what a labour dispute between the workers and the parent Ministry might turn out to be. Specifically, you have pointed out the issue of the Grain Marketing Board (GMB) and I would want to say former GMB workers and their management had a disagreement. Litigation took place and the courts made a determination on the dispute. I believe that when the dispute was dealt with, there was an agreement between the employees and the GMB management. An agreement was deduced into writing. The issue has now been resolved. GMB was requested to increase the amount that they were paying to the workers. As Government, we supported this settlement whereby GMB would quickly pay the outstanding wages for the workers. The courts also ruled that the employees should not picket at the GMB premises. That is my response as the responsible authority in my capacity as Minister that we will be able to fulfill what we have promised so that we reach closure on this issue.
*HON. SEN. CHIMHINI: Thank you Madam President. My
question is directed to the Minister of Finance and Economic
Development. We hear that inflation has gone down, on the other hand the economy is not performing well. How do we then relate the lowering of inflation when the economy is going down?
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT (HON. CHINAMASA): I want to thank Hon. Sen.
Chimhini for the question. I would require the whole day to respond to the question. Briefly, I will give an explanation that yes, inflation has gone down, it is not good for us at this moment because it shows that people have no money. They have no disposable income and that has caused our inflation to go down to these levels. People have no money because of several reasons including sanctions. Last week you might have had that America imposed sanctions on the Zimbabwe fertilizer companies ZFC and Chemplex. It means that these are programmes that are meant to derail our agricultural projects. What it means is there will be no production. The reason why inflation is in the negative is because people have no money and there is no production.
Madam President, because of sanctions, there is no market for the goods that we are producing and that has led us to our current position. Some other reasons are that there is no money in the market. There are no US dollars in circulation because our exports are low. Our money supply is not good because we need to export so that our relatives outside then send money that comes into this country and we also have foreign direct investment. Currently the things that we are selling like minerals, the prices are depressed on the minerals market. Nickel, platinum and gold prices have gone down. So, we are now getting very few returns and as a result we will have a liquidity crunch that will lead to no production. In the end there will be no disposable income, which will then result in low inflation.
Madam President, I believe that I have done justice in giving a brief explanation. I will require an entire day with Hon. Sen. Chimhini for me to conclusively elucidate on the issue of this topic. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. BUKA: Thank you Madam President, my question is directed to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development, Hon. Dr. Gumbo. We have a lot of second hand tyres imported from other countries. What measures do you have in place as a Ministry to ensure that the tyres are adaptable to our weather conditions and that they are not going to be the cause of a lot of accidents in this country. I thank you.
*THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND
INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. GUMBO): I want to thank Hon. Sen. Buka for the question. This is an important question but this is not confined to my Ministry. The question resides with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. My duty is to ensure that we construct roads so that you safely travel. The importation of motor vehicles and all the other ancillary issues belongs to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. I thank you.
HON. SEN. MOHADI: Thank you Madam President. My person is directed to the Minister of Finance and Economic
Development. Can the Minister explain what ZIMRA electronic devices are and their functions? I thank you.
THE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT (HON. CHINAMASA): I want to thank Hon. Sen.
Mohadi for the question. It is a very important question because it affords me an opportunity to advise the august House, measures that we are taking together with ZIMRA to enhance revenue collection and to stop leakages in the collection of revenue.
One of the measures that ZIMRA is taking is to install what are called electronic fiscal devises. These devises will be installed in businesses of major tax payers at the point of sell. So, the point of sale machine will be connected in real time to ZIMRA so that as transactions are being conducted, that information as to what items have been bought whether they attract tax or nor, whether they are to be exempted or not, what items have been bought which attract VAT. All that information in real time will be transmitted to ZIMRA. That information also with time is also transmitted to the Ministry of Finance and Economic
Development and also to the Reserve Bank so that at any one time, ZIMRA is in a position to calculate on a daily basis what tax has been collected by tax payers throughout Zimbabwe.
So, the installations of these machines will start with the major tax payers for example OK, TM supermarkets, A. Mussa and so on. But as it unfolds, it should cover all tax payers over time. This is primarily to enhance revenue collection. Some of the measures that we are also taking to enhance revenue collection include especially at our key border, that is the Beitbridge border; is to introduce CCTV that monitors the activities of those who pass through that major entry point into Zimbabwe and also into the north of Africa.
This is also in order to minimise corruption, leakages and it will help that the officers are more transparent, that they do not do any monkey business during the course of their work. Other measures that we are also introducing will include tracking system. Trucks that contain goods allegedly destined for Zambia or for the northern countries which are being offloaded once they pass the border. We will also have a tracking system introduced at some point which will track those tracks to make sure that they cross the border, either Chirundu or Nyamapanda, et cetera.
Coming back to the question, I want to thank the Hon. Senator because this will be a measure if implemented successfully as we think it will, it will go a long way to enhance revenue collection. I thank you
Madam President.
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: I wish to advise the House that we also have Hon. Mlambo, Deputy Minister of
Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services.
+HON. SEN. A. SIBANDA: Thank you Madam President. My
question is directed to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructural Development. Hon. Minister, I would like to ask about the two or three roads that link Bulawayo, the Nkayi and Tsholotsho roads, when are they going to be completed or when are you going to start working on them after 36 years?
THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND
INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. GUMBO):
Thank you Madam President and thank you again to Senator Sibanda. The Nkayi-Tsholotsho road is a priority one for Matabeleland North province. It is on the list for those roads that we must attend to this year. We are doing all we can to organise and receive the necessary funds which we have not received, the funds allocated to us during the budget in December, 2015 and January this year. So I can assure you that some work is going to be done on that road.
It is a pity that because of the heavy down pour of rains that have come across the country, a lot of roads need attention, whether they are the roads that have already been budgeted for or those which had not been budget for. As I speak to you, the staff in my Ministry including myself, are going around the provinces to see what we can do and which roads we can attend to. We are aware that during the course of this year and even early next year, there will be a lot movement along our roads because of the drought that is upon us, we will be distributing a lot of food. As you are aware, the President declared this year as a disaster. It means that we shall be moving a lot of grain to all parts of the country.
The Nkayi-Tsholotsho road is a very important one, we have been talking about it and we are talking to the provincial engineer in that area. I was supposed to be going there this weekend to visit that same road that you are talking about but I will be doing that after Easter holidays because now I am going to Matabeleland South to try and see the state
of the roads across the country. It is a very important question but funds permitting, we should be able to work on it and complete it this year. I thank you.
HON. SEN. MARAVA: Thank you Madam President. My
question goes to the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development, Dr. Made. Hon. Minister, what is the criteria used when distributing farming equipment, especially tractors like the current ones from our friends, Brazil? What audit system do you apply to prevent double allocation to people who once received same?
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, MECHANISATION AND IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. MADE): I want
to thank the Hon. Senator for raising that question, very specific to the Brazilian equipment that is currently being distributed. The equipment from Brazil is not for individuals, so I want to thank you for asking that question so that I can clarify. The equipment from Brazil is for groups under either tillage or very specific irrigation projects. Luckily, I also answered a similar question yesterday in the National Assembly, where I gave very specifics. If it had been written, I would have had the opportunity to respond by giving the actual projects but from a policy point of view, on the Brazilian project, the equipment is not for individuals but for groups.
Already, Madam President, you have seen in the newspapers that the schemes that we are showing indicate group schemes, either irrigations or groups that come together for purposes of tillage. The equipment is not for free, those groups have to pay for commitment fees, so that they use that particular equipment. In terms of tractors, the equipment is hired out at a rate at which those groups pay for that particular equipment. In that case, in terms of double allocation, the chances are virtually zero because a group is recorded as a group.
Madam President, I just want to mention that in terms of the projects already affected by the Brazilian equipment, these are close to 176 groups across the country. We are now moving into the second phase then to the third phase, since it has three phases. The project so far is going on well, some of the results in those areas, in terms of serving our communities; already there are crops that have been very helpful to the food security. Thank you.
HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: Thank you Madam President. My
question is directed to the Minister of Defence. Hon. Minister, in our Constitution, Section 212, Functions of the Defence Forces; what is the cut off weight for a solder and what is the level of fitness that the soldier has to maintain. Seeing the pot bellies that we see in the soldiers, we are worried that this function they may not be able to perform this function.
I thank you.
THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE (HON. DR. SEKERAMAYI):
Madam President, the cut-off age for recruitment is 18-22 years of age. The boys and girls run to just check their physical fitness and on the basis of that, if they have got the right qualifications, they are then inducted into the defence forces. I am not sure how much weight they are supposed to gain per day or per week. To be very honest I am not very sure what the maximum size of the belly should be at any given time.
You will understand that some of them are there and they do rigorous work, some are now in offices and it is possible that those who are in offices may have slightly bigger tummies than when they were recruitment. I am not very sure what the standards are in the Senate, but you can also see that in the Senate they are some who are fairly small and some who maybe a little bigger than the others. What I just want to emphasize and to assure the nation is that we want members of the defence forces to be as physically fit as required by their duties. That detail I will check, but I do not think it is major issue. I thank you.
SENATOR CHIEF NYANGAZONKE: Thank you very much
Madam President, my question is directed to the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development. We are still speculating and hoping that we are going to get better grazing pastures. Do we have enough stock feeds for the livestock farmers up to the end of the year? Thank you very much.
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, MECHANISATION
AND IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT: Madam President of the Senate, I would like to thank Senator Nyangazonke. The question of the livestock situation across the country is an issue of major concern, particularly the Southern provinces, south of Manicaland, Masvingo, Midlands, Matabeleland South and some parts of the lowveld areas, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland Central. Currently, at the national level - we have teams that are out there to access the impact of the recent rains. Some areas have received quite some torrential rain but some of that rain, particularly in Matabeleland South, in one area has come with a little bit of destruction. As we all know, the Beitbridge area has been affected.
The major impact we are seeing in the late rains is the flowing of some streams and some reservoirs but however, we should not completely say we are safe at the moment, not at all. When we look at the period of germination of grass and its growth, we are already going towards the end of the summer. So, that means the pasture that might come up will really not be able to sustain our animals. So in the programme to import grain, we are importing both grain for human consumption and we have also allowed the stock feed manufacturers to also import grain so that we are able to augment the supply of feed.
We are also working on the water side to make sure that at least the water in those difficult areas is enough for stock. There is a major programme that we are going to undertake that will be dealing with desiltation of dams as well as deepening boreholes where it is possible Madam President. However, the biggest appeal which is a very difficult appeal is when the rains have come like this, obviously the farmers will be saying we will be able to save our livestock. So, we are still cautionary and advising the farmers wherever we can assist them with destocking, because we do not know how long this water is going to last us. Wherever it is possible, we should destock in order to build better capacity for the remaining stock.
However, in destocking one of the biggest problems is that there are those who are taking advantage and paying very poor amounts of money for the livestock. Lucky enough, it is one of the issues that we were discussing also this morning under the food and nutrition security matter, where we were considering the livestock strategy and policy. The late rains are saving us, we do hope and pray that they will continue but certainly there are other places where even if there are these rains, it might be a little bit late and some areas the rains are not sufficient enough.
The other strategy that we must look at is the question of the burning of pastures which is a perennial problem that we are facing. So, that one we will have to work on a concerted effort to also preserve the pastures. In some areas you might also have heard that in Matabeleland South, particularly Ngwizi area, we are going to be developing a programme where we are going to start now growing very deliberate pastures that we will harvest annually. I want to thank the Hon. Senator for the question.
SENATOR CHIEF GAMPU: Thank you Madam President, my
question is directed to the Minister of Energy and Power Development. I would like to know if the Minister is aware of the ZESA poles in my area that have fallen down.
THE MINISTER OF ENERGY AND POWER
DEVELOPMENT (DR. UNDENGE): Madam President, during this
time when we have torrential rains …
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Order, order
before you respond Hon. Minister. I will let the Hon. Minister respond but would like to encourage Hon. Senators to pose policy questions.
Thank you, you may continue Hon. Minister.
HON. DR. UNDENGE: Thank you Madam President, during this
period when we have torrential rains, some of the poles installed by ZESA are susceptible to falling down. As an institution, ZESA has depots throughout the country, there is no district where you go to and do not find ZESA present. I am sure if there are poles that have fallen down in his area, he did not mention the district or the area but I am sure if you report to your ZESA depot they will quickly attend to that problem.
I encourage Hon. Senators here present that if at all they notice a fault in their respective areas, let them report to the concerned depot in their districts and the problem will be attended to. That is the reason why we put depots in every district of the country to ensure that faults that occur are quickly corrected because we want the nation to be always supplied with power. I thank you.
Questions Without Notice were interrupted by THE HON.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE in terms of Standing Order No. 62.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE
ELECTRIFICATION OF BEITBRIDGE BORDER POST
- HON. SEN. CHIMBUDZI asked the Minister of Local
Government, Public Works and National Housing to state when the Ministry will electrify Beitbridge Border Post to enable the scanning machines to work as expected.
THE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, PUBLIC
WORKS AND NATIONAL HOUSING (HON. KASUKUWERE): I
would like to thank Hon. Sen. Chimbudzi for her question.
Madam President, may it please this august Senate to note that the Beitbridge Border post is electrified and ZIMRA has confirmed that all their scanners are working. They only had a problem in December, 2015 but the problem has since been rectified by ZESA. When ZIMRA was formed, it was authorized to do its own operations including construction. They only engage our Ministry when they feel they need technical advice. I thank you.
DEVELOPMENTAL PROJECTS IN PROVINCES WITHOUT
RESIDENT ARMY UNITS
- HON. SEN. MAVHUNGA asked the Minister of Defence to explain how provinces without resident army units can benefit from development projects undertaken by the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) when the country is at peace.
THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE (HON. DR. SEKERAMAYI):
Madam President, firstly allow me to express my sincere gratitude to
Hon. Sen. Mavhunga for this question which I hope will enlighten the majority of our Hon. Senators and their respective constituencies on this matter.
Administratively, every province is assigned to a Military Brigade that takes care of military issues in that area of operation as will be highlighted below. However, it is true that some of the Brigades are not resident or situated in the provinces as some Brigades cover two or more provinces. The following is the list of the various Military Brigades and their respective provinces of jurisdiction:-
Headquarters 1 Brigade covers Matabeleland North; Matabeleland South and Bulawayo provinces.
Headquarters 2 Brigade covers Harare; Mashonaland East; Mashonaland Central and Mashonaland West provinces.
Headquarters 3 Brigade covers Manicaland Province.
Headquarters 4 Brigade covers Masvingo Province, and
Headquarters 5 Brigade covers the Midlands Province.
THE PROCEDURE FOR REQUESTING FOR MILITARY
ASSISTANCE
Madam President, the Zimbabwe Defence Forces have now become regular players in community assistance projects in various provinces of the country and have in the process proved to be a valuable asset in community development. There is however, a defined procedure of requesting for such assistance. I wish to take this opportunity to inform Hon. Senators who will in turn inform their various constituencies accordingly.
Communities or institutions requiring military assistance in their community projects should submit their requests through their respective provincial formations or Brigades for quick action. In this respect, it is also critical for the concerned communities and institutions to be aware that they have the responsibility of providing all the required material, financial and general labour resources for their projects while the Zimbabwe Defence Forces only provides skilled labour and technical advice. The need for communities and institutions to know the respective Brigades or formations covering them is therefore of paramount importance.
The Hon. Senator who asked about the relationship between the people and the defence forces should also be able to advice people in his constituency that if they need assistance from the defence forces, they should do so in writing. Preferably, the request should be made through him so that he, together with the defence forces, can go together to create a harmonious relationship between the defence forces and the people. I thank you.
WRITTEN SUBMISSION TO QUESTION WITH NOTICE
PLANS ON REVIVING AGRICULTURAL RURAL
DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (ARDA) FARMS
- HON. SEN. CARTER asked the Minister of Agriculture,
Mechanisation and Irrigation Development to state the Ministry’s plan to revive Agricultural Rural Development Authority (ARDA) farms.
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE, MECHANISATION
AND IRRIGATION DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. MADE): Hon.
Senator, revival of ARDA farms is in progress and to date 14 out of 21 estates have been revived through strategic partnerships, contract farming arrangements and joint ventures.
Questions with Notice were interrupted by THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE in terms of Standing Order Number
MOTION
REPORT OF THE 133RD ASSEMBLY OF THE
INTERPARLIAMENTARY UNION (IPU)
First Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Zimbabwe Delegation Report on the 133rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. CHIEF SIANSALI: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. TAWENGWA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Tuesday, 5th April, 2016.
MOTION
REHABILITATION OF WAR SHRINES AND RECOGNITION
OF DEPARTED WAR LIBERATORS
Second Order read: Adjourned debate on motion calling for rehabilitation and maintenance of War Shrines.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. TAWENGWA: I move that the debate do now
adjourn.
SENATOR MASUKU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Tuesday, 5th April, 2016.
MOTION
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE
PRESIDENT AS CHAIRMAN OF AFRICAN UNION
Third Order read: Adjourned debate on motion to congratulate His
Excellency, the President Cde. R. G. Mugabe and the Government of
Zimbabwe on successfully leading the African Union (AU) and
Southern African Development Community (SADC) as Chairperson.
HON. SEN. TAWENGWA: I move that the debate do now
adjourn.
HON. SEN. MASUKU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Tuesday 5th April, 2016.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE ZIMBABWE DELEGATION TO THE 38TH
PLENARY ASSEMBLY OF THE SADC PARLIAMENTARY
FORUM
Fourth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Zimbabwe
Delegation Report on the 38th Plenary Assembly of the SADCParliamentary Forum.
Question again proposed.
*HON. SEN. MAVHUNGA: Mr. President, I thank you for
granting me this opportunity to debate on the report that was brought to this House by our delegation to Namibia. The delegation was led by the Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Adv. Jacob Mudenda and the delegation included Hon. Senator Mohadi and Hon. Senator Mutsvangwa.
I am grateful for this particular Plenary Assembly which came up with seven resolutions that are before me. I will comment about the resolution which mostly deals with the issue of coming up with regulations or laws that will end child marriages as well as protect those that are in these marriages. As a country we are already steps ahead because of the landmark Constitutional judgment that outlawed marriages for children under the age of 18 years.
Marriages for children that are below 18 years are not good because the children fall victim to a lot of diseases. They would have gone into child bearing before they are strong enough. They may have problems in pushing out the child and that would disturb their organs. Cancer of the uterus is another risk that can result due to early child marriages.
This is a good law that will protect our children. Once a child has gone into early marriage, one can no longer pursue an educational career. Such marriages do not last a long time. Furthermore, they promote poverty. The child does not have knowledge and skills about looking after a family. According to our culture once one is married, you now become an in-law who runs the entire household, that cannot be done by a minor who has gone into this marriage contract. As I earlier on reiterated, we have gone steps ahead as is now enshrined in our Constitution. It says an adult is 18 years and above.
The same meeting also dealt with such issues about election observation. In that regard, it was proposed that the Observers should be in line with gender equality. In previous Governments, there was no gender equity. We could not even have National Identification cards and our salaries would go into our children’s bank accounts. We are grateful for the strides that SADC PF has made in gender equity projects. As a country, Zimbabwe is on the forefront as was witnessed by the Quota System. During this quota system period, women should be able to develop themselves and ensure that they run constituencies and stand on their own. My considered view is that we are doing well as women. In terms of debates we are doing quite well in this august House. Voters out there know that the good candidates to vote for are women.
Mr. President, it was also agreed that Parliaments should be encouraged to deal with the issues of SDGs. From the transformation that occurred from Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to SDGs, a lot of people may not appreciate what is going on. We urge that there be public education to ensure that our people know what SDGs are all about and what they are set to achieve. We are grateful for that finding from such a meeting. We also hope that the wish of this forum to become a fully-fledged Parliament will be realised. With those words, I would want to thank the delegation that represented us.
HON. SEN. MOHADI: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. MASUKU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Tuesday, 5th April, 2016
MOTION
TRADITIONAL CHIEFS MANDATE
Fifth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the role of traditional leaders.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. MANYERUKE: I move that the debate do now
adjourn.
HON. SEN. MARAVA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Tuesday, 5th April, 2016.
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE
NON-ADVERSE REPORT RECEIVED FROM THE
PARLIAMENTARY LEGAL COMMITTEE
THE DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF SENATE: I have received a
Non -adverse report from the Parliamentary Legal Committee on the General Laws Amendment Bill, H.B 3.B, 2015.
On the motion of HON. SEN. TAWENGWA, seconded by HON.
SEN. MASUKU, the House adjourned at Four Minutes to Five o’clock
p.m. until Tuesday, 5th April, 2016.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Tuesday, 8th March, 2016
The Senate met at Half-past Two o’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE
SENATE
SOCIAL MEDIA TRAINING
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: I have to inform all Members of the Zimbabwe Women’s Parliamentary Caucus that there will be a half day training on Social Media on Friday, 11th March, 2016 at 09:00hrs. All interested Members should register at the
Women’s Caucus Office No 181. Those with laptops, tablets and smart
phones are advised to bring them.
SECOND READING
ZIMBABWE NATIONAL DEFENCE UNIVERSITY BILL
[H.B.12, 2015]
First Order read: Second Reading: Zimbabwe National Defence
University Bill [H.B.12, 2015]
THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE (HON. DR. SEKERAMAYI):
Madam President, I am honoured to present the National Defence
University Bill that is aimed at transforming the now operational
National Defence College into a fully fledged National Defence University, to this august House for the Second Reading stage.
National Defence Universities, wherever you find them, are institutions of higher learning that specialise in professional military training and development of National Security Strategy. By their nature, National Defence universities are not ordinary state universities but hybrids of military and civilian institutions of higher learning as well as Government specialised agencies, on issues of defence and security.
For purposes of clarity, the Constitution of Zimbabwe mandates the Defence Forces to protect and safeguard Zimbabwe, its people, its security, its interests as well as its territorial integrity. This function takes into cognisance the widened scope of contemporary defence and security, which in itself is multi-dimensional. In this regard, the Zimbabwe National Defence University is envisaged to be a national strategic analysis and advisory centre that generates solutions to contemporary and diverse national security challenges that Zimbabwe may face at any given time, through the provision of platforms for shared participation by the military, civilian and private sector players.
Over the last decade, Zimbabwe has been threatened by the
European Union and the United States of America’s illegal economic sanctions and political interference, that in turn have necessitated the establishment of an institution with the capacity to analyse national problems and develop a capable human capital base of experts, leaders and professionals as well as innovate and develop newer technologies that protect Zimbabwe, its people and interests.
The establishment of a National Defence University is not in any way Zimbabwe’s own invention as this is an international trend that is evidenced by the availability of numerous examples of such universities globally. A distinguishing feature of all National Defence Universities is that they are established as military institutions with civilian and military staff compliments but wholly administered by the military. Examples of Defence Universities that quickly come to mind include among others, the National Defence University of the United States of
America, wholly administered by the United States Department of Defence, the National Defence University of China, which is administered by the Central Military Commission, the National Defence University of Pakistan which is administered by the Ministry of Defence and supported by the Higher Education commission and the Uganda
University of Military Science and Technology, administered by the
Minister of Defence. This aptly explains why the proposed Zimbabwe
National Defence University is being spearheaded by the Ministry of
Defence and should remain under the ambit of the Ministry of Defence.
Madam President, in compliance with the National Legislative requirements of the country, the Zimbabwe National Defence University
Bill, having been presented to the House of Assembly for the First and Second Reading on 16 December, 2015 and 4 January, 2016 respectively, is hereby presented to the Upper House today for the Second Reading stage with particular emphasis on the Ministry of
Defence’s administrative responsibility over this critical institution of higher and specialised learning and the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary
Education, Science and Technology Development’s regulative responsibility of its academic programmes.
Madam President, the Zimbabwe National Defence University has five very important objectives which are to:
- Be the national strategic analysis and advisory institution and a premier institution of higher learning for defence and security that fosters the achievement of national interest objectives through Government Ministries, departments and institutions;
- Provide higher education and training in national policy and strategy formulating for military and civilian leaders to better address national and international security challenges;
- Nurture and preserve the spirit of unity and patriotism in pursuit of sustainable moral, social and economic growth of the nation of Zimbabwe;
- Inculcate excellence in research, innovation, geo-political economics, training and leadership development; and
- Input into the Zimbabwe National Security Council outcomes of research on issues of National Defence and Security.
In outline, Madam President, this is the Zimbabwe National Defence University Bill presented to this august House for consideration, deliberation and subsequent adoption. I thank you.
HON. SENATOR NYAMBUYA: Thank you Madam President.
Allow me to say a few words in support of this very important Bill which the Minister of Defence has brought before this august Senate.
Madam President, the institution of defence is one which we must all support across the Senate without any reservations, without fear or favour, as it is an institution which is supposed to bind the nation together.
The institution of defence provides, as we all know, for security and stability of our beautiful country. The institution of defence provides for an environment which should give an environment for development, investment, growth and indeed, our future. The legacy which we are going to leave our children depends on the level of support and security which defence is supposed to endow the nation.
It is with this light and with this background in mind that we should accept and indeed welcome the Bill which is going to establish a defence university in our country. As we have all heard and analysed and all come to appreciate, the Bill is going to allow our Defence Forces a platform and indeed an institution which will enable them to further refine and develop National Defence Policy, as well as wider regional strategies which will enable them to move in sync with the rest of the world.
We all know, Madam President that the world today is now a global village and we do not live in isolation. This also applies to our Defence Forces and they need this academic institution which will allow them to further develop the intellectual, conceptual sciences and military sciences. It is a science and not an opinion and therefore, the university will allow them to further develop military science.
The Defence Forces need an academic institution which they will use as a vehicle for academic growth in military science. It is in this light, Madam President, that I would really like to thank the Minister and the Defence Forces for coming up with this idea and this move which is going to enable the nation to turn the National Defence College into a fully fledged university which is going to serve the nation. With these few words, I would like to thank you.
HON. SEN. B. SIBANDA: Madam President, I stand to register my appreciation for this institution. It is always good to have national capacity in whatever area you are thinking about. I just seek one clarification from the Minister. Being a civilian and not familiar with military activity, how are we fusing the civilian component with the military in this institution?
HON. SENATOR MUMVURI: Thank you Madam President. I
also rise to give my comments in support of the Bill which was brought here by the Minister of Defence. Allow me to speak on my own opinion and I also express the opinions of the Committee which I chair, the Peace and Security Committee.
Madam President, I am grateful that the Minister has brought this Bill to this august Senate and I personally am in full support of it and I
think I am also speaking on behalf of my Committee that we also support it, specifically for the following reasons:
We, as a Committee, sometime last year toured the National Defence College. We were impressed by what we saw there. It is in light of this observation that we noted the following; that the National
Defence College was an affiliate to the University of Zimbabwe. That gives it a very good status and reputation. Another observation was that if it is changed from a national defence college to a university, there is not much expense that the Government is going to undertake because the infrastructure is already there. Therefore, we are saying that it is a very welcome move.
We also noted that the National Defence College, at that time, as it was explained to us, also enrolls civilians and that is a good component - I am not answering the question with was asked by the previous speaker, but this is what we noted. I think the Minister will expand on that one. We also noted, as a Committee, with satisfaction, that the knowledge and skills imparted there were therefore, going to be very relevant for the national courses, as what Hon. Sen. Nyambuya has already said. We also noted as a Committee that it is going to be a military university which does not serve Zimbabwe only, but the region which is SADC and beyond. Therefore, such development is a good thing. We do not send our people outside to go and learn military strategies when we can offer them here.
As a recommendation therefore, as I said, on my behalf and on behalf of the Committee, we strongly support this Bill and the establishment of the university and your Committee, the Committee on
Peace and Security urges this House or all Hon. Members to support this Bill. We also note that the institutions such as military universities are very important for national security purposes, hence, the need to support the establishment of this university. Need I say more Madam President?
I want to thank you.
HON. SEN. CHIEF CHARUMBIRA: Thank you Madam
President. I also rise to associate myself with the previous speakers who have supported this Bill. I have had the privilege of being to this college several times to give lectures and because I have been delivering lectures, I want to dispel the notion that this is a college that only teaches issues to deal with arms of war or military tactics. In fact, that sector is a very small component of the course.
The staff that go to that college, first of all, are very senior in whatever jobs that there are. They are there for management skills first so that they can manage properly the institutions that they lead. So, there is serious management training. Those who have done theories of management from Henri Fayol, Douglas McGregor to Henry Mintzberg, everything is put to them and they sit for those examinations. They also look at the economy so that when they come out of that college, they have a very good understanding of fundamentals and dynamics of an economy. So, they become better managers or better soldiers.
They also look at issues of governance and democracy, human rights, law, international law and I have met lawyers also lecturing at that college. They also include issues to do with culture, values, and traditional leaders and so, I am here to say it actually makes the person or managers complete people to fit in society even if they are in the security sector. I want to support the fact that it is true that the composition of the classes to which again I have lectured, is actually very international, not only SADC because there are people from even as far as USA and Asian countries as students. It is very diverse, multicultural and rich that I would even recommend, if it were open to Members of Parliament, that you go there also and you will come out a better leader in this country. Thank you.
HON. SEN. MOHADI: Thank you Madam President for giving me this opportunity to add my voice in support of this motion. We have waited for this Bill to come through to this House for long because we are looking at our Defence Forces being empowered. You cannot be empowered if you do not widen up your school. To us, we want a developed country. If we want a developed country, we should have a security force that has got better living standards so that they can do their duties with much knowledge.
Madam President, we are also looking at the security and peace of this country. We want our peace and tranquility to continue in this country when our Defence Forces have got wide knowledge. We also need a focused Defence Force. With these few words Madam President, I support fully this Bill. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. KOMICHI: Thank you Madam President for giving me the opportunity to make my contribution on this motion. This is a very good idea and I want to say a few things because in English we say,
‘once beaten twice shy’. We would like the Minister to qualify on the entrance qualifications for the students. Are they going to include the students looking at their political backgrounds or whatever it is and will it not involve partisan politics that if you belong to MDC, you will not be registered at this college? We would also want to know whether this college is not going to be used as a centre for destroying opposition parties in this country. Are we not going to implement the Korean style type of dictatorship where the opposition does not survive in that type of climate? As people who are in the opposition, we are aimed at promoting democracy in the country and want people to be free. Is this college not going to work on ways and means of rigging elections so that when it is done by educated people, there is going to be a subtle way of rigging elections? Hence, we need to get some clarity on the modus operandi of this institute of higher learning. I thank you.
HON. SEN. TIMVEOS: Thank you Madam President for giving me this opportunity to debate on this Bill, the National Defence University Bill. I do not have a problem with the Bill but I only have a bit of a problem on the fact that public hearings were not held so that people can understand what this Bill is all about. The Chairperson for the Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services Committee confirmed this last week in the House of Assembly. Bringing a Bill in the Senate or even in the Assembly when no public hearings have been held actually violates Section 141 of the Constitution which says Parliament must facilitate public involvement in its legislative and other processes.
This Committee had an itinerary Madam President, but it was not financed, so the public has no knowledge of this Bill and that is why there is speculation to say maybe this is a spy school or school were people will not have any privacy. Others are now saying our cellphones are going to be bugged. There is a lot that is being said but I actually think that if public hearings were held, people were going to have a better knowledge of this Bill – [HON. SENATORS: Hear, hear.] – So, unfortunately this did not happen and that is why there is a misunderstanding. I thought it was actually important that the Constitution of this land at all times must be abided by so that people have a better understanding of what is going on in the Senate. I thank you Madam President.
*HON. SEN. CHIMBUDZI: Thank you Madam President. I
would like to add a few words on this Bill and I would like to thank the Minister of Defence, Hon. Dr. Sekeramayi for introducing such an important Bill. This is a very important Bill and the Minister did mention in full that this college is going to be elevated to a university which will enroll both the army personnel and civilians. I remember when we passed the Bill on the construction of the National Defence College with the assistance that we got from our all weather friend, China, it was explained that for civilians to be enrolled at this university, they have to be chief executive officers and upwards and if it is the army, it would be colonels and above.
I would like to thank the Chinese Government for helping us in establishing and constructing a college of this magnitude. The Minister did explain to us that this is not unique to Zimbabwe but countries like United States of America, China, Pakistan and Uganda have military universities. His Excellency, the President has seen it fit that Zimbabwe should not lag behind in such a development and that the military should also be up to date with the methods of military training in this modern age. At the moment, the country is facing a crippling drought and we need to be given ideas on how we can cope with the effects of climate change such as the El Nino and hence our military should also be able to withstand any climatic change using military systems in the country. So, whatever enemy or disaster may want to befall the country, our security will be prepared for it.
We should be aware that security is necessary for the development and peace in the country. With the changes in politics, military policies should also be in support of the changes that are coming in. It is a Bill which is leading to the development of the country because we are not surprised by the establishment of such a university. Zimbabwe is regarded as having the highest literacy rate in Africa and this is a cap on our feather. It will increase the knowledge and wisdom of our military personnel.
We are proud of this Bill and therefore, we do agree that this Bill is very important and we have seen that Zimbabwe as a democratic state is going to work on this university by looking at the policies and analysing all the situations which may come into the country. What is more pleasing is that we had other countries who have come to Zimbabwe and admired us for the steps we are taking in establishing such a relevant institution. I thank you.
+HON. SEN. A. SIBANDA: Firstly, I would like to congratulate all women for the International Women’s Day, which is today. I am one of those who went to the National Defence College and I saw that it is a well built college. I observed that there are no women leaders at the college…
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Unfortunately,
the Minister cannot understand you.
+HON. SEN. A. SIBANDA: He understands. I speak with him everyday Madam President. I know he understands me. I always speak to him in Ndebele.
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: It is all right.
+HON. SEN. A. SIBANDA: It is just a small observation that I would like to add on, Hon. Minister. I have a few things that I noticed that as women, we would want to have fellow women leaders in every decision making position. I realise that at the college there are no women leaders. That is all that I would like you to look into. If you are recruiting lecturers and administrators, please look into the issue of gender because it is important that at such an institution, there should be female leaders. I am sure the Minister understood me. I thank you Madam President.
*HON. SEN. MAWIRE: Thank you Madam President. I would like to thank the Minister of Defence who has honoured this august Senate by bringing this Bill into this House. As a bicameral Parliament, we need to work on such Bills together. It is quite pleasing that Zimbabwe as an elite state has seen it fit that we establish such an institute of higher learning. We know that our military personnel are well known and credible because of the way they operate in peace keeping missions especially in troubled spots in the region and internationally.
I would like to thank the Minister for bringing this Bill to this House and I strongly support the Bill because this is a step in the right direction. When you look at the WW1 and the weapons that were used, they were quite different from the ones which were used during WW11. Even when you look at the war of liberation, the weapons which were used in First and Second Chimurenga were quite different. They are developed and hence we are calling for a new type of weapons which are to be used in fighting the enemy because what we know is that whenever we are fighting an enemy. They are always looking for the soft spot which will be used in fighting the enemy, and hence the need to update our military hardware and skills. We know the school is going to be used by the SADC and other countries will come and learn from our institute of higher learning.
Minister, we say thank you very much for bringing the Bill into this Senate. We have given you different versions of the discussions we have held in this Senate. We know that this school is not going to be a disgrace to the nation but will bring development. Thank you Madam President.
HON. SEN. MAKONE: I rise in full support of this Bill. Hon.
Minister, this university was opened by His Excellency sometime in 2012. I remember because I attended the occasion. You have told us that you already have students from other countries for example the United States, Pakistan and I cannot remember the other countries that you mentioned, but you did mention a few countries which means that the university is already operational.
Now that the university is operational, I take it that you want to regularize by letting this Bill go through the Senate so that the university meets its legal standing that is required according to law. Having said that, we lose nothing by allowing the general public to hear what it is that is being done in the country because they are the people of Zimbabwe and this is their Defence University.
There is nothing sinister in our request that the Ministry of Defence interacts with the general public so that there is a friendly relationship between the armed forces and the people of Zimbabwe that they begin to appreciate and see them for who they are – as protectors of people and to question those things that bother them and to get the answers that satisfy them. It would be ideal if this Bill could be done until those hearings are done because it is not going to affect the curriculum. The curriculum is already underway and the university is already functioning but as a public relations exercise, it would go a long way in endearing the armed forces of Zimbabwe and the general public.
Thank you Madam President for giving me the opportunity to speak.
*HON. SEN. MACHINGAIFA: Thank you Madam President
for according me this opportunity to add my voice on this pertinent Bill. I want to thank the Minister of Defence and say congratulations. I think this should go forward. I am very happy with this Bill (Zimbabwe National Defence University). This is a very important thing in our country that will leave us with well educated security personnel. It is not a shame.
There is an issue that has been talked about that the military personnel in Zimbabwe live in harmony with the civilians. I have lived in this country – if I look at the army that was there before, they did not stay in Highfield or Mbare. They would stay in camps. You did not see them in streets but the army that we have these days is seen all over. They have good relationships with the civilians. You can see them doing community work. That is very good and that is development. It shows that they know what they are doing.
I will give an example, when we are looking at security, there are certain things that are not privy to the children. If I want to protect my homestead from witches, I will do that during the night. I will plant things around the yard at night. If I tell my children, they will interfere the process. I will give another example. In my rural area, there is a place called Mashami headed by Chief Nyamhunga. The Chief had many children. He took the children and put them under a shed. We had gone there to present an issue and we were also made to sit muberevere. This Chief highlighted that this was done so that the children will not interfere but will only be told the outcome of the case we had presented.
When it comes to security of the country, it is very important. It cannot be handled by seven or fifteen year olds. The youngsters will only be told what the elders are doing. Thank you Madam President.
HON. SEN. MUSAKA: I thank you Madam President. I also wish to thank the Hon. Minister, Dr. Sekeramayi for bringing in this Bill to create a university out of our Defence College.
I have no quarrel and I am not in any way supporting that the Bill should be supported. I am not saying that the Constitutional provisions should be flouted. However, the importance and the need to go intellectual in warfare – I will try to highlight giving historical examples. Fighting a guerilla warfare is different from fighting a modern warfare
or conventional warfare. In that respect, you seriously need a force that comes with intellectual capability and history. The Second World War was not our war. Our war was Chimurenga but that was a guerilla warfare.
I want to object a little bit to say that the establishment of Defence College was like establishment of some kind of an oppressive institution to fight opposition. That is totally a wrong conception and perception. The idea here is that we are looking at warfare. What matters in any nation if you get attacked by an enemy is to win that war and not to lose it. To win it, you need enlightened and well disciplined military leaders who will lead.
The military leaders will be knowledgeable of what is going on. In the Second World War, the Germans and Japanese on the other side; the British and Americans – the leaders of these forces in America came from the West Point. All the elite leaders came from the West Point.
These are institutions that are well versed in science and technology.
They read a lot of science.
Initially, the Germans were ruthlessly efficient in fighting but they ignored the aspect of science. The British mastered how to break into the Mascots communication system. This is how the Luftwaffe, the German Efficient Military Air force failed to conquer England. Initially, they tried as much as they could, bombing London over the night but they were overzealous, were relaxed and lacked knowledge of science, hence, they lost the war.
The same thing happened with the Japanese military leadership when they walked into the Pacific. They initially bombed Pearl Harbour, they were efficient but they lacked knowledge of a bulk of other things. The Americans Mascot simply got one clue, where is midpoint, down under, and they got it. That was the end of the Japanese. They then resorted to voodoo, they were no longer scientific and they lost the war. It is therefore important that this Bill is passed Madam President.
We need military leadership with knowledge of history, military science and well equipped. It is not a military to oppress anyone, that is not the idea. If that happens it will be unfortunate. I will tell you where it happened. The Germans started off very well with brilliant commanders like Erwin Rommel and Garry, brilliant soldiers and well educated. However, the moment Hitler started bringing the S.S men ideology, the war thing collapsed. That is how Germany lost the war. Once you go too ideological, there is no way you can win. Therefore, it is not true, this is not the idea of this military college. This is just to train our military leaders to have knowledge of Science. I thank you.
SEN. HON. MLOTSHWA: Thank you Madam President. I want
to make a contribution to the Bill that has been brought in by the Minister of Defence. Hon. Minister, we were there when soldiers turned to killing civilians during the Gukurahundi era. We know how it happened and we are concerned, especially us who come from Matebleleland.
We wish there were public hearings conducted so that the content of the programmes are brought to the people so that they scrutinise.
This is because the university is for the people of Zimbabwe, there is nothing private about it. We want all the parliamentary procedures to be followed. It should not seem as if the opposition does not want the Bill to go through, we are willing to see it through. We want our soldiers to be trained in modern technology and expertise so that they do not kill people blindly. We want them to go through the intellectual training, but we also want the people of Zimbabwe to be enlightened on what is happening. This is for the reason that when we talk of soldiers, we are talking about security and this may involve deaths. My wish is that you should consider consulting citizens on these sensitive issues so that they are free to ask questions before we come and pass the Bill. Thank you very much.
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Before the
Minister answers, I just want to give this information to the House. Public hearings are not the only interaction that can be used in order to pass Bills. Citizens can make submissions to the Committee concerned.
I also want us to know that this Bill was gazetted on the 6th of
November, 2015. The Committee put an advertisement on the Parliament website for submissions by the public. Unfortunately, the Committee did not receive any submissions from the public and I thought you should have that information.
THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE (HON. DR. SEKERAMAYI):
Madam President, first and foremost, I wish to thank all the 14 Hon.
Senators who supported and made contributions to this debate. Hon.
Sen. Nyambuya, Hon. Sen. B. Sibanda, Hon. Sen. Mumvuri, Hon. Sen.
Chief Charumbira, Hon. Sen. Mohadi, Hon. Sen. Komichi, Hon. Sen.
Timveos, Hon. Sen. Chimbudzi, Hon. Sen. A. Sibanda, Hon. Sen. Mawire, Hon. Sen. Makone, Hon. Sen. Machingaifa, Hon. Sen. Musaka and Hon. Sen. Mlotshwa. I want to thank you all.
Sen. Nyambuya expressed very valid views on why he supports the establishment of this university. This is a university that will sharpen the analytical ability of the leadership of our defence forces. This university will also empower those who are coming from various arms of Government, including the private sector. We will have men and women who are interested in making sure that we have a Zimbabwe that we are proud of.
As a defence force, we obviously want our own commanders and others to be well informed about developments in the world such as political, technological and other areas. In our situation as Zimbabwe, we did not have this type of facility and we are now establishing it. It is a facility which, when one watches the television and a Zimbabwean commander operating away from Zimbabwe makes an appearance, we will be able to say, that is our son or daughter – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] – so we want to sharpen the ability of our men and women in the defence forces and other arms of Government.
We need a defence force that is able to understand the economics of the country, go to the village where I was born and explain to the people why there is the problem of El Niño and what should be done to overcome it. There is need for a defence force which is able to interact intellectually with all layers of our society. There will be various faculties at this university. As we are starting, it may be regarded as humanities. However, we will move on to specialised sciences so that our own technological base is enhanced not to bug your phone but to develop Zimbabwe. Those who fear that their phones might be bugged; if your phone is being used to build the country, there is nothing to fear about it being bugged. So, I want to thank Senator Nyambuya very much. –[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear]-
Hon. Sen. Sibanda, thank you for your appreciation and support. In terms of the quality of students who go there, we are also working together with the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development. So, the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education is fully consulted in all the processes that will ensure that the quality of education at this university is top class. There is that involvement of others who are not strictly in combat gear.
Senator Mumvuri, thank you for supporting the university. The infrastructure is already there. There is not going to be much in terms of extra expenditure and the enrolment. as we have said we will include those in the Security and Defence Forces, those in Government and some in the private sector so that there is that cross fertilisation of ideas about how best Zimbabwe should go, and we will be building these cadres.
There will be the enrolment of foreign students. It is standard practice worldwide that wherever you have got a Defence University, you have got students especially from friendly countries, like in our situation, we start with SADC, the AU and other countries outside the African continent, because we also go to these universities. When our own cadres come back, you can tell that this gentleman or this lady has added information about how the whole establishment of the Defence Forces and the running of a country is done elsewhere. So, we will be having a bit of that.
Sen. Chief Charumbira, thank you because there will be a lot of training in management. This is why certain levels of the civil servants will also be admitted so that whether in the Ministry of Education,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs or in the Ministry of Finance and Economic
Development, you should be able to interact with your colleagues and then you are able to speak the same language. This is what we would want to see done.
Senator Mohadi, I want to thank you for supporting the Bill. As people say, knowledge is power; we may assume that we know everything but you will notice whenever you go to an institution of higher learning, there are certain areas where you are a little bit in the dark. So, when you are empowered, you obviously become an important asset in the development of Zimbabwe. On this aspect that knowledge is power, we should always strive to have more knowledge than we presently have.
*Senator Komichi, do not just be interested in opposition politics, be interested in politics, not just the opposition. Politics is how a country is governed. Do not see yourself permanently and professionally in the opposition, -HON. MEMEBRS: Hear, hear]-
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Order, order.
*HON. DR. SEKERAMAYI: Senator Komichi, be willing to approach these issues with an open mind. Do not hesitate to speak your mind just because you are in the opposition professionally. No, life is not like that. There will be no discrimination even when establishing this on paper and I quote, “prohibition against discrimination, no test, religion, political belief, race, ethnic origin, nationality or gender shall be imposed upon or be required of any person in order to entitle him/her to be admitted as a member of staff, student of the university, to hold any office therein or privileged thereof.”
So, this is a university for Zimbabweans and one just hopes that Senator Komichi does not come and say MDC. Just come as a good person. This is how things should be done. Do not begin from a confrontational posture, begin from a posture that says this in good faith, bonafide and not mollified. That is it and just be relaxed.
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Order Hon.
Minister, ava vanonzi Hon. Komichi.
HON. DR. SEKERAMAYI: Hon. Komichi. [-HON. MEMBERS:
Laughter]- Hon. Timveos yes, and sometimes resources allowing. You can go and consult left, right and centre but you know the constraints. It was not deliberate that there was no crossing of the country to consult.
There are financial constraints and the Portfolio Committee on Defence, Home Affairs and Security Services went through this. They made a report and Hon. Muderedzwa gave us a report and it is all here. So, there was no attempt and there would never have been an attempt to try and make this secretive.
The consultations were not as widespread as you might like, but the real reason is that the resources are constrained, you and I know it. Also when you go to the people and you speak about this, have a positive mindset because sometimes people can interpret something negatively because of the way it has been presented. As legislators, it is your responsibility to go and explain this in a positive way.
Senator Chimbudzi, thank you for supporting the Bill. We are happy to be establishing this and as more and more progress is made, I am sure Senators will be visiting this university. Some of their relatives will be there. They will be coming for graduation ceremonies. So, it is our thing all of us and it is not for them or for us. It is for us all as Zimbabweans.
Sen. Sibanda, on representation of women. For the time being, you will notice that all of us whether in our political parties or elsewhere, we are trying our best to achieve gender equity. It is a process, it is not an event. We all know where we have come from but what is important is to have the commitment to achieve this. When I was in the other House, one of the MPS said to me, you know we notice that the number of women is not very big, but we also know kuti kana mwana achichema anenge achiti maiwee, maiwee. So, we should not leave women in these institutions. That is something that we are conscious of.
I think of late, you have also seen how female officers are being promoted quite consciously, not by favour, but on merit and they are doing extremely well. We are very happy about it. So, you can be sure that there will be no discrimination. There are other countries with female or women Generals Commanding. Sometimes the men are a little chauvinistic and say hakungaende mukadzi, imagine mudzimai wako achipfurwa ikoko and all sorts of things, but in terms of developing our intellectual capacity, we will make sure that all those who qualify to enter the university are afforded the opportunity to do so. What is sometimes problematic is simply the numbers. We cannot inflate the numbers by taking people who may not be qualified, but anybody who is qualified Hon. Senator, you can be sure that there will be no discrimination.
Senator Mawire, I want to thank you for the support and we want to have as you have said, a very capable and sharp defence force. This is what we are striving to achieve. We should have a defence force, which if challenged or called upon when there is a national emergency, we should be able to say we have got the boys and girls who can perform.
That is what we want.
Hon. Senator Makoni, yes, the college was officially opened in 2012. The process of making sure that it is fine tuned has been on-going and now we are confident that it can graduate into a university, hence the reason why we are coming to seek your endorsement. It is true, if resources were available we would have crisscrossed the Senators and others, myself and others would have gone everywhere but we all know that our resources are constrained. The Portfolio Committee on Defence had a look at this and I think we should accept the view of the Portfolio Committee that despite here and there, they were able to look at it and made positive recommendations.
Hon. Senator Machingaifa, thank you very much for the support. We will make sure that we build this into a university that we will all be proud of. Hon. Sen. Musaka, you have given us a bit of history, the first and second world wars, the North Africa Campaign and so forth; we need as we have said, at the end of the day, competent commanders and soldiers. We all look forward to peace but sometimes there is war and we must always be prepared for it. We must always have men and women who can stand and defend Zimbabwe. So, we are together there. We must have knowledgeable people. We must have commanders who are able to read what is being reported to them and not those who just say yes and dare not challenge what is being said because they do not know any better. So we would want our own commanders to be well informed.
Hon. Mlotshwa, I know deep down you support this and I think that is what we should do. There is never a Government that will build a university for purposes of fighting against the ordinary people. Even in terms of the doctrines and the laws that will be taught there; they will be for the protection of the people and not the other way round. So, there is no reason for you to fear because we will be as professional as humanly possible. However, we must be as knowledgeable as God has given us the brains.
With these few remarks Madam President, I want to thank all the Senators who have contributed to this debate. I 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 NATIONAL DEFENCE UNIVERSITY BILL [H.B. 12, 2015] House in Committee.
Clauses 1 to 14, put and agreed to.
Clauses 1 to 34 put and agreed to.
Schedules 2 and 32 put and agreed to.
Senate resumed.
Bill reported without amendments.
Third Reading: With leave; forthwith.
THIRD READING
ZIMBABWE NATIONAL DEFENCE UNIVERSITY BILL [H.B. 12,
2015]
THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE (HON. DR. SEKERAMAYI):
I move that the Bill be now read the third time.
Motion put and agreed to.
Bill read the third time.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE SENATE
THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE (HON. DR. SEKERAMAYI):
I move that Orders of the Day, Numbers 2 and 3 be stood over until the rest of the Orders of the Day have 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. SENATOR TAWENGWA: I move that the debate do now
adjourn.
HON. SENATOR MATHUTHU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Tuesday, 9th March, 2016.
On the motion of THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE (HON. DR.
SENATOR SEKERAMAYI, the Senate adjourned at Four o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Wednesday, 9th March, 2016
The Senate met at Half-past Two o’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE
SENATE
POSTPONEMENT OF SPORT COMPETITIONS
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: I wish to inform
the House that the sport competitions between Members of Parliament and the Staff of Parliament which were scheduled for Friday, 11th March, 2016, from 13:00 hours to 1700 hours at Alexander Sports Club in Milton Park, Harare, have been postponed to Sunday, 13th March, 2016. The venue and time remain the same.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. SEN. TAWENGWA: Madam President, I move that Orders of
the Day, Numbers 1 and 2 be stood over until all the other Orders of the Day on today's Order Paper have been dealt with.
HON. SEN. MASUKU: 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. TAWENGWA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. MASUKU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 10th March, 2016.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE 133RD ASSEMBLY OF THE INTER-
PARLIAMENTARY UNION (IPU)
Fourth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Zimbabwe
Delegation Report on the 133rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. HON. SEN. TAWENGWA: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. MASUKU: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 10th March, 2016.
MOTION
REHABILITATION OF WAR SHRINES AND RECOGNITION OF
DEPARTED WAR LIBERATORS
Fifth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion calling for rehabilitation and maintenance of war shrines.
Question again proposed.
HON. SEN. MUSAKA: I wish to thank Hon. Sen. Mohadi seconded by
Hon. Se. Masuku on the motion on rehabilitation of the fallen heroes. It is important; I appreciate and agree with the motion, having seen a lot of suffering that the people who were in the front went through. Even those in the rear, there was no such thing as the front and the rear. Those who supported the war efforts, I am one of those who was in Zambia at the time, whether you were supporting from the rear or in the front, there was no difference because the enemy still looked for you to kill you. The enemy wanted to bomb everyone who was associated with the war effort so as to disrupt the supplies intended for the war efforts. So, the great sacrifice made by these people should be recognised and respected. Every effort should be made to rehabilitate the Shrines and I agree with the Hon. Member who said all Senators should at least undertake a trip to the shrines. We should all understand the sacrifice and the Shrines should be given the respect they deserve.
I totally agree with the motion and further propose that anybody who fell, died or hanged for Zimbabwe should be declared a National Hero, whatever the level or rank he/she held and those who died in the war effort supporting the liberation struggle. I thank you Madam President.
*HON. SENATOR MALULEKE: Thank you Madam President
for giving me this opportunity to make my contribution on this important motion. It is because of these heroes who are living and those not living today. I wish to thank the mover of this motion Senator Mohadi. The Hon. Senator moved around looking at the state of the graves of our fallen heroes. We as Parliamentarians should look into this matter with urgency. We all have relatives that went and fought during the liberation war.
In 2012, as the Women’s League, we went to Chimoio and we made many observations. There are two people who look after the graves, a young man and a young woman. Two others were said to be off duty. We were told that we could go and visit the graves the following day. We sang throughout the whole night. When we had arrived, it was not cloudy, but to our amasement it rained that night.
Two men suddenly appeared carrying a bag and they came straight at me
and I started shivering with fear. My sister advised me to be of good courage and accept that bag from the man. The bag was full of cassava and the four of us continued singing and the men just disappeared.
On the following day, we travelled by bus and visited other shrines and we observed that there was great need for maintaining our heroes’ shrines both at home and abroad. We then resolved that we should hold progressive meetings aimed at cleansing and cleaning our heroes’ shrines in our districts. Just as we had done after the war when we held traditional ceremonies to appease the spirits in regard to the surviving combatants, the same treatment and care should be afforded the fallen heroes.
We held a meeting with our district administrator and set up a programme of cleaning these shrines all the time, instead of waiting for special occasions of burials of heroes only. I also believe that in all our districts, we have established committees responsible for reburial of the heroes who were not properly buried during the war of liberation. I know that Cde. Rutanhire is one of the leaders of such groups. I therefore plead with the Government and the public that we should identify the tombs of the unknown soldiers for exhumation and decent burial. I believe that failure to give decent burial to our fallen heroes, who are scattered both within and outside the country, is one of the reasons why we have erratic rainfall patterns.
*HON. SENATOR CHIPANGA: Thank you Madam President
for giving me this opportunity to make my contribution on this important motion which was raised by Hon. Mohadi. I would like to say, the state of our National Heroes Acres are handled in a sorry state and yet these are people who sacrificed their lives and indeed made a great contribution to the independence of our country, Zimbabwe.
I would like to thank my fellow Hon. Senators who made a contribution especially where they talked about the exhumation of the remains of our heroes who were buried in foreign lands. But one of the chiefs told us that we cannot just get the bones and bring them into the country. He said that is taboo. What we do in our African culture is that we only collect sand from the grave for reburial, but perhaps we might have to change that in order to accommodate the views of those who want to see the bones of those buried in foreign countries brought home.
I am one of the few people who visited graves of all the freedom fighters in Zambia and Mozambique. I managed to visit all the places where our fallen heroes are interred. I am pleading with this august Senate that there is a problem which needs us to work in unison. Those who went to Chimoio were able to see a number of mass graves. My question is, if we were to exhume those bodies, how are we going to identify those people and say who they are? It means we will have to dig another mass grave of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. We are not saying we should neglect those people whom we do not know because we have buried those we know.
In the past, there was a committee which was established and it included chiefs and the chiefs said we needed to carry out some traditional cleansing ceremonies so that we are able to handle the remains of the fallen heroes. We also know of the National Museums and Monuments, which leads in the maintenance and exhumation of these ex-combatants in all the national and provincial heroes. Yes, this institution is there, but unfortunately, this institution is underfunded and hence, it cannot keep the grounds of these fallen heroes well maintained. I know for sure that when you visit these places, you really feel saddened. You feel touched because they are in a sorry state of neglect and deterioration. The only time these areas are cleaned is when there is a burial of a hero at that particular place. That is when they are weeded and cleaned. I would like to urge that we need to have a budget set aside for cleaning these places and keeping them clean and in a state they deserve.
We have heard some people blame the chiefs for failing to carry out their duties in full, but as far as I know, the chiefs will be able to answer and give us a proper guidance. I did ask this august House that if we were to go and exhume these remains, we were not going to be able to identify the individuals. At Chimoio, there are remains in the mass graves. In Mulungushi and Tete, we also have mass graves.
What I need clarified in this august House is, what exactly are we suggesting? I am saying we should not play a blaming game that we are not taking care of our heroes who were buried outside the country. I am sure that as mature members of this august, we can suggest put a plan which is implementable. I keep on repeating because we seem to blaming the ex-combatants who survived the war. Some members are saying war veterans no longer think about those of their comrades who died or were left behind. But this is not a fact. We need to come up with a practical way of doing the reburials, exhumations and taking care of those graves.
Madam President, I have heard some of the topics being discussed here. Some Senators seem to be politicking; they talk about the selection of who goes to the Heroes’ Acre. What I want to say is, a decision has already being taken on the criterion on who can be interred at the Heroes Acre. I am not sure whether, as this august House, we are able to draw new parameters on the selection of the heroes to go to the Heroes’ Acre. This is not a talk shop whereby we only talk for the sake of talking. We have heard in the social media that we need to be involved in the selection of the heroes. People are blaming Government saying, the only people who are buried at the Heroes Acre are people who belong to a particular party but the criteria used is who did what during the war and who maintained that status after independence. Hence, these people deserve to be buried at the Heroes Acre and that is the criteria used in the selection of the national heroes.
There were some people who were not involved in the war of liberation but are buried at the Heroes Acre. I thank you Madam President.The simple reason is that they lacked consistency in that they went to war, but when they came back they did not go in the right direction. …
HON. SEN. MAKONE: My point of order is that I believe that we are in the Upper House, the Senate the Republic of Zimbabwe, we are not at ZANU PF Headquarters – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] –
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Make your point
of order Hon. Senator, do not give a lecture.
HON. SEN. MAKONE: The point of order is drawn from that statement and it is that the Hon. Member cannot be telling us that only those people who belong to one party are going to be heroes in this country. I do not think that is in order. Heroes of this country are people who have sacrificed on behalf of the people of Zimbabwe, not on behalf of a political party. It has nothing to do with political parties but everything to do with the people of Zimbabwe. Thank you Madam President. Musangano or no musangano, everyone can be a hero from their respective areas; economic, social or any other, you can be a hero as long as you are a Zimbabwean. I want to know where it says in the Constitution you only need to be a member of ZANU PF to be a hero.
Thank you Madam President.
*HON. SEN. CHIPANGA: Thank you Madam President but I am not sure whether I should respond to what has been raised by the Hon.
Member who has just spoken…
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Order, you said
something about ZANU PF and that is the point of objection.
*HON. SEN. CHIPANGA: Madam President, in my speech I did not talk about ZANU PF. If some of us have been to the Heroes Acre, you notice that out of all the people who are buried there, were people from all walks of life, not only people who were involved in the war of liberation. Therefore, I do not see why somebody should be talking about only ZANU PF cadres being buried at the Heroes Acre. I did not say that and that is not the import of this debate.
As far as I am concerned, I think we should all agree on what is going on in the country. I am only expressing my opinion and if somebody differs with my opinion, I do not know what to say. …
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: This is why I
always remind Hon. Senators to stick to the motion on the Order Paper because when you wonder off, you are likely to step on some Hon.
Member’s toes. Again, that is not how we do it anyway. Let us follow the rules and regulations of this august House.
*HON. SEN. CHIPANGA: Let me continue with my contribution and say, when you have been given the floor, you may go out of topic.
In this House, we were informed that the only people who are buried at the Heroes Acre belong to ZANU PF but that is false. As far as we are all concerned as Zimbabweans, our heroes acres or shrines should be kept clean and not only clean them when we are going for burial of other heroes or special national occasions. I wind off by thanking the mover of this motion, Hon. Senator Mohadi. I believe that when we are making contributions on this motion, we will stick to the fact that our heroes’ acres should be well maintained. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. BHOBHO: Thank you Madam President for giving me this opportunity to make my contribution on a motion raised by Hon. Sen. Mohadi encouraging us to maintain our shrines. I believe that members of this august House are very mature people and we share the same sentiments that we should think of ways and means of keeping the shrines in a clean state. Let us not only think about them when we are going towards national days or burial of a hero. We are now in an independent Zimbabwe because of the sacrifices made by the gallant sons and daughters of Zimbabwe. We can only show our appreciation by keeping those shrines clean. We need to think about those people.
I want to thank His Excellency, Cde R. G. Mugabe the biggest hero. We are now working hand in hand with him in maintaining the Heroes Acre because he is one of the survivors of the war and when we are talking about this we are doing well and we will support the motion. What is very pleasing is that as Members of the august House, we are the people who share his vision and as far as he is concerned he will be very pleased because we need to take care of the people who died for the liberation of our country. The oppressors were defeated through the sacrifices of such gallant sons and daughters.
It is quite pleasing when we hear that we have people in this august House advocating for the maintenance of the heroes acres and shrines. Our Government has already taken steps in keeping with the welfare of the families of the heroes. School fees are being paid for their children and spouses. Their medical expenses are being taken care of by the
State. We know there are a lot of things which could be done and we are also looking at what is happening at the Heroes Acre. We have also been told about the selection criteria of the national heroes’ status. People are graded according to their profiles just like we do in our institutions whereby we have top management and the shop floor workers. The same goes for the heroes where we have people who are buried according to their status. Please understand me, I am not saying that there are some heroes who deserve to be called heroes than others but I am saying we need to have a criteria. That is why our leader is taking care of such issues and hence the Lord has given him such a long life so that he can implement the plans to take care of our heroes. This is showing respect to them. Even in our areas where we have those shrines let us take care of heroes acres at district and provincial heroes acres. We need to have those places cleaned up.
In my constituency we call the families who were left behind by the heroes and we hold a ceremony in honouring those people and hence I am calling for all people in their constituencies that we need to put our heads together, work for the welfare of the heroes both the living and the dead and we go to those shrines and pay our respects. There should be no partisan politics displayed in this area and this is very important. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. MABUGU: Thank you Madam President, for affording me this opportunity to add my voice on this motion concerning the heroes shrines. I also have relatives who lost their lives in the struggle. I have two uncles who died. We did not know where these two were buried until last year when one of my uncles came out as a spirit medium on one of his sisters. My late uncle was in a cave and when we entered the cave we saw his remains. He was putting on one shoe and had clothes on his body. I want to thank the Government for what they did. His remains were repatriated and brought home and he was honoured as a hero with full military colours. We still do not know where the other uncle of mine is.
I want to say surely our heroes should be looked after wherever they are laid. I was really pained when I heard that there were war shrines which were not well maintained, with grass all over the place and I just thought probably one of my relatives is buried there. I think that the Government should really work hard because the living heroes were given Z$50 000 and what about the departed ones? I think they should be given money so that their shrines are looked after. Funds should be set aside so that they would be repatriated and their shrines maintained. It is very painful that we only give honour to the living heroes but what about the departed heroes.
I think it should start with us. We should unite and visit those shrines so that we see how these places can be maintained. With these few words Madam President of the Senate, I thank you.
+HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: Thank you Madam President, for
giving me this opportunity to add my voice on the motion that was brought to this House by Senator Mohadi. This is a very important issue to all of us especially to Zimbabweans because there are so many things that we benefited from our fallen heroes who were so dedicated to fight for their country.
Madam President, in Ndebele there is a saying that brings out that everyone who fought for the war of liberation are all the same for they wasted their time but it was actually a benefit because they were trying to bring freedom to all Zimbabweans. Senator Mohadi highlighted on a lot when she brought this motion. She said that when you look at the homestead of the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo when you are passing by – I am one of the people who normally pass by, you just see a durawall that is falling whilst we are saying that he was Father Zimbabwe. It is a shame! Why is it not being corrected?
Some of the Senators who spoke before highlighted that most of the things are done according to ranks but as I speak, I wonder who exactly has the highest rank ahead of the late Joshua Nkomo. Everyone who was used as an example of the fallen hero came after Joshua Nkomo. We have a place that is known as Balagweni in Matobo that most of our fallen heroes were laid there in mass graves. During that war they were called dissidents but most of them died after contributing to the liberation struggle and hold high positions like Commanders; now their works are being undermined.
When the late Hon. Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo requested that their bones should be removed from the mass graves, the bones were not laid properly and at the end, they were buried in a shallow grave next to a place named as Matobo District Heroes Acre but they are being ignored.
This motion that was brought by Hon. Mohadi is a reminder that there was a time people wrote a letter to Local Government that there is no way we can emphasise on people that were buried side by side with those who were buried for example at Matopo Heroes Acre. There are some people who have said that we can try at least to show honour to them by surrounding their graves with a fence so that their families see that we honour or fallen heroes. Local Government did not approve of this for they were saying we should not start to dig graves that will create controversy to the community. The relatives of the fallen heroes are hurt by this.
If only Local Government can allow Matobo Rural District Council to fence and name the fallen heroes. We have people who were commanders who died during the war of liberation. At the end, it is not very clear to those who did not experience the war of liberation. I thank you.
*HON. SEN. MAVHUNGA: Thank you for according me this opportunity to debate on this motion which was raised by Senator Mohadi in which she is pleading with the Government that we should look at the heroes shrines and to acknowledge our heroes.
This motion has been brought at an opportune time because there is a Ministry which has been set up which is headed by Minister Ncube which looks after the shrines. I want to thank the President for giving us this Ministry and we look up to this Ministry to do its job properly and that the shrines are maintained.
We are talking about shrines which were bombed for example, Nyadzonya, Chimoio and Freedom Camp. As we are debating, we should also look at places where our heroes used to stay. At Tembwe, there are also graves. Some people died because of hunger, gun shots and diseases. It is our plea that when we look at graves that have been built already, we think that all those heroes that are still outside should be repatriated as well. For example Tembwe Base 2, that is where my husband was. He was a commander. After the base was bombed, they went and picked people and threw the bodies in drains because they were decomposed. I think we should think of those areas as well so that we should go and exhume.
I know of an area where there were 200 people and 25 were swept by Save River. I think if we go there, we can pick some bones from those river banks. Government should put funds together so that all those areas can be revisited and the bones be picked. It should be
Government’s burden – like what one of the Hon. Members said before me that when the spirits of the dead come out on the living, Government should take it upon and assist in the exhumation and burials.
I think the responsible Ministry should be funded so that they look into the issue and not only renovating the graves. We know that there are people who are still thinking that their children were sent to Yugoslavia or North Korea because there is nothing that is showing that their children died during the war. It is good as Government to notify people in the villages so that they know exactly what happened. Those who went to join the struggle are known. Where I come from, they used to do pre-checks and all the information was kept. The information was not only kept at the camps but it was sent to towns where there were offices for safe keeping. A census should be done so that the headmen will be asked about the people who died in the struggle and not for them to be given money but just to acknowledge that some comrades did not come back from war. I think it will bring to rest even the dead and those who were left behind. That is what should happen so that the spirits of the departed will rest in peace. With these few words, I thank you Madam President.
*HON. SEN. TIMVEOS: Thank you Madam President. I had not
stood up to add my voice but I think it is important that I do so.
I want to add a few words concerning our shrines. People fought so that we will be free and that we will be here in Parliament. I support that any place that we might think of where our heroes are laid, we must maintain those places so that the spirits of these liberation fighters will rest in peace and that our country is blessed. I am a Senator from Zvishavane and I want to talk about a place called Siboza where some of our heroes are buried. This place is a mess and it needs looking after, the grass is so long and the graves are dilapidated. As Government, we should look at the issue of looking after the Shrines properly. The issue of heroes is very important.
Today we were commemorating the disappearance of Itai Dzamara, a young man who disappeared a year ago without trace. To me, he is a hero and we remembered him today. Heroes are important to our country, but the question still remains - where is Itai Dzamara? Madam President, with these few words, I thank you for affording me this opportunity to debate this motion brought by Hon. Sen. Mohadi.
Thank you.
Madam President, I want to remind you that I come from Zvishavane and there is a shrine at Sibosa where freedom fighters were buried. If you see the place, you will not believe that it is a shrine where freedom fighters were buried. The place is dilapidated with overgrown grass; it is just in a sorry state.
Madam President, as I listen to the debate in this House, I can conclude that we truly have a problem. Let us come up with a committee which will look into the issue of freedom fighters in order to ascertain where some of them were buried. Do we have a database? Let us not be afraid. If some of our children are in Mozambique as has been alluded to here, are they not Zimbabweans? We cannot leave their remains in Mozambique, let us go and repatriate these bodies back home.
I am proud of a statement said some time ago by one of our chiefs, that there is need to go through a cultural ceremony in order to repatriate the remains of our children back home. I think that is why there is a provision to have chiefs in this Senate so that they can show us our cultural norms and values and we can stand guided. There are so many things being said, people are not happy. Today we were gathered in commemoration of our child, Itai Dzamara who went missing sometime back. I saw his wife crying Madam President. He is also one of the heroes. His family and the Zimbabwean populace are grieving over his whereabouts. We should be able to respect each other’s lives as Zimbabweans. We should respect the lives of people who disappear and our freedom fighters whose whereabouts remains a mystery. Thank you Madam President for the opportunity you have given me.
SEN. CHIEF NYAMUKOHO: Thank you Madam President for
the opportunity you have given me. Firstly, I would like to thank the mover of this motion, Hon. Sen. Mohadi. I am not in any manner changing the motion, but if you can allow me to just sway a little bit out of the one word, ‘shrines.’ The motions concerns shrines, but I am saying I am not a theologian, neither am I a student of theology.
However, I am saying, I have had a chance to meet the leaders of the matter we are talking about. I am contributing on what I think we should be concentrating on and expanding the motion. I am taking an example of what happened in the past. We have all gone through schools where we learnt a story about the Egyptians and the Israelites.
There was heavy oppression, just as what happened to us here in
Zimbabwe, we were heavily oppressed by the whites and we are black.
As I said before, you will excuse me if there are any Theologians who might look at it in a different way. I threw my mind into considering the leader of this war, who, to me is not any different from what I can imagine happened to the Israelites amongst the Egyptians. For that reason, I think of our leader, Cde. R. G. Mugabe, who dared to go out and fight for our liberation. He had no guns, he had to look for them or he must have gathered stones, sticks and all what he could use, I do not know.
From there, I found something very important which has made me to sway a little bit from the issue of shrines. Shrines mean a place where dead bodies are piled in whatever manner. At least it is an honoured place for someone who would have passed away. I am going to concentrate on how some of us were treated by the whites and how we have come to be what we are today.
As I said before, I am not trying to turn the motion to what I think and would like done, but I am saying concentration of what I - as I said before, I am not a theologian but I look at a situation and I am talking of our leader, the President.
When the Israelites crossed the Red Sea, we are told or we have read in the Bible, a certain incident happened, that was for the Israelites to gather and thank their God. The same God who created the Zimbabwe we are in, they came together and concentrated on strategies they could use to praise and thank their God and their leader, Moses. Instead, I see quarrels after that. As a political gathering here, we have people with different minds. They think differently and whatever comes into their minds, which is allowed as it is called politics.
However, I am taking it beyond politics. Zimbabwe has been known as a God-loving country and surely, it is. I know that this world has a creator who created it and made us black as we are. He gave us an opportunity to be able to do whatever, and even better things. Today, we find our leader at the top of the ladder in leadership. We have men and women with the highest social status in Zimbabwe. However, we after we crossed the Red Sea, we did not give ourselves time to thank God and our Moses of Zimbabwe. We are concentrating on what we have. Madam President, thank you for giving me the opportunity to give the other side, which is swaying slightly from the motion. Zimbabwe is known and said to be a God-loving country. I think I must end there.
Thank you Madam President.
HON. SEN. TAWENGWA: Thank you Madam President. I move
that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. MOHADI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 10th March, 2016
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. SEN. TAWENGWA: I move that we revert to Orders of
the Day, Numbers 2 and 1 in that order.
HON. SEN. MOHADI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
SECOND READING
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE AND EVIDENCE AMENDMENT
BILL (H.B. 2B, 2015)
Second Order read: Adjourned debate on the Second Reading of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Amendment Bill (H.B. 2B, 2015).
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: Your Excellency,
the Acting President and Vice President, may I just comment before you respond and advise you your Excellency, that there was no debate on this Bill. So, we are just waiting for your comments Sir. Thank you.
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON.
MNANGAGWA): Thank you Madam President. I am very grateful to the Senators for accepting the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act Bill without amendment or debate, but I believe that Hon. Senators went through the Bill and found it fit to be passed by the august House of the Senate. May I now move that the Bill be read a second time.
Motion put and agreed to.
Bill read a second time.
Committee: With leave; forthwith.
COMMITTEE STAGE
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE AND EVIDENCE AMENDMENT
BILL (H.B. 2B, 2015)
Senate in Committee.
Clauses 1 to 49 put and agreed to.
House resumed.
Bill reported without amendments.
Third Reading: With leave, forthwith.
THIRD READING
CRIMINAL PROCEDURE AND EVIDENCE AMENDMENT BILL
[H.B. 2B, 2015]
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL
AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON. MNANGAGWA): 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
GENERAL LAWS AMENDMENT BILL [H.B. 2A, 2015]
First Order read: Adjourned debate on Second Reading of the
General Laws Amendment Bill [H.B. 2A, 2015]
Question again proposed.
*HON. SENATOR KOMICHI: Thank you for giving me the
opportunity to thank the mover of this motion. I would like to thank the Deputy President, who is also the Minister of Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. We thank you for bringing this Bill into this august Senate with the aim of solving some problems in this country. Let me make a few adjustments so that we can make a very good Bill of this law.
There are some areas which are not very clear. We are talking of the independence of the Commission in the Electoral Act. You will be coordinating the activities of the Commission and you also have a direct interest in the case that the election should favour you both as a candidate in the elections or because of your political affiliation. In that way there could be a bias and you may be found to make some partisan decisions and there could be some indirect interference in the processes of the elections.
My second contribution is that, once beaten, twice shy. We know that most of our elections have scorn poured upon them because we are told that there are some groups who are involved in the running preparation and organising of elections, such forces as the security forces, the police and the CIO. With this new law that we are now adopting, we are saying the people who are supposed to be registering the voters should come from the older people and the civil service.
When we are talking of the civil service, are we not talking of the armed forces, the police and the CIO because as far as we are concerned, if these groups are involved in the running of the elections, are they not going to rig the elections because we would rather have the elections run by the civil servants instead of these security forces.
You have also talked about the reforms. We need to instill confidence. We need to involve other political parties and civic organisations, both in the preparations and organisations of elections, especially on the printing of the ballot papers, because when we have had some hurdles within political parties, it means at some stages we need to involve these political parties in the printing of the ballot papers so that they know that everything is done clearly.
In the last elections we had people talking about the Nekuv system which was said to be used in the rigging of elections and when we follow the correct path we will be running our elections in a credible way, but if there is no transparency our elections will be disputed. Therefore, we need to set multiparty committees so that when we hold our elections, they will be credible. Minister, we would be very grateful if you include that in your plans.
Another bone of contention is the involvement of the Registrar General, Cde. Tobaiwa Mudede because other political parties always thought that he was biased and hence, he allowed the involvement of Nikuv and other actions which prejudiced the elections. What is worrying us is that the Registrar General’s office is also involved, working hand in hand with ZEC and we are not very sure that we can trust the voter’s role when these people are working as a team and yet we could not get it in the 2013 elections. Hence, we need to have a fool proof system which gives us our confidence in the operations of ZEC without the involvement of the Registrar General Hon. Mudede.
HON. SEN. CHIEF KHUMALO: Thank you Madam President
for giving me this chance to debate the Second reading of this Bill. I would also like to thank the Hon. Vice President for bringing this good Bill before the Senate. In debating this Second Reading of the Bill, Madam President, I would like to inform this Senate that I will propose some issues for amendment before this Senate and these amendments have emanated from discussions with my colleagues in the Chiefs Council.
Some of the amendments that I intend to discuss or to debate now are that Parliament was established in terms of Chapter 6 of the Legislature whereas, the National Council of Chiefs was established in terms of Section 15 and precisely Section 285 of the Constitution. We believe very strongly that these are two different institutions with obviously different powers and functions pertaining to each of them. As a result, we are asking for your permission to depose the so said amendments that we have come up with so that they can be reflected in the Order Paper and be discussed at a Committee Stage level. Thank you so much.
HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: Madam President, thank you. Although I am borrowing the feet that I am standing on because the legal jargon that is here in this Bill is making me nervous, I do not know whether I am right or wrong in trying to have clarification. Hon. Minister, on Part 6 of the General Laws Amendment Bill, page 2, I want to understand where the biometric voter registration is incorporated. I know my colleagues have talked about the other things that I wanted clarification on. The biometric we want to understand because we think maybe it is going to change the scenario of our voting pattern in Zimbabwe.
Also, on the postal and diaspora voting, I want to understand if they were incorporated into this amendment. I would also want to have a clear definition of the voter education that recognises the Bill of Rights. As we rubber-stamp this Bill, we want to know that at least some of the things are going to benefit our people.
Then somewhere in this Bill it talks about the sexual act between a
12 and 16 year old. I cannot remember where I saw it but it is within this Bill and it says, between the two of these young children nobody can be prosecuted for the act. Whereas, we are saying we do not condone the marrying of young girls so how then do we now deal with it in this amendment. I thank you.
HON. SEN. MAKORE: Some of my two points have already been taken but the one I would want to make emphasis on, perhaps you will elaborate Vice President. The issue I am talking about here is under the Privileges and Immunities of Parliament. It does appear in this writing that at least under the privileges and immunities that exist within the Constitution, it is now going to be copped over by a custodial sentence which will be under the bosom of Parliament. I do believe that perhaps, you can look at it very closely.
If it goes further to a custodial sentence or to a civil suit the way it is articulated here, it does appear really that in due course parliamentarians themselves might not see it fit to be able to express themselves in Parliament, unless if those cases are outlined. I do not know how because in terms of the Constitution, yes there is a fine that is articulated there which is supposed to be paid. It does appear here that it is going to be heavier for a parliamentarian to express himself in Parliament. Perhaps, if those sentences are not articulated or the penalties are not written as to what kind of penalties they are. They cannot really be articulated as anywhere but it appears too heavy.
The other one that has already been cited was the responsibility under ZEC in terms of voter’s rolls. …
THE HON. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: If it has already
been talked about, why not proceed to the next point.
HON. SEN. CHIPANGA: I need to just make an emphasis on the thinking that I want to put forward. The independence of ZEC in terms of Section 235, it is a commission that is supposed to be independent in its operations. It does appear there is the word ‘harmonisation’ that harmonises its own operations in between ZEC and also the office of the Registrar General. Some fear has already been expressed but what we are really trying to examine in accordance with and which is outlined in our Constitution is that, it appears as if it would be limiting the independence of operation by that harmonisation of other institutions that used to hold that particular task that is embosomed now under ZEC as a commission.
The last one is of course under Section 48 where you are dealing with issues that talk of murder and the murder under aggravating circumstances. The other murder which sounds to me to be in conflict with Section 56 which is an equality clause, I do really believe that there are claims that we must do away with murder, yes. However, it suggests that women under 21and those above 70 will not face murder at all but men will face it. A Constitution should not segregate so much. I do not know exactly how you are putting it in terms of this operation but it works against Section 56 and 53 of the Constitution that talk of the limitations to cruelty.
The other one cited also was that we cannot make an emphasis that children under sixteen and so forth, will not be charged under that act on anything that they will be doing. According to my own conception, it was supposed to be silent because that gives a guarantee to children that they can do it. As a law I do not think we can support a law that says you are given a right to do it as a nation. I do not know how you are going to apply it but I thought it could be left silent so that we advocate for culture to prevail rather than to sort of herald such kind of circumstances as normal in terms of the law. Thank you.
HON. SEN. TIMVEOS: Just a small addition to this General Laws Amendment Bill. Most of what I wanted to say has been said but I want to talk on the electoral reforms. Hon. Minister, I just want to know if the Bill, as I was going through it, has harmonised all the laws that are within the new Constitution of Zimbabwe, particularly laws such as POSA, AIPPA, Criminal Law and Codification Reform Act, in particular Section 121 of this Act, and also Broadcasting Services Act, et cetera. Does this Bill Hon. Minister has total compliance with all the provisions of Chapter 7 of the new Constitution of Zimbabwe. I really want to understand that. Is this Bill going to provide for an accurate and up to date electronic voters roll? Is this voters roll going to be made available to all interested political players in a searchable and analyzable format?
THE HON. VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER
OFJUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON.
- D. MNANGAGWA): Madam President, may I thank the Honourable
Senators who have contributed most usefully to the General Laws Amendment Bill. As I said in my Second Reading speech, we have 396 pieces of statutes on our books and over 254 of them have been affected by the new Constitution. We have chosen 154 Acts in the General Laws Amendment Bill. So there are still Acts which have not been brought in because the amendments are substantive. The General Laws Amendment
Bill deals with consequential and minor amendments to the respective Bills.
I wish now to respond to the individual contributions by the Honourable Senators. Senator Marava, you are right that the age of consent is 16 years and is different from the age of marriage. The age of marriage is 18 years for both men and women. It is not proposed at this stage to align the age of consent with the age of marriage nor is this requirement by the Constitution. The Constitution only requires that we raise the age of marriage to 18 years. The Constitutional Court also has already banned under 18 marriages and the marriages laws will be amended later, together with other marriage laws to conform with the current dispensation which makes the age of marriage 18 years.
Honourable Senator Nyambuya, I am glad that you have drawn
this House’s attention to the fact that this Bill will align the Electoral Act with the Constitution in many important respects, including the removal of the post of Registrar of Voters whose function will be taken over by
ZEC. This answers questions that have been raised by Senator Komichi
– you are now being answered under this provision. I may just say that ZEC is independent. It is not under my administration. In terms of accounting, it was under my Ministry until the passing of the Finance Act about three weeks ago. They had to go through the Minister of
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs only in terms of accounting or spending Government money allocated by Parliament but now they have been given an accounting officer. So they are totally independent. The Constitution says so and we have complied.
You have also mentioned that I have interest in my party winning – you are correct. If you do not have interest in your party winning, ndezvako. I have interest in my party winning. In the past this was the area of criticism because it was Government which was running elections when we had interest. That has been removed. Government has no role anymore in running elections. It is now ZEC which runs elections but indeed I am interested in my party winning and I hope you do. You can also wish my party to win sezvo ndiri sekuru.
There is need to amend the Electoral Act. Further, after this my Ministry is open to consultations on this issue but for the time being we are happy that this Bill will fully align the Electoral Bill with the Constitution. So many other issues that we have now aligned, but what is most important is that in relation to elections, what is contained in the
Constitution are compromised provisions during the Inclusive Government. Those provisions are not ZANU PF or MDC. These provisions are nationwide. They do not represent any party although political parties have different views on some of the provisions of the Constitution but what was passed represents a compromise across the board. It cannot be attributed to one political party, one group, church, or a funeral organisation.
In the past, in the Electoral Act where we had constituency based voters roll, we moved away. We went for ward based voters roll but we are now moving on to the polling station based voters roll. The voters roll has now been removed from the Registrar General, Mr. Mudede, it is now in the hands of ZEC. They are now doing it. This question of saying, are people from Mudede coming to assist? All the records, machinery and equipment was with Mudede. You cannot say Mudede today and tomorrow do not come to the office because we want to remove the equipment, no. You have people from ZEC being taught how these machines work and take them to where ZEC is. That is the relationship that is there, hand-over and take-over. That is what has happened.
The Constitution says that civil servants can assist and not the army. Those have different commissions. The Public Service Commission refers to ordinary workers of Government and not police, army and CIO. This situation now makes ZEC totally independent from what it was before.
Senator Khumalo, you have asked a question which you asked before. I will answer both the past question and the current. I wish to assure the Honoruable Senator that the kinds of aggravating circumstances which may justify the imposition of the death penalty are very clearly set out in the Bill and they have no room for a judge to make up his or her own aggravating circumstances. Please read page 21 of the Bill from top to bottom.
Some might say we are being discriminatory that the women cannot be hanged anymore. I think you should be happy. I want to see those men who would want their wives or daughters to be hanged – nobody.
Hon. Sen. Khumalo having raised her hand.
There is a more progressive lady over there who does not even want men to be hanged.
In the past, only a pregnant woman could not be hanged but any other woman could be hanged, as long as the woman was above 21. Now, as long as you are a woman, you cannot be sentenced to death but do not make it an advantage, we can send you to life imprisonment. For men, those under 21 cannot be hanged. Those like me who are above 70 cannot be hanged again. Those of you who are between 21 and 70, we hang. However, I for one and not Government – as Mnangangwa, I campaign for the abolition of the death penalty across the board. That is the issue about the death penalty.
Senator Carter, the issue of voting by the diaspora is very clear in the Electoral Act. As long as the diaspora comes back for the election and has a home in the constituency in which he or she is voting and is registered in the voter’s roll for that constituency, the diaspora voter can vote – no problem. The difficulties of keeping a supplementary voter’s roll for diaspora voters are too many for ZEC to resolve before the next election and involve resources that are not presently available. We do not want the legitimacy of our voting to be overwhelmed by these difficulties, so the diaspora voters are encouraged to visit our country to exercise their rights to vote until these difficulties and suspicions can be set aside by improving, by having resources to support such a machinery that will take care of the diaspora voters.
As for the Electoral Court, this court is a division of the High Court and not a separate court. Section 183 of the Constitution does not apply. As for donations for ZEC, it is myself as the Minister responsible before this august House to oversee how donations are spent by ZEC, not ZEC itself. We are saying here despite ZEC being independent, it has nobody who can speak for it here in Parliament. I, as Minister of
Justice, have authority to speak or answer questions for ZEC. If questions are directed to ZEC, I will send them to ZEC and ZEC will answer and I will come and reply to Parliament.
What happens when a donation comes from a hostile or criminal source seeking to influence our elections? I, as the Minister, in terms of the Act, will ensure that ZEC should be principally be funded by
Parliament and not by individuals or countries outside and so on. No. Principally, it must be funded by Parliament. There are instances where, for capacitation building for example if they want to buy computers or motor vehicles, United Nations agencies like the UNDP are allowed but we do not allow hostile countries or individual organisations to come and finance ZEC. We protect ZEC from being influenced from outside through that method. We think that it is good for ZEC to be totally independent and not to be tied to some organisation as a result of funding.
Senator Chief Chisunga, I am pleased to inform this House that I wish to support the amendment proposed on behalf of the Chief’s
Council. I have the proposal made by Chief Mtshane. The President of the Chief’s Council, Chief Charumbira, came to see me and discussed these issues. I do not know why he did not tell you. I agreed with him that we shall facilitate this amendment and this is the amendment. You said that on page 63 line 33 of the Bill, delete subsection 4 and substitute with ‘subject to this Section and to subsection 5, 6 and 7, the Chief’s Council as it is constituted on the date of the dissolution of Parliament continues in office and to function as such until a new Council is elected in terms of the Electoral Act’. This amendment will appear on tomorrow’s Order Paper.
Senator Mashavakure, I take note of your comments about the definition of what is a disabled person but I would like to leave that to my colleague Minister responsible for the Disabled Persons Act to resolve because if I attempt to describe who a disabled person is, personally I do not believe there is anybody who is whole. Hon. Sen.
Makone who is a scientist will agree with me that no one is fully whole. I think the definition is found in Disabled Persons Act. If you want to dispute it, you can dispute it there. For us, we have no capacity to describe what a disabled person is. It is difficult for us. That is what I can say.
With regards to Senator Timveos, with regards to the question of POSA, AIPPA and the Broadcasting Act, they have not been covered in the General Laws Amendment Bill. These Acts are administered by different ministries. If there is any need for amendments, they will bring the amendments to us but if they are in conflict with any part of the Constitution, they will be captured in our remaining fifty or so Acts which we need to attend to for purposes of aligning to the Constitution.
Senator Chief Makoni, you were talking about the Privileges and Immunity of Parliament penalties – I am not so sure what the chief meant. What we have done is to improve the Privileges and Immunities of Parliament. The Contempt of Parliament, has now been elaborated and we have all agreed that this is what we want. This is also keeping up with the best practice in the Commonwealth. That is what we have taken on board from what was there before.
There is Hon. Sen. Mlotshwa on biometric voters system. Yes, it is not an event, we are progressing towards that. It is a process which requires the training of our people and acquiring correct equipment for that. However, whilst we will be doing all that, time will be ticking away. We are currently running a parallel system now and if we reach election time, after the completion of the biometric voting system procedures, we will use it and if not, we continue with the manual system.
The system has been accepted and we are also consulting countries who have adopted the biometric system so that we learn from them. Most of the countries we have consulted are saying they made a mistake because in some cases, the system collapses and they revert to the manual system. We have teams assessing this system so that we do not make the same mistakes made by other countries. However, as Zimbabwe, we have said this is where we want to go and we will go there fully informed, trained and qualified.
Hon. Komichi and your NIKUV, I do not know about it – [HON. SENATORS: Inaudible interjections] – It is true that I do not know about it, I would not lie about that. I just read about it and I do not know where it is. You requested that the preparation for voters’ ballot papers should be done in the presence of all political parties. That is not possible at all. We will never invite any political party to get involved in the designing of ballot papers. That remains the work of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). A bad spirit has entered you, so that you investigate what will be taking place. Let the work be done by ZEC, which has been authorized to cover that area.
However, we have agreed as political parties that when elections are in progress, there should be Liaison Committees for all parties. This is for the reason that if any query arises, committee members from all the parties will be able to listen whilst on site. That is what we agreed and it is not in the law. It is just our understanding as political parties. However, the issue of sniffing into other issues is prohibited. Thank you
Madam President.
Madam President, after replying to the most constructive contributions by Hon. Senators, I now move that the Bill be now read a second time.
Motion put and agreed to.
Bill read a second time.
Committee Stage: Thursday, 10th March, 2016.
MOTION
CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE
PRESIDENT AS CHAIRMAN OF AFRICAN UNION
Sixth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion to congratulate His
Excellency, the President Cde. R. G. Mugabe and the Government of Zimbabwe on successfully leading the African Union (AU) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) as Chairperson.
Question again proposed.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MEDIA, INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES (HON. SEN. MATHUTHU): I
move that the debate do now adjourn.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 10th March, 2016.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE ZIMBABWE DELEGATION TO THE 38TH
PLENARY ASSEMBLY OF THE SADC PARLIAMENTARY
FORUM
Seventh Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Zimbabwe Delegation Report on the 38th Plenary Assembly of the SADC-Parliamentary Forum.
HON. SEN. MOHADI: I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. MUMVURI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 10th March, 2016.
MOTION
TRADITIONAL CHIEFS MANDATE
Eighth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the role of Traditional leaders.
+HON. SEN. A. SIBANDA: Thank you Hon. President for giving me this opportunity to say a few words concerning this motion that was moved by Hon. Mawire. This is a very important motion in our lives as Zimbabweans who from the beginning, have always respected cultural issues, especially when we speak of the chiefs’ because of the fact that they are very important and that they have always been important ever since our origin. When I look into this motion, it takes us back and makes us realise what kind of people we are. A nation that does not have a culture and does not respect its own cultural values is not a blessed nation. We need to know that in everything that we do, there is a relation between the living and the dead.
I will speak a lot about the respect that should be given to chiefs’ especially the villages where they stay. As we know, it should be these chiefs’ who should head different people from one place to another. Each and every chief has to head their own area. In each and every one of these areas are different people especially when we compare knowing that nowadays, there are different parties and different political groups.
All these things fall under a chief.
In my own point of view, I believe that the chief is the head of everything. We can speak of the President and other leaders. However, what I am looking at is that when we look at a nation’s cultural values, norms, our own culture and the western culture, we should take note that there is need to get together so that there is no fighting between the two.
I think the chiefs’ duties are being taken away especially if you look at the issue of land. You wonder who is supposed to be distributing land to the people. What I am looking at is that, the chief should be the one to distribute land to his people, so that the chief may know the people that fall under him.
As it is right now, people just migrate from one place to another without the chief’s knowledge. In addition, people come to open businesses and they do their mines and chiefs just see people having land distributed to them without their knowledge. It is very clear that they are no longer being respected. Even the youth no longer respect the chiefs. People used to follow their norms and values and as it is, that is what we are advocating for, so that we are not a lost people.
All things should be taken to the chiefs’. As we know that we are approaching drought, young girls will be married forcefully as their parents want food. We have those who are called DAs. You will notice that these DAs will be the ones leading in everything and the chiefs’ will be just following behind. You realise that they will not be given any food. At times you find people fighting in that area and you notice that some chiefs’ are becoming political. That is putting chiefs into temptation and the chiefs’ end up participating in political issues.
We have chiefs here. If they are to tell us the truth, they will tell us that there are times when they are taken away and they participate in political issues. It happens that they want to please our political leaders and they support political issues. We do not want anything like that because traditional leaders are supposed to correct us as a people. They are supposed to correct us as a nation. There should be nothing that should happen in an area without the traditional leaders knowing. So many things take place without their knowledge.
Going back to the issue of child marriages which has also been looked into in the Constitution, the traditional leaders should lead in this issue. If there are people who are disrespecting you, if you want that, then we do not have problems. However, we are advocating that there should be nothing that happens up to the killing of people and other political issues taking place in your area without your knowledge.
People should neither be killed nor abused without your knowledge.
Therefore, traditional leaders should avoid political issues. All people fall under a chief and they belong to that traditional leader. If there is anything that happens, I emphasise, the traditional leader should be made to know this so that if they are in agreement with this, they should go forward. For example, you find people holding meetings and even fighting without the traditional leaders’ knowledge. That shows a lot of disrespect which makes these traditional leaders to be tired of what is happening and at times they are afraid of those who are in political leadership.
They wonder what they could do since this is what would be happening. Therefore, ...
HON. SEN. MOHADI: On a point of order Hon. President.
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: What
is your point of order Hon. Mohadi?
HON. SEN. MOHADI: Chiefs do not belong to any party. So, they cannot defend any party to that extend. I do not think so. Thank you.
HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: On a point of order Hon. President.
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE: What
is your point of order?
HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: I do not think a political figure can
want to defend the chiefs because that is what we are talking about. If a political figure is interested in what the Hon. Member is saying that the chiefs are supposed to be apolitical, it means they are political.
THE HON. DEPUTY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE:
Normally a point of order cannot be on another point of order. Thank you.
+HON. SEN. A. SIBANDA: Thank you Mr. President; sorry
Madam President, I was speaking of the importance of chiefs following the motion that is set down noting the importance of chiefs. When I linked this to the things that are happening nowadays, I said that chiefs are meant to be apolitical. However, as human beings we differentiate. I am not saying that they will be supporting a particular party. They could support any of the political parties that are in existence, but what I am trying to emphasise on here, Madam President, is that we should respect the chiefs so that our cultural norms and values go well.
As I said before, at times when these things happen, they become fearsome. I did not say which political party threatens them. I said they fear because of the situation that will be taking place at that time. However, what we are pleading with and what we are advocating for is that these chiefs be respected and that they respect themselves.
What we notice nowadays, is that we have elderly chiefs and even younger chiefs and what I am pleading with amongst the chiefs with their leadership is that, they should lecture the younger chiefs on this aspect. Again, I say that the chiefs should be respected in every area. Our chief in Mahlabayithwale at Godhlwayo is a chief who is respected even by children themselves. I remember during the liberation war, the white people abused chiefs a lot. Our chief refused to be taken care of by the soldiers because the soldiers were brought to our place to take care of our chiefs. He refused this offer. Even up to now, after that incidence, at Godhlwayo there is a lot of respect that we give to our chief.
Considering the dressing that we do nowadays, when we do the dressing that is done these days and then put on a zambia on top, our chief does not agree with this. If you notice, different things happen in particular places. In Mashonaland for example, when people attend funerals, a person has to greet each and every person. However, where I come from, when a person attends a funeral, they sit down and they have to greet the people with a lot of respect and they do not have to shake each and everyone’s hand. Our chief has advised us to keep that cultural norm. He is saying that what happens in Mashonaland at funerals is good because it is their cultural value. That is why I am saying these traditional leaders should protect culture in each and every area.
The traditional chiefs should also be respected even by the existing Government. However, nowadays, the chiefs also want to be uplifted in life. They seem to want to be uplifted in different areas so that the people who come and visit them will find them in a proper place. We should build proper houses for them. They should be given cars and we should electrify their houses, as they have suggested.
We heard the President of the Chiefs Council stating that they should go and meet when they realise that things are becoming bad, when they realise that they are being abused. As I said before, we live together in this nation, together with those who passed on, but we should know that it is our chiefs who are leading us and it is not what they want, but it is what God created. We heard that they met and they asked for rains. We may not know what they did there, but it began to rain everywhere. That is why I am saying it is vital to make sure that these traditional leaders are respected.
In addition, we are pleading with these chiefs to move around with a lot of dignity amongst the people. When you get respected by people, it is because of how you carry yourself. Therefore, people begin to point fingers at chiefs. You find them drinking even with the youths. That should not happen as it is not traditional. Therefore, such issues should not happen. We ask our chiefs to carry themselves the proper way, as our motion has stated. The Government also, should respect the chiefs. If they state that they do not want a particular thing to happen in their area, that should be as they wish. Our ancestors would not be happy with you if you allow people to be killed and abused in your villages. That is why you find that there are different diseases, some of which are not even curable.
I would like to commend one of the chiefs who said that where he comes from, he knows each and everything that happens and he has noted down each and every one of his people in his area. He is still keeping that custom that the girl child is put under inspection, as well as the boys so that they are virgins when they get married. For example, if a boy marries his girlfriend, that girl would be a virgin. We want that to continue happening. May you please take care of your cultural norms. We do not want people who will perish because of Aids. We want children who are respectful and not a 12 year old becoming a wife and a mother.
Madam President, it is my wish that these chiefs let us know the kind of challenges that they come across, so that as a House, we can get together and talk to the people that we live with, so that we can put our heads together to promote the livelihood of our own children and our own nation. It is their duty as chiefs. We do not know how they would feel if they let our nation perish. I thank you.
HON. SENATOR MOHADI: Thank you Madam President. I also want to add my voice on this motion which was moved by Hon. Senator Mawire. It is a very important motion because it talks of the roles of our traditional leaders.
Madam President, I want to emphasis the issue that traditional leaders do not belong to any party but in the Constitution, in the Declaration of Rights, the traditional leaders are also entitled to human rights, freedom of speech and the right to vote. No one can say that chiefs are not allowed to vote. They have the right to do so because in the Constitution, there is nowhere where I saw it written that everybody has got the right to vote except for chiefs. It is not there.
Our traditional leaders need to be empowered. There are a lot of things that they are supposed to be doing but because of the limitation of powers, they cannot do so. Right now, we have the issue of the girl-child and early marriages. If the chiefs were empowered to do so, maybe these problems would be solved amicably. I urge the Government to empower chiefs because they have a lot of work to do.
Madam President, out traditional leaders, the chiefs have got courts that they mann. Below them, they have other courts that they are supposed to monitor and supervise. If possible, the chiefs are also supposed train their headmen but just because of the limitation of transport, our chiefs are not able to do so. They do not have transport and so are not mobile. We have a few chiefs who are mobile at the moment and these are the ones who are here in Parliament. For the rest of the chiefs, they do not have transport. I wish, funds permitting, they would also be considered and be given cars so that they do the monitoring and constant evaluation at their lower courts.
We also have an issue whereby we were talking about the fallen heroes. You will recall that one of the chiefs said that there is a way that can be taken but they cannot do all that as long as they are not mobile. Madam President, let me say that I was impressed a week ago. You know that I reside at the border and when I am home I sometimes listen to the South African radio or television. I was impressed that in the Limpopo Province, the premier was giving a speech and he was saying that they had honoured their traditional leaders. I had interest and so I listened to the speech. They said that they had acquired 105 motor vehicles for their chiefs.
Apart from that, he further stated that they had set a budget aside for their traditional leaders. It then ticked into my mind that what are we doing for our own traditional leaders? Do we have a budget for them? We found that we do not have any budget specifically meant for the traditional leaders. I think we should take that into consideration in the next budget because we cannot talk of this budget which has just been done. In future, there should be something of that sought so that all the chiefs are taken care of and they should also do their duties freely.
Madam President, I do not know but maybe some have come
across situations whereby chiefs are chairpersons of certain parties but to my knowledge I have never seen a chief who is active in politics. They do not have positions in parties. Finally, let us take into consideration that these chiefs that we are talking about are also people who have got their own rights. With these few words Madam President, I thank you.
*HON. SEN. MATIIRIRA: Thank you Madam President for
giving me the opportunity to make my contribution on this motion. I have to thank Hon. Mawire for bringing this motion. We are talking on the rights and powers of our traditional leaders, especially the chiefs.
When you look at the chiefs, they have a very important role to play in their areas of jurisdiction. When we look at our areas in Zimbabwe, no area has no chief, particularly rural areas. All our areas have chiefs and even village heads. We know that if the chiefs are empowered, they can do more work than they can at the moment.
We are talking of climate change these years and we know that if we are to ask for assistance from the chiefs, they will tell us that if they perform some ceremonies like the rainmaking ceremonies, we can have the rains falling. We also know what is happening to our children, both men and women. There is a change of culture and that is why we are calling for the empowerment of chiefs so that they can control the people in their areas. When somebody has committed an offence in their rural area, and they are told that someone has come to arrest them, especially the policemen, they have fear in them. If they are told that there is a messenger from the chief who has come to collect them, the offender will become collected because chiefs do not instill fear in their people. Hence, if they are given enough power and respect, we will have a very peaceful life in our homes.
There are crimes which when are reported in the normal channels through the police and magistrates courts, we feel they should have been handed over to the chiefs who will be able to handle those issues. For example, in 1992, there was such a big drought that we felt that people were going to die. In my constituency, we have a river which is called Mazowe River and what I know is that, in that area, we have two pools which do not dry up. In one of those pools, people believed that there were mermaids which lived in there. The traditional leaders put rules and regulations to be followed when fetching water from those pools such as denying people to fetch water from using black pots, clay pots or any other metal objects. As a result the pools were able to sustain lives of people and livestock. This shows that when chiefs are given enough power, they can sustain the livelihoods of people in their areas and I am so grateful of this motion raised by Senator Mawire because it reminds us that we have to value our chiefs in our constituencies. We will be looking at whatever problem is in the country from both sides, the western method and the traditional way and this makes our lives tenable.
In my constituency, we are in region 4 and 5 where there is poor rainfall but we have the chiefs who are performing rain making ceremonies and the people who are involved in the these ceremonies are the aged people, that is the old men and old women and not those who are still sexually active - because they will have performed those ceremonies, people carry out their agricultural activities and country is well fed.
Madam President, I am saying this is a very important motion.
Chiefs have to be empowered throughout their structures and we will
find that Zimbabwe will be a country of milk and honey. When chiefs preside over cases in their jurisdiction, they will try what is within them and if it is beyond them, they will refer the matters to the courts above. I thank you Madam President.
HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: Thank you for giving me this
opportunity to make a brief contribution to this very important motion introduced to this august House by Honourable Senator Mawire seconded by Honourable Senator Manyeruke.
The motion says our traditional leaders play a pivotal role and yet they are not given the due respect that they deserve. I do not know, maybe it is through my mischief but I am trying to think that according to this motion who is supposed to give the chiefs that recognition. When I tried to look at the structure of the chiefs, I think we want to see a true replica of the original traditions because if we house our traditions in a certain institution, we want to feel that there is a true replica of the old traditions that we are proud of as a nation because we are diverse but we want to feel that the different chiefs represent us in that aspect. I should think if then that happens, the respect will just come on its own.
We want to see reality in the representation and we do not want to be forced to admit that there is. We want to feel it. If a respected person enters a room, you have to feel that somebody of high standard has entered the room. I think that is what is missing for everybody else to feel that the chiefs are there and they are representing our traditions, because we do not have any other way of showing traditions other than the representation that is done by the chiefs. In my case my mother is a direct descendant of Mzilikazi the king, so I am interested in these issues because of that.
In our tradition, a chief did not marry a wife that has children by some three or four men in the same community. It was like that and we want to see it like that because if you look at why it was not allowed to happen - it was because a chief was not to share a wife with his subject. But if a chief is now marrying a wife that has five children from different men then the respect is never there because those same men will say I have a child with the chief’s wife. The respect of chiefs goes down because at times they do things that our original forefathers who were the repositories of knowledge were not doing. There cannot be respect in the community if a chief is sharing a wife with four other men. It was done like that because they wanted a chief to be respected that the wife of a chief is a wife of a chief. In that regard I think our chiefs are misrepresenting our traditions.
Again if you look into the present Chiefs Council or the previous Chiefs Council after Independence, you will find that it is like the recognition and leadership of the Chiefs’ Council only has to come from a certain region. The other regions do not have true chiefs that can lead the Chiefs Council. In that aspect when I look at it, I think we need to feel that all chiefs are the same. They represent those people of their areas. We do not want to see the other chiefs being belittled.
*HON. SEN. MAVHUNGA: On a point of order! Madam
President, the speaker should be aware that the chiefs are not appointed but they are elected within the Chiefs Council and therefore the Honourable Senator should not divide people.
THE TEMPORARY PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE (HON.
SEN. MASUKU): The point of order is that chiefs vote for their President of the Chiefs Council.
HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: Thank you for the correction Madam
President. I do not dispute that because I know the process that they vote but I am only saying I am putting the view that when we see it, to us it is like the other chiefs are being belittled. That is the point that I am making because in Ndebele we say “induna induna ngabathu”. So those
people make that person a chief.
In 2014, people around Njelele were so let down by seeing a convoy of cars headed by different chiefs from different areas come to Njelele, disregarding the chiefs in that area coming to do rituals without consulting the chiefs of that area. So, the people around are really disappointed in that Act, it means that our Chiefs are not regarded as
Chiefs. When we talk of Chiefs being given their powers and when they belittle each other by virtue of coming from another region and ignoring the Chief of that area, then the question is who is supposed to give that respect? We need to feel that our traditions are properly housed, otherwise I think that is why at times people choose to live in disregard of the existence of the structure. Of course they should evolve but not to the extent of wanting to be at par with the Executive of a country that is voted for a certain term because they are born. At times when you listen to the demands, you feel that the demands are made so that at least they are at par with the Executive of the country that is voted for by individuals. Chiefs are voted for by Chiefs but the individual in the
Executive are voted individually by people from different walks of life.
One year, we were attending an official opening of this theatre in Bulawayo and I remember that Chief Khaisa refused to accept a seat after the organisers first ran to give the Minister before they gave the
Chief. He refused to sit, saying that he had to be recognised before the Minister is recognised. We feel that it was a representation that we want from our Chiefs today because if they are still putting a plate to ask for respect from the people, then it will never come. But if they stand their ground and say we are representing this structure this way, then the respect will come on its own. We want to see true representation without fear. If our Chiefs are being subservient to the people who are in the Executive, then it is difficult to convince the young people who do not even imagine what the old structure of Chieftaincy was to respect it, because it is very difficult to respect a subservient of other people. I thank you Madam President.
*HON. SEN. GOTO: Thank you Madam President for giving me
this opportunity to contribute on the motion about traditional leaders.
Chiefs should be empowered although times have changed. When I was still young, Chiefs were highly respected in their constituencies and life was very smooth. I come from Manicaland though I got married in Mashonaland. There used to be some traditional ceremonies and cultures were observed. The Chiefs would be informed about everything that was happening in the area – whether it be illness, marriages, arrival of visitors, employment of herdmen or workers. This was done so that in the event that these people die, they would report to the Chief.
According to our culture in Manicaland, those who hanged themselves were not supposed to be mourned. The body would be taken away from the homestead and this was done for a particular reason. It was taboo to bring the body into the homestead. When there was a death of a premature or infant, these would be buried by old women only. Men were not allowed to gather but today people are now holding funerals as if these are adults. This is taboo.
Chiefs used to perform rain making ceremonies and this shows that they had a part to play. When we went to the President’s bash in Masvingo and Chiefs were present. When the President was about to deliver his speech, rain started falling. What was surprising about this rain is that it was torrential but very peaceful, hence showing the power of the Chiefs. Chiefs should be respected since they are born in
Chieftainship. Their power comes from God.
Chiefs should be empowered and given support. There should be a budget set aside for our traditional leaders. Some of their houses are not standard. They should live in places that are due their respect.
Government should construct houses for Chiefs and connect electricity. They should be given transport because they cannot be seen riding on bicycles. We are very lucky because in this august Senate, that is where we find Chiefs. We have to support them.
In the past, you could not rub shoulders with the Chief but you would show obeisance. Nowadays, when you see a Chief, you simply shout your greeting across without showing any respect. When we are talking about them, we seem to be talking about the rights of children but we are talking of a respectable people.
I will give another example of what happens in Manicaland, whatever ceremony you perform, even when you are going to lay a tombstone, you do not just do it anyway. You will have to inform the
Chief. When there is burial ceremony, there is a central burial system unlike in other areas where people are buried everywhere. When you want to visit these graves, you have to inform the Chiefs.
Chiefs are not selective, they do not practice party politics but everybody belongs to the Chiefs and everybody supports them. I will round up my speech by speaking about some of the cases which are reported in the normal court cases like the Magistrates Court. Some of these issues are not supposed to be reported to the police as they can be dealt with by the chiefs. Even when people are involved in a fight or there has been an assault with grievious bodily harm, which is assault GBH, chiefs should be able to preside over that. They should instill some sense of responsibility in avoiding domestic violence.
If a chief is empowered and talks about domestic violence in the area, it would be respected because it would have been said by the chief. I would like to thank Hon. Sen. Manyeruke and Hon. Sen. Mawire for such an important motion because if you are a self-respecting
Zimbabwean, you would know that everyone of us is under chiefs. I know that it is nearly late, but this is an essential motion and we need to debate it. I thank you.
HON. SEN. MAWIRE: Madam President, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. CHIMBUDZI: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 10th March, 2016.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
DELEGATION TO THE 7TH WORLD WATER CONFERENCE
Ninth Order read: Adjourned debate on motion on the Report of the Parliament of Zimbabwe Delegation to the 7th World Water Conference.
HON. SEN. MLOTSHWA: Madam President, I move that the
debate do now adjourn.
HON. SEN. A. SIBANDA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 10th March, 2016.
On the motion of THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF MEDIA,
INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING SERVICES (HON. SEN.
MATHUTHU), the Senate adjourned at Twenty Five Minutes to Six o’clock p.m.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Friday, 11th March, 2016
The National Assembly met at Half past Nine o’clock a.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. SPEAKER in the Chair)
HON. CHAMISA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Just to acknowledge that we thought that today we were going to be able to transact the business we were supposed to complete yesterday. It is clear that our numbers are not conducive for the transaction of that business. That then becomes a bit problematic; we thought that we were going to deal with the issues that are very important to the nation. As it is, it would appear that we may not be able to proceed and perhaps it has to be stood down to the next sitting day.
THE HON. SPEAKER: I think Hon. Member, you come direct
and simply say there is no quorum – [Laughter] – I expect that from my learned friend.
HON. CHAMISA: Yes, it is with disappointment that I note that there is no quorum. You know that we were also supposed to discuss the Dzamara issue, which is a very important issue. It would appear that the absence of quorum is something that is very disappointing under the circumstances because we thought that we would give it the urgency and importance it deserves. Thank you Hon. Speaker Sir.
Bells rung.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order!
Notice having been taken that there being present fewer than 70 members, the bells were rung for Seven Minutes and a quorum still not being present, THE HON. SPEAKER adjourned the House without question put at
Eighteen Minutes to Ten O’clock a.m. pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order Number 56.
NOTE: The following members were present when the House adjourned:
Hon. Bunjira, R.; Hon. Chamisa, N.; Hon. Chigudu, M.; Hon.
Chinanzvavana, C.; Hon. Chirisa, F.; Hon. Chitura, l.; Hon. Chiwetu, J. Z.;
Hon. Gonese, I.; Hon. Kadungure, D.; Hon. Katsiru, L.; Hon. Madubeko, J.;
Hon. Madzinga, P.; Hon. Majaya, B.; Hon. Makoni, R.; Hon. Mandipaka, O.;
Hon. Maondera, W.; Hon. Maridadi, J.; Hon. Marumahoko, R.; Hon. Moyo, J.; Hon. Mudambo, T.; Hon. Mudzuri, E.; Hon. Munengami, F.; Hon. Murai,
E.; Hon. Mutomba, W.; Hon. Mutseyami, P.; Hon. Ndoro, L.; Hon.
Nyamupinga, B.; Hon. Nyere, C.; Hon. Phiri, F.; Hon. Runzirwayi, J. M.; Hon. Rungani, A.; Hon. Samukange, J.; Hon. Saruwaka, T.; Hon. Shongedza, E.; Hon. Sindi C.; Hon. Shava, J.; Hon. Vutete, M.
PARLIAMENT OF ZIMBABWE
Wednesday, 9th March, 2016
The National Assembly met at a Quarter-past Two O’clock p.m.
PRAYERS
(THE HON. SPEAKER in the Chair)
ANNOUNCEMENTS BY THE HON. SPEAKER
BILLS CONSCIENTISATION WORKSHOP FOR
COMMITTEES
THE HON. SPEAKER: I would like to inform the House that Parliament in conjunction with the Ministry of Mines and Mining
Development will convene a one and half day workshop to conscientise
Committees on provisions of the Pan-African Minerals University of
Sciences and Technology Bill, Minerals Exploration and Marketing Corporation Bill and the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill. The seminar will be held at the Harare International Conference Centre from the 14th to the 15th March 2016. All members of the following
Committees are invited and must attend without fail:
- Finance and Economic Development
- Mines and Energy
- Industry and Trade
- Youth Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment.
All Committee Chairpersons of Portfolio Committees are expected and must attend this seminar which will start at 0830 hours on Monday
14th March, 2016. The programme will be circulated in due course.
POSTPONEMENT OF SPORT COMPETITIONS
THE HON. SPEAKER: I wish to inform the House that the sport competitions between Members of Parliament and the staff of
Parliament which were scheduled for Friday 11th March, 2016 from 1300 hours at the Alexander Sports Club in Milton Park Harare have been postponed to Sunday 13th March, 2016. The venue and time remain the same.
HON. MARIDADI: (While he had finished giving his intention to move a motion.) Mr. Speaker, I thought it might interest you that I am wearing this white ribbon in commemoration of Itai Dzamara who disappeared while - [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-
THE HON. SPEAKER: Hon. Maridadi, why do you invite me to
rule you out of order. That has nothing to do with your notice of motion.
Do not tempt me next time.
HON. CHAMISA: Good afternoon Hon. Speaker Sir. I rise to move a motion in terms of our beautiful rules; Order Number 59 (1) on adjournment of the House on a definite matter of urgent public importance. I realise that the obligation I have as a Member of Parliament and indeed as Members of Parliament on such a motion is just to read it out to you and then upon reading it out to you, I am supposed to forward to you the written statement, upon which you then make a determination. So, if you may favour yourself, Hon. Speaker just to visit Order 59 (1), which is very explicit, articulate and very eloquently captured on those aspects. Hon. Chamisa having intended to give notice to move a motion in relation to the disappearance of Itai
Dzamara – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] –
HON. CHAMISA: What is surprising Hon. Speaker Sir is that this is a very serious issue. Some of our colleagues may disappear very soon. They may not know it but they must take this seriously Hon. Speaker Sir. Hon. Speaker Sir, I have looked at the rules. I am supposed to state the matter first then upon stating the matter before the Chamber, I am then supposed to favour you with a statement. What is precedent is for me to come and state the matter; then what is antecedent is for you to receive a statement – [ HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear] –
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order, Hon. Chamisa, I need to
have sight of the written statement that you read. Then Subsection 2 (a) and (b) shall then follow. I cannot proceed with subsection (a) and (b) until I have studied that statement.
HON. CHAMISA: I agreed Hon. Speaker Sir. Indeed, I have not yet asked you to invoke…
THE HON. SPEAKER: I have ruled that. Can I have the statement in advance, not now. – HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – I have ruled; submit your written statement, I need to study that statement. Can I have the the written statement?
HON. CHAMISA: I have heard you Hon. Speaker Sir. I get the sense that you are saying that you need to consider a written statement which obviously…
HON. SPEAKER: I am not opening a debate
HON. CHAMISA: I am not debating…
HON. SPEAKER: Can you hand over the statement, if you do not want, then I will ask you to – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjection]-Order, order. Let us behave ourselves, we have taken more than 15 minutes of our question time. So we are proceeding with Questions Without Notice.
THE HON. SPEAKER: There are vehicles, ABW 2561 Toyota Hilux and ABY 4196 which are blocking other vehicles.
ORAL ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE
HON. PHIRI: Thank you Hon. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Local Government, National Housing and Public Works, in his absence, the Deputy Minister. We now have ease of doing business in Zimbabwe. What measure is the Ministry doing to make sure that Local Authorities are helping in this endeavour to quickly get licences and other necessary documents?
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order! This is an administrative question, we want questions on policy.
HON. MPALA: Good afternoon Mr. Speaker Sir. My question is directed to the Deputy Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, what is the Government policy on City Councils in urban areas funding football clubs.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order! Hon. Member are you sure
that question should be directed to the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing or Sport and Arts?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT,
PUBLIC WORKS AND NATIONAL HOUSING (HON.
CHINGOSHO): I would like to thank the Hon. Member for the question. However, I would like to advise the Member that that question is on social responsibility, so it should be directed to the relevant
Ministry – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order, order. Hon. Chibaya hold
your cool. Hon. Deputy Minister, the question is straightforward. Do councils have policy to fund football clubs? That is the question.
HON. CHINGOSHO: Thank you Hon. Speaker. The question
falls under social responsibility for the Ministry, so I would need time to check what the policy says – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]-
HON. MURAI: On a point of order Mr. Speaker, I think it is very embarrassing that the Deputy Minister is waffling and giving deputy answers to this question. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] -
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, Order on my right, Hon. Chasi
please, I said order.
Hon. Member, the Hon. Deputy Minister did not waffle, he said he is going to look into the matter. The Minister responsible, I am advised together with a couple of other Ministers, is winding up on an issue related to drought relief. Otherwise he should have been here to elaborate on the answer.
HON. MAZIWISA: My question is directed to the Vice President and Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. It is common cause that the Government is implementing ZIM ASSET whose primary goal is to strengthen the Zimbabwe economy and also to improve the general welfare of Zimbabweans. It is also common cause … – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] – my question is, in circumstances … – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] –
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order! Hon. Members … –
[HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] - Order! This is my second warning, if there is no peace in listening, I am going to name and throw out some members for disorderly behaviour. – [HON. MEMBERS:
Hear, hear] - May Hon. Maziwisa please be heard in silence, Hon.
Maziwisa, please go straight to the question.
HON. MAZIWISA: Thank you Mr. Speaker, the general
background to the question is we have seen a lot of effort … THE HON. SPEAKER: No, ask your question.
HON. MAZIWISA: The question is this, why is it that in circumstances where we have seen a lot of projects on the ground - the likes of what we have seen in Kariba, Hwange and so forth. What is Government doing to ensure that the different projects that are being undertaken under ZIM ASSET are taken to the people for public knowledge for purposes of making sure, not only that people are aware but most importantly, ensure that what we have seen in the past where President Mugabe has been criticized in a way that somewhat is unjust and unfair might stop? – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] -
What efforts is Government taking to ensure that that stops? – [HON.
MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections] –
THE VICE PRESIDENT AND MINISTER OF
JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON.
MNANGAGWA): Mr. Speaker Sir, I heard part of the question but the majority of time I heard noise and I cannot reply to noise.
With respect to the aspect which I heard from the Hon. Member, it is true that the ZANU PF Government is implementing a policy under ZIM ASSET. He mentioned the fact that there are significant projects like the Kariba-South Project which is being undertaken by a Chinese company for the expansion. At its completion, I am advised that it is about 60 to 62% complete now, when it is completed, it is going to add 300mw to the country’s national grid.
Limiting myself to the area of energy, we do have the Gairezi Project which is going to be on stream. We also have the Hwange Seven and Eight which we have secured a loan of US$1.4billion for and will take something like three years to complete. That one again will bring some 600mw to the national grid.
Besides these projects that are Government driven, there are several others that are privately driven. In terms of approval, Cabinet has already approved three other energy projects that will come on stream between 18 to 36 months, that is in relation to the aspect of energy.
That is not the only thing, we also have in the area of agriculture, everybody is fully aware that we have secured a loan from Brazil of three phases. Part one of phase one of that loan has seen equipment coming in and we are currently receiving part two of phase one with regard to agricultural equipment coming from Brazil. There will be phases two and three but as a result of the current Elnino phenomenon, the climate change, we are now focusing on making sure that we mechanise our irrigation agriculture in this country so that with the water bodies that we have, that water is used for irrigation for two seasons a year. So, even if we have a drought, we are going to have reasonable yields as a result of irrigation.
The next issue is we secured US$150million facility with Belarus and the equipment is coming. Again, it is directed to three sectors of the economy: agriculture, water and forestation, that is the question of dealing with wild life as well as estates in the eastern highlands. Then we were advised in the negotiations, again focusing on agriculture as well as manufacturing with India, that once it is concluded, we should be able to come to this House and brief the House on that area. In the area of infrastructure development, there is a lot that has been done and negotiations are very much advanced in the area of road construction to dualise our highways and construction of bridges.
In the area of tourism we are certain that we project that in the next two years or so, we should be able to double the inflow of tourists in this country. Zimbabwe is being represented at various international expos where we are selling the Zimbabwe brand to attract more tourists into this country. I am not sure about the other part of the question of the Hon. Member because I did not hear it as I said ...
THE HON. SPEAKER: The other part I may assist. Is that how do we make the general public aware of what is taking place.
*HON. MNANGAGWA: Mr. Speaker Sir, this House is a
platform where we inform the rest of the country, and as we speak what we say here it is published. All the Hon. Members, come from various constituencies which cover the totality of Zimbabwe. I have no doubt that that alone is a method which can spread this but as Government, respective line Ministries do inform the public through the publication of what they are doing. These things are visible in that they are capital intensive and people get to see visibly what is happening. I wonder why someone would worry about how the people will know when we are here representing the people outside there. I have no doubt that we have the capacity, capability and the wisdom to inform our people outside there as well as the media there on.
*HON. S. CHIDHAKWA: Thank you Hon. Speaker. My
supplementary to the Vice President is that you talked of the equipment from Brazil. May you explain to us if it is benefiting everyone in the country because we witness it is being given to people during rallies by the First Lady.
*HON. MNANGAGWA: I want to thank the question that was raised by Hon. Member of this august House Hon. Chidhakwa. I am sure he is not drunk Hon. Chidhakwa. The equipment that came from Brazil has tractors for ploughing, planters, irrigation guns for irrigation purposes as well as cultivators. The measures that the Government has put in place are that; each province should identify eight irrigation schemes. This should be done by the Agritex Department. When the eight irrigation schemes have been identified and in some other areas they can be nine; the point is no province will get less than 8 irrigation schemes but we are going to distribute them equally. This equipment is paid for and it is not for free.
When the extension officers have identified these schemes, they are the ones who do all the planning and the receiving of the equipment. The Government supports them with seed and fertilizer and whatever inputs that are required. They need to pay for the equipment that will have been given to irrigation schemes. The equipment to be taken to those provinces the challenge is how did the First Lady take that equipment to the provinces. The First Lady has the right as the First
Lady of the nation to distribute this equipment so there should be no concern about this issue. The rally is not given but people are given that equipment. –[HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]-
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order! Order! Let us have order.
*HON. MUNENGAMI: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. My point of
order concerning the response that was given by the Leader of the House is that the equipment is being distributed by the First Lady at rallies. It is a place where slogans for ZANU PF party are being made. So if this equipment is for the nation at large like what he said that this equipment is distributed through Agritex Officers, that is how it should be distributed not at rallies. We want him to explain why that is happening and it is not going through the Agritex Officers.
*HON. MNANGAGWA: I am happy that Mr. Speaker Sir, this
Hon. Member asked a question that will put to rest this issue and most will be satisfied with it. If you consider the fact that we have eight rural provinces with each one getting nine irrigation schemes. If you multiply that they are around 81 and these will be the irrigation schemes that will be given. That is what is happening, there is no single day when equipment was distributed in Harare. This equipment was distributed to irrigation schemes, to people who were present at the irrigation schemes not rallies. They are a bit lost, so I am happy that I have enlightened them and I hope this will put the matter to rest.
*HON. CHIDHAKWA: We want to thank the Vice President for
explaining what is happening in the various provinces. The issue we are asking is that there are some people who do not attend the rallies where equipment is being distributed. Are these people going to be given equipment at another gathering since they are not attending the rallies?
HON. MNANGAGWA: Mr. Speaker Sir, are you aware that Cde
Chiune’s wife, a prominent member of MDC is heading one of the projects? She is the one who received the tractors, are you aware of that – [Laughter] -.
HON. KUPHE: My question is directed to the leader of the
House. It is exactly one year since the disappearance of Itai Dzamara – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjections]. Since then, he has not been found and no arrests have been made. We demanded that a report be made every month to this Parliament so that we know exactly what is happening. Itai Dzamara is a son, father and a husband. So, the family wants him. What is Government doing to make sure that Itai Dzamara is found? If he is dead, let his body be handed over to his family. If he is still alive, in whatever form he is, let him be given back to his family.
Thank you.
THE VICE PRSIDENT AND MINISTER OF JUSTICE, LEGAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (HON.
MNANGAGWA): Mr. Speaker Sir, the same question the Hon.
Member has asked, I could have said the same myself that it is exactly a year or so now since Mr. Itai Dzamara disappeared, and it was reported here. I assured this House that as Government, that we will leave no stone unturned in the investigation about the disappearance of this citizen of ours.
Also, the matter went to court and there was an order that the Ministry of Home Affairs should make continuous updating reports, that should be done. I am not aware whether they have been doing it on a monthly basis to the courts. Let me assure this House that that concern is not only a concern to the family, it is a concern to every reasonable citizen of this country. So, I do not know if there is any other Hon. Member who does not worry about such a disappearance, then I doubt that person should be honourable because we would not want to have any citizen in this country to suffer or to disappear without any information as to whether he is alive or what, and we are all concerned. We wish that anybody, with any information confirmed or unconfirmed, let that information come forward, it will be examined.
*HON. CHIBAYA: I want to thank you for the response given by the leader of the House. My request is that the Minister of Home Affairs should give us a response on what they have been doing concerning the court order in giving regular reports on the whereabouts of Itai Dzamara.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (HON.
MGUNI): Mr. Speaker Sir, let me say it is a concern to all of us because we do not want a situation where a person disappears without trace. What we have done is that the Police have formulated a Committee that involves human rights lawyers, Itai Dzamara’s relatives and friends. The Committee sits every month to gather any information that can lead to the recovery of the great man.
Mr. Speaker Sir, secondly we have intensified our relationship with the media including ZBC so that they keep on highlighting that we are hunting for the man. Also, we have set down and put an amount of money amounting to US$10 000 which can be paid to anybody who can help us to find Itai Dzamara – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear].
*HON. MANDIPAKA: Thank you Mr. Speaker, I need to be
enlightened. I heard the Deputy Minister saying that Itai Dzamara was great, I want to know in what way he can be called a great man?
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order!
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (HON.
MGUNI): Hon. Speaker, every citizen in Zimbabwe is a great person – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear.] - [HON. ZINDI: ‘Muchitionawo kuno uku’ Mr. Speaker.] –
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order. May I address myself to
Hon. Zindi. When we discuss in Caucus, follow what you have decided. I am being guided by a list given by the Chief Whips from both sides. I am following this list.
HON. ZINDI: I have a point of order – [HON. MEMBERS:
Inaudible interjections.]
THE HON. SPEAKER: Please sit down.
*HON. MAPIKI: Thank you Mr. Speaker. My question is
directed to the Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care. What is the Government policy concerning hospitals that were built in resettlement areas?
HON. GONESE: I have a point of order Mr. Speaker. It is a practice in this House to have at least two supplementary questions. As far as I can recall, we had one supplementary question from Hon. Chibaya. Hon. Maondera rose to ask a supplementary question. I am requesting the Speaker’s indulgency to allow that supplementary question.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order! When the Chair has ruled
against any supplementary question, I was satisfied that the Hon. Minister gave a comprehensive answer. Secondly, a statement is being prepared by Hon. Chamisa on the same subject. So, why belabor the issue when the statement is going to come? Please, do not take over the Chair’s position; there is only one Chair.
*HON. MAPIKI: My question is directed to the Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care. What is Government policy concerning hospitals that were built in resettlement areas five years ago? People are travelling 100km to hospitals and others are giving birth along the way, yet the hospitals have not been opened. I thank you.
*THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALTH AND CHILD
CARE (HON. DR. MUSIIWA): Thank you Mr. Speaker. I would want to thank Hon. Mapiki for the question that he raised. The Government policy is that we were supposed to build a hospital and clinics to ensure that people do not travel more than 10km from their homes to the health centre. What I can say is that there are some clinics that were built in resettlement areas. These clinics were built by the communities and sometimes by Members of Parliament. The operational budget is not there so if the clinic is built without an operational budget, we then wait to be told as a Government to assist them in getting adequate health personnel. What delays is that the money is not available. In some cases, the clinics are completed before we are notified of the clinics being built. Thank you.
*HON. MAPIKI: These hospitals were built five to six years ago. I do not know what you mean by the fact that you have not been notified. How long does it take for you to be notified? What is the position?
*HON. DR. MUSIIWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I thank Hon. Mapiki for asking the same question. On the question that I responded to, Hon. Mapiki did not explain. These hospitals were not built by the Government. They were built by the communities in the rural areas or by the MPs. What happens is that when Government embarks on a project to build hospitals, it has the budget allocated to it to ensure that the structure has capital for development as well as the salaries of the health personnel. This is not what will have happened. It is good for people to build their own hospitals or clinics but there are measures that should be taken because there are financial constraints that are experienced. Even in Government hospitals, the health personnel, especially nurses are not enough. What we do is we take the written requests and find them personnel and resources to operate that hospital.
I thank you.
*HON. MUTSEYAMI: Thank you Mr. Speaker, there is an Hon. Member who said big head sit down - Hon. Matangira. He was talking of my head. It is Hon. Matambanadzo. My supplementary question is..
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, Hon. Matambanadzo, can you
withdraw your statement?
*HON. MATAMBANADZO: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. I
withdraw the statement although he is not sure who said that statement so, he is now pointing at anyone.
*HON. MUTSEYAMI: Mr. Speaker, my supplementary question
goes to the Hon. Deputy Minister of Health and Child Care. I heard what you said that the Government is facing financial challenges for these hospitals to start operating. Since the Government is so concerned about the challenges that people are having in rural areas, why do they not take the money that is being used by the Vice President who is staying at Rainbow Towers and the money that we used at the
President’s birthday; bring those resources together and assist two or three clinics to operate.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order. I think this question was asked before and there was an explanation given by the Leader of Government business here that accommodation is being sought. I am repeating the answer so, the question does not arise.
*HON. CHAMISA: Mr. Speaker, I will pause my question in
Shona and my request is that this question must be a lesson to our
Minister. I know he understands Ndebele better than English. If we had translation it would actually be ideal. We are the only Parliament without translation. I think that should be addressed.
My question is directed to the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs.
We realised that of late, the police is impounding people’s vehicles known as mushika shika and they are made to pay a lot of money for the release and there are road blocks all over. Is this Government policy or is it a measure by Government? Is it a way of trying to raise funds because it is something that is not supported by the law itself, may you enlighten us in this regard?
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS (HON.
MGUNI): These are very pertinent questions that the Hon. Member brought. The first one, police are there in the country to provide public order and security. If there are vehicles that are carrying passengers without correct registration and these vehicles are not fit, they should be checked and have to pass fitness tests. The police have to protect lives especially for those passengers that are inside. They are aware that our policy says they must not be partisan but straight forward administer the law. So, if the vehicle has faults and has no required permit to do that; we have to protect the people inside, we have to impound that vehicle.
However, the roadblocks – Zimbabwe is so peaceful, I think people must appreciate that. Do not look always at the negative side of it because those roadblocks have now maintained peaceful status in Zimbabwe due to the fact that people are scared to carry firearms in this country. The roadblocks, some people will say they are too many yet they have got various purposes. Some are looking for offenders that are moving in the cars, some roadblocks will be checking the status of the cars, some roadblocks will be looking for smuggled goods so they have got various purposes. Therefore, I think Zimbabweans must cooperate especially Members of Parliament, must uphold the work that is done by the police. I thank you Mr. Speaker.
HON. ENG. E. MUDZURI: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Is the Hon. Minister aware of the harassment that ordinary drivers go through, when they are charged spot fines – when they do not even carry US$10 in their pockets? Being charged for having no fire extinguisher for instance or a GVM label on your car and they say they want to impound the car or else you pay a fine on the spot. I also want to extend this supplementary question to say is this now a new rule that everyone has to pay a spot fine?
HON. MGUNI: Thank you Hon. Speaker. The question that the Hon. Member asked I could not hear it because there was a lot of noise around me, I picked here and there, can he pose it again please.
HON. ENG. E. MUDZURI: Mr. Speaker Sir. Before I ask, I just
want to put a point of order.
THE HON. SPEAKER: I have not recognised you for a point of
order. I said ask your supplementary question.
HON. MUDZURI: My question is; is the Minister aware of the harassment that ordinary drivers go through by the police when they are asked items like a pin on your fire extinguisher or no fire extinguisher or GVM number and police ask that if you do not pay a spot fine, they impound your vehicle.
The second part to that is, is there no room for non-spot fines because the police are now saying there is no room for non-spot fines?
HON. MGUNI: Mr. Speaker, I heard his two questions. The
first one is that we need to educate the public that by following the rules, it is not harassment. The police demand what should be in that vehicle especially if it is a passenger licenced carried vehicle. You should have a fire-extinguisher and other things. Yes that is not harassment.
The second thing is that, yes, there is room that people cannot be charged and spot fines demanded if the driver has full particulars. For example if he has committed a crime of not putting on his seat belt, he should have a driver’s licence, his identity card and a proof of address. The fine could be paid somewhere else or if the fine is above $20 he has to go and pay somewhere else but if the driver is untraceable, a spot fine will be issued. I thank you.
*HON MATIMBA: My question is directed to the Minister of Environment, Water and Climate Change. My Constituency is surrounded by conservancies. My question is, is there any legislation that can protect the community that is losing their livestock by wild animals that are destroying people’s livestock?
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND
CLIMATE (HON. MUCHINGURI): Thank Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the Hon. Member who posed that question. Yes we do have legislation, our Ministry has departments, one is CAMPFIRE and the National Parks that assist the conservatives to ensure that there is protection of the community. They also work with rural district councils to employ rangers whom we train to provide protection and avoid this destruction. CAMPFIRE is available to protect the people and again the National Parks also assist people in the community with programmes to train those communities. I thank you.
HON. CHIPATO: Thank you Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Minister of Health and Child Care. Minister we would like to be enlightened on students who trained in nursing in 2013 and up today they have not been employed. Thank you.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF HEALD AND CHILD CARE
(HON. DR. MUSIIWA): Thank you Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the Hon. Member for posing that pertinent question. It is true, it also concerns us as Government that we have nurses who were trained and qualified, it is not only those trained in 2013 even those who qualified in 2012. The position is that the Government currently does not have finances to employ these nurses. Our request was that this august House as we vote for the budget, we should vote for more funds to be allocated to the Ministry. We need nurses in the hospitals. They are supposed to be employed after completion but for now, there is no budget for that. Once we get the required finances, we will employ them.
HON. DR. LABODE: Minister, I hear you but my concern, as a Committee in which you also sat, you were part of that committee and where we agreed that if we acknowledge if a nurse was trained in 2013 and up to now the nurse does not practice; literally we are saying that nurse is useless. We agreed that since Government does not have money, let us suspend training for three years so that that we then recruit those who are outside. Three years these nurses who are already on training - so what is your problem?
HON. DR. MUSIIWA: Thank you Hon. Speaker. I want to thank Hon. Dr. Labode for the comment. The comment she has put to the House is quite a valid point. However, it is very difficult to restart training once you have stopped training. What happens is, if you close a training institution, the critical teaching staff will be disbursed, when you restart the programme it is going to difficult to redo it. In any case, we need those nurses, what we require at the moment is finance to employ them. Thank you.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order, order. Hon Minister, it was not a comment, it was a question. Why not suspend the training and employ those who have been trained. That is the question.
HON. DR. MUSIIWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. What the Hon.
Member has actually asked is a suspension of training.
THE HON. SPEAKER: Correct.
HON. DR. MUSIIWA: When you have a suspension of training it means the training school is closed. – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjection.] – We have
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order.
HON. DR. MUSIIWA: Training schools by their nature are actually training establishments. They are just like a school. We have tutors – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible interjection.] – the schools are different from the hospitals so if you close the training schools, they become redundant and then you have to re-open . – [HON. MEMBERS:
Inaudible interjection.] –
*HON. CHINOTIMBA: I wanted to ask the Minister that in this country since 1980 we witnessed doctors coming in from Cuba as well as nurses because there we a lot of …
*THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order. Hon Minister, order!
Hon. Minister, you are not listening to the supplementary question. *HON. CHINOTIMBA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. My issue is
that we cannot suspend training of nurses but Zimbabwe is well known for its high literacy level and educated people. South Sudan and Namibia, Botswana are countries which needs nurses, the Ministry of health should be in partnership with those countries and send nurses to Sudan and Eretria. Just a few months ago, there were nurses who were being sourced to treat Ebola but Zimbabwe was selfish and did not send our people there. Why are we not sending our people there?
*HON. DR. MUSIIWA: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I want to thank
Hon. Chinotimba for his contribution. I am sure that the programme that he was talking about that we suspended nurse training, we did it using another strategy. Our output was 900 per year of trained nurses, currently we have reduced training. For those who were trained before, we have a programme that is underway to partner with other Governments in order to export these nurses. We will enlighten you once the time is ripe. By the time they go, we will be done with the documentation on their working conditions. I thank you.
HON. GONESE: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir. With
the support of my core-pilots, I move that the time for Questions Without Notice be extended by 15 minutes.
HON. MATUKE: I second.
HON. SPEAKER: I had not finished. I have asked for any seconder and it was seconded, now I am asking for any objection?
HON. NDUNA: I object – [HON. MEMBERS: Inaudible
interjections]-
HON. SPEAKER: Order, order! I am afraid, the objection came from a Member from my right against his own Chief Whip.
Questions Without Notice were interrupted by HON. SPEAKER in terms of Standing Order Number 64.
ORAL ANSWERS 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 Ward 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?
- Who is funding the project?
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND
CLIMATE (HON. MUCHINGURI): Thank you Mr. Speaker. I would
like to thank Hon. Saruwaka for his questions…
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order! Order Hon. Members or we
shall now invoke Section 108, can we listen to the answers in silence.
HON. MUCHINGURI: Mr. Speaker Sir, the project is being implemented by the community under the leadership of the respective headman as organised by the District Administers’ office. How the community organizes 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. Our national responsibility is to provide water to communities. The issue of rights and ownership of the project remains that of the communities.
In response to part B, Mr. Speaker Sir, as I have said earlier, the communities have orgarnsied 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. If any should arise, they should be addressed through the DA’s office.
In response to part C, Mr. Speaker Sir, the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate respects the constitutional responsibility to provide to all citizens in the country. The villages 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 therefore, through ZINWA is providing technical expertise for the design and construction of the offtech infrastructure.
In response to Part D, Mr. Speaker Sir, the RDC 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 community were done between Mutare City Council and the Mutasa RDC together with other stakeholders.
Regarding the funding of the project, resources are being mobilised from various stakeholders, the communities have so far committed significant resources in the form of cash, labour, quarry stones and sand for the construction of access roads and tanks. I thank you.
HON. SARUWAKA: Mr. Speaker, with your indulgence
Supplementary questions to the five responses that the Minister made.
My first supplementary question …
THE HON. SPEAKER: Order, order just one question.
HON. SARUWAKA: The question was in five parts, there was no way in I which I was going to stop the Minister from proceeding with her response.
THE HON. SPEAKER: May you ask one supplementary
question please.
HON. SARUWAKA: The main supplementary question I would
want the Minister to respond to is to give a clear answer as to who is funding the project? We have noticed that there have been varying reports as to the source of the funds and as a result, people are being fleeced of their money; being asked to pay and then goal posts being changed.
I really want a clear cut answer from the Minister to state whether this is a Government project or community programme. What is the role of the Government in this particular programme? Is Government funding this project or not, is the question that I want the Minister to respond to.
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND
CLIMATE (HON. MUCHINGURI): Mr. Speaker Sir, the Hon.
Member will recall that Pungwe Project was constructed in 2000 during the time when I was Governor responsible for Manicaland Province.
It was a deliberate decision, after consulting the local authorities that there was need, as the pipeline passes Mutasa District, that we allowed some water valves to be put in place so that as funds are availed, we are able to extend this water to the Mutasa communities. This year we felt that it was necessary, looking at the serious drought that we are facing, that Mutasa-Pungwe Project and also Muchabezi and Matabeleland that we would together with the funds that are sourced by ZINWA and also the contributions from the Mutasa community, will be able to pursue these programme. So, whilst we think we are making progress, all these rumours are coming up. I cannot respond to rumour, but if the Hon. Member has information we will be more than happy to investigate. I thank you.
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 wildlife 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): Madam Speaker, Chikandakubi
Ward area adjoins Fuller Forestry Commission and the common human/wildlife conflicts 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 and have an inclination in their search to follow same particular corridor.
Mr. Speaker Sir, currently the Ministry is running a project …
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Order, order, it is Madam
Speaker in the Chair.
HON. MUCHINGURI: Madam Speaker, 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 which are waterholes.
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 waterholes, fruit tree orchards, gardens and even dump site areas normally frequented by these animals. Under this project, FAO has developed a multi-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 land is pertinent and requires the involvement of all stakeholders. As of now, there is a training workshop organised by FAO in collaboration with my Ministry targeting field officers on how to holistically manage the processes.
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. Let us all be cognizant of the fact that as our human population grows, the tendency is to encroach into the wildlife territory. The best way to avoid human/wildlife conflict is for human beings to avoid settling in animal territories and pathways. I thank you.
REDUCTION OF CARBON EMMISSIONS IN 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): Madam Speaker, I want to thank Hon. Mnangagwa for the question.
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 road side emissions test to enforce the minimum emission limits set in terms of the Statutory Instrument. During these routine tests inspections, vehicles are tested to determine whether or not the emissions are within the stipulated limits. The parameters tested include carbon monoxide, particulate, matter, soot and nitrious oxides. Vehicles emitting the prescribed limit are issued with an order to have the vehicle repaired and re-tested by the Agency before being permitted to be used on the country’s roads. A total of 4
900 vehicles have been tested since 2015, with a compliance rate of 79%. 1 031 vehicles were repaired as a result of the operations.
Madam Speaker, my Ministry through EMA has proposed amendments to Statutory Instrument 72 of 2009 to create a legal framework for the licensing of vehicles on a yearly basis. This is meant to ensure that vehicles meet the minimum emission limits set in the proposed regulation. In addition, 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 span.
Currently, my Ministry through the EMA has set up ampient air monitoring points and is acquiring the mobile and stationary ampient air monitoring equipment through the UN development programme (UNEP) for the purposes of monitoring the geno ampient air quality and compliment the point source vehicle monitoring. I thank Madam Speaker.
HON. MUTSEYAMI: Thank you Madam Speaker. My
supplementary to the Hon. Minister is how practical is the presentation that you have done with regard to managing of these vehicles in terms of the carbon dioxide emissions. Bearing in mind that all these trips that we do in this country whenever we move it is so clear that you could see a vehicle that you can even determine without even using a machine that this vehicle does not comply with the presentation you have just done.
This trend is just almost across the country and if you go to Checheche, Mutare, even here motika dzacho dzinobuda chiutsi chakasviba is it in the books or on the ground.
HON. MUCHINGURI: Madam Speaker, I would like to thank
the Hon. Member for his question. I want to say that I have already stated that we did undertake an exercise to establish the extent of the seriousness of this whilst looking at the parameters that we set in the
Statutory Instrument 72 of 2009. I have already stated that through the UNEP we have already procured equipment that will be put to use. We are hoping that as we unroll that programmed, it will be a starting point and we will review as the programme progresses. I thank you. –[HON.
MEMBERS: Hear, hear.]-
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Thank you Hon. Minister.
Those who are outside if you can please close that door and we do not want to hear what they are saying. We hear voices from outside. I do not know where the noise is coming from. Okay I think it is from somewhere there.
CLOUD SEEDING
- HON. CHIKUNI asked the Minister of Environment, Water and Climate to appraise the House on whether the Minister is still considering cloud seeding as a mitigating measure against the effects of unpredictable rainfalls.
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND
CLIMATE (HON. MUCHINGURI): Thank you very much Hon.
Chikuni for the question requiring me to appraise the House on whether the Minister is still considering cloud seeding as a mitigating measure against the effects of unpredictable rainfall.
Madam Speaker, by way of introduction, the Government of Zimbabwe has been proving funding for the national cloud seeding programme. This is one of its yearly priority areas of focus and carried out by the Meteorological Services Department.
Since independence, the national cloud seeding programme has been carried out every year except for 4 years due to various reasons. I also wish to advise Hon. Members that before the cloud seeding programme became operational, extensive research and experimentation was done for 5 years. After these 5 years of experimentation, the scientist determined that cloud seeding for the purposes of increasing precipitation enhanced the rainfall amounts by at least 25%.
On average Madam Speaker, seeded clouds start precipitating 15 minutes after seeding. This is significant and in line with the findings of other experiments in many countries of the World. For your information, a minimum of 50 countries worldwide are presently conducting cloud seeding for various purposes. I understand that, due to increasing impacts of climate change, the number of countries intending to embark on cloud seeding is increasing, including some of those in SADC,
Zimbabwe has been approached in this regard and is already assisting.
Madam Speaker, responding directly to the question at hand, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development availed U$300 000.00 on 10 January 2016 for the purposes of cloud seeding. On 11 January (the next day) cloud seeding operations commenced. This year we hired and deployed 2 aircrafts for the exercise, in order to reduce time for flying to the target areas as well as, maximizing on capturing as many rain-pregnant clouds as possible. One craft is based in Harare and should cover all the Mashonaland provinces, Manicaland as well as parts of
Midlands. The second aircraft is based in Bulawayo to cover the Matabeleland provinces, Masvingo as well as parts of Midlands. As such the exercise has been countrywide.
As of Monday, 29 February 2016, U$86 000 is the balance of the funds remaining. This amounts to approximately 15 days of cloud seeding.
To date since the national cloud seeding programme commenced for the 2015/16 rainfall season, the provincial breakdown of cloud seeding is as follows.
Province Areas seeded & number of Total
Seeding sorties per area
Mashonaland West
|
Chinhoyi (2), Lions Den(1) Karoi
Center (5), Murombedzi (2), Chakari (1), Vuti (1), Guruve (5), Rafingora (3), Chiweshe (1), Magunje (1), Orange |
24 |
Groove (1) Mudadzi(1) | ||
Mashonaland Central | Centenary (1), Chikonyora(1),
Madziwa(1), Mt. Darwin(4), Karanda(1) Mudindo(2) |
10 |
Mashonaland East | Murewa(1), Marondera Centre(1),
Nhowe Mission(1), Mtawatawa(1), Nyamatikiti(1), Chitsungo (1) |
6 |
Manicaland | Chimanimani(2), Chipinge(1), Town,
Nyanyadzi(1), Watsomba(2), Penhalonga(1), Osbon Dam(1), Nyazura(1) |
9 |
Midlands | Gokwe Centre(4), Kana Mission(1),
Gwehama Mission(1), St Paul Misssion(1), Chalala(1), Lusulu(2), Nyarupakwe(1), Njelele(3), |
18 |
Nembudziya(1), Sengwa(1),
Silobela(1)Mberengwa(1) |
||
Masvingo | Mwenezi(1), Nerupiri(1),
Gutu(1),Bikita Centre(1), Silveira Mission(2), Ndanga(1), Mashava(1) |
8 |
Matabeleland South | Kezi(2), Matopos(1), Mapisa(1),
Solous(1), Bubude(1), Plumtree(1) |
7 |
Matabeleland North | Lupane(2), Hwange Town(1),
Kamative(1), Mabikwa(Lupane)(1), Tegwani Mission(1), Nkayi(2), Imbuma(1), Nyamandlovu(1) |
10 |
Harare | ||
Bulawayo | Ndabazinduna(1), Khami Ruins(1) | 2 |
Lastly, Mr. Speaker Sir, for Hon. Members’ information, any member who wishes to witness the cloud seeding operations taking place is welcome.
Let me know and we will take you up there. I wish to advise those interested that the operations are extremely bumpy and turbulent. Some people have even passed out!
My Ministry is extremely thankful to Parliament for supporting this yearly national cloud seeding programme. May this support continue! I thank you Madam Speaker.
HON. MARIDADI: I want to thank the Minister for the elaborate answer I think when Ministers are responding to our questions, there is this tendency of self indulgence, where they tell us about things which are not relevant to the question. I think it was only ten percent of her response which was relevant. All the information about the scientific is not relevant. The Minister must tell us the amount of rainbow that has been increased and the mitigation to drought not all that self indulgence of telling us what they have done.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, this question
was coming from Hon. Chikuni and the member was satisfied with what was being said by the Minister.
HON. MARIDADI: If the original questioner is satisfied, it does not mean everyone else is satisfied.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: Hon. Member, we cannot
have that.
HON. SANSOLE: Thank you Madam Speaker. With all the
information that her Ministry has, is there liaison between her Ministry and the Ministry of Agriculture regarding the changes in rainfall patterns so that the later Ministry can disseminate information to farmers to enable them to craft measures so that the planting season can be undertaken in such a way that it conforms to the changing rainfall patterns?
HON. MUCHINGURI: Thank you Madam Speaker, in every
Cabinet meeting, I present a report before Cabinet informing the Hon.
Cabinet Ministers on what to expect on a daily basis. At that platform, every Minister is advised on information which they can utilise in making various decisions that affect their Ministries.
STATISTICS ON PROTECTION ORDER APPLICATIONS
- HON. MAJOME asked the Minister of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development:
- To provide statistics on protection order applications and their outcomes during the period 2012 to 2014;
- To provide comparative statistics of direct applications by victims and those involving third parties.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF WOMEN’S AFFAIRS, GENDER AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (HON. DAMASANE):
Thank you Madam Speaker. I want to thank Hon. Majome for raising this question. The Government of Zimbabwe remains committed to ending all forms of gender based violence in our society. The country is a signatory to various national, regional and international declarations on the rights and protection of children and women. The Government has further put in place protective legislative instruments and implemented programmes to ensure the fulfillment of all children and women’s rights.
Madam Speaker, the Government takes a multi-sectoral stance at approaching this scourge that has bedeviled the nation. The right to protection from sexual abuse and violence is also elaborated in our
Constitution in the Bill of Rights, Section 51 and 52 of the Constitution. It gives provision for the right to human dignity and personal security respectively. Section 52 states that;
Every person has the right to bodily and psychological integrity, which includes the right –
(a) to freedom from all forms of violence from public and private sources.
These sections in our Constitution prohibit any form of abuse of girls or women.
Madam Speaker, the Ministry administers the Domestic Violence Act which was enacted in 2006. The Act makes provision for the protection and relief of victims of domestic violence and provides for matters connected with or incidental to domestic violence.
However, the Honourable Member who raised the request for the provision of statistics of protection order applications is fully aware that these applications are made in court, under the Judicial Services
Commission which falls under the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. The Honourable Member is highly knowledgeable in these issues as once a Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development and a Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs.
However, the Hon. Member is free to make requests and questions on statistics from the relevant Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs. The same applies to the request to provide comparative statistics of direct applications by victims and those involving third parties. The requests of such a nature are best and sufficiently answered by the Minister responsible for the Judicial Services Commission.
TIGHTENING OF LAW ON PROTECTION ORDERS
- HON. MAJOME asked the Minister of Women Affairs, Gender and Community Development:
- To state whether it would be not prudent to tighten the law and
make it more effective to allow the police to apply for the protection orders on behalf of victims; and to further state whether enough is being been done to inform the public about how to get protection orders;
- To state when the Ministry will table before Parliament, its report on the recent United Nations Commission on the Status of Women, and progress in implementing the SADC Protocol on Gender and
Development’s 2015 targets.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF WOMEN’S AFFAIRS, GENDER AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT (HON. DAMASANE): On
tightening the law, Section 5 of the Domestic Violence Act clearly emphasises the role of the police in the realisation of the provisions of the Act under the title: “Duties of police officers in relation to domestic violence.” The Act in this Section stipulates that:
There shall be a section at every police station which shall, where practically possible, be staffed by at least one police officer with relevant expertise in domestic violence victim friendly or other family – related matters.
Madam Speaker, the Act further provides that a police officer to whom a complaint of domestic violence is made or who investigates any such complaint shall obtain for the complainant, or advise the complainant on how to obtain shelter or medical treatment, or assist the complainant in any other suitable way. The police officer may also advise the complainant of the right to apply for relief under this Act and the right to lodge a criminal complaint.
Madam Speaker, Section 6 makes provision for the police officer to arrest a perpetrator of domestic violence without a warrant. It states that:
“A police officer shall, after taking into account the factors mentioned in subsection (2), arrest without warrant any person whom he or she reasonably suspects has committed or is threatening to commit an act of domestic violence.” This means that the law already provides for a police officer to arrest and act on behalf of a complainant of domestic violence as this constitutes a criminal offence towards a complainant.
Madam Speaker, the Act further gives provision that in considering whether or not to arrest any person in terms of that subsection, a police officer shall take into account the risk to safety, health or well-being of the complainant and the seriousness of the conduct constituting the alleged act of domestic violence referred to in the subsection and any other factor that makes her or him reasonably believe that the person has committed or is threatening to commit an act of domestic violence. The police officer is given a mandate to take all reasonable steps to bring the person suspected of having committed or threatened to commit an act of domestic violence before a magistrate within 48 hours.
Madam Speaker, the law regulating the applications for protection orders is tight enough to be effective. It allows a police officer to advise a victim of domestic violence to apply for a protection order and it further allows an arrest of the perpetrator without a warrant. If the Hon. Member seeks to know the effectiveness of the police officers, the question must be directed to the Minister directly responsible for the police, the Minister of Home Affairs.
Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development is engaged in robust awareness raising campaigns to educate members of the public of the prevention and protection against gender based violence. We are part of the multisector approach to ending sexual abuse and violence in Zimbabwe led by the Judicial Service Commission. The Zimbabwe Republic Police is also a member and these initiatives have resulted in the establishment of a Victim Friendly System through the amendment of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act. This enables survivors of gender based violence to access health, justice, welfare and other services. The initiative promotes a coordinated and integrated approach to sexual violence and abuse to ensure that necessary action and referrals are made where survivors have experienced any form of abuse.
Madam Speaker, of late Cabinet set up an Inter-Ministerial Committee, popularly known as IMC on rape comprising of Ministries of Primary and Secondary Education, Home Affairs, Health and Child Care, Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and our Ministry. The Committee deliberates, recommends and carries out programmes to educate, disseminate and share information on prevention of domestic violence and gender based violence. My Ministry has partnered with relevant stakeholders to roll out this initiative at national, provincial, district and ward level.
The Government remains fully committed to ending all forms of gender based violence. This strong commitment is embedded in the passion to fight sexual abuse and violence and improve the well being of children and women. Madam Speaker, these initiatives have led to breaking the silence by victims, hence an increase in the number of reported cases. Interestingly, Hon. Members will appreciate that men also are not embarrassed to make reports because of the effort by the Ministry, the men fora, Padare, Enkundle and other stakeholders.
The last part of her question is in relation to the Commission on the Status of Women, which is going to run recently in New York. The
Ministry will only give a response once the delegation led by our
Minister, Hon. Chikwinya has returned. I thank you.
HON. CROSS: Madam Speaker I am disappointed in both
answers this afternoon because it seems to me that the Ministry is not adequately monitoring what these other agents of Government are doing on behalf of women. I would like to ask the Minister what monitoring mechanisms do they have. Are they aware of the statistics? Do they examine them? Do they take effective action in terms of making sure that these other Ministries do their jobs? It seems to me that women are still discriminated against when they go to a police station.
HON. DAMASANE: Thank you Madam Speaker. I would like to
thank the Hon. Member for the supplementary question. I alluded to a Cabinet Committee to show that Government is serious and they want to really monitor and evaluate, hence that sub-committee by the Cabinet comprising of the five Ministries. When you look at the structure of those Ministries, they have something to do with implementation, monitoring, awareness creation, et cetera. We do not take each other’s duties and all the five Ministries delegated their personnel according to the needs.
If I may cite an example Madam Speaker, when you are doing research, when you get statistics, you have to verify why you want them and where you want to send them. That is why I alluded in my presentation that every member is free to go to the Judicial Services
Commission for statistics. This Cabinet Committee is chaired by the
Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development.
When you have a basket of issues, it does not mean that you carry them.
In our traditional setting, we have what is called, “nhimbe” which means you cannot do it alone. So, we are doing it together, that is, the implementation, evaluation and awareness creation.
I am sure when Hon. Members see advertisements; they would see the stakeholders and the court of arms of the flag of Zimbabwe. That would be a silent Ministry of Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development if you see UNDP, churches and the traditional chiefs. You will remember a billboard on the way to Masvingo, which spent two years from 2012 to 2013, there were two chiefs who said no to child marriages. That alone speaks volumes. We are partners, we are not alone. I thank you.
DEPLOYMENT OF THE ZIMBABWE DEFENCE FORCES TO THE
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
- HON. MAJOME asked the Minister of Defence to explain why the deployment of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces to the Equatorial Guinea for the Confederation of African Football Tournament was not done in accordance with the requirement of Section 214 of the
Constitution of Zimbabwe which states that, “the President must cause Parliament to be informed promptly in accordance and in appropriate detail, of the reasons for their deployment …” and to further state when Parliament would be informed.
THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE (HON. DR. SEKERAMAYI):
Madam Speaker, Section 214 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, Amendment 20 of 2013 states that when the Defence Forces are deployed in Zimbabwe to assist in the maintenance of public order outside Zimbabwe, the President must cause Parliament to be informed promptly and an appropriate detail of the reasons for their deployment and where they are deployed in Zimbabwe, the place where they are deployed outside Zimbabwe and the country in which such troops are deployed.
Madam Speaker, the Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary defines deployment as, “to move or cause troops to move into position for military action.” This implies Madam Speaker, that the theatre in which they are deployed is in a state of war or threat of war and the purpose for which they are deployed is to engage in combat operations.
With regards to the deployment in question, there was no situation of war in the country or threat of war and the purpose was not to engage in combat operation but merely to ensure a safe and peaceful environment and safety for the African Cup of Nations Tournament in support of and at the request of the host nation.
In light of the nature of business for which the Defence Forces were deployed, we did not consider it necessary for His Excellency to cause Parliament to be informed because there was no military action, which would have involved direct loss of life to soldiers through military action, neither did it involve expenditure of fiscal resources, which Parliament directly controls as all resources were provide by the host nation.
Furthermore Mr. Speaker, deployment or movement of troops within the Zimbabwe Defence Forces is a daily routine. For instance we have troops moving to various friendly countries for purposes of military training and cooperation, diplomatic assignments, business trips and peace support operations. If we were to report all these to Parliament, this would mean coming to Parliament on a daily basis. So in our view, there is need for clear distinction on the type of deployment that warrants reporting to this august House and those that do not warrant such reporting.
Mr. Speaker, our view is that the deployment in question as well as the current deployment in the same country, which is for military training cooperation and many such deployments to countries like
Namibia, Pakistan and China where we have hundreds of troops on various missions, therefore do not warrant reporting to Parliament in terms of the provisions of the Constitution mentioned above. However, if the august House’s interpretation of this clause is that we will be required to report every movement of our troops to foreign countries for purposes of training, military cooperation, official business, medical attention or diplomatic assignments, then we will be more than prepared to do so, though in our considered opinion this is not what this clause envisages.
HON. MARIDADI: Thank you Hon. Minister of the response and I am thoroughly impressed by your gymnastics with the word deployment. You contradict yourself, in one breath you said deployment is for purposes of military action and yet when you continue to read your statement, you continue to use the word deploy, deploy, deploy. You are basically saying when you are deploying, it is not for military action but you continue to use the word deploy. I do not want you to give an answers but I am just telling you that you are contradicting yourself in your statement. Thank you.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: What is the supplementary
question?
HON. MARIDADI: It is that he is contradicting himself with the use of the word deployment.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: So you are lecturing to the Minister. You are out of order Hon. Member.
RATIFICATION OF THE ARMS TRADE TREATY
- HON. MAJOME asked the Minister of Defence when he will
table a motion for Parliament to approve the ratification of the Arms Trade Treaty which was signed by Zimbabwe December, 2014.
THE MINISTER OF DEFENCE (HON. DR. SEKERAMAYI):
Madam Speaker, in International law, Zimbabwe belongs to a group of nations that follow a dualistic regime. This means that the procedure of becoming party to International Treaties or Conventions involves two stages, i.e. signing and ratification. As regards the ATT, Zimbabwe has already signed, which is an indication of its intentions.
It is now in the process of stakeholder consultations after which the august House will be informed of the next stage. Part of the delay is due to the fact that we are also seized with the urgent business of realigning our statutes with the Constitution. I thank you.
DISTRIBUTION OF RELIEF FOOD IN RURAL WARDS
- HON. MASIYA asked the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Services to explain whether the Ministry regulates the distribution of relief food in rural wards in view of the fact that Plan International and the Social Welfare are giving 15kgs and 50kgs of sorghum to households respectively.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE, LABOUR AND SOCIAL SERVICES (HON. ENG. MATANGAIDZE): Thank
you Madam Speaker. It is the responsibility of Government to care and assist its citizens especially in times of drought through provisions of food assistance. Cooperating partners only come to complement
Government efforts.
Where the partner has a joint programme with Government, the package will be the same, like in the case of Joint WFP and Government programme where Government is availing 50kg maize per household and WFP provides pulses, vegetable oil and corn soya blend CSB+ for under 5s).
As for other partners, they provide assistance per person per month while Government provides assistance per household per month, hence the differences in the package size. Currently, the Ministry through the department of Social Welfare is distributing only maize to vulnerable food poor households and not any sorghum.
HON. MASIYA: Thank you Madam Speaker. I asked this
question following the knowledge that Plan International is giving 15kgs of sorghum per month and as you come to follow up on the list of intended beneficiaries you leave out those who are getting 15kgs per month. The rest you give 50kgs per month so, there is this disparity of 45kgs, and these families are having a shortage of 45kgs per month. My question is how do you regulate this? Thank you.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: You mean those who are
being given sorghum are not getting anything from Government?
HON. MASIYA: They are getting 15kgs in Chiredzi, it is true from Plan International that is why is specified Plan International.
HON. ENG. MATANGAIDZE: Thank you Madam Speaker.
The detail required from the question in the first instance was for him to site Chiredzi in particular. What I gave him now was policy as it stands.
So, yes, I think if that that is the specific question can I have leave of the House to get back to him. I thank you.
HON. CHIBAYA: Thank you very much Madam Speaker. Hon.
Minister we also have people who are vulnerable in urban areas, for example in my constituency in Mkoba, are you also doing the same programme in urban areas? I thank you.
THE HON. DEPUTY SPEAKER: It is not coming from the
original question. That one was very particular asking about those who are being given something by Plan International and those which are being given by Government. So, it is quite different, if you have a separate question I think you can ask it on its own.
SCHOOL IN JAMBEZI WARD 7 IN HWANGE EAST
- HON. MKANDLA asked the Minister of Primary and
Secondary Education to explain whether there are plans in place to build a school in Jambezi Ward 7 in Hwange East Constituency, considering that children from Chenje and Neluswi Villages walk long distance of between seven to ten kilometers to the nearest school, Sikombi Primary School in Ward 4 in Nemananga.
THE DEPUTY MINISTER OF PRIMARY AND
SECONDARY EDUCATION (HON. PROF. MAVIMA): Thank you
Madam Speaker. Our response is that school infrastructure development is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education. For the record, we have made it public since 2013 that we have a deficit of 2 056 schools countrywide. This deficit includes schools in Matebeleland North where intend to construct school to decongest some schools and to reduce distances travelled by learners.
For 2016, the Ministry intends to deliver 100 brand new schools through joint venture partnerships, Government bonds and loans. In
Matebeleland North work has already begun in Lupane where a new Government primary school is due for completion. It is our hope that all the needy areas will benefit from the current and subsequent initiatives to build schools. Thank Hon. Speaker.
Questions With Notice were interrupted by THE HON. DEPUTY
SPEAKER in terms of Standing Order Number 64.
WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS TO QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE
KAMALALA PRIMARY SCHOOL SOURCES OF WATER
- HON. M. 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 would like to thank Hon. M.
Mkandla for that question. My Ministry is aware of many schools, clinics and other Government establishments that do not have source 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. For example, Rural Wash Programme. The Government has also drilled an estimated 1 700 boreholes through its agencies and partners. Efforts are continuing to cover more areas.
Mr. Speaker Sir, 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 and not to be after thoughts or add on features.
My Ministry due to unavailability of underground water has had to put in place piped water scheme in some areas. The Pungwe and
Mtshabezi pipelines are examples of major pipelines for urban centres.
The communities along these pipelines are set to benefit water for community irrigation schemes and gardens, drawing water from the pipelines through off take valves.
I want to end my submission with this appeal that, the onus to report on our areas that have critical water shortages lies with us as
Members of Parliament. The District Administrator’s office, the District
Development Fund’s office and the ZINWA office have a role, among others, to receive reports of broken down hand pumps, malfunctioning pumps and dried up boreholes or dams. Where they can fix the problem, this is done there and then. Should there be need, the reports go up to provinces for consolidation before we receive the provincial priorities for funding.
At the national level, the Inter-Ministerial Committee on water, sanitation and hygiene called National Action Committee (NAC) on WASH, led by my Ministry then proposes allocations based on areas of need, geographical spread and aridity of area.
I therefore urge our Members of Parliament to involve themselves in the local planning process. Communicate with our offices to avert any serious suffering on the part of our communities and institutions. I thank you.
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.
Secondly, to explain what advice can be given to the Ministry of Agriculture in terms of climate change effects on agriculture?
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND
CLIMATE (HON. MUCHINGURI): I want to thank Hon. Chirisa for
the question. Mr. Speaker Sir. Any person wishing to drill a borehole is required by law to seek a permit to do so. The authority to drill a bore hole is granted after considering the extent of abstraction from the proposed boreholes, purpose of abstraction and the effect of the proposed abstraction to other groundwater user in the vicinity.
In light of the above, in residential areas, it is not permitted to abstract water for any purposed other than primary (domestic) use. My Ministry is aware of people abstracting bulk water for sake in Harare and these are being brought to the book in collaboration effort between ZINWA, Catchment Councils and the Police. In the past week, at least two illegal bulk water dealers have been arrested and fined for abstracting groundwater for resale from residential areas.
On second part of the question, My Ministry developed a Climate Response Strategy and key stakeholders were consulted during the development of the strategy. In light of the climate change phenomenon, some of the strategies recommended for use by the agriculture sector include:
- Utilisation of water from existing dams that are currently being underutilised such as Mazvikadei, Zhove and Biri dams. ZINWA has reduced tariffs for small scale farmers from US$5 per mega litre to US$4 per mega litre which is a 20% reduction to encourage the uptake of water from existing
dams for irrigation. The agricultural sector should take advantage of this strategy to increase crop production through irrigation.
- Use efficient irrigation methods such as drip irrigation which increase efficiency and conserve water.
- Employ rainwater harvesting especially where small areas can be used to produce high output of produce that are of high value.
- Use soil and water conservation techniques
- Avoid farming techniques and practices that result in high
erosion and siltation. Siltation is threatening the gains made so far to store the increasingly scarce water due to erratic rains.
- Ban the use of methyl bromide which deplete the ozone layer and adapt to environmentally friendly alternatives.
- No cutting of trees for curing tobacco. It causes deforestation. Rather let us encourage use of solar energy,
bio gas as renewable energy alternatives to tobacco curing through use of trees.
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): I would like to thank Hon. M.
Sibanda for the question. Mr. Speaker Sir, the policy does not stipulate the number of boreholes per ward or village but the number of people to share a borehole, which are 250 people per borehole. It also depends on the need to meet constitutional expectations. Boreholes can be drilled where there are no other water sources, for example, dams, piped water schemes and natural springs.
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 de-silt dams in Gwanda North Constituency.
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND
CLIMATE (HON. MUCHINGURI): I want to thank Hon. M.
Sibanda, once again for the question. Mr. Speaker Sir, my Ministry has a plan to de-silt the major rivers and dams to improve access to water for communities. The process however, requires extensive amounts of resources due to the level of siltation obtaining in our major dams and rivers. Some dams in Matabeleland South are almost completely silted.
While Government is at an advanced stage to mobilise resources (through mineral recovery from silt in river and dams), all stakeholders are urged to ensure that we minimise erosion and siltation especially from illegal mining activities and poor agricultural practices such as stream bank cultivation, cutting down trees and illegal settlements.
Government on its part has acquired earthmoving equipment from
Belarus, which will be used, among other things, to de-silt our water bodies. A Cabinet Committee chaired by Vice President Mnangagwa is spearheading this process and I am sure that as soon as the equipment arrives, we will hit the ground running. This high level Committee is a clear demonstration that Government is taking de-silting very seriously. Where there are small dams, communities can mobilise themselves and carry out the de-silting exercise with the guidance of the Cabinet Committee.
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
(c ) Mahena
THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, WATER AND
CLIMATE (HON. MUCHINGURI): I want to thank Hon. M. S.
Ndlovu for the question. Mr. Speaker Sir, My Ministry, 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 from 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 store at these potential sites. Hence the construction of dams from Nata, Natane and Mahena rivers can only be considered once this review is completed. However, mobilization of adequate resources is also required so that the construction of dams from all identified rivers and sites is realised.
We need to also ensure that dam construction is matched with economic activities that guarantee maximum usage and up take of the water. Let us avert drought by making sure irrigation schemes are put in place to produce enough food to address hunger and poverty.
MOTION
BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE
HON. MATUKE: Madam Speaker, I move that Orders of the Day, Numbers 1 to 11 be stood over until Order of the Day, Number 12 has been disposed of.
HON. KHUPE: I second.
Motion put and agreed.
MOTION
REPORT OF THE ZIMBABWE DELEGATION TO THE FIRST
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE AFRICAN
PARLIAMENTARIANS NETWORK ON DEVELOPMENT
EVALUATION (APNODE)
HON. CHAPFIKA: I move the motion standing in my name;
That this House takes note of the Zimbabwe Delegation Report on the First Annual General Meeting at the African Parliamentarians’ Network on Development Evaluation (APNODE) held at African
Development Bank Headquarters, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire from 23rd to 24th July 2015.
HON. KHUPE: I second.
HON. CHAPFIKA: 1. Background
The African Parliamentarians’ Network on Development
Evaluation (APNODE) was launched in March 2014 at the 7thAfrican Evaluation Association (AfrEA) Conference in Yaoundé, Cameroon. It was initiated by African Parliamentarians based on their recognition of the important function of evaluation in national decision-making and the crucial role of Parliamentarians in ensuring that evaluation evidence is used for strengthening decision-making, with a view to greater development effectiveness and inclusive growth.
2. Members and partners
The founding members of APNODE are Parliamentarians from seven African countries, namely, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, United Republic of Tanzania, Togo and Uganda. Membership is open to current and former Parliamentarians from Africa, civil society organizations, private sector organizations, research institutions, national and regional evaluation associations, African national Parliaments, development partners and other individuals and organizations demonstrating a keen interest in the network. APNODE benefits from the support of a number of partner organizations, including the African
Development Bank, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the United Nations Children's Fund, the United Nations Development Programme, and UN Women. The Independent Development Evaluation (IDEV) of the African Development Bank in line with its mandate to promote an evaluation culture within the Bank's Regional Member Countries and as part of its evaluation capacity development initiatives, has agreed to host the temporary APNODE Secretariat until the establishment of its first
Secretariat in Yaoundé, Cameroon, expected in 2016.
3. Objectives
APNODE was established to fulfill the following objectives:
3.1 Raise awareness and promote knowledge amongst Parliamentarians and within national Parliaments about the importance of using evidence generated by evaluation for oversight, policy-making and national decision-making.
3.2 Enhance the capacity of individual Parliamentarians to demand solid evaluation evidence and make use of it in parliamentary duties.
3.3 Encourage Parliamentarians to work towards the institutionalization of evaluation to inform evidence-based decisionmaking and policy-making.
3.4 Share experiences across countries in Africa and beyond and examine the potential for international cooperation in this area.
3.5 Support parliaments in ensuring that evaluations at country level are responsive to concerns of gender equality, vulnerable groups, and equitable development results.
3.6 Assist Parliamentarians in contributing to the development of a culture of evaluation and evidence-based decision-making at all levels of government and by other stakeholders in development.
3.7Work to bridge the gap between evaluators (as providers of impartial evidence) and Parliamentarians (as users of evaluation evidence).
4. The First Annual General Meeting
The First Annual General Meeting of APNODE was held at the
African Development Bank Headquarters in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, from the 23rd to the 24th of July 2015. The meeting was attended by Parliamentarians from Gabon, Kenya, Nigeria, Mali, Liberia, Togo, Mauratania, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Somalia, Uganda, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Zimbabwe.
5. The Zimbabwean Delegation
The Zimbabwean delegation was headed by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Adv. J. F. Mudenda and included the following:
- D. Chapfika
- T. Khupe
- I. Zindi
- A. Masumba (Secretary to the delegation)
- Presentation on evaluation as a tool for enhancing development
The meeting received a presentation on development evaluation from Mr. SamerHachemand Hon. Musyoka. The AGM was informed that independent evaluations provided credible evidence of what works and what doesn’t in public policy programmes. It was highlighted that the use of evidence in the public policy and decision making process leads to quality policies and programmes and ultimately to better governance. The presenters bemoaned that the use of evaluation evidence in public policy and decision making in Africa was still at its infancy.
They attributed this state of affairs to lack of awareness by decision makers of the value that evaluations can bring to their governance. The presenters underscored the need to instill the culture of evaluation evaluation in all government institutions and agencies. It was indicated that members of parliament needed to understand and adopt development evaluation if the approach was to succeed in the respective countries.
7. Adoption of the APNODE Constitution
It is not possible to spell out all the provisions of the APNODE constitution but an enumeration of the salient aspects will suffice.
The constitution had been provisionally adopted by the Steering Committee at a meeting held in Ethiopia in September 2014. It, however, needed to be formally adopted by the APNODE membership. The constitution was, therefore, presented to the meeting for its consideration and possible adoption.
The Constitution provides for 5 categories of APNODE membership as follows: founding members, full members, associate members, affiliate members and partners. The constitution also provides for the possibility of members of APNODE to establish individual, country or regional Chapters of APNODE.
The constitution further provides for a secretariat headed by an Executive Secretary to service the organization. The first office of the secretariat shall be located in Yaounde, Cameroon. The constitution further makes provision for an Executive Committee of 14 members which shall be responsible for giving directions to the secretariat and ensuring that the decisions of the Annual General Meeting are implemented. Members of the Executive Committee shall serve for a two year term which is renewable once.
The constitution also provides for other important matters such as the election of the Executive Committee, the conduct of Annual General Meetings of APNODE and the funding of APNODE activities.
After extensive deliberations, the AGM adopted the constitution.
8. Election of the Executive
Since the constitution had been formally adopted, there was the logical need to elect a substantive Executive to run the affairs of the Network. It was proposed that in order to ensure continuity in the affairs of the Network, the Steering Committee should coopt other members and continue as the substantive Executive. After considerable debate,the proposal was adopted and the following members will constitute the first substantive Executive Committee of APNODE:
Senator Roger MbassaNdine (Cameroon) - Chairperson
Hon. Susan Musyoka (Kenya) - Vice Chairperson
Hon. Mahmoud Thabit Kombo (Tanzania) - Treasurer
Hon. Evelyn NaomeMpagi-Kaabule (Uganda) | - | Member |
Hon. GirmaSeifuMaru (Ethiopia) - | Member | |
Hon. Kojo Appiah-Kubi (Ghana) - | Member | |
Hon. Assou Jean-Marie Apezouke (Togo) | - | Member |
Hon. ImbassouOuttara Abbas (Cote d’Ivoire) | - | Member |
Hon. David Chapfika (Zimbabwe) | - | Member |
Hon. LoulaZarough (Mauratania) - | Member | |
Hon. Andre Moussounda Mikala (Gabon) | - | Member |
3 representatives of Development Partners to be nominated by
APNODE’s Development Partners.
The Executive Committee will meet at least twice a year prior to the Annual General Meeting to review arrangements for the same, prepare the agenda of the AGM and to consider any other matter concerning the membership. It was also agreed that a Virtual Meeting of the Executive Committee would be held at least once every month.
9. Consideration of Operational Policies
The AGM also had opportunity to deliberate on the proposed operational policies of APNODE. The operational policies covered such important matters as allowances for AGM meetings, travel authorization, membership and annual membership fees. After extensive deliberations, the operational policies were adopted.
10. Consideration of Draft Programme of Activities and Budget for 2015 – 2016
The AGM also deliberated on the budget and proposed programme of activities for the period 2015 -2016. The activities that were proposed include the following:
- Advocacy and networking
- Capacity development
- Outreach, and
- Resource mobilization
After lengthy deliberations, the AGM adopted the budget of $140 000 and the attendant programme of activities.
12. Resource Mobilization
This session was dedicated to an open discussion on APNODE resource sustainability. The expected outcome was to have a clear understanding on how the Network would secure resources (human, financial and technical) to fulfill its mission. It was brought to the attention of the AGM that the Constitution of the Network articulated the finances as accruing from the following sources:
- Annual membership fees
- Voluntary contributions from members, APNODE Chapters, Governments, development partners, evaluation partners and any other interested stakeholders
- Grants from other similar networks and parliamentary Associations
- Various fund raising activities approved by the Executive
Committee, and
- Any other source approved by the Executive Committee or the
Annual General Meeting
13. Conclusion and Salient Issues
The following key issues emerged from the deliberations of the First
Annual General Meeting of the African Parliamentarians’ Network on Development Evaluation:
13.1 Zimbabwe was chosen to host the Second Annual General Meeting of APNODE in July 2016.
13.2 That national Parliaments should report on the progress regarding the formation of APNODE caucuses or chapters by 31 December
- These caucuses should be fully funded by national
Parliaments.
13.3 That national Parliaments should conduct advocacy workshops on development evaluation.
13.4 It was agreed that member Parliaments should contribute 30% of the APNODE Budget. For 2015/2016 the total budget is $140 000.
13.5 Parliaments were urged to approach partners such as UNICEF and
USAID in their respective countries in order to fund their activities.
13.6 That regional evaluation workshops should be held in order to popularize the concept of Development Evaluation.
- 7 It was agreed that membership of APNODE would take effect upon receipt of proof of payment of membership fees. It was agreed that the different categories of members will pay annual membership fees as follows:
Membership category | Annual membership fees |
Founding members | $250 |
Full members | $250 |
Associate members (individuals) | $150 |
Associate members
(organizations) |
$400 |
Affiliate members | Free |
Partners | $500 |
13.8 It was agreed that member Parliaments would contribute articles to the APNODE Newsletter. In this regard, draft themes of articles are to be submitted for approval.
Recommendations
Given Zimbabwe’s offer to host the 2016 edition of APNODE, the following recommendations are being submitted:
- That the local Chapter of APNODE should be launched urgently to ensure that by the time the AGM is held, it can report on its activities. This Chapter should be fully funded by Parliament
- That the Parliament of Zimbabwe pays its maiden annual subscription to formalize its membership of APNODE.
- That the necessary administrative arrangements be put in motion to concretize Zimbabwe’s offer to host the Second Annual General Meeting of APNODE in 2016. Specifically, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the President and Cabinet should be informed of this development in writing.
- That an Organizing Committee be established to deal with the logistics of hosting the meeting. The logistics should necessarily include issues of funding, accommodation, translation and transport amongst others.
- That advocacy meetings be held with sister Parliaments to popularize APNODE ahead of the Second AGM. I thank you.
HON KHUPE: I rise to second the motion. Like what the Chairperson alluded to earlier on, APNODE focuses on enhancing capacities of parliamentarians to improve their oversight role, policy making and national decision making by ensuring the processes are evidence based.
APNODE supports parliamentarians through ensuring that evaluations conducted at country level are responsive to the needs of women and the vulnerable groups. Evaluation is critical to parliamentarians because it enables them to hold their Governments accountable and to promote an evaluation culture at decision making levels.
Once a project/programme has been started, it is important to evaluate it in order to measure its outcomes and impact especially on the livelihoods of the people. As APNODE, we are talking about evaluation development and development is the ability of a country to satisfy the needs of the people using its own resources. The needs being food, shelter, health, education, clean water and jobs amongst other things.
If we look at food, currently in Zimbabwe three million people are food insecure and rural poverty is at about 80%. In 2005, the World Food Programme and the Government of Zimbabwe launched a zero hunger programme. Currently there are programmes to distribute food to those who need food. The question is have we evaluated those programmes to see whether those three million people who are food insecure are receiving the food in a non-partisan way?
If we look at health, we are talking about the prevention of mother to child transmission so that we have an AIDS free generation. Are we evaluating these programmes to see their impact and outcome?
On education, Mr. Speaker Sir, we have youths who completed their
‘O’ levels. We want to see where those youths are, are they being trained on other skills? What is happening to these youths?
On clean water, women are walking long distances to go and fetch water yet we have programmes of digging boreholes, dams and so on.
Are we evaluating these programmes to see their impact and outcomes? If we look at electricity, for instance, women are walking long distances in search of firewood yet we have bio gas programmes. These programmes were started but are we evaluating them to see their impact so that people can use bio gas for cooking and lighting which is what other countries are doing? If we look at jobs, two million jobs were promised, have we evaluated why those jobs have not been created or how many at least were created?
I am talking about these things so that we know the importance of evaluation, so that we know the reason why we are supposed to evaluate projects/programmes. At the end of the day evaluation helps to assess whether funds were used properly. Every year we allocate money to ministries and after allocating those monies, we are supposed to evaluate whether or not the monies were used properly. This Ministry hass used so much, what was the money used for? Are we doing that?
Evaluation helps to provide justification for a project. When you evaluate a project, you are justifying its existence but if a project is not evaluated, how do you justify its existence? Evaluation ensures transparency and accountability. Right now, we are being told that about US$15billion was generated from diamonds but under US$2billion was remitted to Government. Did we do an evaluation to say, how many carats were mined? How much were they sold for?
How much money was received? What was that money used for? If we had done that, we would not be talking of US$15billion that is missing from the sale of those diamonds. This is the reason why it is important for evaluating whatever we do.
We hear people talking about going to Botswana to study what they are doing in regards to their diamonds. During my tenure as Deputy
Prime Minister, I went there with the former Minister Mines and Energy,
Minister of Industry and Commerce and the Minister of Information and Technology to study how Botswana is dealing with its diamond issue. We came here, submitted reports and recommendations to Cabinet but no one bothered to implement the recommendations made … - [AN HON. MEMBER: Hear, Hear] – Key policy decisions must be based on evidence.
It is, therefore, important for policy makers to demand and use evaluation in national decision making processes. Evaluation must be mainstreamed at national level to assess the different implications of any planned policy action including legislation and programmes in all areas and levels. Evaluation helps to determine whether a project/programme has been worthwhile in terms of what was intended and what was expected.
I would like to conclude by urging all Hon. Members to support this report so that we establish our own Chapter of APNODE. Hon. Chapfika alluded earlier to the fact that we are supposed to be hosting the APNODE Summit in July, 2016 and by then we are supposed to ensure that we have our own Chapter as Zimbabwe.
Finally, evaluation is key to development. Let us develop the culture of evaluating all our programmes/policies and all our decisions must be evidence based. This is the only way we can deliver real change to the people of Zimbabwe. The equation is very simple, evaluation equals development, and development equals a better life for all. I thank you.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MARUMAHOKO):
Order, order. The Minister of Transport and Infrastructural
Development would like to make a Ministerial Statement. Hon. Chief
Whip, may you adjourn the debate.
HON. MATUKE: Mr. Speaker Sir, I move that the debate do now adjourn.
HON. DZIVA: I second.
Motion put and agreed to.
Debate to resume: Thursday, 10th March, 2016.
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT
CARNAGE ON THE ROADS
THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND
INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. J. M. GUMBO) Thank
you Mr. Speaker. A request was made by the Committee on Transport and Infrastructural Development that I make a statement regarding the carnage on the roads. In particular relating to the recent accident that took place in Kwekwe, on Thursday last week.
Mr. Speaker Sir, it is with a heavy heart that, I address you when the
Nation is still mourning 32 of our citizens who perished in a road accident on
Thursday 3 March 2016, when a Harare bound Pfochez Bus collided with a Sprinter combi heading in the opposite direction, 20 km out Kwekwe. Thirty four others were seriously injured and hospitalised in Kwekwe, Gweru and Harare hospitals.
Our heartfelt condolences go to all the families that lost their loved ones in that fatal accident. Our prayers are with all those who survived the crash but are still fighting for their lives in hospitals. We pray that the Good Lord extends His healing hand to them.
Hon. members, allow me, to update the House on the policy thrust my
Ministry is pursuing in view of the road crashes in the country in general and the Kwekwe crash in particular in respect to insurance cover and compensation to the victims.
1.Third Party Insurance
This august House has requested me to comment on how much is being collected through Third Party Insurance and to what extend has it been used in alleviating the plight of road traffic accident victims. Mr. Speaker Sir, Third Party Insurance is administered privately by insurance companies and therefore the Ministry cannot comment with confidence on the actual amount collected monthly or yearly by private insurance companies individually.
Below is a table of what the law says people should be compensated and what the industry has advised my office that they are actually doing, which I have to verify.
CATEGORY | STATUTORY
INSTRUMENT 124 OF 2009 |
INDUSTRY
PRACTICE AS ADVISED TO MINISTRY ON 16 FEBRUARY 2016 |
Any person | $1 000.00 | $2 000.00 |
Any Event or
Incident (Non Buses) |
$5 000.00 | $10 000.00 |
Any Event or
Incident (Omnibuses) |
$10 000.00 | $20 000.00 |
Property Damage | $2 000.00 | $3 000.00 |
May I acknowledge that, in other countries, Third Party Insurance is administered by Government, but in our case, we have been relying on insurance companies as agents since the colonial era. I have already advised Cabinet of my efforts to set up a Road Accident Fund and I will submit the paper to that effect to Cabinet in the next four weeks. Allow me therefore, at this stage, to defer discussions on this proposal which I am consulting relevant stakeholders as I prepare it.
- Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe And The Collection Of
Motor Levy
Mr. Speaker Sir, the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe as the Lead Road Safety Agency in the country, gets 12% of every Third
Party Insurance Policy issued in the country through a Motor levy. The money collected is used for the promotion of road safety in the country and this is clearly stated in the enabling Act of the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe. So for the avoidance of doubt, the money that traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe is supposed to get from Insurance Companies is meant for promotion of road safety, not for compensation which is the responsibility of Insurance Companies.
However, taking note of the situation on the ground in the case of the current road crush in Kwekwe, the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe assisted Kwekwe Hospital with replenishment of blood and medication that had been used up by crash victims to the tune of U$3 000.00.
Currently, the Third Party Insurance costs $30 per term and therefore the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe gets 12% of
$30=$3.60 per term per car. On a monthly and annual basis, the Council collects an average of $224 000 and $2.688 million respectively.
On this note, may I say that of late, the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe has had problems in collecting the 12% levy from Insurance Companies mainly because the Industry has been plagued by fake Insurance policies, while some Insurance
Companies are not complying with the requirements to remit the money. Regrettably, the Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe has no garnishee powers to get the money from the bank accounts of defaulting Insurance Companies.
In order to ensure compliance, my Ministry has been in consultations with the Insurance Council of Zimbabwe (ICZ) in the past month to introduce electronic Insurance Cover Notes. This project which will see Insurance Companies being linked to databases of ZINARA and CVR and therefore, no vehicle will be able to get motor vehicle licence without a valid insurance policy. The system has already been designed and is expected to be operational in the next three months.
THE COCEPT OF ROAD ACCIENT FUND AND THE FUTURE
OF ROAD TRAFFIC VICTIMS IN ZIMBABWE
To complement the above initiative, given the inadequacies of the current system in meeting the post-crash needs of road accident victims, my Ministry has developed the concept of Road Accident Fund. The Ministry has already made a commitment to submit the proposal to Cabinet in the next four weeks. The paper is being worked on by an allinclusive stakeholder Committee set up within my Ministry and the completed documents are expected to be brought to this august House within the next two to three months for interrogation and possible legislation of the Fund.
Finally, allow me to say that my Ministry remains very committed and dedicated to curbing road traffic carnage in the country. With your support, we will not fail our travelling citizens and their families. On that note Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the Hon. Members who have been listening but just to add that the Kwekwe accident was a terrible one. You could actually shed tears if you had visited the place. What actually happened is that ten people had the necks guillotined, heads thrown away.
Mr. Speaker Sir, as you read about some bodies that have not been identified, this is where the problems is. There are bodies and heads on the site. When I visited the site on Friday with other Ministers, when looking around, we picked another head – [HON. MEMBERS: Uuuuu !] – So, it was a terrible accident. I regret to say that at times we are very late to come up with legislations that can assist our people and this is one area that one would not want to see being repeated. When I talking of coming here in about two to three months with a proposal, it is because of the system of coming up with laws but if one was to actually fast-track this legislation, it should come even by yesterday and make it into a law. Mr. Speaker, we do not even know what is going to happen tonight or tomorrow. As such, a situation like that can repeat. It is a very sad story, it is not something that one would want to think about. Those who survived, I think they are much traumatised because the bus and the sprinter were coming from opposite directions so people in the bus could actually see heads being hacked. It is something that if you witnessed the incident, you get very much traumatised. This is the kind of situation that we have.
The accident was caused by a tyre burst and because of speeding, the sprinter coming from the opposite direction could not avoid going directly into the bus. This is what transpired. I want to thank the Chairperson of the Committee who has asked me to come and make this statement which I prepared at a very short notice, but I thought it was very important that we bring it to the attention of the Hon. Members. I thank you – [HON. MEMBERS: Hear, hear].
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER (HON. MARUMAHOKO):
Thank you Hon. Minister for that gesture, it is a pity that we lost lives.
HON. NDUNA: I am the Chairperson of your Committee Mr. Speaker. I want to thank the Minister for having responded at a knee jack reaction time, to come and give this House a Ministerial Statement. I want to agree with the Minister that we should act immediately to alleviate any future happenings of such disasters. Mr. Speaker, immediately, what I hear from the Minister is that there is no enforcement in terms of insurance collection.
Therefore, we urge him to redouble the efforts of remittances of the twelve and half percent; that should go to Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe. What I need to bring to your attention is that the registered vehicles in 2015, 571 000 vehicles that were insured, what was suppose to accumulate to Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe is US$8.5 million.
Since the dollarisation, we have never gone below 400 000 vehicles. So, I say, instead of the awareness campaign for road traffic safety awareness, if we can use some of this money towards ensuring …
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Order, order, Hon. Nduna,
you need to seek clarification from the Minister if you have anything that you want clarified, more than making a debate over it.
HON. NDUNA: Mr. Speaker Sir, cumulatively, I believe we could have got U$48 million which was there for enforcement. He has alluded to the fact that enforcement is lacking and they are seeking to garnish the accounts of the insurance companies. I urge, then if you get to the garnishing point and if you get that money, some of that money should be employed to alleviate the plight of those that have been bereaved in compassionate compensation and for those that were injured including those that had their limps amputated. This can alleviate their plight in terms of compensating them for their injuries and paying their hospital bills. It will not be asking too much to do it in retrospect.
However, it would be my fervent view that going forward; if you can collect that money effectively and it can be accounted for every cent, we will be asking you again to come in and say to us how much has come in from the insurance sector so that we know that this money gets to be employed optimally for the compensation of those victims. Today all of us are affected Hon. Minister. Every one of us in this House is affected by road carnage in one way or the other. We want enforcement to be done on the insurance companies so that we can optimally ensure those that have been bereaved and those that have been injured. I thank you.
THE TEMPORARY SPEAKER: Hon. Members, I have asked
you to seek clarification where you did not understand well from the Minister, not debating over this issue.
HON. MANDIPAKA: Mine is a question from what the Hon. Minister has said. I want to find out whether they have conducted a survey within the region or outside the region in terms of or in relation to the introduction of such a fund. Thank you.
HON. MARIDADI: Thank you Mr. Speaker. Firstly, I wish to
thank the Minister for the report. Minister, it shows you have your heart in the right place. I would also want to thank Hon. Nduna for prompting the Minister to bring that statement. It was very timely. Minister, the $2.6 million being collected as Road Accident Fund, you were saying that you do not have a mechanism to force the disbursement of this money in the event of an accident. What mechanisms are you putting in place to ensure that this money is used for purposes of compensating victims of road accidents?
HON. MAONDERA: What I want to seek clarification from the Minister is, you said the Kwekwe accident and many others are as a result of the defects on vehicles. Is he aware that departments like VID, when they find a vehicle with a defect, they only fine the drivers and they are allowed to proceed with their journey with the same vehicle with defects? I know he does not superintend over the police but the police and VID, which he superintends over are letting vehicles with defects to proceed after they have been fined. Is it fund raising; you collect money and you do not care about the safety of the people. Can he clarify on that?
*HON. MURAI: Thank you Mr. Speaker. I would want to thank
the Minister for timeously bringing in the response. All of us are deeply pained by the catastrophe. What I wanted to say had been already said by the Hon. Members who spoke before me.
HON. CHAPFIKA: Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir. Again, let me echo my colleagues’ sentiments on thanking the Hon. Minister for a quick response to this very critical and urgent issue. Do you not think that there is need to seriously look at the issues that this House has been calling on Government to adopt? The combis and vehicles that are dumped into this country, which are more than five years old is a source of economic destruction. They do not only cause death to many people because some of them break down on the way from Beitbridge to Harare. The amount of foreign currency used in procuring spare parts for these vehicles is maybe ten times the value of the vehicle. Urgent action needs to be taken. I know that from a political angle it might be unpopular but in the long run, you will find that it will reduce the carnage on our roads. I think it is high time Hon. Minister you take a comprehensive approach to those issues. Thank you.
HON. J. TSHUMA: Thank you very much Mr. Speaker Sir. May
I also thank the Minister for coming up with this statement on such a sad event. My point is on the other aspects that I have not heard being touched, the aspect of tyres. Most of these bus owners are trying to be economic and are buying retreads. Retreads are not good for public transport. So, I think that the Ministry must come up with a policy to ban retreads, especially for public vehicles. They must use original tyres because as long as it is retreads, we are not going to solve this. As we hear, it was a tyre burst. The car might be in good condition but that tyre burst can cause accidents. If you go on the highway, look at how many pieces of tyres you see. It is because even the huge trucks use retreads. Please, let us ban retreads. They are going to keep on killing our people. I thank you.
THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND
INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. J. GUMBO):
Thank you Mr. Speaker. Let me thank my colleagues for the questions.
I am very much aware that it is a subject that really touches everybody’s heart here. The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Nduna talked about us having been able to collect a lot of money from around 571 000 cars. Unfortunately, we only collected US$224 000 or we collect approximately $2.6 million. That is what we can only account for. It is difficult for us to collect money because the people have to remit the money through their own volition. We do not force them to pay. There is no mechanism of forcing them to pay, like what Hon. Maridadi did say. It is a question that I think maybe we need to look at as legislators as how we can force people to pay the money.
The collection is rather done by those who are honest and who feel the responsibility of being responsible enough to pay the money. This is why I have said we are coming up with a proposal whereby we are going to link up ZINARA, CVR and insurance companies together so that we do away with fake licences. Most of the cars the Hon. Chair talked about, are going around with fake licences. I was arrested at one time at a road block for using a fake licence. I asked one of my guys to go and pay at ZINARA. When he got to ZINARA, he was mobbed by guys who said this is ZINARA so we can give you a licence. He paid and we put that fake thing on the car. I thought all was fine but this is what is happening and this is what we are trying to curb through this proposal in order to make sure that we collect enough money that we can use to compensate our people.
It can only be done through the Road Fund. We are proposing that we come up with a proper way of alleviating this burden from our people and Government. You must know that after the accident, Government declared it a national disaster and it is Government again paying. It means it is you again paying. So, if we do it through a fund, it would be easier for all of us and we can make sure that we can assist our own people.
Hon. Mandipaka, yes, we are making the comparative study and that is why I talked about South Africa. They are actually having a problem because they started this thing but it is also giving them problems. From what they have experienced, we are trying to come up with a modified policy and we hope that when we come up with ours, it would be better. We have done a regional study and we hope this will assist us to come up with a better concept.
Hon. Maondera, you talked about VID and ZRP, that is our problem. You do not have to say there is nothing happening there. There is something happening. We experience it and our people experience it. We said to VID people go on the road and make sure that every car that passes your road block, you are satisfied it is roadworthy but it never works that way. How to prevent corruption, whether it is VID or ZRP, one Zimbabwean like myself or yourself will say it does not happen. If they do not, then I do not know why we should do that - it happens. All we can say is we pray and we hope that our people can try and be honest so that whenever they allow a car to pass, it is really worthy to pass. Otherwise those things do happen and I will be the first one to agree because VID falls under my ministry. I really do not know whether I should cry or not cry or whatever I should do to make sure that we are clear or be rid of this corruption because it is there.
We are trying as much as we can. I was whispering to another colleague that some people are saying that we want to start our own association whereby we will just be standing with the police and we will not be in uniform, arresting police or the people themselves. So, you get confused at one stage you want to say, I think that should be allowed to happen, but you then say you might employ tsotsis. Again, it is something that I cannot really deny that it happens, but those are things that happen.
The Hon. Member who stated that what he wanted to ask has been asked and I thought that was really very responsible and honourable for him to do that.
Hon. Chapfika – commuter omnibus, yes today it is not the question of commuter omnibus but I hear you about commuter omnibuses. That is actually an area for Local Government, they are mostly in urban areas but they also ply our roads and your question is, why do we allow as many as them being allowed into the country because we lose out a lot of money and so forth. I will agree with you but I want you to keep that question and ask the Minister of Industry and Commerce, that is where you can get your answer. My role is to make the roads, I do not drive on the roads I just make the roads and the cars whether they come in or out is an issue of Ministry of Industry and Commerce and you know that pretty well, having been Minister in those Ministries.
Hon. Chuma – the issue of retreaded tyres is an issue that is worrisome as well but again, it is an issue that should be directed to the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. My ministry’s role is to make roads and bridges and it ends there. You should be allowed to drive on the roads, you should be allowed by Industry and Commerce to buy cars and drive them and have good tyres - that is the role of another ministry. The point still is made and I take it and I will also pass it to the Minister to say can he do something about retreaded tyres being used, particularly on public vehicles, it would be better if it is your own car. Maybe if something happens to you, it is your own problem but particularly on public vehicles, it is better if we do not use retreaded tyres. I want to thank you Mr. Speaker I think I have tried to do justice to the questions.
I thank you.
On the motion of HON. MATUKE, seconded by HON. DZIVA,
the House adjourned at Nine Minutes to Six o’clock p.m.